Greetings Trojan Band Fans,

We have had a wonderful week one of band camp!  It’s always amazing to see the progress the band makes the first week, and as directors we are beyond inspired by the students!  They are working hard, are a delight to spend our days with and are flamingoing by night.  It’s nice to see new bonds forming in the sections and new friendships as they become comfortable with their band mates.

This week is always a challenging one as we are learning marching fundamentals and learning drill by the end of the week.  If your student is new to the activity they are probably feeling the nerves of marching, knowing their music and keeping their stamina.  This is very normal and we want you and them to know we are here to help!  We will put in some long hours again next week and before they know it “Luminosity” will start to become second nature.  My favorite part of the job (one of the many parts that makes the long hours totally worth it!!) is seeing students completely transform day by day.  They become more coordinated, more aware, and they truly show their ‘grit.’  I see sophmores, juniors and seniors leading the way and remember them as freshmen….they evolve and grow overnight!

As you are carting around car-loads of flamingo-ers, hosting section parties and campouts and listening to the chatter and practicing…..know that we are on an awesome path to a great year!

Looking ahead to next week – there are a few things I want to put on your radar this weekend.

  •  Please make sure your students continue to HYDRATE over the weekend.  The hydration their body holds during Monday morning’s rehearsal is built up on Saturday and Sunday.  We were very lucky this week with weather that worked in our favor.  Whatever next week looks to bring, please encourage healthy habits at home that will sustain them through the days.
  • If your students are worried about pass offs and drill spots tell them not to stress…just be diligent.  If they fix something everyday, ask questions when they have them and work with directors and section leaders periodically they will be in great shape as we progress.  Pass offs are not meant to stress out…but to provide feedback and accountability.  Effort and improvement are rewarded, and we would rather hear you a few or several times leading up to pass offs than procrastinate with no interim feedback.  WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
  • As we push through our last week of flamingo-ing, please encourage your children to do their share, take a shift or two….and please sign up to be a driver.  Many of the section leaders have come to me on a daily basis VERY VERY stressed about the driver situation for their section.  I am going to post links to their sign ups again at the bottom of this blast…. please help our student leaders in their plight to make their sections successful and build their team!  At the end of the day parents are as much a part of our community as the students – you may not hear it from your younger student, but you can hop on the sign up genius yourself and see the needs of the section to help the leaders as they strive to guide their section to their goals!

Please feel free to reach out to me as always!  Mr. Nedley, Mr. Jurgens, Mr. Cleveland, Mr. Henry and Ms. Orton and myself are happy to clarify or help in whatever ways we can!  Looking forward to week 2!

GO BAND!!!!

Ms. Gonzalez

PERCUSSION DRIVER SIGN UP

LOW BRASS DRIVER SIGN UP

MELLIE DRIVER SIGN UP

TRUMPET DRIVER SIGN UP

FLUTE DRIVER SIGN UP

CLARINET DRIVER SIGN UP

SAXOPHONE DRIVER SIGN UP