HIGH NOTES – V1 / Issue 7
The Weekly Briefing of the East River H.S. Falcon Bands
Week of September 11, 2022
QUICK LINKS
Band Web Site: http://www.erhsband.com
Band Central Station: http://www.tinyurl.com/erhsbandcentralstation
Band School Pay: http://www.tinyurl.com/bandschoolpay23
Welcome to this week’s edition of High Notes. Each week, HIGH NOTES will bring you the most important information that you need to know so that you can stay “in the know” about everything happening in the band program.
Today is 9/11. In 2001, 9/11 was a gorgeous Tuesday. I was a young band director doing what all band directors do in September … marching band! It was first period, and it was the only year in my entire career that I had first period planning (which I hated, by the way). I was at my desk working on writing the drill for that evening’s rehearsal when Allen, Jr.’s mom called me and told me to turn on the television. I started watching just before 9 AM and I watched the events unfold on TV, the same as millions of other Americans did. When the bell for 2nd period rang, the color guard class filed in, and those kids were shocked and scared. We just sat and watched the whole period, in fact, the whole day was more of the same. Lots of talk, lots of tears, lots of emotions. The whole day felt surreal. I knew this would be my generation’s “Kennedy Assassination Moment” that we would all remember vividly for the rest of our lives.
That afternoon, my band’s chaplain came to me and asked for time to speak before evening rehearsal started and, of course, I said yes. Her dad was a preacher and she spoke like a seasoned professional. I can’t tell you what she said, but I will never forget how her words made me feel. That rehearsal was one of the best rehearsals I have ever directed. Inspired by her words and the resolve of the American spirit, those students marched and played with a purpose they had never known before that. We went on to have one of our best seasons ever. We drew strength from unity and from the realization that we only have one chance to do what we were doing.
Twenty-one years later, I will be sounding Taps, as I have done for years, at the City of Clermont’s ceremony of remembrance. Our police chief was a first responder that morning in New York City and was covered with the ash of those buildings. His story is one of thousands … but he was one of the lucky ones. I am reminded every year of how lucky we all are that we have this chance to live in this country and be a part of this amazing thing we call marching band. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Thank you all for being the “why” for me.
For those of you who do not know about 9/11 and what happened, here is a link for you to learn about the events of this day: https://www.history.com/topics/21st-century/9-11-attacks
ALL-STATE BAND: There will be a post later today giving you information about audition times and room assignments. The auditions are next Saturday at Ocoee H.S.
BAND FEES: Please check your account on Charms to see where you stand on band fees. It is vitally important that all families stay on top of making payments. We have a lot of upcoming expenses including staff, buses, equipment trucks, and other marching band expenses.
SPIRIT NIGHT: We have a Spirit Night on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at California Pizza Kitchen! Please mark your calendars and plan to be there. It will run ALL DAY so you can go for lunch or dinner, and it will count for us! It includes take-out, catering, and online orders too (enter BACK20% at checkout). Tell all your friends and neighbors and be sure to share our post on social media. Check it out now!
JAZZ ENSEMBLE SHIRTS: The $40 payment for your Jazz Ensemble shirt is now past due. Please remit this ASAP so we can place the order for these.
PARENT HELP REQUESTED: The Uniform Committee is asking for a few parents willing to take home 10 pairs of bibbers and launder them. They will need to be picked up after Friday night’s game and returned by Tuesday, September 20. To volunteer, sign up on the Band App or email board@erhsband.com. Thank you!
BAND PARENT MEETING: We will have a band parent meeting this week on Thursday evening. The meeting will begin at 6:30 PM in the Tech Theatre room.
PRE-ORDERS FOR FOOTBALL GAMES: We will be taking pre-orders for concessions after Thursday’s rehearsal. Please bring cash to purchase your food in advance. These are CASH ONLY. No pre-orders will be taken on Friday.
HISPANIC HERITAGE CONCERT: Tickets for the Hispanic Heritage Concert are now available on TeachTix. The link to purchase tickets can be found on Band Central. The concert will be Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30 PM. It will feature the Chamber Orchestra, the men’s chorus, and the Jazz Ensemble. This is the first all-music department collaboration concert we have had in a while so please come out and see the show!
WASHINGTON D.C. TRIP: The band and orchestra are planning to take a trip to Washington, DC to perform and share an educational experience together. We will travel from March 9 – March 13 and the total cost of the trip is $925 per student. We will be conducting some “trip exclusive” fundraising opportunities for students who are planning to take this trip. Please note that students must have all their music department fees paid before they will be allowed to travel with us. The last day to reserve a spot on the trip is this Thursday, September 15th. Be sure to join the Washington, D.C. Band App which can be found on Band Central.
CORPORATE SPONSORS: If you wish to help us obtain corporate sponsors, please use the link on Band Central Station to get the packet. A 10% scholarship from each corporate sponsor will be awarded to the student who signs up the sponsor!
SENIORS: Senior interviews are due on Thursday. Please be sure to complete yours for the senior night memory book. The link can be found on Band Central.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS: We have had a few issues regarding parental behavior at football games. It is important that all parents respect the policies and procedures the band has in place for the safety and well-being of the students put under our care. Listed below are a few reminders:
- If you are not an official chaperone for the event, you are NOT permitted in the band’s seating area, regardless of reason. Chaperones are vetted for each game / performance and approved ahead of time. It’s not personal, it’s about following OCPS rules which are in place for the safety of all students involved.
- Students are NOT permitted in the paid spectator seating for any reason. Do not call your student over. Please pre-plan, give them cash ahead of time, and see them after the game.
- Cell phones are NOT permitted in uniform. This means that from call time to dismissal, students are not permitted to be on their phones. Please do NOT call or text them as they will not be able to respond. I am allowing them to carry them in their bag for emergencies, but that is all. Please do not ask your student to break the rules of the band program.
- We love when parents wear ERHS Band shirts to games! Thank you for your support! We are so glad to have you at the games in the bleachers to cheer on our band! Please understand, however, only parents whose names are submitted ahead of time as being chaperones or concession workers will receive free admission and parking. Please do not ask for those benefits unless you are there working on behalf of our students. We do still have LOTS of opportunities for you to work if you want to help though! Sign up today on Charms if you wish to volunteer. All volunteers MUST be registered through ADDitions to serve the band in any capacity. See Band Central for the link to get registered!
Here is the schedule for the week:
Monday – Tri-M Music Honor Society Meeting 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday – Marching Band Rehearsal 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM (5:30 – 8:30 for winds)
Wednesday – Leadership Academy Meeting 6:35 AM – 7:15 AM
Wednesday – Color Guard Sectional 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Thursday – Last Day to Register for Washington, DC trip!
Thursday – Senior Interviews are Due!
Thursday – Marching Band Rehearsal 3:45 PM to 6:45 PM
Thursday – Band Parent Meeting at 6:30 PM in the tech theatre room
Friday – AM Pep Rally in the Courtyard (call time is 6:30 AM in full travel uniform)
Friday – Football vs. Winter Springs (call time 4:15 PM)
Saturday – All-State Auditions at Ocoee HS
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 20 – Vanguard Rehearsal 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
September 21 – Leadership Academy Meeting 6:35 AM – 7:15 AM
September 22 – Vanguard Rehearsal 3:45 PM to 6:45 PM
September 23 – Football Game (home at Timber Creek HS)
September 26 – Tri-M Music Honor Society Meeting 2:45 – 4:15 PM
September 27 – Vanguard Rehearsal 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
September 28 – Leadership Academy Meeting (6:35 AM – 7:15 AM)
September 29 – Vanguard Rehearsal 3:45 PM to 6:45 PM
September 30 – Football Game (at Oviedo HS)
2022 COMPETITION / ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE**
October 1 – University Classic Marching Band Competition (@University H.S. – Orlando)
October 15 – Space Coast Classic Marching Band Competition (@Merritt Island H.S.)
October 29 – Tarpon Springs Outdoor Music Festival (@Tarpon Springs H.S.)
November 6 – F.B.A. District Marching Band Music Performance Assessment (@Boone H.S.)
** Details about competition and assessment dates will not be available until the week of the event. Please do not make any plans on these dates as I cannot guarantee flexibility as our schedule is dictated by the show hosts.
I hope that you have a “better than terrific” week!
Mr. V.
Please visit our corporate sponsors:
SECTION LEADER LEVEL Brittelly’s, LLC – homemade cheer bows and personalized clothing and accessories. http://www.brittellys.com
YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE LISTED HERE! ASK US HOW!
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