Grassfield Band Notes
October 24, 2022
Letter from the Directors
Grassfield Band Family,
We have had a great start to the school year & all of the progress our students have been making in each of our ensembles. Each of our band classes has been busy preparing for our Fall Concert next week, the Marching Grizzlies are nearing the end of a successful marching season, & our winter ensembles are just around the corner. We encourage each of our students to make the most out of their time in the Grassfield Band, to participate in all of the ensembles that interest them & enjoy the many performance opportunities each presents.
We invite all of our families & friends of the band to attend our Fall Band Concert on Thursday, November 3rd at 7pm. The concert will be held at Grassfield High School & will feature performances by each of our bands. We look forward to seeing all of you there, we know you will be proud of the progress of our students!
Musically Yours,
Keith Dublin
Director of Bands
Luke Walker
Associate Director of Bands
Upcoming Events
Marching Grizzles Competition - JMU Parade of Champions
Sat, Oct 29, 2022, 12:00 AM
James Madison University, S Main St, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Dine to Donate
Tue, Nov 1, 2022, 06:00 PM
La Parrilla Mexican Grill, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble After School Rehearsal
Winds & percussion students from the Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band will rehearse together to prepare for the Fall Concert.
Tue, Nov 1, 2022, 04:15 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Percussion Information Meeting
Wed, Nov 2, 2022, 04:00 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Fall Concert
Student report time is 6:30pm in full concert attire, ready to play in their seats.
Thu, Nov 3, 2022, 07:00 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Marching Grizzlies Senior Night
Fri, Nov 4, 2022, 05:00 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Guard Meeting
Sat, Nov 5, 2022, 02:00 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Guard Auditions
Sun, Nov 6, 2022, 12:30 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Percussion Conditioning Camp 1
Wed, Nov 9, 2022, 04:30 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Percussion Conditioning Camp 2
Thu, Nov 10, 2022, 04:30 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Trombone Master Class with Robert Conquer
Contact Mr. Walker to be a participant or a spectator for this extraordinary event.
Fri, Nov 11, 2022, 02:00 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Percussion Conditioning Camp 3
Wed, Nov 16, 2022, 04:30 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Percussion Conditioning Camp 4
Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 04:30 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Winter Percussion Auditions
Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 04:30 PM
Grassfield High School, Scenic Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Fall Band Concert
Event Information
- Date: Thursday, November 3
- Time: 7pm
- Student Call Time: 6:30pm
- Concert Attire
- 9th Grade Band & Symphonic Band
- Concert black with Grassfield Band black dress shirt ($25 per student, checks made payable to GFBPA in envelope with student name on envelope)
- Wind Ensemble
- Concert black
Marching Band Updates
End of Season Updates
We are nearing the end of the 2022 Marching Grizzlies season & we are proud of the tremendous progress made by the ensemble this year! A brief recap of our season thus far:
- VMBC Southeastern Virginia Music Games (9/24)
- 1st in Class 5A, winning captions of Music, Visual, General Effect, Percussion & Guard.
- Overall Grand Champion
- VMBC Warhill Classic (10/1)
- Cancelled due to weather
- VMBC Tidewater Regional
- 1st in Class 5A, winning captions of Music, Visual, General Effect, & Guard
The Marching Grizzlies will travel to James Madison University on October 29th to compete in the Parade of Champions in class 4. We will be competing against 10 other bands in our class & over 50 bands in total.
Spring Trip
Trip Information
The Grassfield Bands are traveling to Florida! April 26-30, 2023 the Grassfield Bands will be traveling to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. There will be a cost for this trip but it will absolutely be worth it. The total trip cost is $850 for students and $700 for adults. A non-refundable deposit of $200 to reserve your spot on the spring trip must be paid on Monday November 1, 2022. The deposit will not be refunded, so please be diligent in your decision to participate.
This performance opportunity is a privilege, and I am incredibly excited to be able to offer it! Students with behavior issues in class and/or excessive disciplinary action from the school (i.e. write-ups, iss, oss, etc) will not be permitted to attend. Only students that exhibit model behavior as students and musicians will be allowed to attend. We have approximately 110 student spots and we need at most 11 chaperones.
Eligibility
All members interested in participating in the Spring Trip must meet the following criteria:
- In good standing
- Academic: participating in the trip will not result in failure of classes
- Behavior: no significant behavior concerns
- Financially: All dues/fees paid in full. All prior fees must be paid prior to putting payments towards the spring trip.
Student Costs & Payments
- Monday, November 1, 2022: $200 (Initial deposit secures your spot)
- Monday, November 28, 2022: $150
- Monday, January 9, 2023: $175
- Monday, February 6, 2023: $175
- Monday, March 6, 2023: $150
Chaperone Costs & Payments
Monday, November 1, 2022: $200 (Initial deposit secures your spot)
Monday, November 28, 2022: $175
Monday, January 9, 2023: $175
Monday, February 6, 2023: $150
Package Inclusions
- Accommodations
- 2 nights accommodations at Springhill Suites Lake Buena Visa (Orlando, Florida)
- Security at hotel (6 hours nightly)
- Attractions
- 3 day to park admissions to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort
- Group Admission to Adretti Indoor Karting & Games
- Orlando Fest Festival Performance
- Participation in OrlandoFest at the Universal Orlando Resort
- Evaluated performance by panel of 3 adjudicators
- Digital recording of adjudicator comments of your performance
- Post-performance clinic conducted by a select adjudicator following your performance
- Special, custom made OrlandoFest award for each ensemble
- Meals
- 3 gourmet breakfasts at the hotel
- 2 Universal Dining Cards for dinner
- 1 pizza group dinner
- Apparel
- Grassfield Universal Studios T-shirt
Winter Percussion
General Information
All students interested in being a member in the 2022-2023 Grassfield Winter Percussion Ensemble should plan to attend the Information Meeting on Wednesday, November 2nd at 4pm. The meeting will last approximately 30 minutes.
Eligibility
The Winter Percussion Ensemble is open to all students that meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled in a performing arts class at Grassfield HS (Band/Chorus/Orchestra/Guitar/Music Theory)
- In good standing (academically, behaviorally, financially)
- Positive attitude with strong work ethic (team-focused, not me-focused)
- Able to commit to attendance at rehearsals & performances
Please note: All music students are welcome & encouraged to attend, not just percussion students.
Conditioning Camps & Auditions
We will hold 4 conditioning camps to teach basic fundamentals of percussion to all interested members. While not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged all members that plan to audition for the ensemble attend these camps.
- Wednesday, November 9, 4:30-6pm
- Thursday, November 10, 4:30-6pm
- Wednesday, November 16, 4:30-6pm
- Thursday, November 17, 4:30-6pm
Part placement auditions will be held on Monday, November 21st. Specifics for the auditions will be covered at the conditioning camps.
Communication
We will be using BAND to communicate all information relating to the 2022-2023 Winter Percussion season. Interested students should join our group.
Winter Guard
General Information
An information meeting for all students interested in participating in the 2022-2023 Winter Guard season will be held on Saturday, November 5th at 2:00pm. Auditions will be held on Sunday, November 6th at 12:30pm.
Communication
We will be using BAND as our primary method of communication for the 2022-2023 season. Please join using the link or QR code below.
Jazz Ensemble
Interest Meeting
There will be an interest meeting for all students interested in being a member in the 2022-2023 Grassfield Jazz Ensemble during our next One Lunch. Students should join the BAND group for Jazz Ensemble to stay informed.
Tri-M
Executive Board
Congratulations to all students who applied for a leadership position for the Tri-M Executive Board. In total, 87 leadership applications were received. The 2022-2023 Tri-M Executive Board:
- President: Emmy Lee
- Vice President 1: Olivia Heizer
- Vice President 2: Coleman Phelps
- Secretary: Adelia Uber
- Treasurer: Gabrielle Amerson
- Communications Officer: Maddox Casselman
- Historian: Hailey Barsness
First Meeting
We will hold our first Tri-M meeting on Monday, November 7th. The Executive Board will be meeting on Thursday, October 27th to vote for the official meeting times. Stay tuned for information from your music teacher & from the morning announcements.
Communications
CutTime
CutTime is the program we use to organize our member information, volunteer needs, financial obligations, & so much more. Each member & member family should sign-up for an account & search for "Grassfield High School Bands" to join our program. Once you have signed up for your account, an administrator with our program will approve your membership shortly.
Band Website
The band website, www.grassfieldbands.org, will be the central hub for all information relating to the many ensembles of the Grassfield Band Program. Our calendar (linked to CutTime), newsletter, & upcoming events will be updated regularly & posted to the website.
BAND App
Many of our cocurricular ensembles (Marching Grizzlies, Jazz Band, Indoor Programs) will be using BAND for communications & schedules specific to their programs. Each member & family should join the BAND group for their ensemble at the beginning of each season. To join BAND, download the application on your phone's app store or set up an account here.
Social Media
Please connect with us on social media! The Grassfield Band has a presence on Instagram & Facebook (1 private & 1 public group). Helpful reminders are posted regularly in addition to our primary methods of communication.
Volunteer Needs
Ongoing Fundraisers
Kroger Community Rewards
Help support the Grassfield Band by participating in the Kroger Community Rewards program. All you need to do is link your current Kroger Shopper's Card to your digital Kroger account.
NPO #: QB451
Organization Name: Grassfield Band Parent Association