Greetings FC Band Family,

We have made it to the last big push of the year, with the spring musical (Guys & Dolls) 3 weeks away, the spring concert 5 weeks away, the band banquet 6 weeks away, & graduation just 7 weeks away! With all of these events, AP testing, & SOL tests right around the corner, make sure you keep up to date with our rehearsal & performances!

I am proud of the work of so many of our students over the last few weeks. We had students participating in All-Virginia, which produced multiple high quality performances this past weekend at CNU. Many of our students also were at WGI World Percussion Championships last week, representing themselves & FCHS very well at their first showing at this event.

While many of our students are finishing the year with a strong effort, many of our students have started to check out. Parents--I need your help with this so we can finish the year strong as a band, but also so our students earn grades that reflect their capabilities. More & more students are simply "forgetting" instruments at home, on phones during class, or simply choosing to not participate or complete assignments from other classes. Reminders, redirects & conversations are had with appropriate consequences due to their actions, however the amount of time it is taking away from instruction & the overall distraction it creates for the class is beginning to have a significant impact on the quality of our rehearsals for other members. Let us see if we can fix this as a team--teacher/parent/student so that we can all end the year the right way.

Luke Walker

Director of Bands

Tri-M Music Honor Society Advisor

Performing Arts Department Chair

PBIS Team Leader

First Colonial High School

www.fcband.org

Congratulations to Michael Volkringer for earning placement to the All-Virginia Bands & Orchestras. The All-Virginia Symphony Orchestra performed an excellent concert Saturday, April 23rd at CNU.

2/12: AIA Jefferson Forest, 69.7 score

3/5: WGI Richmond Regional, 79.9 score

3/19: AIA Powhatan , 85.3 score

4/3: AIA Championships, 89.1 score

4/21: WGI World Championships, 83.3 score

We have started rehearsing for Guys & Dolls! With only a few short weeks until opening night, it is critical we make the most of these rehearsals & have every member present as much as possible.

April 27 2:30-4:30pm

April 28 2:30-4:30pm

May 2 2:30-4:30pm

May 3 2:30-8:00pm

May 5 2:30-4:30pm

May 6 2:30-8:00pm (Sitz Probe)

May 9 2:30-6:00pm

May 11 2:30-6:00pm

May 12 2:30-8:00pm (Pit Dress Rehearsal)

May 13 2:30-8:00pm (Full Dress Rehearsal 1)

May 16 2:30-8:00pm (Full Dress Rehearsal 2)

May 17 2:30-8:00pm (Full Dress Rehearsal 3)

May 18 2:30-8:00pm (Full Dress Rehearsal 4)

May 19 6:00-10:00pm (Performance 1)

May 20 6:00-10:00pm (Performance 2)

May 21 6:00-10:00pm (Performance 3)

May 22 11:00am-5:00pm (Performance 4)

After school rehearsals for the concert will be held:

5/10 2:30-4:30pm

5/24 2:30-4:30pm

5/31 5-8pm (Dress Rehearsal)

All applications are due to the band office by Monday, May 23rd & formal auditions will be held on Friday, May 27th from 2:30-5:00pm.

Music will be distributed in each class in early June & will be rehearsed primarily in classes. 1 combined after school rehearsal will be held on Tuesday, June 14th from 2:30-4:30pm in the FCHS Band Room. Graduation will be held on Friday, June 17th at 1:30pm at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Students will report to school as normal on June 17th & will ride busses to the VBCC. Students may be picked up directly from the VBCC (with a parent note) or back at FCHS upon the conclusion of the graduation ceremony. More information will be shared as it becomes available to us closer to graduation.

477 Viking Drive, Suite 200

Virginia Beach, VA 23452