NHS Band & Guard
Summer Update | July 3, 2020
Happy 4th of July Weekend!
The school year is finally over, yet the Band & Guard summer season still somehow seems far away... This email includes as much info as we can offer around this year's registration, schedule, and key events over the next few months as we can offer at the moment, but it is essential that you pay attention, watch for updates, and ask any questions that you may have now!
But first:
- ALL students should join the Band Google Classroom using code hdlc2j7
- Join the private Band & Guard FB page (yes, we will let you in!)
- Bookmark the NHS Band & Guard website (includes the fall schedule and will contain an archive of all our emails on the News page)
- Click here to add/view the Band & Guard Google Calendar
- Parents, join REMIND by texting @nhsbg2020 to 81010 (we use this service for last minute messages, bus arrivals, etc.)
Last but not least, please be sure to register and pay your deposit for the Fall Season on the NHS Band & Guard Parent Portal (due by July 15) via our Parent Portal by clicking here! (If you need step-by-step directions, they are included in the slides at the end of our orientation PDF below)
Health Forms
If your Band & Guard member will need to take *any* medication on one of our trips, please be sure to submit the Field Trip Medicine Authorization Form. Note that this form must be signed by your medical provider.
For a few more specifics about taking medications on school field trips, please refer to this short presentation from the NHS Nurse's Office.
Rehearsals, as of right now
Updated 7/4 @ 11:30 am
Color Guard
Color Guard will be meeting virtually next week and the month of July. Date and time to be decided, Grace McKinley (the lead Guard Instructor) emailed Guard families Wednesday, 7/1, and put out a survey to the girls to see what time and day works best. The girls will meet virtually once a week and be asked to practice skills and video that for instructor review and feedback. They hope to rehearse in person starting in August.
Percussion will plan to meet virtually as usual on Wednesday, July 8th for 2 hours. Percussion instructors will communicate rehearsal plan for the following weeks directly to students. If student has questions, contact section leader. If students need drums, they should contact Mr. Eckhardt via email at eckhardtk@newtown.k12.ct.us and then come to NHS on Monday July 6 at 5:45, stay outside, Mr. Eckhardt and Mr. Carley will get the drums from the band room.
- Monday, 7/6: 6 pm - 7 pm (5:45 pm arrival) - Brass w/ Tenor Saxes right outside the Band Room
- Wednesday, 7/8: 6 pm - 7 pm (5:45 pm arrival) - Winds right outside the Band Room
If there is inclement weather, Mr. Eckhardt will make cancellations by noon.
General Notes:
Student should bring their instruments to rehearsal
- If students need instruments, they need to contact Mr. Eckhardt, his email is eckhardtk@newtown.k12.ct.us
- Contact your section leaders for warm-up music
- Everyone should already have the show music, if you do not, contact Mr. Eckhardt or your section leader
- Students should bring wire music stands if they have them
- Students are not allowed in the building
- Masks are required as well as the 6-foot social distancing rule
- NO sharing of water
- DO NOT play another student's instrument
- Staff will not be taking students' temperatures, but will ask general health questions
Marching Practice - TBD
- Marching Rehearsals will most likely be done on line via Google Meets, but this is still to be confirmed
- Example - three hour blocks - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm music and 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm virtual marching
Heads Up, Calendars Out
- 8/10-14 & 17-21: Summer Band Camp
- 9/7: Labor Day Parade, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- 9/12: Mini Band Camp Picnic, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm; Bethel (following Mini-Band Camp 8:00 am – 4:00 pm)
- 9/13: Tentative date for NHS Band & Guard @ Newtown Arts Festival
- 9/19: Danbury - TBD (Rosh Hashanah is 9/18-20)
- 9/25: Junk in Your Trunk, 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
- 9/26: Tag Sale 7:00 am - 4:00 pm; New Milford
- 10/2-10/4: TENTATIVE Fall Trip to Yamaha Cup @ MetLife Stadium
- 10/10: Norwalk
- 10/17: Newtown Home Show – GRASSO FESTIVAL
- 10/24: Brien McMahon or Robert E. Fitch (early show)
- 10/28: Trunk or Treat in the parking lot following practice
- 10/31: New England States
- 11/07: MetLife (Nationals)
- 11/09: Tentative date for Banquet @ The Portuguese Center, Danbury
Have a Question?
There's always an answer... And, feel free to contact staff, your parent buddy, or any NHSBPC board member below:
- Betsy Krauss, Vice President: 203-297-2462 (c)
- Melissa Christenson, Treasurer: 303-304-0697 (c)
- Dan Krauss, Recording Secretary: 203-364-6022 (c)
- Bonnie Voegeli, Corresponding Secretary: 203-470-2321 (c)
Email: info@nhsbandguard.com
Website: http://newtownbandandguard.weebly.com/