NHS Band & Guard
2017 Band Camp begins in ONE WEEK!
Band, Ten Hut!
As was incredibly obvious from our phenomenal time with the Blue Knights last week, it takes time, practice, and a great deal of hard (fun) work to be the best NHS Marching Band & Guard we can be...
This email includes important details around this year's Band Camp and notes about key events over the next few months... please read carefully and ask any questions that you may have NOW!
Also, if you haven't done so already, be sure to:
- Bookmark the NHS Band & Guard website (includes the fall schedule)
- Click here to add/view the Band & Guard Google Calendar
Let's Get Started!
Band Camp Schedule
Week One: August 14-18
8/14:
- All Section Leaders & Color Guard: 8:00 am -12:00 pm
- NEW Band Members join the fun: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Full Band & Guard: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
8/15-17
- Full Band & Guard: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm AND 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
8/18
- Full Band & Guard: 8:00 - 12:00 pm
- Cosmic Bowling (see below)
Week Two: August 21-25
8/21-24
- Full Band & Guard: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm AND 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Freshmen are excused from 8/22 am practice for NHS Orientation
8/25
- Full Band & Guard: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm AND 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Friday Night Under the Lights - parents are invited to attend a preview of the show about an hour before pick up! More details on this will be sent out as the date gets closer.
What Should I Bring to Band Camp?
- Instrument or guard equipment
- Music (along with extra reeds, oil, drumsticks, gloves, etc.)
- LOTS of water (labeled with your name) and/or sports drinks
- Nut-free Snacks
- Sunscreen, bug repellant
- Sunglasses and/or a baseball cap
- Sneakers/shoes suitable for marching - no flip flops!
- A "dot book" (small spiral notebook, approx. 3x5 inches), pencil and highlighter.
If you have any questions about what you need to bring with you, please check with your section leaders, captains or majors...
Heads Up, Calendars Out...
- Uniform measuring & distribution is scheduled for 8/17 (juniors and seniors) and 8/18 (freshmen and sophomores) from 12:00 - 3:00 in the NHS Choral Room. Please send your kids with a lunch or an extra snack, as they will be hungry after practice! Shoe orders and checks will also be collected at this time.
We still need parent volunteers to help size and distribute band uniforms quickly and get the kids on their way. No experience needed, training will be provided! Please make note of which day your child will be fitted, and contact Lillian Bittman at ldbitt@gmail.com to help out. - Program Ads for the Grasso Festival Home Show are due by 8/18 (if you'd like to receive credit towards Band & Guard participation fees, due by 8/25)... but you may continue to sell ads until 9/11 (for credits that can be applied towards merchandise, the banquet, winter season, or next season).
- Cosmic Bowling is scheduled for Friday, 8/18 at Brookfield Lanes from 6:00 - 9:00 pm (instead of evening practice!)... Have some fun with the band for only $25 per person! More details on this soon.
- We have a very active parent organization, and our first NHSBPC meeting will be held on Monday, 8/21 from 6:00 pm (until practice pick-up) in the Lecture Hall at NHS. This will be a very important meeting and an opportunity to become actively involved in our supportive and enthusiastic family -- be "in-the-know" and take the opportunity to ask any questions to our board or Mr. Eckhardt!
Mini-Band Camp & our annual Marching Band & Guard Family Picnic will take place on Saturday, 9/9.. More details will follow in a separate email.
Our Grasso Festival Home Show is Saturday, 9/30... there will be much more to come, and YOU will be essential to its success!
The 100-Family Tag Sale is one of our biggest fundraisers... get ready to empty your basements, garages and "junk rooms" and help earn some $$ for the band! Set-up will be on Friday, October 20 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, and the Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, October 21 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Watch for more details in the coming weeks!
2017 Show Shirt Design Contest
Band & Guard Members are invited to create a drawing/graphic for the back of this year's show shirt!
Things to Consider:
- Show Name: To Be Determined
- Theme: Creative efforts should be guided by our show... "a dark, militaristic, oppressive, controlling society that - through technology - 'sees and hears' EVERYTHING! Penalties for dissension are severe. The only thing 'they' cannot ultimately control are your true thoughts and feelings."
Design Guidelines:
- Graphic/drawing only – you do not need to include the name of the show
- Dark pencil or pen on a piece of WHITE 8½ x 11 paper
- No shading (it will only be a 2-color process so shading is difficult)
- Your design must be submitted to Mr. Eckhardt during our evening practice on Monday, 8/14.
Questions? Contact Joanie Minor at joanieminor66@hotmail.com.
Looking forward to purchasing 2017 merchandise? Stay tuned, details and order forms will be sent out soon!
Fees & Blue Band Box Reminder
Important: Participation fees ($550 less your deposit of $175) are due by the end of Band Camp on 8/25. Checks should be made out to "NHSBPC" and may either be dropped in the Blue Band Box or given to Lisa Keeping (Treasurer) directly during Friday Night Under The Lights.
When using the Blue Band Box please put whatever you are dropping off in an envelope with a label or the contents written on the outside so we can get it to the correct person, for example: "Program Ad", "Participation Check", "Merchandise", etc.
Have a Question?
There's always an answer... Feel free to contact your parent buddy or any NHSBPC board member below:
- Todd Keeping, President: 203-417-7046(c)
- Lisa Wallace, Vice President: 203-231-3893 (c)
- Lisa Keeping, Treasurer: 203-417-7047 (c)
- Joanie Minor, Recording Secretary: 203-536-2151 (c)
- Pia Ledina, Corresponding Secretary: 203-313-4361 (c)
Email: info@nhsbandguard.com
Website: http://newtownbandandguard.weebly.com/