Letter from Kinworthy to All Band
Dear Band Family,
I write this with a heavy heart as we, as a band family, have been through quite a bit over the past few weeks. First I want to say I have stepped into the role of band director with mixed emotions. As much as I enjoyed being the assistant with less responsibilities and being able to focus purely on percussion, the recent BOA festival in Clarksville and the Francis Howell competition has reawakened my desire to be a band director. It has also opened the door for me to acquaint myself with your students in a different way. Please know this: I intend to make your students’ band experience the absolute best possible, mixing fun and laughter with passion for the music and a demand for the absolute best the students can produce. It won’t always be easy, but your students WILL be proud of what they accomplish.
Next, after several meetings with off-campus coordinators, discussions with our booster president and the high school principal, we have come to a difficult decision. Our current trip to Florida over Winter Break is in jeopardy. With the current number of students and chaperones signed up to go, performing in the Disney Parade and at NASA is just not feasible. Along with the number of students going, we also have an instrumentation issue the will not allow us to put a quality product on display. That is not to say the students signed up to go are not quality students, we just don’t have a balance of instruments to support a marching band. The bottom line is this: if we cannot get another 30 students and 8 chaperones to commit to the trip by October 23, we will have to cancel this trip. I don’t say this to pressure anyone to go, but to let those on the fence make a decision before we commit funds to reservations.
I realize, to the seniors and their parents, that this is usually at tradition at Parkway South and something everyone looks forward to. I truly do understand. But without the ability to present a quality performance, the trip becomes a “family vacation.” This is NOT the type of trip the school will support.
If we are unable to do the Florida trip, I would like to hear your thoughts on a possible competitive music festival in Chicago IL the weekend of April 11-14. Since this is a competitive music festival, I would need everyone to go if possible. This type of competition involves concert band and would run much like a marching band festival, except we don’t do drill and perform sitting down. We would also plan some activities in Chicago that would make the trip special and something for everyone, especially seniors, to remember this year in a positive manner.
Please send any thoughts on a competitive concert band festival in the month of April to president@spirit76.net. This would involve Symphonic Band Sec. 1, Symphonic Band Sec. 2 and Symphonic Percussion. You may not get a response, but it will be filed and used it when considering band opportunities in the future.
Finally, band, for me, was an opportunity to go places and see things and stand on grounds that nothing else could get me. Music got me to perform at PASIC, Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios, The Orange Bowl Parade, The Tournament of Roses Parade. I’ve stood where Elvis stood, traded fours with Louis Bellson, sang backup for Barry Manilow and numerous other activities that only music could give me. Now its time for me to give those opportunities to your students.
Step 1: If you haven't committed already, and you will be going on the trip to Florida:
- Symphonic Band Members: 1) Complete this form 2) Email your commitment and the form to Lisa Kelley and Deidre Kroll at pshbandtravel@gmail.com.
- Marching Band Members: 1) Email your commitment to Lisa Kelley and Deidre Kroll at pshbandtravel@gmail.com.
- Chaperones: 1) Complete this form 2) Email your commitment and the form to Lisa Kelley and Deidre Kroll at pshbandtravel@gmail.com.
Step 2: Share your thoughts on bands going out of town for performance opportunities or competitions at president@spirit76.net.