Buchanan Band Bulletin
October 2022
Marching Season Recap!
Our Bucks Had a STELLAR Marching SEASON!!!!
Portage Central
- 2nd Place in Class C
- Best Marching
MSBOA Marching Festival at Berrien Springs
- STRAIGHT Is!!!!!!!!
Lakeshore Invitational
- 1st Place in Class C
- Best Music
Jenison Invitational
- 1st Place in Class C
- Best Marching
Concert Season is Almost Here!
Start Planning Ahead Now!
Concert Season is just around the corner--with our first 6 - 12 Band and Choir Performance taking place on Thursday December 15th. Student Call Time is 6:15 and the Concert starts at 7:00pm. Doors to the Auditorium open at 6:30pm. December will be here before we know it, so it is time to start planning ahead now! Concerts are the BEST way for our students to showcase what they've learned in band so far, and as such concerts are for a grade. Here are some reminders as concert day approaches, so you can help your students put their best foot forward:
What to wear on concert day:
- 6th Grade Band Members wear their best "dressy" clothes--meaning: a button down shirt and slacks, or a blouse/sweater paired with dress pants or a skirt, or a dress. Skirts must be AT LEAST knee-length while seated. There are no color requirements for 6th grade band.
- 7th & 8th Grade Band Members are to wear a WHITE sweater, blouse, or button-down shirt, paired with black dress pants or a skirt--OR a black dress. Skirts must be AT LEAST knee-length while seated. Dress shoes need to be black and closed-toe, and paired with either black socks or tights/nylons.
- High School Band Members will be fit for a school-owned uniform that must be returned at the end of the year. Students must supply their own dress shoes and black socks or nylons. Dress shoes should be BLACK and CLOSED-TOE.
- ALL CHOIR MEMBERS should plan to wear "Concert Black" meaning black dress clothes from head to toe. This could be a black dress, or a black button-down shirt, blouse, or sweater paired with a black skirt or dress pants. Skirts must be AT LEAST knee-length while seated. Shoes need to be black and closed toe, and paired with black socks or nylons.
If obtaining any of these items would place a financial burden on your family, assistance is available. Please reach out to Mrs. Russell or Mr. Lynch now.
Check your schedule NOW.
Alert Mrs. Russell if there are any conflicts, or if your student needs to organize a ride with another band member to the concert. The following conflicts count as "excused" absences:
- Sickness
- Death or serious illness/injury in the family
- Weddings & Funerals
- Graded School Functions/Activities
- School Trips (Close-Up, MSC Smokey Mountains Trip, etc.)
- State/Regional/Conference Games
- Non-Refundable Family Trips
In the event that your student will miss a concert due to what would be an "excused" absence, they will be given a make-up assignment in order to make sure they do not miss out on the opportunity to earn points for the performance. The following conflicts are deemed "unexcused" absences:
- Work
- Not having a ride
- Forgetting about the concert
- Sports Practice or Game
- Club/Extracurricular Activity Event
- Non-graded school function or activity
We understand how tough it can be, when all of our kids are involved in multiple things. In every case possible, we try to make sure that our students can participate in all of their activities. This policy is in place to help students learn to prioritize, as well as communicate when a conflict does occur, so we can try to problem-solve together so that they have the best outcome possible.
Cookie Walk and Poinsettia Fundraisers!!!!
Next Month, look for more info about our upcoming Cookie Walk and Poinsettia Fundraisers, that happen concurrently with the Winter Concert!
The Band Calendar - Find it ONLINE!
We’ve had SUCH a productive Fall! It is hard to believe that the first Quarter of the year has already come and gone. Since Marching Season is coming to a close, and our first CONCERT will be here before we know it, I wanted to take a moment to show everyone how to access our ONLINE band calendar.
To find the calendar, Visit our band website at www.buchananbands.weebly.com, then click on the CALENDAR tab. This will bring up the Calendar for the FULL YEAR. Follow the link above to visit our band website NOW!
ALL BAND FAMILIES - Join REMIND for your student's CLASS and/or CLUB!
After School Music Clubs!
High School Choir is small, but MIGHTY—with 6 members. We’re busily getting ready for our first concert!
The end of Marching Season means the start of JAZZ BAND! We’re currently seeking students in grades 8-12 who play trumpet, trombone, saxophone, drumset, keyboard/piano, guitar, and bass.
All groups are still accepting new members! Check below to see when meeting times are!
- High School Choir - Wednesdays 4 - 6pm
- Middle School Choir - Mondays 3 - 4:30pm
- Jazz Band - First Meeting Monday Oct. 24th at 5pm
Special thanks to Natalee French and Madison Cornelius for creating the awesome posters below to help advertise for our music clubs!!!
High School Band Movie Night
Fundraisers!!!!
Help us get NEW MARCHING UNIFORMS by 2025!!!!
Panera Giveback 10/25
Hacienda Giveback 11/1
Winter Band Merch Sales!
Help us GEAR UP!
- "Gong with the Wind" Our high school band DESPERATELY needs a gong stand with wheels to make transportation on game days and competition days easier.
- "Word of Mouthpieces" series: Part 1 (Mid/Low Brass), Part 2 (Saxophones), and Part 3 (Trumpets). Our advancing saxophone students need access to quality step-up mouthpieces in order to get the best sound on their instrument--even if they are using a school-owned instrument. Help us update and upgrade our current stock of school mouthpieces, so EVERY student has access to the best materials for band!
Questions?
Email: dcrussell@buchananschools.com
Website: buchananbands.weebly.com
Location: 401 W Chicago St, Buchanan, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 695-8403
Facebook: Facebook.com/buckbands