Dear Marching Band Members and Families,
I hope you all are enjoying the last break before school starts. You have worked hard all summer and that hard work shows. I received a lot of positive feedback from the teachers and administration after our performance on Thursday. We definitely appreciate all of the effort that the students made in preparation for that event. Thank you again for coming in early on Thursday morning to make that happen!
I am still working on arranging a photographer to take a photo of the ensemble in uniform. You will also have the opportunity to order individual photos. More info as it becomes available.
Remember, once school begins, our practice schedule switches to Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 3:30 – 6:30. Activities busses have been requested to bring students from OLMS and AMS after school, but I have NOT gotten confirmation for the first day of school. Please check with the middle school offices.
Our first home football game is Friday night. It’s amazing to think our performing season is only two months long. We will accomplish so much between from Labor Day on September 1 and State Championships at Ford Field on November 1!
Go Lakers!
Chad Mielens
Director of Bands
West Bloomfield High School
UPCOMING SCHEDULE (next 2 weeks)
Monday, 9/1: Labor Day, NO REHEARSAL
Tuesday, 9/2: First Day of School
Tuesday, 9/2: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30.
Tuesday, 9/2: Band Boosters Parent meeting 7pm WBHS Media Center
Wednesday, 9/3: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30
Thursday, 9/4: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30
Friday, 9/5: Home football game vs. Troy, report 5:30pm.
Friday, 9/5: Bingo, volunteer to work a shift and earn $30! Click HERE for more information
Tuesday, 9/9: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30
Wednesday, 9/10: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30
Thursday, 9/11: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30
Friday, 9/12: Bingo, volunteer to work a shift and earn $30! Click HERE for more information
Saturday, 9/13: Field Day at WBHS. Report times TBA
SUPER LAKERS OF THE WEEK
This week’s Super Lakers were nominated by their fellow band mates:
Trumpet player Brendan Brice, now affectionately known as Mr. Hype. He is always trying really hard, and staying focused on whatever is being rehearsed. Brendan offers reminders about proper technique to assist newer members. And always enthusiastic!
Baritone player Sienna Deng who, despite traveling all summer and switching from flute to baritone, was ready for Band Camp. She has worked super hard to learn music and drill.
BAND PARENTS MEETING
Please attend the September Band Parents Meeting on September 2 at 7pm at WBHS. Items to be discussed include the Prism concert, Football Schedule, Homecoming schedule, and Senior Day at the October 2 football game. Other topics are pit crew, fundraising, and upcoming events. Agenda and last meeting’s minutes to be distributed soon.
FIELD DAY
On Saturday, September 13, 2014, we will be hosting a field day at West Bloomfield High School. Seven marching bands will perform and receive feedback from the judges. We need volunteers to help work this event. There are jobs in concessions, admission, parking lot, and much more. We do not know the exact times until MCBA releases the schedule, but we expect the time will be late afternoon/ evening. If you are able to help us, please contact Ruth Richards at richardsbandmom@gmail.com.
FIELD DAY PROGRAM ADS
The Band Boosters will publish a program for Field Day. All band members and families are invited to sell ads in the program. Prices are reduced this year. The Personal Ad order form and Business Ad order form can be found on our web page. Many parents take this opportunity to celebrate (and/or mildly embarrass) their band kids with photo ads. Section Leaders receive a complimentary quarter page ad to honor their section. All ads need to be submitted by September 5.
Weekly After School Pizza Sales
The Band Boosters will have Pizza slices for sale after school on Sept 2. A slice of pizza will cost $1.50. After that, pizza slices will be available for purchase every Wednesday after school at about 2:20pm.
LOST AND FOUND
There is a sizeable lost and found pile in the WBHS band room outside Mr. Mielens’ office. Many items were forgotten and left at Camp Copneconic. Please check through the pile for anything that has gone missing.
FACEBOOK
So many great photos and videos from band camp have been posted on Facebook, including the EPIC completion of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge by all of our staff members! If you’ve been missing the fun, search for and join the Official West Bloomfield Marching Band facebook page. This page is not open to the public, but band members, alumni, staff, and parents are welcome to join. Additionally, you are invited to “Like Us” at “West Bloomfield Bands” facebook.com/wbbands, our public page. The Pink Day Rehearsal photos are there now, if you want to share. And this link to the photo album will even let non-Facebook people see the album: http://tinyurl.com/penzqxx
PIT CREW PARENTS NEEDED!
During the Marching Band season, parents help with loading and unloading instruments and props from our semi-truck, and getting these essential pieces onto the field before a performance. Crew Chief Brett Crawford is looking for volunteers who are interested in helping or have questions about what it entails. Please email Brett at brettnsue@gmail.com. Bonus: Pit crew members get free admission to the shows, and can view the performance from the track surrounding the field. You can’t get any close to the excitement without an instrument or flag!
MARCHING BAND HANDBOOK
If you haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, use this quiet week to go over the Marching Band handbook. There is a great deal of helpful information provided, things that will be helpful to know as the season is now underway. Uniform care, spectator etiquette – all covered in the handbook. Click HERE if you did not read it when originally emailed.
WEST BLOOMFIELD BANDS WISH LIST
West Bloomfield Bands depends on the support of parents and alumni. The list below shows items/services that West Bloomfield Bands needs to operate as well as some items that would greatly benefit our programs. Contact us by email at wbbands@gmail.com if you can donate any of the items/services listed (new or used)
Wireless Microphones (soloist) – $2,000
Painting of Truck – $1500
Sabres for Guard (7X) – $1050 Completed!
New Wheels for Carts/Synth – $320
New Wireless Metronome – $250
Tires for truck (2) – $1000
Fix/Paint Scissors Lift – $700
UPS for Audio Equipment – $600
New Wheeled Base for Pit Drummer – $500
Shelves for Band Instruments – $5,000 Completed!
New Audio Equipment (Pit) – $2,000
Guard Room Updates – $500
Marching Band Uniforms/Shakos – $72,000
Drumline Room Updates – $500
EARN MONEY FOR WEST BLOOMFIELD BANDS WITH SMILE.AMAZON.COM
To get started: click HERE to register. Every time you shop, go to smile.amazon.com
KROGER CARD FUNDRAISING
If you are already a member of the Kroger Community Rewards program….make sure Band Boosters Association of West Bloomfield is your registered group.Click HERE to get started today!
If you are not yet a member, click HERE for instructions and links on how to join. Our “Organization Name” is “Band Boosters Association of West Bloomfield”
BAND MERCHANDISE
Show your Laker Pride! Go to wbbands.info/band-merchandise today! A portion of every sale goes to West Bloomfield Bands.
SCRIPS
Go to wbbands.info/fundraising/scrip-program/ and order SCRIP (gift cards). By doing so, you make money for the band and for your student’s account!
BINGO
Come on out on Friday evening to support WB Bands and play BINGO!
We also need volunteers! For every Friday you volunteer, you earn $30! The September and October Signups are up on the website. Click on the following link to sign up for a shift or two —–> wbbands.info/bingo
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
September 2: First day of School, Band Parents meeting
September 5: Home Football game vs. Troy, report 5:30pm
September 13: Field Day
September 19: Homecoming Parade, tailgate, and football game
September 25: NO SCHOOL; Full band rehearsal 3:30- 6:30
September 26 – 27: Bands of America (BOA) Regional competition in Dayton OH
October 2: Home football game (Senior Night), report 6pm
October 11: Plymouth Canton Invitational, time TBD
October 18: Clarkston Invitational, time TBD
October 25: Lakeland Invitational, time TBD
November 1: MCBA State Finals at Ford Field, time TBD
– Next PARENT MEETING is Tuesday, September 2, WBHS
– Next BOARD MEETING is Wednesday, September 17, WBHS
