Dear Band Family,
WELCOME!
Welcome to all our new Marching Band families and welcome back to all of our returning Marching Band families! We are looking forward to a wonderful 2015 season! Below is information to help get this new season off to a smooth start.
Our new member woodwind/brass rehearsals start tomorrow! Just because they are “new member” rehearsals does not mean that veterans cannot attend. If you would like to get more work in on your marching technique and the music, show up to the band room at 9 a.m. Monday!
Important reminder: we need to have certain forms turned in before students can participate. The following forms must be in our hands for your students to practice:
If any of the links are not effective, all forms are also found on our web site, wbbands.info.
Email me if you will miss rehearsals and let me know when you will have these forms completed.
Many thanks to the students and parents who participated in our car wash on Saturday. The car wash brought in over $1800. This is much better than previous years – but not even close to what we hoped that a mandatory activity with pre-sales would raise. The treasurers have recorded voucher sales from only 22 students. If you still have voucher money to turn in. please bring it to the WBHS Band Room in an envelope labeled with the student’s name, and leave it in the Band Boosters mailbox.
Go Lakers!
Chad Mielens
Director of Bands, West Bloomfield High School
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Monday, 7/27: Percussion and Color Guard Pre-Camp 9am – 4pm
Monday, 7/27: Brass & Woodwind New Member rehearsal 9am – 12pm Health Forms are Due
Tuesday, 7/28: Percussion and Color Guard Pre-Camp 9am – 4pm
Tuesday, 7/28: Brass & Woodwind New Member rehearsal 9am – 12pm
Wednesday, 7/29: Percussion and Color Guard Pre-Camp 9am – 4pm
Wednesday, 7/29: Brass & Woodwind New Member rehearsal 9am – 12pm
Thursday, 7/30: Percussion and Color Guard Pre-Camp 9am – 4pm
Thursday, 7/30: Brass & Woodwind New Member rehearsal 9am – 12pm
Friday, 7/31: Percussion and Color Guard Pre-Camp 9am – 4pm
Friday, 7/31: Brass & Woodwind New Member rehearsal 9am – 12pm
Monday, 8/3: Marching Band rehearsal – full ensemble 9am – 4pm Health Forms are Due
Tuesday, 8/4: MARCHING BAND FEES DUE IN FULL
Tuesday, 8/4: Marching Band rehearsal – full ensemble 9am – 4pm
Tuesday, 8/4: MANDATORY Parent Meeting Session 1, 7pm
Wednesday, 8/5: Marching Band rehearsal – full ensemble 9am – 4pm
Wednesday, 8/5: MANDATORY Parent Meeting Session 2, 7pm
Thursday, 8/6: Marching Band rehearsal – full ensemble 9am – 4pm
Friday, 8/7: Marching Band rehearsal – full ensemble 9am – 4p
IMPORTANT REHEARSAL INFORMATION for all members:
– Full band rehearsals begin next Monday (8/3) FROM 9:00AM — 4:00PM
– WHAT TO WEAR:
- – Comfortable shorts/belt — no saggy shorts
- – T-shirt/tank top — no low cut tops, spaghetti straps or bare midriffs
- – Flexible tennis shoes — no flip flops or sandals
– WHAT TO BRING:
- – Water jug — we recommend a 1-gallon water jug (any color)….they have them at Walmart, Target, Dicks, etc for $7-$10. Please label them (they all look alike) and fill them with ice and water before each practice.
- – Sunscreen & hat
– ATTENDANCE POLICY:
All members are expected to attend each rehearsal and performance.
Absences need to be emailed to the director (send email to chad.mielens@wbsd.org and if the student is in the front ensemble or battery, to Chris (christopher.vilag@gmail.com) or if the student is in color guard, to Mark (dedeckeremark@gmail.com).
PHYSICAL EXAM/CLEARANCE/CONSENT FORMS are due!
The Physical Exam/Clearance/Consent form and the purple Medication Form must be turned in before the band member will be permitted to attend rehearsals, so that is tomorrow for new members/percussion/front ensemble/color guard and by August 3 for all other members.
Both forms require Physician and Parent signatures.
Your physical exam must occur on or after April 15, 2015 to be valid for the 2015-2016 school year. Options include:
- – Physical exam at your family physician
- – CVS Minute Clinic (check CVS.com for locations)
- – Lakes Area Urgent Care or any urgent care facility
If you do not have these forms, they can be printed off our website at wbbands.info or click below:
Physical Exam/Clearance/Consent
LAVENDER form (Medication Form)
MARCHING BAND PAYMENTS – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
As stated in the Marching Band registration paperwork, a late fee of $25 will apply for any payments made after August 4, 2015. If you cannot make the August 4th deadline, please contact Steve and Claudia Bologna
Students who are not up to date on payments will not be allowed to attend marching band camp.
We are currently updating our Charms database. Account balances should be available in a few days. Please email Steve and Claudia Bologna at treasurer@wbbands.info if you have any questions.
MANDATORY PARENT MEETINGS
Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday, August 5 2015 in the WBHS, Band Room.
All parents and/or guardians must attend ONE of these meetings. The meeting covers basic essential information for new parents and IMPORTANT CHANGES for veteran parents. The same meeting is being offered, with two opportunities to attend (to address as many schedule conflicts as possible).
UNIFORMS — We Need Your Help!
Uniform fitting day will be Monday, August 10 from10am – 12:30pm at WBHS. Several volunteers are needed to make this day a success! Email wbbands@gmail.com if you are able to assist.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DEADLINES:
August 4 (Second day of full ensemble rehearsal) – Marching Band payments are DUE IN FULL! A late fee of $25 will apply for any payment made after August 4, 2015. Students without fees paid in full or a payment plan in place before band camp will not be GOING TO BAND CAMP.
Also, Show Shirt orders are due.
August 10 – Uniform Fitting Day – Shoe orders due. Ford Field Waivers for State Finals due for all students, staff, and parents who will be stepping onto the field at State Finals must fill out and sign the form.
FACEBOOK
“Like Us” at “West Bloomfield Bands” https://www.facebook.com/wbbands?fref=ts
JOIN the closed group, “Official West Bloomfield High School Marching Band Page” Lots of information, updates, photos and camaraderie are shared at this site.
FUNDRAISING
EARN MONEY FOR WEST BLOOMFIELD BANDS WITH SMILE.AMAZON.COM The Band Boosters Association is now linked with the AmazonSmile program!! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to BBAWB whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you will find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price. To get started: click HERE to register. Every time you shop, go to smile.amazon.com
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!
~ Next Parent Meetings is August 4 and 5, 2015, WBHS Band Room
~ Next Board Meeting TBD, August 2015