Freshman Band Announcements

Lakota West Bands

Here are the last Freshman announcements of the year!

  1. 7th period exam is on Tuesday, May 29th.
  2. 6th period exam is on Thursday, May 31st.
  3. There is no concert band on Wednesday, May 30th, neither group will need their instruments for concert band. Those students in jazz should check with Mr. Thomas to see when they need their instruments this week.
  4. Rookie Marcher Day is Thursday, May 31st from 1:00-4:00 pm at Main Campus. Students will be dismissed from school a little after noon on Thursday. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can move around in. BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT. You will receive all the music you need for marching band, pre-game, stand tunes, and the competition show.
  5. Rookie Marcher Parent meeting is on Thursday, May 31st starting at 3:30 pm at Main Campus in the Auditorium. Everything you always wanted to know about marching band will be discussed, and more.
  6. Lastly, Marching Band Pre-Camp starts on July 30, 2012 at 7:00 am at the Lakota West Freshman School. There are several things that should be done between now and then to help insure that your student has the best experience possible in marching band:
    1. Get some comfortable athletic shoes. We don’t march in sandels or flip-flops. They generate blisters faster than weeds grow in your yard.
    2. Get a water jug, one that’s at least a quart, and has a handle on it. You will use this often during practice when we give water breaks. You will learn the meaning of the phrase, “gush and go”.
    3. Practice the music you receive from your Section Leader. The better you can play your music BEFORE band camp, the easier band camp will be. Remember, you’re going to learn how to march, where to go in the drill, and if you have to learn to play the music at the same time, well, that’s just a whole lot to learn at once. Learn the music BEFORE band camp and life will be easier. PLUS, you will need to have your music memorized most likely by the 1st or 2nd week of school. You have a solid 2 months, make good use of the time.
    4. MOST IMPORTANT-Marching band is a physical activity and we march outside in late July and throughout August and September. It will be hot, it always is. There’s no getting around this. For those students who are active in sports and play outside often, this transition will be very easy. There are a lot of our students who are, “inside people”. They don’t play sports and they don’t get outside much. I strongly suggest that those students start acclimating their bodies to the outside and heat. Get outside and do something, anything. Go for a walk, ride your bike, walk the dog, cut the grass, play Frisbee, chase your sibling (in a playful manner), just get outside and do something. Start slowly and buildup the amount of time you’re outside. Again, the more you do before band camp, the easier band camp will be.

Marching Band has the potential to be the most enjoyable activity you will be in during your high school years. It will be much more enjoyable if you’re prepared for it.

As always, if there are any questions, please feel free to contact either Mr. Chumley, Phillip.Chumley@lakotaonline.com, or Mr. Snyder, Greg.Snyder@lakotaonline.com.

Thanks for another great year. We’re looking forward to great things next year! HAGS!! (Have A Great Summer in kid speak.)