Decatur High School

Band Parent Association Website

Click here to access the newsletter archives!

Decatur Band Families,

I truly appreciate everyone working hard to make Thursday's performance possible. If you rearranged your schedule to be available, know I am extremely grateful for that, and it shows how well our band demonstrates a "we/us" mindset during this busy Fall.

After talking with the staff and Athletic Director, I've decided that we will not attend the game on Thursday.

It is my responsibility to provide our students with opportunities to perform at their very best. For reasons outside of everyone's control, I do not believe Thursday will reach this standard.

I hope that everyone enjoys their time off, both Thursday and Friday evenings. Note that next week is another bye week, with no football game. I do plan on doing another "full run" of the show for parents and families next Wednesday evening, our last run before our first competition. I will put details in next week's newsletter.

Three rehearsals remain before our first competition on October 9, and we need everyone present at these rehearsals.

Attendance Reminders

With just ten band rehearsals left,it is crucial that every student is at every rehearsal in its entirety.
Even though we have learned the "dots" for the entire show, we have a lot of detail work to accomplish between now and our three competitions.
Students that miss rehearsal for an unexcused reason can result in removal from performances – either our halftime show or performing in the stands.
Everyone is a starter, and there is no bench in our activity. We need you!

Draft Competition Schedule – Saturday, October 9 at Kennesaw Mountain High School

1:00 PM Rehearsal Begins (arrive by 12:50 PM)
3:00 PM Rehearsal ends. Load the trailer. Change into half uniforms. A student-provided snack at this time is recommended.
4:15 PM Uniform Inspection
4:30 PM Board Busses
4:45 PM Depart for Kennesaw Mountain HS
5:45 PM Arrive at Kennesaw Mountain HS (6:10 Check-in)
7:10-7:55 PM Band Warmup
7:10-7:45 PM FE Warmup
7:55 PM FE Report Time
8:10 PM Band Report Time
8:20 PM Decatur Band Performs!
8:40 PM (approx.) performance ends. Change into comfortable clothes. Watch remaining bands. Students can eat concessions for dinner.
9:40 PM Exhibition Performance – Kennesaw Mountain HS
Awards Time TBD
Departure Look for a Remind text for an ETA home

Competition Locations

October 9: Kennesaw Mountain High School
October 16: Sprayberry High School
October 30: Collins Hill High School
All three Saturdays are full-day events. A schedule will be released once shared from the competition organizers.
Parents! Now is the time to volunteer for the pit crew and chaperoning for the competitions. You can do so under "My Account" on our website.

2022 Band Camp

It's already time to start thinking about Band Camp 2022! The calendar for the upcoming school year has not yet been approved by the Board, but here are tentative dates.
A specific schedule will be released after meeting with the Athletic Directors in the coming months. Please ensure that students interested in participating in our activity next year are back in Decatur on July 10, 2022.
Week of July 10, 2022 – Band Camp Week 1 (Hold All Week)
Week of July 17, 2022 – Band Camp Week 2 (Hold All Week)
July 26, 27, and 28 – Post-Band Camp Rehearsals (Hold 6-9p)

Picture Day

Picture Day will now be held on November 12 (moved from November 19.) This will be a chance for us to create a Decatur Band composite (what hangs in my office.) The last one created is from the 2009 school year, and I think it's a great way to memorialize everyone's participation in our band program.

Marching Band students will wear their uniforms. Students not in marching band will wear their black concert attire.

I will work with the Guard Directors to figure out appropriate attire for our color guard students.

District Honor Band / All State

District Honor Band/All-State Registration is now closed.

ACTION REQUIRED – Please review the list of students registered for auditions and check (1) your name (2) your grade and (3) your instrument. If there is an error, please email me before the end of the day on Tuesday. If it's correct, no action is required.

Curricular Classes (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Class)

Need-Based Private Lesson Scholarships

We have some need-based private lesson scholarships available. If you are interested in taking private lessons, but the cost has precluded you from doing so, please send me an email and we can discuss the next steps. Thank you!

Summative #1 Completed

Thanks to all students who have played their Summative for me. I will post the grades shortly to ManageBac.
I will allow students to recover any missed points through October 8. Students can play their exercises for me either before school or during WIN time. (Video submission is not available for this Summative.)

Calendar

Please follow this link for our 21-22 calendar, and be sure to put all required dates in your family calendar as soon as possible. As stated in the DHS course catalog, attendance at concerts outside of the school day is an expectation for band classes.

Concert Attire

Students need their own "all black" concert attire for their concert on Thursday, October 21 (about six weeks away.)
Option A – Solid black long sleeve dress shirt, solid black dress slacks, solid black dress shoes, solid black socks.
Option B – A black dress that reaches the ankle when seated. Students cannot cross their legs while playing instruments.
Avoid – Please avoid denim, sneakers, sandals, tank-tops/spaghetti straps, and athletic wear.
Financial Assistance – If you need financial assistance acquiring these clothes, please contact Ms. Lofstrand at <rlofstrand@csdecatur.net>I have had many students purchase these items for a very reasonable cost and in good condition at second-hand stores such as Goodwill.
Questions – I want to be as understanding and flexible as possible when it comes to concert attire, while maintaining a uniform and professional presence on stage. I am happy to answer questions via email. Thank you!

2022 Orlando Trip

Our Orlando Trip has over 100 participants registered, which means we have reached our goal!

Scholarship Funds

We are looking to raise about $1200 to fund travel for two students. If you can anonymously contribute to this fund, please fill out the form on the band website. Click "My Account" and you will see a way to contribute to the fund. Thank you!

Chaperones

We are looking for five more chaperones. Our goal is to have ten chaperones in order to keep an average of ten students to one chaperone. Chaperone duties will include checking in with students in the morning, during the day, and in the evening. This trip should have very light chaperone duties since we will be spending virtually the entire trip in the parks. If you'd like to chaperone, please email trip coordinator Jennifer Cooper at <jenallencooper@gmail.com>.
Chaperones that sign up must stay with the Band for the entirety of the trip; you will not be permitted to leave the group during the day, stay in a hotel of your choosing, etc.
Chaperones, as of now, will be responsible for the full cost of the trip. If we have the financial flexibility to offer a discounted rate, we will let you know. The first priority will always be ensuring all students who would like to attend are able to.
All chaperones will need to get a CSD background check. These last for five years. There is a $35 fee for the background check.

Tour Packet

Most questions are answered in this packet from Gateway. Otherwise, feel free to write to me. Thank you!

Holiday Wrapping Paper & Gifts Fundraiser!

Our Holiday Fundraiser is underway and will run through Friday, Oct. 8. We're partnering with Charleston Wrap to offer high-quality wrapping paper, gourmet foods, personalized items, and more. We appreciate your support and encourage you to spread the word to your friends and family, near and far! Everything will be done online, and orders will be shipped directly to buyers, so it'll be super easy. The more people who shop, the more money we can raise for our kids! To peruse the catalog, visit https://registercw.com/6KmNSUrV.

Spirit Wear!

Big thanks to Jenny Mullen and Rachel Pilvinsky who are organizing our Spirit Wear this year.

Many offerings, including car magnets, "I"m with the band" parent shirts, water bottles, and vintage t-shirts are available for purchase. These items are in stock and can be delivered shortly.

We will also begin pre-ordering other select items in the coming weeks; stay tuned.

To purchase an item from our Sprit Store, click on "My Account" on the top right of the Band Website. See the below screenshot.

Decatur High School Jazz Band and Combo

Jazz Band will be held on Wednesdays this year beginning November 10. The band will consist of a big band (open to all students, no experience required) and an auditioned combo.

4:45 Jazz Band Rehearsal Begins

6:00 Combo Rehearsal

6:45 Combo Rehearsal Ends

We will have $150 dues to run our jazz band. This will fund instruction and sheet music purchases. If you need financial assistance to participate in jazz band, please contact Ms. Lofstrand at <rlofstrand@csdecatur.net.>

Students will never be turned away from a musical opportunity due to finances.

Mr. Sam Davis, our local jazz pedagogue and former student teacher, will run the jazz band. If you are interested in jazz band, please complete this form.

Decatur Band Joins Kroger Community Rewards

The DHS Band is now part of the Kroger Community Rewards Program!

Go to the Kroger website.
Log into your account.
Search for "Decatur High School Band Parent Association" by name or by the code UJ255.
Click Enroll.

If you don't have a Kroger account, you can create one with some basic information and a valid email address.

Thanks to Jen Cooper for configuring this!

21-22 Private Lesson Teacher List

Now is the time of the year that many students start (or restart) private lessons on their instrument. Lessons are not solely remediation or tutoring; they are the fastest way for students to grow on their instrument, and to supplement what we are learning in band classes.

Here is my list of private teachers in the area for this school year. This is not exhaustive, but it can serve as a starting place to find a great teacher.

I am always happy to connect with parents and students to find a teacher that can best support each individual. Please contact me with any questions or if I can help. Thank you!

Become a Patron of the Band

Through a new initiative, Patron of the Band, you can help make a difference and provide a richer, fuller experience for our talented musicians.

Click here to find out how.

Thanks to our Business Sponsors

The generous support of our business sponsors helps with the critical financial support needed for the band program. Click here to check out all of our fantastic business sponsors. Please be sure to thank and patronize these great organizations in our community!