insert Logo Here June 1, 2007
Dear OCHS Band Members and Parents: Congratulations and welcome to our new and returning band members and parents to the 2007-08 OCHS Band Program! Our 20th year in continued pursuit of musical excellence based upon a rich tradition of positive experiences and successful accomplishments, while enjoying what we do best; MAKING MUSIC! Our success is due to YOUR attendance, discipline, dedication, pride, enthusiasm and sacrifice. As a member of the OCHS Band, you are urged to accept the responsibility of being a young adult and contributing your personal best in all our endeavors; home practice, memorization, attendance at all rehearsals-performances and your very best behavior.
So what's up for 07-08? Membership is 190! The '07 Marching Show is more exciting than ever! The music and drill are ready for you to make it come alive! The staff anxiously awaits your presence to begin teaching.
We'll be traveling for marching contests at Wheaton, IL, Greendale, Marengo, IL, Cudahy, Fort Atkinson, and Whitewater (State Championships). We will also perform 4 home football half-times at OCHS and new this year, 1 home football half-time at Camp Randall in Madison. Everyone will again be required to participate in WSMA District Solo-Ensemble at OCHS and expected to participate in HOME PRACTICE, rehearsals, performances, concerts and fundraisers. We have not finalized our spring trip destination however, it will be another memorable tour.
Rehearsals will take place on the OCHS practice and stadium fields. Rain will likely interfere with rehearsals, therefore we will again hold required Band Camp Rehearsals on August 4, 11, 18, 25 and September 8, 15. This will ensure our competitive readiness, so plan ahead!
Another vital part of being prepared for the fall season is having all students know their music before they return in July. Parents: It is required that your musician practice, learn and memorize their music during the summer (see deadlines below).
Remember that August brings hot temps, rain, and mosquito fest, so bring a water bottle and comfortable tennis shoes to march in. TENNIS SHOES ONLY!! This is for your safety! Don’t forget the bug spray!
The 07-08 Band will devote our season to working to see how far we can take our show. Ms. F and Mr. Gregg are ready to say, "Band...A-Ten-Hut!" We will see the full band, all flags and percussion starting on July 30, 31 and August 1 at 6:00 pm. Remember to bring your music, instrument, water bottle, tennis shoes and above all, a positive attitude to work hard. NOTE: We will again be holding weekly summer sectionals for all (except pit percussion). The sectional schedule is included below.
****NEW FOR THIS YEAR: ALL FORMS (Permission For Field Trips; Travel Agreement; Contract; Parent Support, District Background Check), will be distributed, filled out & RETURNED at the AUGUST 9th MANDATORY PARENT MEETING in the OCHS Cafeteria at 6:30pm. The $75 Transportation Fee (checks payable to OCHS Band; #451 in memo section) will also be due at this meeting. ANY ONE with a student in the OCHS Band MUST Attend this meeting. If you are ABSOLUTELY unable to attend, you must call or email to set-up an individual appointment with the directors.
The $75 transportation fee is used to offset the cost of our motor coach transportation, food provided each weekend, and also to offset decreased fundraiser participation. These coaches are needed for shelter, storage, comfort, timesavings, restrooms and entertainment.
Uniform Fitting: Required for everyone at registration-OCHS room 265 (band room)
- August 7 8:00-11:00 am & 1:00-5:00 pm
- August 8 8:00-11:00 am & 4:00-7:00 pm
- August 9 8:00-11:00 am Note:
Uniforms are free-students must supply their own black socks and plain white T-shirt with sleeves for EACH performance. While At Registration: Sign-up for Saturday Camp food and Parent Volunteer assignments. Instrument Repair:
Your instrument MUST be taken in for summer repair/cleaning/check up. Take care of it NOW to ensure proper playing condition. Students who need a school instrument will be contacted to pick them up as they return from summer repair.
Marching Rehearsals: Rehearsals begin July 30, 31, and August 1 for full band, flags and percussion from 6-9pm at OCHS; Arrive at 5:45 to get instrument out and find a seat. Camp #1 is August 4 from 9am-3pm with lunch provided. These rehearsals are part of your commitment as a member of the OCHS Band. READ YOUR SCHEDULE & PLAN AHEAD! YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE ALL MUSIC MEMORIZED BY AUGUST 18. Parents please help and monitor your student so that we may progress rapidly through our show! Enter the Northeast doors at OCHS & proceed up to 2nd floor. Bring water bottle, cool clothes and comfortable tennis shoes. Bring your music & instrument! First 2 weeks of rehearsals concentrate on music while the Saturday camps focus on the visual drill aspects of our show.
**Memorization Schedule Deadlines**
- August 4 Appalachian Spring Chorale, OC School Song, & Appalachian Spring Finale
- August 11 Hoe Down & The Promise of Living
- August 18 Copland Finale
**We have scheduled the summer sectionals in order to help you accomplish your memorization deadlines.
Sectionals are held in OCHS Band Room #265 and Choir Room #260
Dates of Sectionals are:
June 14, 18, 25 and July 2, 9
- 9:00amFlute, Clarinet
- 10:00 Tenor Sax, Alto Sax
- 11:00 Trumpet 1st, Trumpet 2nd-3rd
- 12:00 Baritone, Trombone
- 1:00 F Horn, B. Sax, Tuba, E. Bass
- 10am-Noon Colorguard, Keyboard Percussion & Battery Percussion
*Be prepared to rehearse OUTSIDE, wear comfortable TENNIS SHOES and bring Water!
We hope you enjoy the summer and return with a positive attitude, a renewed commitment to band and excitement to see your new and old friends. Please return with an over-abundance of enthusiasm, energy, pride, dedication and commitment that will carry us through another adventurous year enjoying our band together!
If you will be on vacation or discover a conflict with the schedule, please email the above address or leave name and a message at OCHS Band office 768-6210 ext. 7265 and if for some reason you will not be with us, CALL IMMEDIATELY!
Enclosed you will find the TENTATIVE schedule for the entire 2007-2008 school year. Please read carefully and plan ahead to adjust your personal and work schedule to attend all scheduled activities. Attendance has always been exceptional and we depend on each other to attend and memorize music. Work is NOT an acceptable excuse. We will again work on the honor system for your attendance. The Oak Creek Band is NOT a retreat for delinquents and dishonesty will not be tolerated. We also work around other school activities but you are expected to attend when feasible. About homework? You must learn to budget your time wisely to accomplish band-homework-other activities. It all can be done because the members before you learned how to plan. The fall season is crunch time for everyone, but you can do it. The key is to meet the memorization deadlines before August 18.
Musically Yours, Amy Fuchs & Guy Gregg