May 27, 2008
Dear Band Member and Parents,
My name is Reginald Purvis and I am Director of Bands at George Washington High School. I am looking forward to working with you to make the 2008-2009 George Washington Eagle Bands the best ever. Along with our schedule of football games and parades, our marching band will be participating this year in the Bands of America Regional Championships in the New York /New Jersey area at the end of October, and many local and statewide contests. These trips are honors that have been earned by our group, and with your help we will have a smooth beginning and a really exciting year of fun and travel. I am anxious to work with you to continue the great success of the George Washington Band Program. This first letter is to inform you of immediate activities that involve the Band, starting with the Marching Eagles. If you have been chosen to become a member of the Marching Band, congratulations!
Some of our immediate goals include: 1) improving the quality of performances through hard work and discipline; 2) learning and performing music with perfection; 3) providing opportunities for social activities through travel and group interaction; 4) having FUN with performances, competitions, and travel; 5) representing our school and community through pride and excellence.
This letter is also a reminder about pre-school events for Marching Band. Your student has already been made aware of the end of school year schedule for practices. We are trying to get a jump on things so that the summer schedule will not be as hectic. Here is a list of our summer rehearsals:
SUMMER NIGHT REHEARSALS: (All Horn line and Percussion and Color Guard members)
Tuesday, July 8, 6:00-9:00pm
Thursday, July 10, 5:00-8:30pm (Band practice, Booster meeting, parent social - 7:30pm)
Tuesday, July 15, 6:00-9:00pm (Everyone)
Thursday, July 17, 6:00-9:00pm (Everyone)
Tuesday, July 22, 6:00 9:00pm (Everyone)
Thursday, July 24, 6:00 9:00pm (Everyone)
Monday, July 28, 6:00 9:00pm (Everyone)
Thursday July 31, 6:00 9:00pm (Everyone)
The purpose of the summer rehearsals is to get everyone in top playing condition, practice music arrangements, and learn drill movements for the fall. Members who will need to check out equipment for these practices may do so by coming early to these meetings or by contacting me at the school during the day. All Marching Band Rehearsals are required of all members. If there is a conflict (summer vacation plans, appointments, etc.) please notify me so that makeup arrangements can be made. Practices and sectionals for Guard and Percussion members will be held at this time also in addition to your individual camp. Color guard camp will either begin on Thursday July 10th through Saturday July 12th with the times to be determined by the guard instructional staff. Battery Percussion and Front Ensemble Percussion members will have their individual camp Monday July 14th through Friday July 18th, from 3:30-9:00pm. These camps are in addition to regular band camp in August.
BAND CAMP (REQUIRED OF ALL STUDENTS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN MARCHING BAND)
Band camp will be held Monday August 11th through Friday August 15th from 8am to 7pm. Rehearsals will also be held August 19th, 20th, and 22nd, from 3-6pm. During our band camp additional instructors will be here to assist in teaching our halftime show. Each student should have all equipment prior to August 11th. Members should dress comfortably for marching, including short pants, T-shirts, shoes, socks, and hats. Each student must bring a small cooler for ice water, and snacks may be brought for the breaks that we take.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Each member of the marching band is asked to pay a participation fee that covers certain aspects of the program. The following is a list that pertains to each section of the band.
· $150.00 band camp fee - covers the cost of instructors, drill, music, uniform maintenance, band camp activities, T-Shirts, food and snacks during camp (all band members)
· $25.00 - shoes (all horn line and percussion members)
· $3.00 - gloves (all horn line members)
$30.00 shoes and gloves (all color guard members)
50% of this fee is due by the July 8th rehearsal in order to pay for summer activities, instructors, and materials. The remaining balance is due by the last summer rehearsal, which is July 31st. If there is a problem with funds, please contact me and special arrangements can be made. The G.W. Band organization would never deny a student the opportunity to participate in the band due to financial hardships, but each member must attempt to fundraise or solicit donations to help out. We encourage all students to pay this fee EARLY! (Please make checks payable to G.W. Band Boosters). All fees must be paid by August 11th. There will be no exceptions this year!! An additional travel/trip fee of $180.00 will be assessed this year during the fall to pay for the Bands of America New York/New Jersey Regional, which covers the cost of all bus and equipment travel fees and hotel rooms for the event. This trip will involve a minimum of two nights lodging in a hotel and three days travel. The money for the trip must be paid at least two weeks in advance of the trip (Oct. 13th is the due date). The G.W. Band Parent Association will sponsor many fundraising projects that can be used to fund our trips and activities to make it easier on everyone. Your child will receive 50% of the profit that is made off of each sale, which will go into their account towards the activities that we sponsor. Additional details will follow as the season gets started.
Additional details concerning uniform checkout and a calendar of performances and other activities will be presented to you at the first rehearsal in July so that personal plans can be made during the fall season and throughout the school year. Please check out our web page for updates to information, pictures, and announcements. We try to update the site at least once a week or whenever there are changes to the schedule. The address is listed at the bottom of the page. All performances during the fall season are required of each member, so please work your schedules accordingly. Lets all have a great year!
Sincerely,
Reginald Purvis
Director of Bands
George Washington High School
Office # 799-0742
E-mail director @gwband.org
Band web Page www.gwband.org