Thursday, July 29, 2021

Marching Band: Camp Schedules / Packing List / Uniform & Attire / Orientation / Football Schedule

COVID PROTOCOLS & PROCEDURES

  • Awaiting approval by school administration.  Formal announcement coming early next week.

PRE-BAND CAMP - August 5th & 6th (Start in the HHS Band Room for both)

  • Squad leader (SL) day is August 5th from 8 a.m. to noon.  Attendance is mandatory for squad leaders.  The squad leader list is posted here:  SQUAD LEADERS 2021/22

  • Newbie day is August 6th from 8 a.m. to noon.  Attendance is OPTIONAL FOR NEWBIES (although we strongly suggest it simply because it is very helpful) but is MANDATORY FOR SL CANDIDATES.  Everyone should bring their instruments to these days and we suggest you bring a water bottle, sunscreen, sun glasses and comfortable shoes (no sandals).

BAND CAMP DEPARTURE DAY - August 8th & RETURN August 12th
  • Band Camp - check in begins at 7 a.m. on August 8th right outside the band room (the exterior band room doors are next to the auditorium loading dock - on the side of the high school facing the football field).  Busses depart for camp at 8 a.m.  We will need students to help load luggage on the busses!
  • We return from Eagle Village to Howell High School on August 12th around 3:30 p.m.  Students can text parents when busses are in Lansing to give a more accurate arrival time as it can vary depending on traffic.
PACKING LIST
MEDICATIONS

  • Personal student medications should be given to our Camp Nurse, Sue Baker, at check-in for dispensing throughout our stay at camp.  Please include (in a Ziploc bag with student’s name):  original packaging with student’s name, dose and frequency included.  Standard aids are available from our nurse’s band camp supply: Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Tums, ointment, bandaids, etc.  

SCHEDULE FOR CAMP
If you're wondering what a typical day looks like at camp, click below:
The dance night is casual dress but some students also like to get dressed up.  If you'd like to wear a special outfit for the dance, please bring that with you :)

Clothing at band camp & practices:
We know it's hot and we'll be outside - but it's important for students, chaperones and staff to follow the school district's dress code:   Click here for student handbook - dress code on page 37

MARCHING BAND UNIFORM
Make sure to purchase khaki shorts before they are gone from stores.  These are a uniform requirement for those hot days.  They must be past your fingertips in length, per school dress code policy.  A marching band t-shirt will be provided for all students and handed out after we return to school.

These items are not required for band camp but are required for the first home football game on August 26th. 

Here's what you'll need to get: 

  • Black shoes - must be all black; anything not black will be covered with black Sharpie or black tape.  These should be comfortable shoes that won’t hurt your feet when marching; athletic-type shoes or work shoes are good choices.
  • Black socks.  For “summer uniform” socks can be any style as long as they are black.  For “fall uniform” (green and gold uniform issued by the school), socks must cover the ankle and any part of the lower leg that may be visible with long pants.
  • Khaki shorts for “summer uniform”.  Must be the appropriate length to meet the Howell Schools dress code (finger-tip length when arms are at your side).  If shorts are deemed not appropriate (by Mr. Smigell or his associates) you may not be able to participate with the marching band for that performance.
  • CLICK HERE FOR UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL BANDS (INCLUDING NON-MARCHING BAND CLASSES)
UNIFORM FITTINGS:
Students will be fitted for their regular, formal, marching band uniform - more info coming after band camp!  Students will wear their official marching band t-shirt and khaki shorts for the first home game AND if temperatures are too hot for our regular uniforms at other games.  Cost of this shirt was included in your marching band / camp fee.  T-shirts will be distributed before the first game.

MARCHING BAND PRACTICE SCHEDULE 
  • Practices for August 18th and 19th are from 11 a.m to noon.  This is our first week of school and we have a half-day schedule on those days.  August 18th and 19th practices CANCELLED!  No practice or football game on Friday, August 20th.
  • Bring a water bottle, your instrument and marching band music to all practices!
Starting the week of August 23rd (on days that we have school):
  • Mondays (no practice on Labor Day!) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday through Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday practices TBA depending on the week (home games/away games)
!! Practices are mandatory !!  Please let Mr. Smigell or Mrs. Allegoet know if you can't make it.

INSTRUMENTS
  • If you need a school-owned instrument, those will be distributed and assigned at squad leader day, newbie day and the morning of departure. 
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Below is our marching band/football schedule for the 2021 season.  The home games are mandatory for Marching Band students. If Mr. Smigell decides to do pep band at an away game, those are optional.  For pep band, the student has to take their instrument home, have their own transportation to and from the game, then be able to get their instrument back to school by Monday.  Pep band schedule will be announced after school starts.
TAILGATES
Traditionally, the Band Boosters and Marching Band parents have sponsored a tailgate for the students so they can eat dinner before the football game.  This event takes place immediately following the pre-game practice on home-game Fridays.  Food is usually served around 5 pm and the cost is a donation of $3 or you can volunteer to send in food or other needed items.  Check the band blog or Facebook page for more information the week before a home football game.

ORIENTATION
Orientation is the week of band camp.  Parents/Guardians can attend their students regularly scheduled orientation day to pick up parking passes, purchase school swag, etc. if they choose (not required).  
  • You can tour the buildings and find classrooms and lockers on Friday, August 13th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m . 
  • Pictures can be taken during make-up picture day on August 25th.
  • The school will mail / email you a packet of information in late July/early August with details about orientation and the beginning of the school year.
Please email Laura Allegoet at ALLEGOEL@HOWELLSCHOOLS.COM or Mr. Smigell at SMIGELLJ@HOWELLSCHOOLS.COM with any questions.

We look forward to seeing all of you soon!  It's going to be a wonderful HHS marching band season and school year!

- Laura Allegoet :)
ALLEGOEL@HOWELLSCHOOLS.COM

Thursday, July 08, 2021

BAND CAMP IS ON AND IT'S GONNA BE UP NORTH!! Plus, Music Announcement!

Hey all!

That's right! 

Band camp is real, it's happening, and it's going to be at Eagle Village!  I just signed the contract, and we are in business!  The district is coming out with their guidelines for the upcoming school year next week, so we will have details on how this jives with the camp guidelines.  I will let you know as soon as we get this sorted out with the next bundle of information coming next week.

Meanwhile,  We have selected the three songs for our first show!  I believe two of them were also on the list of student suggestions, so great job everyone!


Here are some youtube links to our songs!

Opener: Phoenix by Fallout Boy\

Production: Blinding Lights by The Weekend

Closer: Mr Blue Sky by ELO


OK people that's all the news I've got for you for now.  I will say I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED and very optimistic about this upcoming marching season and school year in general.  We have a lot of work to do and it looks like we will be able to do it.  The last 16 months have been hard on us all.  For the first time in over a year I am feeling really good about things.  I am looking forward to giving you my very best, and us being able to "do band" the way it was intended.  I CAN'T WAIT!