Greetings everyone in the HHSB blogosphere!

Here is what the week looks like for us:

Monday:

Concert Band: Finish auditions

Percussion: African and rolling on keyboards

Symph: Rehearse 

W.E. Rehearse

MB: Basics Outside

Tuesday:

Concertband: Seat the band with new placements and sightread

Percussion: Rehearse anxiety, construct some new beats!

Symph:New piece

W.e. New Piece

MB: New drill for get smart and uniform fittings after rehearsal (please allow some extra time)

Wednesday 

Same as tuesday except Irish band initial meeting at 3:30pm in the HHS Band room 

Thursday

TBA with day classes, Marching band INSIDE for music.  Don't forget that there is pep band this friday as well!  (after this last road game, we are at home for a long time!) sign up in the band room

Friday 

Tba with band classes

Rehearsal for mb on the field, then there is a pep band engagement at Pinckney Lots closer!

Two new announcements:  Marching band please reserve oct 7 from 6-8 pm.  We will be practicing with the eighth graders for our joint performance that week!

Secondly, we have been invited once again to act as substitutes for the University of Michigan Hockey Pep band on oct. 11.  Information on this will be forthcoming. 

Finally, I wanted to thank EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE ENTIRE PROGRAM for a fantastic start to the year! Kids,  I am so lucky to be your band director!  Parents, you are doing a wonderful job with your children!  A perfect example of this is our performance at the Ann Arbor/Howell football game.  It is always tough when football loses, but I was so pleased with out playing AND our conduct at the game.  A couple of parents asked me to pass along that once again our kids were to be complimented for their polite demeanor.  Helping our kids become great citizens is just as important to me as making them great musicians.  I praise you all, yes yes I do!

-SMIGELL

Hey Marching Band: I goofed. . . . . the measurements we need for band uniforms are waist and inseam for the pants and chest and sleeve length for the jackets. Sorry for the mix-up.

Carol Stone

Hello everyone!

I have some information about the pep band gig for you tonight! This game should be very exciting! It is a little ways away, but the directions are fairly easy as Pioneer HS is at two MAJOR crossroads in Ann Arbor. Here is the address so you can googlemaps it:

Ann Arbor Pioneer HS

601 W. Stadium Blvd

Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Report time is 6:30 PM any Howell band member, MB or otherwise, is invited. Please wear a Howell band shirt and we will meet off to the side of the main stadium entrance gate. Remember you have to find your own way there and back, and to take your intstrument home with you as I probably will be going straight home from the game. You get into the football game for free though, so there are some silver linings! The weather for tonight looks perfect, so there is no chance for a cancellation, and I will be there for the entire game to supervise and watch over the young ones!

-Big shout of thanks to Robin Taylor, Giselle Palmer, Conni Brown, Carol Stone, Bob Shiebold, and Christyne McDermaid for helping get the Uniforms ready for distribution!

OK.. that's all I got for now. Make sure to read the posts below this one as well, as they have important chair, uniform, and calendar information!

-Smigell

Hey folks! Here are a couple things:

First the link to the official school calendar:

http://www.howellschools.com/schools/hhs/calendar.htm

Secondly I realized that I posted our calendar without clearly marking the events that non marching band people had to attend. I have put IN CAPS all of the events that everyone (non marching band included) attends. Hop this helps. If you are looking for the band chair placements, they are in the next post down.

2008

September

12 Football away at Milford

19 " " Pioneer

26 " " Pinckney

October

3 Hartland football at home (Homecoming and homecoming parade)

10 Brighton at home (recruiting with the 8th graders)

17 Crossover football at home (senior night)

24 Jackson football away

28 FALL CONCERT 7PM HHS AUDITORIUM

November

28 Fantasy of lights parade Downtown Howell

December

9 WINTER CONCERT HHS AUDITORIUM 7PM

Februrary

6-7 MSBOA District solo and ensemble

24 PREFESTIVAL CONCERT 7PM HHS AUDITORIUM

March 13-14 MSBOA DISTRICT FESTIVAL AT BIRMINGHAM GROVES HS

May

8,9,10 Spring Musical

21 FINAL CONCERT HHS AUDITORIUM 7PM

25 Memorial Day Downtown howell

Hey Marching Band: We'll be fitting everyone for band uniforms on Tuesday, 9/23 & Wednesday, 9/24 right after Marching Band practice. It'd be really helpful and save lots of time if you could come prepared with your measurements for both jacket (shoulder & sleeve length) & pants (waist & inseam). If you don't have or can't get your measurements, we'll have parents available at the fittings to take your measurements for you. Call me at (734) 604-3546 if you have any questions.

Carol Stone

NEWSFLASH!!! CHAIR PLACEMENTS FOR WIND ENSEMBLE AND SYMPHONIC BAND!

Ok folks.. If you are nutty enough to stay up and check, here they are! The results are sorted in chair order unless otherwise noted. Students not on this list either have not auditioned, not had an acceptable audition, or need to see Mr Smigell:

(Sorry if I got the spelling wrong on your names)

Howell High School Wind Ensemble 2008-2009 Fall Placements:

Oboe

Josie Doefer

Flutes

Nora Kandler

Libbey Hobson

Abbey Micheals

Lona Czerwinski

Kim Chapppelll 

Ashley Garcia

Kyndra Palinkas

Kayla Dillon

Clarinets 

Joe Hillier

Carly Jakzrewski

Paige Williams

Therese McQueen

Kaitlyn Green

Andrea Prado

Kirsten Manos

Saxophones

Gary Schomberger

Mike Brown

Jack Palmer

Kyle Brasier

Clayton Woll

Bobby Fillinger

Bassoon

Joe Swift

Bobby Kenney

Trumpets

Mike Block

Scott Wittla 

Kevin Leahy

Kellen Reason

Katy Heslip

Erik Graham

Kathleen Janowiecki

French Horn

Paul Clifton

Keana Dickson

John Weideman

Trombones

Connor Harlow

Ronaldo Heslip

Evan Clifton

Sarah Williams

Tuba 

Jamie Holdwick

Andrew Stone

Percussion (alpha Order) 

Meghan St. Andrew

Kevin Arney

Brett Bansale

Mike Fornwall

Howell High School 2008-2009 Symphonic Band Fall Placements:

Flute 

Miranda Radelt

Jennifer Jennison

Kaitlyn Wright

Cassie Pyles

Brittany Randall

Courtney Denzel-Jacobsen

Allison Kucera

Clarinets

Andrew Meagher

Danielle McFarland

Natalie McCarty

Amanda Fauer

Saxophones

Jonathan Lewis

Brian Rowe

Nick Leyder

Corman Cabose

Kenneth Schell

Trumpets

Scott Marvel

John Galubensky

Brian Roskamp

(The rest are in alpha order due to a retest)

Alex Hayden

Kyle Maltby

Damon Swindlehurst

French Horn 

Jacob Bair

Trombones

Kyle Brenner

Matt Jefferson

Justin Kinnick

Euphonium

Matt Dickenson

(The rest are in alpha order because they are converted from another instrument)

Shawn Hamman

Jacob Richardson

Tuba (In alpha order because they are converted from another instrument)

Chandler Pape

Cliff Spry 

Percussion (in alpha order)

Meghan Banfield

Jackie Hedgepeth

Katie Schiebold

Becca Thomas

PEP BAND AT MILFORD IS CANCELLED!! Big news flash!! The weather report got a lot worse right when I got home, and it is raining as we speak in Brighton.   It is slated to rain all night with an  80% chance in the entire Livingston/Oakland county area.  PLEASE CALL EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT WAS PLANNING ON GOING TONIGHT AS WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO GET STRANDED OUT THERE!!! 

Hey Band Parents - the first Band Booster meeting of the season has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the band room at Howell High. Regular meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. If you have questions or need more information, please call me at (734) 604-3546 or e-mail: cstone@ci.howell.mi.us.

See you Tuesday,
Carol Stone

Hello all!


First of all thanks to all of the parents and kids who have stepped up to my call for support! You have no idea how much it means to me! I promise I will do my part, and I won't let you down!


As you know, this is a new year, I have been saying it since we started school, and I mean to keep at it. Here is what you can expect:

-Better communication... MUCH BETTER COMMUNICATION! I PROMISE

-Better use of time in class

-Better thought-out technical exercises and skill development lessons

-Better Planning

-Better goal setting

-More creativity.

-Much better use of technology. There is a wonderful program that we are about to unveil to everyone called CHARMS. It is a web based database that consolidates calendars, forms, email alerts, payments, and registrations all into one place. It might even make the blog obsolete! Kids you will be able to print off your drill sheets for marching band. Parents, you will be able to print off itineraries! Kids and parents you will be able to... wait for it... SEE HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT (Obviously this part would be visible only to individual students and parents... each family will get a password.

-MORE MUSIC

-More opportunities to perform!

-More help for kids before and after school!

-Better attention paid to each individual student. Better evaluation and more improvement from each individual student

-More fun (Being good at what you do is fun. Having lots of chops is fun. Having significant musical moments are fun. Getting medals at festival is fun, having a sense of self worth is fun, having self confidence is fun, having a sense of accomplishment is fun. Having an aesthetic experience is fun. Rocking out is fun. Being joyous and satisfied is fun, being nice and still getting it done, working hard and having it pay off is fun, proving people wrong in a positive way is fun, helping other people succeed is fun, doing something that is good for everyone is fun etc. etc.)

Having said that, Kids, Parents, I need this from you:

-Better cleanup in the band room

-Stop leaving personal junk in the band room

-More responsibility from parents and kids to read this blog and stay on top of things (It goes both ways, if I am going to invest an hour or two every 3 days to update this thing, I am going to get REALLY ANNOYED if people still feign ignorance when they miss a deadline). While we are on the subject, if there is ever a time where you or your child has a problem getting a ride to practice or a performance, We can almost always work it out if we have enough time. If there is a conflict, we can almost always work it out if it is in advance!

-Kids, stop losing your (Fill in the blank: music, form, uniform part, etc) and claiming that you never got it in the first place.

-Kids, practice more!

-Everybody, if there is someone ANYONE who has a problem with what I am doing in class or on the stage, or is upset about ANYTHING, please talk to me first (Not much I can do about curing HIV or world peace, but everything else, we have a chance!). I am a pretty reasonable guy. Times are tough and we need to stick together. I am on your child's side.


OK.. here is what is happening for the week.

General:

We will be having auditions in all of the concert band classes (Concert, Symphonic, and Wind Ensemble) for grades and chair placement. We have three of these per year; now, in January, and in April. Symphonic band and W.E. was given this music on Thursday and Concert band was given the music on Friday. Boosters will be coming in during classes this week to fit the kids for uniforms (Notice cutting down on wasted class time?).

Our first away pep band gig will be at Milford HS this week on Friday, Sept 12, 2008. Anyone in the Band Program is eligible to participate. The activity is completely optional, and you have to get your own transportation to and from the performance. You get in the game for free, and the kids have a blast. I will be on site running our portion of the event as will at least one administrator, so you can rest assured they will be supervised.

If you are a late joiner to marching band, you must begin attending rehearsals starting monday. I also need to know the exact number so that I can properly write the drill for the rest of the season.

Parents: Please try and schedule your child's doctor appointments after 3:30 if they are in marching band. It is a class and they receive a grade for it.

Many of you asked me if you could get one of those TOTALLY SWEET (Nice Job Bri Wiepert on the design!) shirts that the band has been wearing. The answer is Yes! They are $15.00 and come in all sizes. Stay tuned for an announcement on what to do with the money...

SPECIFICS:

Monday:

Concert band: Ear to hand, tuning, practice for the auditions

Percussion: Music reading exercises, pass out first playing test. Discuss the "stomp Project"

Symphonic and W.E: Auditions! During the week, boosters will be coming in to fit kids for uniforms.

Marching Band: On the field 2:30-3:30 for Basics EVERYBODY


Tuesday-Friday

Concert band, Symphonic, and W.E. : Auditions and uniforms. Those who have already auditioned will be working on their next playing test.

Percussion: Same as Monday but replace the "Stomp" portion with African Drumming, Rhythmic exercises, Ensemble literature sight reading, and a playing test on Friday.

Marching Band: Rehearsal on the field introducing new drill for Peter Gunn and perhaps Get Smart. The exception is Thursday which will be an inside music rehearsal. All MB plans are contingent upon the weather. There will always be practice after school even if it is raining, but it will probably be inside.


I can't tell you all how proud of all the kids in marching band. Actually, I can I AM SO PROUD OF THE KIDS IN THE MARCHING BAND! They played so well on and off the field. Thanks to all the parent help too! holy smokes are things going well. (As a preemptive response to obvious question to follow; Yes of course I am proud of all my kids, but I have only had non marching band kids for 4 days so far. They will see action soon enough!)

The Day Classes are getting off to a great start too! All three concert bands and the perc ensemble have SERIOUSLY GOOD KIDS in them. We will know a lot more about skill levels after auditions, but it looks like all groups have a heck of a lot of potential. I promise to help the kids capitalize on it this year!

And now... As priomised... here is the tentative schedule for the year!

2008

September
12 Football away at Milford
19 " " Pioneer
26 " " Pinckney


October
3 Hartland football at home (Homecoming and homecoming parade, busses needed depending where the parade is)
10 brighton at home (recruiting with the 8th graders)
17 Crossover football at home (senior night)
24 Jackson football away
28 Fall Concert HHS Auditorium 7PM

November
28 Fantasy of lights parade Downtown Howell


December
9 Winter concert HHS auditorium 7pm

Februrary
6-7 MSBOA District solo and ensemble
24 prefestival concert 7pm hhs auditorium

March
13-14 Festival On the road probably at birmingham groves...

May
8,9,10 Spring Musical
21 Final Concert hhs aud 7pm
25 Memorial Day Downtown howell



This does not include the musical because I am just the pit guy. You should ask britney tyl about that. I am pretty sure it is in May.

There is also solo and ensemble feb 6 and 7th

OK folks... that literally is all I got for right now. You now know as much as I do.


-SMIGELL

oops!

One final thing... FYI


THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BAND (The big one based out of Washington, DC. They are known as the "The President's Own" because they perform a lot at the White House for official state functions) IS COMING TO ANN ARBOR ON OCTOBER 22, 2008!!! WOW!!!


This is the same band that was made famous by none other than JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA (*Pause for a moment of reverence*) in the 1800's. It is still world famous and is regarded as one of the finest wind bands in the country and the world. They are performing for FREE at 7:30pm in Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, MI on 10/22/08

Information is obscure, but here are the facts: The only way to get tickets is to send a SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE along with a written request for tickets (how old school is that?) to this address: MARINE BAND TICKETS, League Ticket Office, 911 N. UNiversity, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1265. Limit 4 per request. You need to show up and be seated by 7:15. I am just throwing this out there as something for people to do. I don't want to make field trip out of it because the way to get tickets is so sketchy. On the other hand, this is a pretty sweet little opportunity so I thought I would pass it along.
Hope to see you there!

-Smigell

It's Highlander Tailgate Time: Tailgate for Friday's game will begin at 5:00 p.m. outside the band room. Band Boosters are providing sub sandwiches and tailgaters are asked to bring a dish to share (salad, veggies & dip, dessert, chips, etc) or help us out with the cost of the food ($2.00). Band parents. . . .you're invited to join in on the fun too.

We have a special tailgate planned for the October 10th game against Brighton. The 8th graders will be visiting and Detroit's famous American Coney Island will be providing their awesome coney dogs. You won't want to miss this one.

Call or e-mail if you have any questions. (work: 517-540-6734, cell: 734-604-3546 cstone@ci.howell.mi.us).

GO HIGHLANDERS! !

Carol Stone

HELLO EVERYONE!!! NEWS FLASH! PLEASE READ!!!


Ok... first of all, after a lot thinking, I actually think this practice schedule will make more sense:

Marching Band:

Home Game Weeks:
Monday-Friday 2:30-3:30pm

Away Game Weeks:
Monday-Thursday 2:30-3:30pm

In the past we have had a monday evening rehearsal. There are a lot of people every year that have conflicts with evening rehearsals. This band is rehearsing very well. If we need to tack on time in a few places, we can, but we already have the field reserved on these days right after school AS A CLASS (that is as official as it gets), and everyone is accustomed to it, why not simplify? There will need to be one or two extra rehearsal tacked on later in the season in order to rehearse with the eighth graders, but that will be announced very soon...



SECONDLY:: I know this is short notice, but I am going to have a big moving/organizing work evening tomorrow (Thursday, Sept 4, 2008) from 3:30pm-6:30 PM. I am trying to make this year different, and I am realizing that I can't be organized with schedules, paperwork, lessonplans, and new projects until our "house" is completely in order. I have a good 5-6 carloads of equipment and music in the loft of my garage, and the Garretts (alum Michelle Garrett's folks, she is now at IU. Go Hoosiers!) have a bunch of stuff in their garage. The band library is still only half unpacked and unfiled forms and papers are already starting to pile up. PLus, the bulletin boards are bare and drab. If any of this sounds like fun (ha ha), I could use some help, both student and adult. RSVP at jsmigell@mac.com or smigellj@howellschools.com.


ok... the calendar is almost approved, and things are really going to begin to cook! Stay tuned!

TAILGATE NEWS ! for 8-28 homegame
Normally we do not provide a tailgate for the band on non-school games days....

In the spirit of "new" beginnings (principal, superintendent, new/old school ) the athletic boosters are providing a tailgate meal for the whole community for the nominal fee of $2 ....So the consesus is that everybody in the band should bring $2 and be part of that big party. We are proud of the bandos' so let's put 'em out there to be seen!

NEXT home game - September 5th - The Band Booster Board will
co-ordinate the tailgate picnic - It will be sub-sandwiches. We need donations of Chips, cookies and veggies. EVERY marching family will be asked to help with tailgates in some way this year....Doante food, work and or cash donation!

Go Highlanders!

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!


Almost back to normal!

As stated before, report time is 3:00 for the game. Yes, it is very early. I am so sorry. Thing are crazy.... we will make sure that you eat something before the game (THe Kids)... the boosters will provide, donations of cash appreciated.

Kick off is at 7:pm. Pregame will be at 6:43 Pm.


The Jazz Bandos that I talked to will be rehearsing at the old Howell High School 3:30-? to get ready for the jazz gig.

Now, onto believe it or not... more important things..


THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE GREAT!!! I have had an epiphany! Here is what I need:


LOTS OF PEOPLE TO HELP ME OUT

Ok... so more specifically:

People who do paperwork well (Parent)

People who like to keep things clean (Students or parents)

People who like to talk on the phone (Parent)

People Who can come in a couple times a week to class (Parent)

People who like to sort things and file them (students and parents)

I am going to do such a good job for you all this year! I know you will be so proud of the things the kids and i are going to do this year!


I am going to write lots of music

I am going to print up TONS of cool exercises and cool technical studies for us to get better technically.

I AM GOING TO MAKE SO MUCH MUSIC WITH THESE KIDS!!!

I am going to do what I am best at.. which is teaching kids and making music. I need help with everything else.

I will provide the Motivation and the Music, Holy cow is this year going to be sweet.

PARENTS I NEED MUSCLE, AND MONEY AND TRUST, AND GOOD IDEAS FROM YOU ALL!!! It needs to be your trust and muscle, but it doesnt have to be your money necessarily...

KIDS I NEED DEDICATION, TRUST, MUSCLE, HELPFUL ATTITUDE, HARD WORK, AN OPEN MIND, YOUR CREATIVITY, GOOD IDEAS, AND CLEAN JOKES



LETS DO THIS!!!!!!!

-Smigell

Hey Everyone!

Change in plans.

NO REHEARSAL ON WEDNESDAY!

Rehearsal at 3:00 pm on Thursday at the old HHS. Please bring your khaki shorts, black shoes, and black socks. T-shirts will be given out. They are AWESOME! I'm pumped about them and you should be too!!!

For those of you that Mr. Smigell talked to about the Jazz Band gig, there will be a practice at 3:30 on WEDNESDAY at the old HHS.

Have a great day off and get pumped for Highlander football!!!

Ms. Love

Hey folks!

The practice tomorrow is at PARKER at 7:30-9:30 AM

Same for practice wednesday.

Thursday is the GAME!!! Kick off is 7:00 pm, but I have no idea about everything else just yet... TBD.


Smigell

p.s. THE SHIRTS WILL BE SWEET! And on time!

Practice Schedule for this week:

7:30-9:30 am Tuesday at Parker

7:30-9:30 am Wednesday at Parker

5-7 pm Thursday at old HHS

If you have any questions or cannot make these rehearsals please email Mr. Smigell at jsmigell@mac.com.

Thanks and see you tomorrow!

Ms. Love

Hey everyone, this is Trekkie (Brian Roskamp).

I am going to start work on the Band Camp videos tomorrow and wanted to ask if everyone that took pictures during the week could send them to me. My email is: trekker670[at]yahoo.com (replace the [at] with @, gotta love spammers)

Thanks for your help!

ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!!

The new folks day has been moved to the Old Howell High School! We will be spending most of the time outside, but all of our stuff is there now, so it makes no sense to rehearse at Parker. Question and answer is a t 8 am, new person orientation begins at 9 am. There will be a break for lunch from noon to one pm, then we will be done around 3 pm.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!!

-SMIgell

(Before you read this, make sure to read the previous entry as well, the earlier entry has all the info. This entry is more of a sermon, you have been warned) ;)

OH MY GOLLY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! I am almost done with the arrangement of "Get Smart" and it ROCKS!!!!! I have some bad news however (mostly for me). I dunked my phone in the sink and I have no cell phone until tomorrow. If you must get ahold of me, Best bet would be to email me at jsmigell@mac.com I will check the email hourly as I finish the arrangement and prepare for squad leader day tomorrow.

By the way, I hope you folks read this blog, as we (the boosters and I ) really do try and maintain it as a way of getting information out to you (the students and parents). Is it perfect? No. Do we update it at least every week and a half? Yup. If you look through the archives, you will see that it is the one thing that has worked for me as a form of consistently disseminating information to the public. Even with the numbers a bit down this year, there are still over 200 (thats just kids, not counting parents) of you, and one of me (plus the handful of other contributing bloggers... shouting out some thanks!). I know sometimes it takes a while to get back with you, but email at jsmigell@mac.com during the summer and smigellj@howellschools.com during the school year still is the best way to get in touch me. I do truly care about each and every one of my students, and thus by extension the parents of those students. Your questions, opinions, and concerns DO matter to me, and I promise to do my best in the face of the crazy conditions of our district and state in general. I worry sometimes that people think teachers in this state and especially this community are burnt out and have given up on kids. For me at least, that could not be farther from the truth. The kids are the reason I keep coming to work. I know for a fact that the vast majority of the teachers (and administrators) in Howell feel the same way I do. We are all happy to have jobs and are ready make this year shine!!!

Everybody in this state has felt the pinch of the economy, some more than others. The pinch is forcing everybody to do more with less and in less time than ever before. It is important that we support each other as much as possible with so many uncontrollable outside factors (like the economy) already bringing us down. I for one pledge to be more positive, less cynical, less of a complainer and be more willing to give extra to this program, and I urge you to do the same. The band is a family, and it is times like these that show us it is the family (in whatever shape or form) that sees us through.

I cant wait to start doing what I do well, which is work with kids. I can't wait to meet the new folks and I can't wait to see the vets again!

GO HIGHLANDERS!!!

-Smigell

p.s. The entry below is very important. Please read all of it as it has lots of valuable band camp info!

Hello Everyone!

This is the Band Camp Edition!


Several things:

#1. No it is not too late to sign up for band camp! Due to some extenuating circumstances and the zaniness of the district situation, we are still solidifying who is going to camp. If you contact me (Jason Smigell) By Wed, august 6, 2008, You can STILL join marching band and go to camp(Conctact email jsmigell@mac.com)! Camp is $235.00 and is from August 11-15th. It is in Hersey, Michigan. If you would like more information go to this link www.eaglevillage.org/alcabout.html

#2. If you child is going to camp, they should have filled out the Howell Med form (which acts as a permission slip) and the Eagle Village Waiver. If you are going to be a chaperone, please fill out the personnel form all of these forms are available at this link: www.howellhighlanderbands.org/faq/faq.htm PLEASE DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE OLD SITE!! The information will not be correct. The forms are correct and the letter is correct if you insert the dates that you find below.

#3. If you came to the squad leader informational meeting or have contacted Mr. Smigell about being a squad leader, you are invited to come to the squad leader orientation seminar on August 7th, 2008 (This thursday). We will be going from 9am to 4 pm. Tentative location is at parker HS, but that may change so watch the blog for changes! YOU MUST ATTEND THIS SEMINAR IN ORDER TO BE A SQUAD LEADER!! PLease contact me by email if you are still interested in being a squad leader and have not yet spoken with me, or if you have a conflict with this day! All student who are not driving themselves should bring a note from a guardian or parent stating they have permission to ride in another student's vehicle. This is because we may have to travel between schools during the day.

#4. NEW PEOPLE PLEASE READ!!! As a service to the new folks (new members and new parents) we hold a NEW PERSON ORIENTATION DAY every year the friday before band camp. This year the orientation takes place on August 8th at (for now) Parker HS in the Band Room. 8am-9am will be a question answer session for students and parents, then 9-noon will be practice. Lunch will be from noon to one pm (please bring a lunch), then practice again from 1pm to 3pm. This is optional for new people (Optional but recommended, as it helps rookies to absorb all the information at band camp better), but mandatory for squad leaders.

#5. Here is the schedule for band camp:

Monday August 11th, 2008:

Doors open at the band room of Old Howell High School (Yay!) 7:00 am

Busses depart: 8:00 am

Arrive Eagle village 11:30 am

lunch... Rehearse... dinner, campfire, go to sleep

Much rehearsing at band camp but lots of fun too! Evening activities include movie night, talent show (skits etc, start thinking now folks!), a (closely chaperoned) DANCE!!!, and possible game night depending on the weather. Freetime activities include swimming, basketball, napping, boardgames, chilin out, pooping and locking, breakdancing (if you can), cards, touch football, reading a nice book, listening to music, etc. Kids will be given 8 hours to sleep each night, and will not be rehearsed more than 9 hours each day (usually more like 7) This leaves lots of time for eating (the food is good!) and (supervised) FUN!!

Friday August 15, 2008
Noon... get on busses and come home

Somewhere between 3 and 5 pm: arrive back at the Old Howell High School (Yay!)


#6. Tidbits FYI:

No dress code other than the school code of conduct (no excessive skin or droopy pants) The hat rule is waived because you want to keep the sun off your face. No clothing with beer/booze/bad stuff/drugs/tobacco/naked people/ etc on it.

Weather looks good for the first half of next week at camp, (sunny, high 70s, low 60s) but that could change on a dime. Make sure to pack extra socks, a rain poncho, extra underwear, and a pair of athletic shoes that can get dirty.

Flip flops are fine for after rehearsal, but kids for their own safety MUST HAVE ATHLETIC SHOES FOR PRACTICE! They don't have to be expensive, but they must be closed toe with an athletic sole and proper ankle/arch support. I know that there are lots of "hybrid" shoes/sandal/unknown things going on with shoes these days. As long as they fit the above description, that will do for rehearsal (NOT PERFORMANCE, HOWEVER. more on that some other time). I will say that I purchased a pair of sandal hybrids this summer and found them lacking and my feet hurt, but I am a bit (just a bit!) overweight and 35.

I always go to the emergency room at least once each band camp with a kid. Every once in a while it is for a cold they caught before band camp or a bee sting (see meds rules below) but mostly it is for not following these guidelines for "Happy Camping"

a. Bring a flashlight and only use the paths at night! Don't tromp around in the woods after dark on the way back to the cabin! (Sprained ankles)

b. Wear sunscreen every day, even when it is cloudy! (Sunburn)

c. Drink water every time we tell you to drink. AND, don't drink too much soda pop! (Dehydration, heat exaustion)

d. Wear good shoes with clean socks (blisters)

e. Eat a full but sensible portion at every meal. You burn plenty of calories so fuel your engine and fuel it right! (light headedness, low blood sugar, feeling pooped).

e. Go to sleep at lights out! (no emergency room visits, kids just get cranky, sad, and useless)

f. If you are hurt or feeling sick!! Tell someone! Many times the solution can be simple if we help you out early! WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND WANT YOU TO HAVE A GOOD TIME!!!



Couple more tidbits:

-Kids can have inhalers and epi pens on their person, but all other meds must be checked in with the nurse.

-NO ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES! KIDS WILL BE SENT HOME IF FOUND WITH THEM!

-Kids, if you are a vegetarian, vegan or meat only (ha ha), or if you have religious/allergic food restrictions, please let us know in advance. The kitchen can acommodate you if they know far enough ahead.


Ok... that's it!


-Smigell