Hello MHS marching band students and families! We are just a few short days away from the beginning of the 2022-23 marching band season. It's going to be great! This email is long, but it should be your one-stop shop for all the details coming up soon. Please read it in its entirety.
Band camp is always the beginning of a new and exciting time. However, no matter what grade you are in, the first day of band camp can lead to some anxiety. For freshmen it is the fear of the unknown as well as rumors you may have heard about how hot or how hard it is. For returning members it can be the excitement of seeing old friends and the anticipation of a new season, as well as the anxiety of knowing the amount of work ahead. In either case, just push yourself out the door! You will be glad you did. New members, remember that everyone who has done this before you knows how you feel. Relax and enjoy the experience. Before you know it you'll be a senior getting ready for your last band camp. 1. Calendar - Please triple check the calendar for your applicable section viewable here. (There are small changes from earlier versions.) 2. Stadium Updates - Although the stadium is undergoing renovation, we will have full access to the field for our typical practices. We will primarily enter and exit the stadium during band camp at the South East entrance on the visitor side. Please walk around, not through, the Findorff construction areas in the parking lot. It will take people at least 10min to walk from the band room to the stadium and vice versa, so please plan accordingly and arrive as early as needed. We will also have returning members walk out with people the first few times so if none of that makes sense, we've got your back. 3. Instruments for Rookie Camp - If you need to rent an instrument or have questions about one you are currently renting we will have access to our instruments on the first day of camp. Please see your section leader or Mr. Brown if you have questions. 4. Band Camp Checklist - ALL STUDENTS should look through the checklist by the first day of camp. It's a great resource to make sure you're ready for band camp! 5. Location of Band Camp - Band Camp will start on the 15th in the band room in the morning and after lunch. After day one, students and section leaders will be notified the day before if we are meeting on the field or in the band room. Students that drive - If you are choosing to park in the north parking lot, please park in Clark Street or a spot that does not have an R next to the slot number. These are reserved to teachers and staff that work through the summer. 6. Band Camp Potluck - The band will host all marching band members for a potluck on 8/19 (5-6pm). Location will be fireman's park next to the school. We will provide dinner for all students, but we need your help! We also need a few parents to help with setup and cleanup. Please sign up here to help feed 150 hungry marchers! 7. Band Camp After Party - The band camp after party on August 19th will be held at KEVA (8312 Forsythia St, Middleton, WI 53562). Students are invited to head to KEVA to enjoy a night of fun and games from about 7:00PM until 10:00PM. Students will need to turn in a waiver, available here to print and sign before the event. 8. Parent Volunteers - Parent volunteers are what help keep the marching band running. If you haven't already, please sign up to volunteer here. Most immediately we will need a few parents to help with uniform fitting. (Don't worry, we'll teach you all you need to know!) 9. Flip folders, lyres, shoes (Excluding color guard) - Please make sure you have purchased the appropriate flip folder, lyres, and shoes by the first day of band camp. Shoes do not need to be worn for camp. If you have yet to purchase them you can find the links at THIS link. Returning members do not need to purchase any of these if they still have theirs from previous years. (Please also bring a three ring binder to use for holding drill on the field) 10. Band Show Shirts - Every student will receive a "show shirt" with the Rain show theme on it. We will try to accommodate for any changes if you have grown since registration pending availability. 11. Extra Music - If anyone has lost their music or is still struggling with faded photocopies, extra packets can be downloaded in the BAND app or by contacting our amazing librarians during band camp. 12. Lunch - Students will have approximately an hour for lunch every day. Please bring a lunch (unless you have other means of getting lunch). 13. Contact Section Leaders with Initial Questions - Normally you should contact both directors with questions or concerns, but section leaders most commonly have the answers to frequently asked questions. Otherwise please contact Mr. Brown (dbrown1@mcpasd.k12.wi.us) or Mr. Rothacker (erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us). 14. A Final Note to Freshman/Sophomore Parents - Two days before band camp your rookie member will probably decide they don't want to do marching band after all. This is normal -- just shove 'em out the door! We promise to take good care of them. Thanks for reading, everyone! Know that you're about to become part of something great. We are so excited to get back to making music after the summer off. Get those waivers in before KEVA, and see you at camp!
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Eric RothackerMusic Teacher & Band Director Middleton High School 608-829-9683 erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us