10/19/2021 Band News

1. Fall/Winter Concert Dates Believe it or not, concert season is almost upon us. Currently we are planning for a traditional indoor concert in the PAC utilizing bell covers. Check the dress code and make sure you're prepared. Dates: - Wednesday, November 17th, 7:30 PM -- All 9th graders plus "Advanced Percussion" (Block 1) and "Chamber Winds" (Block 7) - Thursday, November 18th, 7:30 PM -- All 10th-12th graders except "Advanced Percussion". 2. Football Game THIS FRIDAY Marching band students: we have one more game this Friday. - Report time 6:10 - Dress: no uniforms; wear the student section theme - Performance: from the bleachers (we are done with the field show after state) - Next Friday: based on the bracket, it is unlikely, but not impossible, that we have a final home game next week. (The higher seed plays at home for the first two rounds of the tournament.) 3. Calendar of Events The full calendar of events for the year is now available. Of course, all dates and events are tentative due to COVID, but we are planning for the usual slate of performances. Mark your calendars! 4. Congrats to Marching Band -- State Runners-Up!! A HUGE congratulations to the marching band, who finished in 2nd place at last weekend's state championships. This is the highest finish in school history and a major achievement for the band. All of the students worked incredibly hard this season, especially coming back from a year off. We as teachers and directors were so proud of your final performance - and of course it's always nice to receive that competitive acknowledgement from the judges. In the sub-captions, our percussionists matched last-season's runner-up performance for Best Percussion, and our color guard had their highest ever placement at 3rd for Best Auxiliary. We have some great momentum going - here's a little history! 2016 -- Middleton's first year of competitive marching band since ~1992 2017 -- Did not attend the state championships 2018 -- 6th place at State 2019 -- 4th place at State 2021 -- State Runners-Up! Can we continue to improve next year? The best way to get better in the "off-season" is by continuing to improve as instrumental musicians. Consider taking private lessons, sign up for jazz band, and keep working hard and practicing in concert band. Information about next year's marching band typically comes out in March. Thanks for reading, everyone! Michael Ver Voort

Music Teacher & Director of Bands

10/18/2021 MHS Band Info

Hello band families, Please read the attached letter from our booster president, Kate Easton. Also, major congratulations to our marching band, who were state runners-up this weekend at the WSMA State Championships! More press info to come. Thank you, Mike Ver Voort, Eric Rothacker, and Doug Brown

10/14/2021 Band Updates

Sorry for the constant updates - thanks for your patience with the transportation issues!

1. Transportation

PLEASE ensure that you have a ride option for Saturday. Fill out the transportation form with your alternative ride information. Deadline is tomorrow night. We have a tentative second bus, but who knows...

If you still need to find a ride, please contact a driver from this list. Not sure who to ride with? Need help? Contact parent volunteer Tim Fenske (Fenske7600@gmail.com 608-443-7423) and he will get you taken care of!

THANK YOU to all of the families who have offered to drive so that the whole band can get to the competition despite the bus driver shortage.

2. Parking

If you are driving to UW-Whitewater on Saturday, please double check the parking information here. Some of the parking lots require permits, which can be purchased ahead of time for $6 or at the gate for $10. Students can also be dropped off down the street from the buses.

3. Schedule

1:00 pm - Load trucks with equipment 1:45 pm - All band members report to MHS 2:30 pm - Load buses for departure 4:00 pm - Arrive at UW-Whitewater ~5:45 pm - Warm-up 7:00 pm - MHS performs - Concessions are available, or bring dinner. Watch other bands. 10:30 pm - Awards Ceremony 11:00 pm - Load buses for MHS ~12:00 am - Unload buses at MHS

For parents who are driving other students, please report to the high school by 2:30pm to load. After the performance, the buses will be staying until the end of the night. If individual students or parents who are driving must leave early, the earliest time for dismissal will be approximately 8:15pm. (We are hoping to have the band room open early for this.) No one should leave until we have played Salvation for the final time after our performance and photos.

4. T-Shirts

If any families ordered band t-shirts through the booster website, and you want them before Saturday, please have your student pick them up in the band room tomorrow.

Also, if you ordered but did not receive a t-shirt from the Germantown competition that we were canceled for, we are working to get those here and distributed. (If anyone commutes to the Milwaukee area and could pick up some t-shirts in Germantown, please let me know!)

5. Parents/guardians who are MCPASD employees

I am looking for one parent or family member who works for the school district and is planning to attend the state championships on Saturday. If that's you, please let me know - I have a possible favor to ask.

Thanks, everyone! -- Michael Ver VoortMusic Teacher & Director of Bands Middleton High School (608) 829-9680 mvervoort@mcpasd.k12.wi.us