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
