Gordon Central High School Blue Wave Band

Informational Meeting for Current AMS 8th Grade Band Students and Parents. Welcome to the Gordon Central Family. Welcome to the Blue Wave Band Family. An overview of the instrumental music program of GCHS.

Band Everyone has a place in the program. No one “sits on the bench” and watches. Everyone is welcome in the program. Don’t worry about the transition from AMS to GCHS

Background on Mr. Crawford Graduated HS From Douglas County HS Douglasville GA Played Saxophone and was Drum Major Graduated from Jacksonville State University Jacksonville Alabama BS Music ED Graduated from Jacksonville State University Jacksonville Alabama MS Music ED Teaching history: (1986 to present) Red Bud High School, Calhoun GA Bowdon High School, Bowdon GA Central High School, Phenix City AL Cleburne Co. High School, Heflin AL Gordon Central HS, Calhoun GA (since 1999) Ordained Deacon Ordained Minister of Music Currently serving @ Adairsville Baptist Church Married (30 years Feb. 2017) to Marianne Crawford (JSU flute & piano CIS degree) 2 Boys Bryan Crawford – Percussion GCHS & JSU Matt Crawford – Trombone GCHS & JSU Planning to teach at GCHS 8-10 more years. Latest hobby: Kayaking

Band provides an opportunity for the student to grow as a: person musician team member Instrumental Music study using: Marching Band Concert Band Small Groups inside the Band. Sections, Percussion Ensemble, Colorguard Team

Marching Band Primary focus July to November. Summer Practices Marching and Musical Activities Public Performances Football games Parades (Homecoming, North Ga Fair, Calhoun Christmas, Atlanta Christmas, St. Patrick Pep Rallies Marching Competitions (2 regional) Other performances as requested

Concert Band Primary focus November to May Large Group Performance Evaluation Combined concert with AMS band Spring Concert Other performances as they are available

Major Events for the GCHS Blue Wave Band Past Performances 2003 Gator Bowl Halftime Performance and Competition (1st place) 2006 Alamo Bowl Halftime Performance and Competition (1st place) 2010 Champs Sports Bowl Halftime Performance 2016 National Memorial Day Parade Washington DC Hawaii Performance Tour ( 2005 & 2009) Upcoming Spring of 2018

Marching Band Summer Practices Why do we have summer practices. Focused only on band. Will be ready for first football games of the season. Serves as team building event. What weeks of Summer July 10-14 Rookie Camp (8-1) and Colorguard Camp (2-5) July 17-21 Colorguard Camp and Percussion Camp. (8-5) July 24-28 Full Band Camp (8-5) Summer Practices are required to be in marching band. We learn as a group. We are successful as a group. Each member is equally important. Think about a football team.

School Day Practice Schedule Band Classes for colorguard, percussion , and wind players each. After School practices. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday ‘till 5:30 During football season Friday football games. Scrimmage game performance if @ home 5 home games, 5 away games Play-off games start 2nd Friday of November Practices back off after last Marching Competition (mid to late October)

Marching Competitions The band will compete in two competitions. Attendance is mandatory. Window of Saturdays. (Sept 22 – October 28) Dates will be set once the Gordon County school calendar is set. Will avoid Fall Break Saturdays. Will avoid Home-Coming Dance Saturday. Dates will be selected as soon as possible. A very fun, important part of the marching season.

Band Expenses Marching Band Music Composition $2,000+ Marching Band Props and Equipment $1500 Marching Band Show T-Shirts $700 Marching Band Transportation Costs (Drivers and Gas) Bus and Semi Marching Band Contest Applications $200 Food Provided to Band Students $400 Additional Summer Instructors $1,500 Uniform Dry Cleaning $350 per cleaning Equipment Repair and Maintenance $3,500 Colorguard Props and Equipment $2,00 flags, $300 for poles, + misc. equip Marching Uniform Payment $6,000 yearly to the GC BOE Concert Band Music ($50-70 per song) Patriotic (1) Christmas (3) Large Group Performance Evaluation (3) Spring Concert (3-5) Concert Band Festival Application & Transportation $500 Audition Judges for Drum Major and Colorguard $300 Band Scholarships 2@ $500 Miscellaneous Equipment Purchases as funds are available.

Band Revenue Student Band Fee $200 per student Football Concessions. Main Fundraising Event Additional Fundraising to Include: Fall and Winter Coca Cola Truckload Sale Christmas Fruit Sale Chili/Soup Supper Christmas Concert Raffle Million Dollar Hole In One Golf Event Other as Needed

Expectations of the: Student Parent Have a Positive Attitude Be Willing to Try Be Present to Practices and Performances Contribute to the Group by Being Prepared Become a Better Musician Daily Participate in Fundraisers Support the Band and Band Director Expect the best from your Band Student Have your Band Student Present and On Time Work in the Concessions for Home Football Chaperone Away Events Have Band Fees Paid on Time

Band Fee Breakdown $200 per band student $50 due March 1-17 . Colorguard the week after auditions. $100 due at the required parent meeting in July. July 13, 2017 6:30pm $50 due August 7-11. 90 students 100% payment $18,000 GCHS Band Booster Club works with parents when needed/requested.

Possible Questions… Does my child need to be in both Marching and Concert Band? What if my child does not want to continue in band? Are they ready for High School Band? Do we really need to practice that much? What if my child wants to quit? What if I cannot pay the band fee? I want my child to take advance classes at GCHS. Will there be a conflict? What are Pathways? What are the conflicts with band? Other Questions???

Closing High school band is the next natural progression for a middle school band student. Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Crawford work well together to provide the best possible experience for the band student of Gordon Central. Your child is ready to transition to the high school and become a Warrior and part of the Blue Wave Band. Will it be a new experience… yes. Will it be scary at times… yes. Will it be frustrating at times… yes. Will it be hard work at times… yes. Will you make new friends… yes. Will it be something that makes you a better person… yes. Will it prepare you for harder things in the future… yes. Will it take up time… yes. Will it require good use of time management… yes. Will it require effort from the student… yes. Will it require effort on the parent… yes. Will it be fun at times… yes.

“Don’t forget this one thing… Do you think you teach music “Don’t forget this one thing… Do you think you teach music? You do not teach music… you teach kids.” - Dr. David L. Walters, JSU band director emeritus Teachers use music as a way to develop young minds to think and to appreciate all that is associated with learning, especially the best subject ever… music.

Contact Information GCHS Band Office: 706-879-5177 email: ncrawford@gcbe.org

Blue Wave Marching Band