Welcome Parents and Students! LRHS Marching Band 2015

Why marching band? The marching band exists to support the mission statement of the music department at Loch Raven High School- Any student who desires an education in music is entitled to the opportunity to learn and participate in a musical activity, regardless of ability or prior experience. The marching band serves as a public representation of LRHS.

When you think of marching band… What do you think? Who are the best that you know of? Do we think the same thing?

A different direction, with long term goals Although competitive organizations are exciting and certainly offer a great deal to students, the LRHS Marching Band will exist not to compete, but to build a sense of community within the school. As such, during the first year of rebuilding, students will focus on developing musical skills that are not dependent on drill or field movement. By the next 4 years, the goal is to have 10% of the school population involved in the organization Roughly, 900 total population= 90 students participating in marching band activities that put on a full, moving performance

What does the community of musicians need? Support from families in the following areas: Fundraising Uniform management Media Chaperoning Construction Nurses

What does involvement in Marching Band mean regarding time commitment? 1 week of band camp- August 3-7 th 9am-1pm (Parent meeting on the first day at 7pm, parent show and dinner on Friday at 6:30pm) *Color guard and Percussion will meet additionally on SUNDAY August 2 nd from 1-5pm for placement 1 rehearsal day a week from the start of school until mid Dec- *Tentatively Wednesdays from 2:30-4:00pm Football game performances Parades BCPS Showcase of bands

What is band camp? Band camp is a time during the summer where we establish the identity of the ensemble and meet specific goals for performance: Learn 2 Parade Tunes Battery Percussion learns cadences Learn a half time show (3 separate tunes with a drum break) Learn stand tunes Learn how to march forward and understand basic visual commands

A typical day of band camp 9am-1pm 9am- Stretch/Movement/Pulse Identification/Body Carriage/Technique 10am- Sub sections- Small groups refine music- Student and staff directed 11am-Large group sectionals and SNACK 12pm- Full Ensemble (Music/Movement) Where it all gets put together! 1pm- Dismiss/Announcements/Pack and Clean *Please do not expect that students will be ready to be picked up right at 1pm. This is when we end our time together before debriefing prior to the next rehearsal

What to bring to band camp and rehearsals! WATER. Not a little bottle either. Half gallon insulated coleman is preferred. Comfortable shoes, not sandals. Comfortable clothes- please no jeans. Hat Sunscreen Music/Instrument

What music should we expect to hear? The current halftime show design includes music from Daft Punk/Pentatonix as well as the band Fallout Boy Music for the stands will include everything from Super Mario Brothers to Kanye West

We’re all excited! But there is a fee isn’t there. Yes. If you know me, you know that I hate this part- but we do have to discuss it. In order to provide the best educational opportunities for students in this activity and to properly outfit the marching band, there will be a seasonal fee of $ Please see the last page of the registration packet for specific information regarding this fee.

Build. Build. Build. The Loch Raven High School music department has had tremendous success this year within the four walls of 207 and we’ve even taken it to new levels outside of the building. The next step is to revive the marching band as an integral part of the music department– to exist as the public liaison for musical excellence and to really put LRHS on the map as a school that provides incredible opportunities for ALL students who desire an education in music. Currently there are almost 50 students signed up to participate in house– imagine what it will be like when we network the right way to get as many incoming freshmen as possible. Then imagine what it will be like when this program is established securely. Parents and students- we can build something incredible together for LRHS!