8/18/23 - Great First Days & Small Calendar Change for August 31

Hello Everyone!

We'll keep this short, as most of the last big email that went out is still applicable.

Marching Band is in full swing, and we're off to an amazing start! Our leadership team has been an amazing asset, returning members have led an excellent example, and our new members are working incredibly hard. Based on what we have seen the last few days we're going to have an amazing season!

One change to our calendar to be aware of:

In light of August 31st becoming a full day of freshman orientation, we will be canceling our rehearsal on that day (August 31st). Between the individuals that would need to miss and the importance of freshmen starting off the school year strong, we do not think it will be in anyone's best interest and want to respect everyone's time. Everyone has reviewed the music and learned/reviewed almost all marching techniques to start on drill this upcoming week. Now, the real fun begins! Make sure to get some rest, take a look at the music, and reset before this upcoming week! A reminder that drill videos, music, and copies of everything are available in the band app. See everyone on Monday! -- Eric Rothacker

8/12/23 - The BIG Marching Band Email

Hello MHS marching band students and families! We are just a few short days away from the beginning of the 2023-24 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. Updates on times for competitions will be updated as we receive them. This calendar is updated as frequently as possible, but there is also a calendar updated by leadership in the band app for your student's convenience. 2. Stadium Updates - Although the stadium is undergoing renovation, we will have full access to the field for our typical practices. Please walk around, not through, the Findorff construction areas that might still be in use. We will start in the band room and walk down together on Thursday. 3. Physicals submitted to Activities/Athletics - Please submit all physicals to the link HERE. You might need to "register" if it is your first time. At this point I've been told we have approximately 1/3rd of the band submitted, so please submit as soon as possible! 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 - Full Band Camp for everyone, will start on the 17th in the band room in the morning. 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 spot 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 8/25 (5-6pm). Location will be the north commons in 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 almost 200 hungry marchers! 7. Band Camp After Party - The band camp after party on August 25th 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 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, athletic shoes will be just fine (no sandals or open foot footwear please). 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 in the first few days of camp. We will try to accommodate for any changes if you have grown since registration pending availability. If your family purchased additional supplemental shirts those will also be ready and brought home! 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 and can answer a lot quicker. Otherwise please contact Mr. Rothacker (erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us) and we'll do our best to get back to you as soon as we can. 14. Percussion Instrument Return - Percussionists if you rented an instrument from us we will use the 13th of August 10am-4pm as the primary time to return anything. Please remember we try to set up sound for the front ensemble with these instruments so do not forget! 15. 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 physicals in and waivers submitted before KEVA, and see you at camp!

--

Eric Rothacker

8/2/23 - Marching Band Updates

Hello everyone please see below for updates for the upcoming season!

Marching Band/School Physicals

Please submit physicals and register them at the link HERE provided by the athletic department. As a reminder, these are required for marching band as well as other sports and activities at the school. Please submit as soon as possible!

Flip Folders, Drillmasters, and Lyres (as applicable)

Please remember to purchase the last supplemental equipment before the season begins to avoid back orders! Links to the direct equipment can be found HERE on our amazing booster website! If you have questions regarding lyres for instruments please consult a section leader. Keva forms Our KEVA party is on the 8/25 and all participating students will need to have filled out the digital form located HERE before the event. Please don't forget! Marching Band Checklist If you're looking to make sure you've got everything ready for camp, we've created a checklist to look over! Checklist located HERE Volunteers needed Please consider volunteering for one or more open positions listed HERE on our booster website. Many hands make light work and any and all help makes the program run! Thank you in advance for any help you are able to provide. Marching Band Calendar Please take a moment to look over the calendar and keep dates open before the season starts. We will have more specifics on the times of competitions as they are made available to us closer to the dates. WSMA State Championship will be at night this year! Colorguard and Percussion Camp Colorguard wrapped up their pre-season camp last week and is doing an AMAZING job including learning the entirety of the drill and starting work for the rest of the show. Nice work everyone! Percussion camp starts on the 13th of August and we can't wait to see everyone there! Check with a section leader if you have questions about what to bring, times, music, etc. Marching Band Shirts Students, your show shirts will be ready and waiting for you at camp when you arrive! Families that ordered additional grayscale shirts, your orders are on their way and will be sent home with your student in the first few days of camp! Student Sectionals and Help Students and particularly new members, you might be starting to have questions, concerns, or just general nervousness about marching band coming up. This is totally normal and returning members have all been there too. Please feel free to reach out to a section leader with your initial questions. Sectionals are also a great time to ask questions or for help with music or whatever you might need. We're excited to have you and can't wait to see you soon with the whole marching band! We're gonna have an amazing season!

-- Eric Rothacker

Music Teacher & Band Director