4/16/24 - First Marching Band Email for 2024 Season

Hello and welcome to the 2024 Marching Band Season!

Marching band is starting up, and we're excited to have you be a part of the amazing show we have planned for this year! While marching band doesn't officially start until late summer, we like to provide a quick welcome and meet & greet before summer begins to meet current members, rent out marching instruments, and provide music to start practicing before the fall. Your section leaders/drum majors will also likely reach out either via the BAND app or cell phone in the next coming weeks as well. 

Please join us on May 29th from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for our welcome event! This is a great way to get acclimated to the group's members, including your section leaders and leadership!

Schedule for Welcome Event 5/29:

4-4:30 pm: Welcome, instrument check out, music hand out. Meet in the band room, then move to Fireman's Park as applicable. Please bring some water in case it is a little hot. 

4:30-5:30 pm: Music read through! (New members no need to worry about sight reading, most of us will be new to the music as well!) Meet your section!

5:30 pm: Dismissal

Music: Section leaders will have your music on the day of the meet and greet. New members, it is NOT an expectation for you to play through or sight read any of the music at the same level as returning members. It is more of an opportunity to hear generally how the song goes, and give you an idea of what music you'll need to focus on, or might need help with. Show music will also be available on the BAND app if you lose your initial copy.

BAND App: Students, please make sure you have joined the BAND App (the website does not publish this so please check your email for the QR code) for easier communication/announcements as we get closer to the beginning of the season! This is where section leaders will initiate communication to help make the season run smoother for you!

Marching Band Calendar: The calendar has been updated now that we have an A/B calendar from the district. Please check the handbook or calendar page for the updated dates for all rehearsals. With limited rehearsals compared to other competitive bands, it is important that everyone attends rehearsals. 

We're excited to see everyone and start this amazing experience!

Please bring your instrument (unless you need one for rental) and some water!

See you soon!

--

Eric Rothacker

Music Teacher & Band Director

Middleton High School

4/8/24 - Marching Band Registration Reminder

Hello Band Families,

This is a friendly reminder that registration for Marching band is open until  April 12th (THIS FRIDAY). Please go to our amazing  booster page and follow the links to marching band for access to the current calendar, handbook, registration, and additional information!

If submitting fees through our booster website, please allow paypal a second to process the payment. There is a slight delay once the payment is submitted before it's processed by paypal. 

Interested in color guard or percussion? We have intro meetings for you to attend and give it a test run before officially registering. This is not a try out, as we do not cut members. It's an opportunity to show your skills and try out your interests. 

Percussion:  4/11 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the high schoolbandroom

Colorguard: 4/8-4/11 @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm meeting in the high schoolbandroom

Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have to  erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us  

4/4/24 - Important Band Reminders

1. Marching Band Registration -- Due 4/12

Registration for next year's marching band is due next Friday!  Don't miss out!  Leadership applications are due the day before registration closes (Thursday 4/11).

2.  Jazz Tracs -- 4/19, 7:30pm

Don't miss the annual spring jazz concert on Friday, April 19.  Show starts at 7:30pm.  Students: don't miss your last two jazz rehearsals on April 8 and 15.

3. Summer Camp Registrations - due May 15th.

More info here.

4. Color Guard Intro Sessions -- next week

April 8, 9, 10, and 11 from 4:30-6:00 pm.  If you're considering color guard next year, make sure you attend!  It's not a commitment - you can just check it out.  Wear clothes to move in.  Can't make it?  Contact our color guard coach Kasey Graff, at  graffkasey@yahoo.com

5. Marching Percussion Intro Sessions -- Thursdays

April 4 and April 11 from 7:00-9:00 pm.  If you're planning to play any percussion instrument in next year's marching band, show up with your sticks/mallets.  Can't make it?  Contact our percussion coach, Patrick Coughlin at  prcoughlin@uwalumni.com 

6. Spring Band Concerts -- May 7th/8th

Our end-of-year band concerts are coming quickly!  Both concerts start at 7:30.  Student report time is 6:50.

• Tuesday, May 7  - Cardinal Band, Concert Band, Chamber Winds

• Wednesday, May 8  - Symphonic Band, Chamber Winds, and senior recognition

7. Memorial Day Observances -- May 27th

Our annual Memorial Day performances take place from about 8:00 am-1:15 pm in Cross Plains and Ashton.  All band students are expected to participate; a make-up assignment is available for those unable to attend.  Students should log 6 service learning hours.

8. WSMA State Honors Congrats

Congratulations to the 23(!)  MHS music students who qualified for the WSMA state honors ensembles - more than double any other school in the state! 

--

Michael Ver Voort