September 1, 2021 - Marching Band Update

Hello Marching Band parents and students,

1. Congrats! GREAT JOB on our first performances of the year! You should be so proud of what we collectively achieved during our two weeks of band camp. The weather was hot and humid, half the band had never marched before, and yet we were still able to get an entire field show ready for performance. The football game went very well, and the parade sounded great and was well received as always. Awesome start to the season! 2. Band Parent Night - The home football game on September 10th is band parent night. All band parents get into the game for

free by checking in at the table outside the entrance. Senior parents will meet on the track at halftime to watch the show and have their names read. Hope to see you there! 3. Germantown Competition Info Our first competition of the year is coming up on Sept. 11th. Here is a draft schedule: ~2:30 TBD -- Meet at MHS to load and change ~3:30 TBD -- Buses depart from MHS to Germantown High School 6:15 -- Opening ceremony/entrance 7:15 -- MHS performs 9:00 -- Finale performance (all bands together) 9:15 -- Awards ceremony ~11:30 -- Unload at MHS If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt from the

event, click here. The deadline is today(!) There should be no need to pre-order food as the concession stand will be open by the time we arrive. 4. Other Upcoming Dates: September 10th, 2:15-3:44 -- ASR rehearsal (This is our ONLY practice before the next performances! Please make sure you reschedule any other ASR commitments.) September 10th, report 5:30pm to change -- Home football game (Parent Night) September 11th, report afternoon TBD -- Competition at Germantown High School -- Michael Ver VoortMusic Teacher & Director of Bands

Middleton High School (608) 829-9680 mvervoort@mcpasd.k12.wi.us

August 24 is the BIG Band Welcome Event!

Welcome ALL 2021-22 MHS Band Parents/Guardians!

PLEASE JOIN US at the high school on August 24th for our kick-off event! Social hour at 6:00, presentation begins at 7:00. Our emphasis this year is on community, and we're so excited to welcome you to our family! Whether your student is new to MHS band or returning as an upperclassman, please come meet other families and find out what's going on!

- Social hour with (prepackaged) refreshments

- Tours of our new facilities!

- Brief preview of programming

- Introduction of the Middleton Band Boosters

- Meet other band families

As per MCPASD policy, face masks are required for all attendees.

It's time to get excited for the return of band programming this year! Marching band is already underway, we're ready to rehearse indoors again (albeit with mitigation protocols), and things are ramping up. Please join us as we kick off 2021-22! See you on the 24th!

Mr. Brown, Mr. Rothacker, & Mr. Ver Voort

August 12, 2021 - The Big Marching Band Email

Hello MHS marching band students and parents! We are just one short week away from the beginning of the 2021-22 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. 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 and come on! You will be glad you did. Freshmen, 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. (There are no changes from earlier versions.) 2. COVID Protocols - MCPASD has determined that masks must be worn inside all facilities. Please bring a mask to wear ANYTIME that we are indoors. Wind players this means we will play outside when we need to rehearse and play, percussion and color guard you will be asked to wear masks if/when rehearsing indoors. 2a. Instruments for Rookie Camp - If you need to rent an instrument or have questions about one you are currently renting we will have access to our instruments on the first day of camp. Please see your section leader or Mr. V if you have questions. 3. Band Camp Checklist - ALL STUDENTS should look through the checklist (attached as pdf) by the first day of camp. It's a great resource to make sure you're ready for band camp! 3a. Location of Band Camp - Band Camp will usually start in the band room for at least the first few days. We will temporarily allow people in the band room side door, although we will usually ask people to come in the main entrance nearby. The band room is next to the new north parking lot near where the old PAC glass triangle was and is the silver section on that side of the school (door 21). Students planning to drive themselves to camp and park, please leave the closest pool of parking spots available for teachers coming in for training and park a few rows away from the school if possible. 4. Band Camp Potluck - The band will host all marching band members for a potluck on 8/20 (5-6pm). Location tbd, but likely fireman's park next to 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 150 hungry marchers! 5. Band Camp After Party - The band camp after party on August 20th 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 print and sign before the event. 6. 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!) 7. 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, but will be used at the first football game. 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) 8. Band Show Shirts - Every student will receive a "show shirt" with the Imaginarium show theme on it. We will order shirts based on the size you indicated on your initial sign up form. If that size has changed or you somehow did not fill that section out, please let your section leader know. We will try to accommodate for any changes. 9. 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 a librarian during band camp. 10. Lunch - Students will have an hour for lunch every day. Please bring a lunch (unless you have other means of getting lunch). 11. 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. Otherwise please contact Mr. V (mvervoort@mcpasd.k12.wi.us) or Mr. Rothacker (erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us). 12. A 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 and seeing each other again. Get those waivers in before KEVA, and see you at camp! Mike Ver Voort & Eric Rothacker -- Eric Rothacker

Music Teacher & Band Director Middleton High School 608-829-9683 erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us