PSAT Test Takers

Here's the list of those signed up to take the PSAT at La Salle High School on Wednesday October 17:

• Conner A
• Jennifer D
• Gabe E
• Gabi G
• Kayla K
• Rebekka K
• Wendy M
• Jay R
• Bryn R
• Austin S
• McKenna W
• Tyler W

Any corrections needed? Email McKee RIGHT AWAY!

"I Have a Conflict - What Do I Do?!?"

The question has come up a few times very recently about conflicts between Marching Band and (fill in the blank) activities. Sometimes the conflict is with rehearsal, and there is one particular event that some folks are very interested in that conflicts with a performance. Here's the lowdown:

• Rehearsals are essential to our overall success. If you are truly ill (raging sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, etc), we don't want you to infect the rest of us and you should probably stay home. If you are "ill" (tired, lethargic, bummed out, weary, ticked off, sore, etc), get off your behind and get to rehearsal! If you have relatives who are in town for this night only and you won't see them again until you get married in another 15 years, bring them to rehearsal with you and let them see from the stands this very cool thing you do. If your mom is missing you and wants to have dinner with you, take her out on a Tuesday, or a Thursday, or a Sunday, or any other day when you are not expected to be at Marching Band. Here's the deal: if you are gone, it affects everyone around you and the total sound and picture. UNLESS THERE ARE OVER-THE-TOP EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES, COME TO ALL REHEARSALS. PERIOD.
• Performances are not optional. Period. I too would love to go with a group of my friends on a weekend trip to Ashland and see the fabulous Shakespearean theatre and watch plays, but I have made a commitment to the Tigard High Marching Band. And if I am gone, the entire group will suffer. That is not an exaggeration - the performance will not be successful and the scores will go down. Meanwhile, I'm off having fun and my bandmates are back with the MB doing their job. Not cool, not ok. You've made a decision to be part of a group - now be a person of integrity.

This should be the end of this conversation. 

MB PSAT testers

If you are in MB, you CAN NOT take the PSAT test when it is given at Tigard High - you'll be in Eugene that day. And no, I will not allow you to miss the competition to take the test - that would be detrimental to the group and let your bandmates down. No worries - La Salle High School in Milwaukie has graciously offered to allow a limited number of us to test with them when they take it on Wednesday morning October 17. Yay! 

If taking the PSAT this year is important to you (this is a test primarily for Juniors), please email McKee to sign up to take the mid-week La Salle PSAT test. You must bring a check for $25 to McKee by Friday September 21, made payable to THS Band Boosters (we will then write one check for La Salle). To take the test, you must be at La Salle High School on Wednesday October 17 by 7:30 in the morning. Your absence for the morning of the test WILL be excused. 

Please note: This is NOT a THS Band field trip, and WE WILL NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO OR FROM THE TESTING SITE. You and your parent will need to decide how you will travel to and from the test. In the past, some have arranged to car pool, with perhaps one parent taking a group to La Salle and another picking the group up when finished. After you finish, you will return to THS and finish out your day.

Again, email McKee and bring your $25 check on or before Friday September 21 to participate in the La Salle PSAT. 

SHOW TIME!!!

Hey Band! (hey what?)

It's time for our first performance of the year  - yay! Here's what you need to know:

• Call time for MB is 5:30
• Call time for everyone else is 5:45
• Dress for the evening is pep shirt, marching shoes, and pants (jeans, for example)
• Don't have marching shoes? Make sure your shoes are close-toed types [athletic shoes are a good choice]

PLEASE make sure you eat well and hydrate tonight and tomorrow. This is essential!

And for those who aren't sure what will happen, here's the nitty gritty:

• Pit loads
• Band warms up
• Everyone lines up and marches in
• We create the tunnel for the team to run through (not sure what that means? Don't worry - just follow the person in front of you)
• Fight Song, then Banner
• We move to the stands and pep, pep, pep for the team
• Partway through 2nd quarter, we move down from the stands and warm up (pit moves to the north sideline)
• MB lines up to take the field; Pep Band moves in behind
• MB presents show opener and helicopters to the back hash when done; Pep Band runs out to join
• Band plays Hey Baby! and Fight Song for Tigerettes
• Band gathers in the south endzone - plays Fight Song when team runs out
• Short break during the beginning of 3rd quarter - eat cheese!
• More pep, pep, pep
• Tigard wins and we play Celebration!
• Band lines up on field and we march out
• Everyone meets in the band room (Parents, please wait outside - the room's too small to invite everyone in. Thanks!) A few minutes of chatting, then put things away
• AND, go home! 

Got it? Good! Now, go get some rest - we've got a big day ahead of us!