Important Things For Everyone (Students and Parents Alike)

OK band friends, school has now started, and we're in full Marching Band mode! Here's what you need to know:

• MB rehearsals are EVERY Monday and Wednesday 5-9pm, through the 1st week in November. Please DO NOT plan study sessions, birthday dinners, shopping trips, doctor's appointments, or anything else during MB rehearsal times. It is very important that EVERYONE is present at ALL rehearsals, every time.
• We have 2 daytime MB rehearsals on the calendar - October 14 and October 21 (both no-school days). We will post rehearsal times soon, hopefully within the next week. The plan is to rehearse as early as we can access the field - 9am - 1pm would be ideal.
• We have changed our competition schedule in October. We will not be traveling to Grants Pass for Pride of the Northwest competition this year. Instead, we will participate in the Southridge Spectacle of Sound at Hillsboro Stadium on October 22 - please make room for that on your calendar.
• We have been extended a terrific honor - Linfield College has invited our entire band program to come out to McMinnville and work as their in-house pep band for their football game on October 15 (the previously scheduled Grants Pass date). Linfield is consistently one of the top NCAA Division 3 teams - currently they are ranked # 3 in the nation! They are very excited to have us come out and play for them, including presenting our field show for their halftime crowd.
• Equipment trucks will be loaded after our daytime rehearsal on Friday October 14.
• Call time Saturday morning will be 11am - buses will leave by 11:15.
• We will be unloaded and ready to play pre-game pep by 1pm, including the SSB.
• We will present our field show at halftime.
• The Linfield folks will feed us pizza!! And, they're going to pay a $200 honorarium to our program - cool!
• College games run approximately 3 hours, so we should be on the road headed home by 5pm.
• Taking the PSAT that day? Make sure you bring your band things with you to the school that morning and we'll leave right after you're finished (or your parents can drive you out - talk with McKee if you choose that option).

Please, check the band calendar on the sidebar frequently. Everything band should be there.

It's Picnic Time!

Hey band friends -
Come to the annual End-of-Band-Camp Picnic on Friday August 26. 7pm, in the Tigard High School Commons!

We're So Excited - We Just Can't Hide It! (Now, With Our Daily Schedule...)

Hey, Marching Band folks - it's almost time for Band Camp! Whoo hoo!

If you've been checking McKee's MB Calendar on the right sidebar, you know that Band Camp is slightly shorter this year. We'll begin on Wednesday August 17 and continue through the week on Thursday and Friday, then come back the following Monday and be in Camp all week through Friday August 26. And then we'll begin our regular M/W 5-9 rehearsals on Monday August 29.

Here are the details:

• Please, eat breakfast. This is a very physical activity, and your body needs fuel.
• Band room doors open at 8:00 am.
• Rehearsal will begin PROMPTLY at 8:30 am.
• You need to bring a lunch, or money for a very quick run-and-get-it lunch.
• You need to bring LOTS of water.
• You need to bring sunscreen.
• You need your instrument or apparatus.
• You will need certain types of clothing:
• Closed-toe shoes - no sandals or flip flops. No boots.
• Layers - it may be cool in the morning, but by afternoon it could be hot.
• School-appropriate tops and shorts. We do not rehearse shirtless, or in swimsuit tops
• Rehearsal will end by 5 pm.

And look - here is what our typical daily schedule will be like:

• 8:30-9 - PT
• 9-10:45 - Music
• 10:45-11:15 - Break (time for an early lunch!)
• 11:15-3 - Field rehearsal - yes, water breaks will happen!
• 3-3:30 - Break - (time for a 2nd lunch!)
• 3:30-5 - Sectionals

Also, there are two more things you need to know:

1. Our Famous Garage Sale begins Friday August 19, the 1st Friday of Band Camp. For that day only, we ask you to show up at 7 am and help set up tables and move sale items into place so that everything is ready to go and we can earn LOTS OF MONEY. The Band Boosters will provide you with a good breakfast, and we'll be ready to hit the ground running at 9.
2. The End-of-Camp Picnic is Friday August 26, the last Friday of Band Camp. We will rehearse until 5 pm, take a short break, and then play a little music at 6 pm for your adult-types before eating terrific BBQ food. We'll ask your adults to bring something to contribute - that information will be noted here when the time gets closer. For now, make sure your adults know about this picnic and make sure it's on their calendar.
   

The forecast is calling for pretty warm weather next week, so Mr. Mister will be available and there may even be an opportunity to have a MB swim at McKee's - stay tuned!

Get ready - here we go!!

 

Come to Tualatin!

It's time for the Tualatin Crawfish Festival, and that means Tigard High Band is selling those famous Cajun Burgers! Come on down Saturday and/or Sunday and check it out - admission is only $4 and there's lots to do. And if you're signed up to work, please confirm your scheduled time and be there 15 minutes beforehand. Everything happens at the Tualatin City Park, right across the river from Cook Park.