Welcome to the Perry Hall High School Marching Band

Welcome to the Perry Hall High SchoolMarching Band Guide for Parents and Students Presented to you by the Perry Hall High School Band Boosters 2018

Jen Christofersen- President Amy Flach- Vice President Kristen Neat- Secretary Jon Christofersen- Treasurer Jolie Headley- Parliamentarian Committee Chairs: Uniforms- Kim Schuster Chaperones- Bethel Calilung Spirit wear- Marcia Hancock Pit Crew- Dave Gellner Truck Crew- Josh Headley Meet the Band Booster Boardand Chair People

What is the Band Booster Organization? The Perry Hall High School Band Boosters is the parent support group for the PHHS band program. The Band Boosters are parent volunteers who work in conjunction with Mr. Engel and Mr. Kupyak and will encompass Marching Band, Color Guard, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Steel Drum Band, and Indoor Percussion Ensembles. The organization will be solely responsible for the following areas as they relate to Marching Band: • Fundraising • Chaperoning • Uniforms • Publicity • Hospitality • Spirit Wear The Band Boosters meet monthly- the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the band room (enter through the Fine Arts Lobby, first doors on your right)

Meet the Directors • Scott Engel Band Director sengel2@bcps.org • Ken Kupyak Band Director kkupyak@bcps.org

Meet the Staff (* designates returning staff member) • Visual Instructor • Zac Al-Radiedeh* • Percussion Instructors • Evan Combs*- front ensemble/pit • Ian Wysham*- battery • Zach Wilson (band camp) • Color Guard Instructors and Choreographers • Darcie Hildebrand* • Brenna McKinney (band camp) • Woodwind Instructor • Kismet Kerley* (band camp) • Brass Instructor • Anysia Sierakowski* (band camp) • Drill Writer/Visual Program Designer • Nick Breidigam

How are we getting there?Marching Band Timeline • July: Sectionals; Band Camp begins • August: Band Camp, practice, back to school • September: More practices, football games, and parades! • October: More practices, football games, parades, and BCPS Showcase of Bands! • December: Holiday parade and Band Awards Night

How are we getting there?Band Camp • Band camp is 2 weeks of long, hot days- it is tiring, and your kids will find muscles they didn’t know existed! And they will LOVE IT!! • Kids: • Learn marching basics • Learn most of the show music and drill • Get fitted for uniform • Make great friends! • Get photos taken • Make lifelong memories!

Band Camp (at school) • What to Bring: • Sunscreen • Water jug- a ½ gallon jug is best (Hydration is important) • Comfortable sneakers and socks (no sandals or flip flops) • Hat • Lunch and Snacks- no refrigeration is available • Pencils • Instrument • Dot books (purchase on own, approx. $2-3) • Flip folders and lyres • Drill Charts • Music • A GREAT attitude and Energy!!

Band Camp (Camp Ramblewood) • Ramblewood • Web address- http://www.ramblewood.com/ • Things to bring- • Portable fan (it’s gonna be hot!) • Sleeping bag or sheets, and a pillow • Instrument-Music, folder, pencil, dot book • Hat/Visor • Restricted to one suitcase and one backpack • Snacks (resealable) • Toiletries • Sunscreen

Band Camp (at Ramblewood) Spirit Days at Ramblewood • Each day of Ramblewood band camp is a spirit day! • Sunday- clash day • Monday- meme day • Tuesday- class color • 9th grade- white • 10th grade- green • 11th grade- pink • 12th grade- blue • Wednesday- section spirit

Band Camp Parent Show • At the end of the 2 weeks of band camp, we all get together at Perry Hall High School on the last evening. • Families are invited for pizza, a chance to meet other parents, and the band does a “show and tell” out on the field. You won’t believe how far they’ll come in just 2 weeks! • August 3, 2018- show begins at 6pm. • Volunteers needed- Sell Spirit Wear, answer questions, move equipment, serve food

How do we stay informed?Communication • Communication is the key to knowing where your child needs to be, and when he or she needs to be there. • Text updates- Marching Band students/parents. Text “@9fd3” to 410-870-5393 or enter code “@9fd3” on the Remind app • Online copies of paperwork and updates will be on the band wiki: http://perryhallband.pbworks.com. • Check the calendar • Parts for music and drill • Updates on upcoming practices and events • Please check this website weekly for updates! Or you can subscribe to the wiki so you can receive e-mails when changes are made…

Maintaining Your Sanity… • Ask your student about what is coming up for the weekend. You can always check the wiki for updated itineraries. • When you pick up your child from practice, try to be there a little early. • First, you’ll get to see the band run through their program. • Second, you can listen to the dismissal -there are usually announcements about what is new and what has changed. • Third, it is a great opportunity to meet other parents.

Maintaining Your Sanity (continued) • “Early is on time, on time is late, late is inexcusable.” This means that students are expected to arrive for practice about 15 minutes early so they are in position and ready to rehearse at the scheduled start time. If start time is 6:00 p.m. plan to arrive by 5:45 p.m. • Hold your child responsible for being prepared. The first time they forget something, should be the last. They really do learn to be resourceful when they have to be. • The staff try very hard to end practice at the scheduled time. But students need another 15 minutes or so to put things away. Expect students to be ready to go home by 8:15pm on most nights. Occasionally practice may run over. Please be patient…it’s usually for a very good reason.

Practices after camp ends… • AUGUST: • Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm • SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER: • Tuesdays ONLY 6-8pm • Remember water and sunscreen • Dress for the weather

Formal Uniform- Your student is responsible for three elements of their uniforms: Gloves- Woodwind, Brass, and Color Guard (different kinds) Gauntlets- Woodwind and Brass Shoes Socks- Woodwind, Brass, Percussion- black and calf-length 1 pair of gloves will be provided with the uniform. Students will need extras- $3 per pair. Replacement gloves or socks will be charged to the student if forgotten. Shoes cost- $30 approximately. No jewelry of any sort when in uniform. No Food or Drink (other than water) while in uniform -ever! Informal Uniform- Black show shirt and khaki shorts Our uniforms are a recognizable symbol and should be worn with Perry Hall Pride. Uniforms…

Sharing our Pride:More about Parades… • Parents are there to chaperone, help with uniforms, equipment, and to support and cheer! • Some parade committees award trophies and money after the event • Students MAY need money for dinner depending on the parade. • The Gator Band is LOUD and PROUD!

Sharing our Pride:Are you ready for some football?! • We will perform at every home football game. • We have our own stands in the endzone where we will perform pep band tunes and hype up the crowd. • We will also perform our halftime show for the fans. • We need parents to help move equipment and supply water for the performances. • Towson HS and Patapsco HS will be coming to the swamp when we play their teams!

Money/Finances/Fees What your $250 fee covers: • Salaries • Color Guard Instructors • Percussion Instructors • Visual Instructor • Drill Writer • Uniform maintenance and replacement • Guard uniforms and flags • Truck rental and gas • Drumheads and sticks • Transportation not covered by PHHS or Baltimore county • Student show shirt • New Equipment • But that’s not all- there is still another $250 spent on each student! Fundraisers take place throughout the early part of the season. For example, the Crab Raffle starts Wednesday, and the Car Wash is Saturday!

Continued… What is not covered: • Marching shoes - If shoes are in good shape from previous year, new ones don’t have to be purchased. All new marchers need to purchase a pair for approximately $30. • Gloves and socks – • Gloves- $2 regularly, $3 on performance days. • If marchers forget their black socks, replacements are $2. • Parent show shirts will be available for purchase! • Spirit wear –shirts, hoodies, jackets, blankets, etc… • Donations – Donations of snacks and water are always VERY welcome!

Fundraisers - • Car Wash • Saturday, July 28th • Crab Feast Raffle • Sale from July 25th– August 3rd • March-a-Thon • Saturday, September 22nd

Getting Involved:Volunteering During marching season, there are many hands working behind the scenes to make each event successful. As your student enters high school, this is one of the few opportunities you may have to stay really involved with their activities. Kids realize very quickly that Marching Band doesn’t happen without a lot of parental support. The Boosters will be looking for parents to: • Help distribute water to band members during football games and competitions. • Help move equipment on and off the field during half-time shows and competitions (better known as Pit Crew & Truck Crew). • Help with uniform fittings and alterations. • Distribute and collect uniforms before and after each event. • Assist students in all aspects of getting into their uniforms for football games, competitions, and performances. • Chaperone all trips for parades and festivals. • Truck Drivers- help picking up and returning the truck, driving, loading and unloading the truck.

Volunteers/Donations Needed • Contact businesses for donations for: • BINGO - fill bags/baskets or sponsor bag or basket • Bull/Oyster Roast Prizes - flowers, liquor prizes, auction items • Water • Food Donations - Snacks • Fundraising • Sell Tickets • Organize Events • Manpower at Events

You know you’re a band parent when… • You can pick your child out of the crowd even when they all look alike. • You no longer speak of your child as a fourteen-year-old son/daughter, but as a “freshman trumpet”. • You prominently display a band calendar in your kitchen and have band dates marked on your work calendar. • Your newest best friends are fellow band parents! • You compare quality of concession foods at various “performance venues.” • You own a great deal of Blue and Gold attire ….and match other band parents! • You visit colleges with your child and ask about the marching band program. • You have about 65 kids calling you Mom (or Dad!) • You compare other pit crews from other schools. • You walk in time to the cadence, and you know what that is!

Welcome to Marching Band! We hope this has been helpful. Anytime you feel lost, tap a “veteran” parent on the shoulder and ask for help. Remember, your marching band student will arrive for the first day of high school, already an integral part of a well-respected organization and will have a whole new group of friends (across all grades) to help with his or her transition into high school. Our main goal is for each of the kids to have a great experience being part of our Marching Gators Band.

Welcome to the Perry Hall High School Marching Band