Dear Band & Color Guard Members, As many people are thinking about summer plans, the directors and the student leadership team are diligently working to prepare everything for the beginning of next year s marching season. The Leadership Team for the 2015 2016 WWB is; Drum Majors and Captains Donald Hacker, Head Drum Major Juan Rubio, Asst. Drum Major Grace Dillon, Asst. Drum Major Samuel Arredondo, Asst Drum Major. Woodwind Captain Brass Captain Cole Crofton, Drum Line Captain Calie McAdams, Front Ensemble Capt. Anna Dyess, Color Guard Captain Section Leaders and Assistant Captains Flute Section Leader Asst Flute Sec. Leader Clarinet Sec. Leader Asst. Clar. Sec. Leader Bass Clar. Sec. Leader Asst. Bass Clar. Sec. Leader Saxophone Sec. Leader Asst. Sax Sec. Leader Trumpet Sec. Leader Asst. Trumpet Sec. Leader French Horn Sec. Leader Asst. French Horn Sec. Leader Trombone Section Leader Baritone Section Leader Tuba Sec. Leader Bass Drum Captain Ashler Greer, Front Ens. Asst. Sec. Leader Sierra Ruonavaara, Color Guard Lieutenant Laura Moncada, Color Guard Social Officer. Band Directors Pat Crofton, Head Band Director & Woodwind Specialist pcrofton@magnoliaisd.org Luke Zamprelli, Asst. Band Director, Visual Specialist & Brass Speicalist lzamprelli@magnoliaisd.org Grant Gould, Asst. Band Director & Percussion Director ggould@magnoliaisd.org Grace Zientek, Color Guard Director gzientek@magnoliaisd.org Sabrina Rodriquez, Color Guard Tech???????, Percussion Tech
Charms Office Assistant Because our band and color guard has many members and a busy schedule, communication is very important. In an effort to make the communication effective and easier, we use a data base program called Charms Office Assistant. This is a web based program that has many features that allow parents to access to their student s information. In order for the directors to use this program to it s full potential, the student s and parent s contact information must be kept current. The process is simple and will take only a few minutes. In August, as part of the registration process, we will have a station for students and parents to verify and input any new contact information. Specifically, we will need the mailing address, email addresses and phone numbers. The MWHS Band also uses the calendar function on the Charms Office Assistant webpage. Until we are able to set up all of the student accounts, please refer to this calendar for all activities in July and August. The calendar on Charms will be the determining factor when there is any confusion on scheduling. Please refer to this calendar first prior to contacting the directors. Please refer to this calendar often. To get to the Charms Office page, following these steps. www.charmsoffice.com Click on Enter/Login Click on Parents/Students/Members Type: magwesthsb for the school code Then click Enter Charms If you forget the school code, click on the red print need schoolcode? Then follow the drop down menus to get to the school code. Then click on the appropriate icon. There is an app for Charms Office. Charms Blue Remind.com Often, we need to communicate directions to the members of the band. Those directions could be changes in rehearsal plans because of bad weather. Specific instructions while at marching band contests, etc. To join, text @mwhsband to 81010
Contacting a Band Director Non emergency The best way to contact a band director is via email. All of the band directors travel to multiple campuses every day. While away at a performance. Feel free to call or send a text message to Mr. Crofton 832 692 7799. Mr. Crofton s office phone 281 252 2550 x7252 Other director s office phone 281 252 2550 x 7250 Contacting a band booster officer Band booster president mwhsbbcpresident@gmail.com Band booster vice president mwhsbbcvp@gmail.com Band booster secretary mwhsbbcsecretary@gmail.com Band booster treasurer: mwhstreasurer@gmail.com Band booster volunteer coordinator mwhsbbcvolcoord@gmail.com Dealing with schedule conflicts Students are expected to be at rehearsal and performances. Student may be excused from a performance for one time events such as weddings, funerals, immediate family member graduations, SAT or ACT Tests, etc. Students will not be excused from performances for events like concerts, going to a movie, working a part time job or other general activities. If a student has a conflict because of another school activity, the student will choose what activity to attend. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the band director and coach/sponsor for the other activity, prior to the event. Steps for an Excused Absence From a Practice 1. The student will notify the band director in writing, (a note or an email). The notification should include the date and the reason. 2. Sign the clipboard on the day of the absence. From a Performance 1. The student will notify the band director in writing (a note or an email). The notification should include the date and the reason. 2. The band director will respond and may require a parent email. Tutoring If a student will be late to a rehearsal because the student is attending tutoring or completing make up work with a teacher, the student needs to follow these steps. 1. Sign the clipboard on the day the student will be late. 2. Go to the teacher immediately after school. 3. Bring a pass from the teacher. The pass should include the student name, the date and the time the student left the teacher s classroom. 4. Get to the practice as quickly as possible.
Band Practices in July and August Please refer to the MWHS Band and Guard Calendar on the Charms Office website for dates and times. Please note that Percussion begins the week prior to Full Band practice, during the last week of July. Why does the band and guard start practicing before school starts. 1. The marching band will perform at the first MWHS varsity football game. 2. The marching band will begin going to contests in October. By this time we must have all of students performing at a varsity level. 3. The students must learn proper marching technique and their assignments in the show. 4. The student musts learn difficult music and be able to perform it from memory. 5. UIL allows marching bands to begin practicing on August 1 or the fourth Monday before the start of school, whichever is first. 6. For more information on UIL Marching Band visit the UIL Music website. http://www.uiltexas.org/music/marching band Practice Schedule Beginning the First Day of School Please refer to the MWHS Band and Guard Calendar on the Charms Office website for dates and times. Monday Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion & Color Guard Tuesdays Color Guard only Wednesdays Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion Thursdays Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion & Color Guard Fridays Game Days for Special Note: When there are school holidays on Mondays, the practice schedule is adjusted that week. Please refer to the Charms Calendar for specific details. What can I do to help my student prepare for marching band practices? 1. Make your student play their instrument during the summer. 2. Make your student spend time outside, being active. 3. Make your student increase water intake and reduce carbonated drink intake during the week prior the first rehearsal. What to bring to the Summer Band Practices. 1. Dress comfortably, athletic clothing. Running shoes are the best. Skateboard shoes, flip flops, sandals and basketball shoes are harder to march in and are not acceptable. 2. Sunglasses, hats, sunblock. 3. A LARGE water bottle. Think 2 liters to one gallon. Some students use 2 liter soda bottles or old milk jugs. Do not freeze the water. It will not melt fast enough to give water. 4. Instrument, Music, pencil, reeds, towel, valve oil, etc. 5. Sidewalk chalk and fanny pack or nail apron. 6. A snack sandwich(es),fruits, etc. Your student will be there a minimum of 7 hours something healthy to eat is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions Will every student get a place in the show? Yes and No. The marching band show is being designed to include all students during halftime performances at football games. Some of those spots in the show are not included in competitive performances. If my student misses practices, will the absence affect his chances of getting a place in the show? Yes. Attendance is considered when assigning students to places in the show. This is especially true in August. What other factors are considered when assigning students to places in the show? The student s ability to march with good technique. The student s ability to play the music. The student s previous academic record. Will the parents be required to provide transportation to and from marching band events? No. MISD will provide transportation to and from all MWHS Marching Band events, except the Magnolia Christmas Parade. Students are expected to ride the bus to and from the events. Alternate transportation can be arranged, but must be approved prior to the event. Is there a cost to be in the band? Yes, there are additional fees associated with being in the band along with specific items that must be purchased. A complete breakdown will be available in your registration packet. Do parents purchase the marching band uniform? No, the band has an inventory of uniforms that your student will be fitted for during registration. You must purchase your own shoes, which will be ordered and paid for during registration, black socks, hoodie for winter weather, and athletic shorts to go under uniform. The students will also need a fishbones shirt to wear under their uniform. This will be worn to school for pep rallies as well as to the games. It is suggested to purchase an additional fishbones as there are times when we perform on Friday night and the band will have a competition early Saturday morning. There will be insufficient time to wash the fishbones shirt, and it will need it, but this is not required. Can I check my student out after the game so they don t have to ride home on the bus? Traveling together is part of the bonding process for the band. Your student will also need to put their instrument away as someone else should not be left responsible for it. There are rare exceptions for certain situations and will be determined on a case by case basis.
Do I need to purchase another instrument for marching band? No. It is not necessary to purchase a new instrument for marching band. Some students who play brass instruments will be issued marching specific instruments. All marching percussion instruments are owned by the MWHS band. If your child has a professional quality woodwind instrument, you may consider purchasing a less expensive instrument to use for marching. If in doubt, ask a band director. Do color guard members have to purchase their flags? Yes and no. Flags and poles will be provided by the school. However, each color guard member will purchase their own rifle. Magnolia West HS Band & Color Guard Booster Club Website: http://www.mwhsbbc.com/