FMB NEWS The Official Newsletter of the Famous Maroon Band The Famous Maroon Band at Mississippi State University is one of the oldest and largest programs in the Southeast and has been a significant part of the Mississippi State family for more than 110 years. Greetings from the Band Hall! Directors Desk We hope that your summer is going well and that you are getting excited about the 2017 football season! Believe it or not, kickoff for our first game against Charleston Southern is just a few weeks away. 2017 Halftime Shows Thanks to the good work of our student show selection committee, we have some great shows planned for this fall. Our first show is the Spy Show we read briefly last season. It features the theme from I Spy, Soul Bossa Nova (from Austin Powers), and Live and Let Die. Our second show is entitled Road Trip, and will feature music you might encounter as you drive across the country. Selections include New York State of Mind, Philadelphia Freedom, Do Watcha Wanna (New Orleans), California Dreaming, and Viva Las Vegas. In addition, we will perform our annual patriotic show and homecoming shows as we have in the past. As you can see, it s going to be a busy year for the FMB! 2017 Special Events Our Marching Honor Band is scheduled for September 2nd (vs. Charleston Southern). Be sure to tell your friends at home about this and encourage them to apply. Details will be posted on our website soon. We will host our annual Parent Day and Alumni Band on October 21st (vs. Kentucky). This continues to be one of the highlights of each season with over 700 parents, family members, and alumni attending. More information will be available closer to the event. Band Camp Band camp is our most important week of the year, and your attendance is required. We will work hard during this week, but we will have some fun as well. We all know that it will be hot in August, so please prepare yourself accordingly this summer by spending some time outside. This is one thing everyone can do to make our camp positive and productive. In this edition Directors Desk Important Notes and Color Guard information Pre-School Band Camp schedule Marching band travel schedule, Wind Ensemble & Jazz Band audition info Tell us your story and Dorm check in procedures 17-18 Non-football calendar, Dietary considerations & Medical information Class Registration/Membership Everyone should be registered for marching band (MU 2511) no later than, July 1st. If you have not yet added the class, please do so as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate preparations for you at band camp. If you are not registered for the class by July 1 st and don t let us know the reason why, you will not be included on our band roster for this Fall. If you have received this newsletter, then you are on our office roster, but that doesn t mean you are registered for the class. Please check and let us know if your plans have changed so that we can make adjustments in our plans for the season. There is a lot of important information in this newsletter, so please read it very carefully. Band camp check-in, dorm check-in and the summer uniform information are a few of the more important items that need your attention. We will also begin to communicate with you through your msstate.edu email account, so please check that account frequently for additional information. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and Hail State! -Ms. Lance, Dr. Taylor, and Dr. Aarhus
IMPORTANT NOTES TO REMEMBER UNIFORM CHECK OUT: You must still attend camp registration even if you checkout your uniform early. All other uniforms and additional items will be issued during band camp registration and throughout the camp week. Everyone must try on his/her uniform. Uniforms will be altered as needed. We have secured the services of a seamstress to handle our alterations. FEES: The band fee is $85.00. This amount will be charged to your student account. SHOES: You must have BLACK, smooth, matte finish band shoes and LONG BLACK socks for performances (NO short or ankle length socks). A band shoe supplier will be available to fit you on Wednesday, August 9th, during camp if you need shoes. Shoes will be $46.00 and must be paid to the shoe supplier at the time of fitting. CASH OR MONEY ORDER ONLY! NO PERSONAL CHECKS or CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS! ALL instruments except percussion must have a lyre and flip folder with 20+ pages (note: sousaphones will need a flip folder, but no lyre). We will provide lyres for school owned mellophones, baritones, and tenor saxes. LOCKERS: We have lockers available for secure storage of instruments. All students using a university-owned instrument will be issued a locker assigned to that particular instrument. Students using university-owned equipment are required to use the locker and are responsible for major/minor repairs and theft when the instrument is in their care. Lockers for personal instruments will be issued to the membership by seniority. There is a $10.00 fee for any locker usage, including school-owned instruments. All equipment must be returned at the close of the season. If you wish to store your instrument in the band hall, you must have a locker. RESPONSIBILITY: Equipment and uniforms not returned (or returned to us damaged) will be charged to your student account and a hold will be placed on your records until the equipment is returned or payment is received. Recommended equipment: Good quality clarinet reeds Mitchell Lurie, Vandoren, or similar Good quality saxophone reeds Vandoren, La Voz, or similar Mouthpiece recommendations: Clarinet B45 or equivalent Saxophone C* Trumpet Bach 3C or equivalent Horn Medium cup, MDC Trombone/Baritone 6 ½ AL or equivalent Tuba Bach 18 or Conn Helleberg ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT DURING CAMP: Kappa Kappa Psi co-ed band fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia men s music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota women s music fraternity ATTENTION ALL COLOR GUARD MEMBERS Color Guard will meet from 4:00pm 6:00pm every day during the fall semester. Please do not schedule a class for this time. There is no separate course code for Color Guard, but you are required to be at this rehearsal. All Color Guard members should register for Marching Band (MU 2511 01). Your schedule for Pre-School Band Camp will be slightly different than the wind and percussion band members. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Color Guard Instructor, Mr. Tim Avant: (timavant@yahoo.com) 2
Pre-School Band Camp Schedule PERCUSSION MONDAY, July 31 st 2:00 Percussion dorm check in. Percussion living in dorm housing must report to Dogwood Hall Housing Office. TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 st 8:30 9:00am All percussion report: Registration and equipment check out Band Hall 9:00am Rehearsal Percussion camp begins 4:30pm Percussion dinner (our treat) SQUAD LEADERS/DRUM MAJORS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 nd 2:00 Squad Leaders/DM dorm check in. Those living in dorm housing must report to Dogwood Hall Housing Office. 6:30 8:30pm Registration/opening session for Squad Leaders/DMs Band Hall THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 rd 9:00am Begin rehearsals/leadership training (Sessions will continue throughout the day with a break for lunch) 4:30pm Squad Leader dinner (our treat) 6:30 9:00pm Squad Leader rehearsal/training continues FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 TH 9:00am 5:00pm Squad Leader training >>>>>>>>>>SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 TH <<<<<<<<<< DORM CHECK IN FOR ALL BANDMEMBERS WHO LIVE ON CAMPUS (NEW AND RETURNING) 10:00 AM ALL band members who live on campus should report to Hathorn Hall (enter the back door near Fresh Food Company) to receive your key, paperwork, etc. BAND SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 TH 8:00 11:00am New Members (freshman/transfers) and all Guard Report Register/check out equipment Band Hall 10:00am Dorm check in for those who live on campus (Hathorn Hall-back door). Registration continues at the band hall for all other new members. 2:00 4:00pm General meeting and playing rehearsal Band Hall 4:30pm New member dinner (our treat) 6:30 9:00pm New member marching orientation Band Practice Field SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 TH 9:00 11:00am All Returning Members report: Register/ check out equipment Band Hall 2:00 4:30pm ENTIRE BAND (including returning and new members, guard, percussion, twirlers, and managers) general meeting and playing rehearsal Band Hall 6:30 9:00pm Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field MONDAY, AUGUST 7 TH 7:30am Freshman/Transfer student breakfast under the trees (our treat) 8:30 11:00am Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field 11:00 1:30pm Lunch (on your own) 1:30 2:30pm Section Rehearsals Sites TBA 3:00pm Business Meeting (REQUIRED of all band members) 3:30 5:00pm Playing rehearsals Band Hall 5:00pm Dinner under the trees (our treat) 6:30 9:00pm Marching rehearsal Practice Field TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 TH 7:30am Freshman/Transfer student breakfast under the trees (our treat) 8:30 11:00am Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field 11:00 1:30pm Lunch (on your own) Group lunch by Academic Major meet other members in the band that are also in your major 1:30 2:30pm Section rehearsals - Sites TBA 3:00 4:30pm Playing rehearsal Band Hall 5:00pm Dinner under the trees (our treat) 6:30 9:00pm Marching rehearsal Practice Field WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 TH 7:30am Freshman/Transfer student breakfast under the trees (our treat) 8:30 11:00am Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field 11:00 1:30pm Lunch (on your own) 1:30 2:30pm Section rehearsals Sites TBA 3:00 4:00pm Playing rehearsal Band Hall 4:15 6:00pm Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field 7:00pm Fun at the Sanderson Center THURSDAY, AUGUST 10 TH 8:30 11:00am Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field 11:00 1:30pm Lunch (on your own) 1:30 2:45pm Playing rehearsal Band Hall 3:00 4:45pm Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field 5:00pm Dinner at the Scoreboard Club (our treat) 6:30 9:00pm Playing rehearsal Davis Wade Stadium During band camp, band members will learn the pregame show, the first halftime show, and music for the 2 nd halftime show. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11 TH 8:30 11:00am Marching rehearsal Band Practice Field 11:00am End of camp Bar-b-que under the trees (our treat) 3
2017 Marching Band Travel Schedule September 9 It s HOT outside! Winter Break La. Tech September 23, 2017 Be Prepared for the Heat When you are outside for marching rehearsals, remember: Bowl Game Full Band UGA DRINK PLENTY OF WATER! Bring your own water bottle with you to camp. Eat regular meals. Apply sunscreen. Wear a hat or visor. December 2, 2017 September 30, 2017 Don t lock your knees to ensure proper circulation. Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. * Possible SEC Championship, ATL November 18, 2017 Auburn Use the cooling neck wrap that will be given to you at band camp registration. If you start spending more time outside NOW, it will help your body adjust to the heat. Arkansas * Attendance at the Egg Bowl as well as any post-season game is mandatory! Need a Cowbell? Visit www.yearofthecowbell.com for a special discount on a personalized FMB cowbell when you use the code provided. Wind Ensemble/Jazz Band Auditions Audition music for placement in the Wind Ensemble and/or Jazz Band will be available after July 7th and can be accessed with your NetID and password at the band website: msuband.msstate.edu >Member Login Auditions will begin following the conclusion of camp on August 13-15, 2017 4
Tell Us Your Story... Thoughts from our members As I go into my junior year at Mississippi State, I can honestly say that the Famous Maroon Band has had the biggest and most positive influence on my college experience. I have met so many people and have had countless opportunities through this program. I love how determined and encouraging everyone is from the first day to the last. Nothing can compare to the countless hours of practice, traveling around the country, and cheering on the bulldogs with the friends who become family in the Famous Maroon Band. It s cool. I get to play a lot of high notes. Or at least I try to. -Random Trumpet Player -Logan Cessna (Guard), Biological Sciences I have really enjoyed being a member of the Famous Maroon Band. It has given me the chance to meet new people but also travel and do things I never would have done on my own. In addition, I feel like being in the band has given me a new appreciation for music and life that I have been able to transfer to normal life. I realize now that there are things bigger than ourselves and that everyone can work together for one common goal. -C.J. Blackmon (Alto Sax), Biochemistry Dorm Check-In Procedures The MSU Housing Department has agreed to allow ALL band members (new and returning) to move into their on-campus housing on SATURDAY, AUGUST 5th. You must report to Hathorn Hall (enter at the back, near Fresh Food Company) at 10:00 AM to complete paperwork and get your key cards. Any percussionists and squad leaders living in dorm housing will have an opportunity to check into their dorm prior to the scheduled time to report to the band hall. Percussionists will report to Dogwood Housing Offices at 2:00 PM on July 31st. Squad leaders will report to Dogwood Housing Offices at 2:00 on August 2nd. You will complete paperwork and get your key cards. Housing is working very hard to assist us with the early check in. Since our check-in occurs much earlier than the official dorm opening, there can be NO exceptions to the check-in time and procedures. Drumline & Leadership Dorm Check-In Procedures MONDAY, JULY 31st (Percussion) & WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2nd (Squad Leaders, DMs, KKPsi leadership, and Social Committee): Students should report to the Dogwood Hall Housing office on your assigned date to complete your dorm check in. During Pre-School Band Camp, those students who live on campus should not drive to the Band Hall. Leave your vehicle parked in your residence parking zone and walk or bike to the Band Hall. Those students who live off campus should car pool as much as possible and plan to park behind the MSU Student Health Center. Parking in the gravel lot beside the band hall and across the street in the South Zone will be strictly prohibited. 5
2017-2018 Performance Calendar (Non-Football) Friday, October 20 th Monday, October 23 rd Tuesday, October 24 th Tuesday, November 7th Thursday, January 25 th 27th Thursday, January 25 th Friday, January 26 th Sunday, February 18 th Thursday, April 5 th Sunday, April 8 th Monday, April 9 th Tuesday, April 24 th Jazz Band Concert Union Ballroom, 7:30 PM Wind Ensemble Tour (TBA) Wind Ensemble Concert Lee Hall, 7:30 PM Honor Band Clinic Band Hall Jazz Band Concert McComas Hall, 6:30 PM Wind Ensemble Concert McComas Hall, 7:30 PM Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Campus Band Concert Lee Hall, 3:00 PM Wind Ensemble Concert Lee Hall, 7:30 PM Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Campus Band Concert Lee Hall, 3:00 PM Jazz Band Concert Lee Hall, 7:30 PM Student Conductor Concert Band Hall, 4:30 PM Special Dietary Considerations The band department will be providing some meals throughout the week of camp, as well as during pep band away trips. If you have a special dietary consideration that we should know about, (i.e. vegetarian, lactose intolerant, gluten allergy, peanut allergy, etc.) please contact our Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Shurden, by phone or by e-mail by AUGUST 1 st so we can accommodate your needs: Phone: 662-325-2713 E-mail: sshurden@colled.msstate.edu Medical Information During camp registration, we will ask you to complete a Medical Information Form. Please bring your insurance card or insurance company name and policy number with you to camp so you can complete the form accurately. Although having medical insurance is NOT a requirement for membership in the Famous Maroon Band, we need to be aware of any special medical conditions so that we can assist you in case of an emergency. Information on health insurance available to students through MSU can be found at http://health.msstate.edu/healthcenter/insurance_student.php SUMMER BAND UNIFORM This year, we will once again wear a summer uniform for the early hot games and other designated events. The uniform will be a maroon Adidas polo, black athletic shorts, and baseball cap, and we will provide these items to all new members at band camp. NOTE: Returning members are expected to use their summer uniform from last year. In addition, you will need to provide these things for the rest of the summer uniform: 1) Athletic shoes that are predominately white and have white shoelaces. 2) Short white socks. 3) Dockers style khaki shorts (not olive or sand colored, and not cargo shorts). Please have these additional items secured by the beginning of band camp. facebook.com/famousmaroonband @maroonband @maroonband Famous Maroon Band