Marching Tiger Families,

This week is a big week!  On Saturday we compete at our first competition where we can earn a rating and a ranking. (we are eligible for caption awards since this isn't our show)  The FYI will be short this week, mostly uniform information and a timeline for Saturday. 

We will not be traveling to the game this Friday.  Instead we will be having practice from 3:00 (asap after school) to 5:00pm.  On Saturday we will have one final dress rehearsal to touch things up, then head out.  See Timeline for details. 

Uniforms
On Saturday it is full whites.  Just remember your white socks and no jewelry or hooped or dangly ear rings.  Regardless of gender all hair needs to be up inside of the hat.  (gentlemen....) 

Reminders
No Bluetooth speakers on the bus.  Bus drivers and chaperones are there for your safety.  Do as you have been instructed.  Good manners go along way!  Each bus driver is different when it comes to food.  The policy is, "No Food". Pack snacks at your own risk and be respectful with your trash.  

Timeline
2:00 - Dress Rehearsal
3:30 - Load EQ, eat, change
4:40 - Buses arrive and load
5:30 - Arrive at GCHS
6:30 - Warm-up
7:20 - Perform 
8:30 - Awards (students must sit in visitor's bleachers)
8:45 -  Load buses (Stowe & Hakes at Director's Clinic) 
9:00 - Depart for PHSC 
9:45  - Arrive at PHSC (unload all EQ)  Mellophones - Final Clean-up Duty

Load Truck:
John Mezquita
Chris Mirakian
Josh Warmund
James Pelfrey

Nurse:
Melissa Wyatt

Field Help/Travel with Band:
Chris Mirakian
Athe Norris
Heather Edwards
Emily Haverfield
Joy Shaw
Hope Hill
James Pelfrey
Brittany Taylor
Therera Garee (not on bus)

Guard Help:
Anne Shreffler


​

We had a fantastic Band Fest.  Many thanks to everyone who participated.  I think my Social Media post from this weekend summed up the feeling of gratitude I felt as I sat with the heating pad on my back late Saturday night. 

Looking ahead, the show isn't finished and we have already started making improvements to the production.  This week the goal is to get the final sets of the drill learned and start cleaning back at page 1.  Even if that means in the rain on Wednesday.  Please make sure your kids come to school with old shoes and maybe a raincoat if needed this Wednesday.  (We won't bring instruments out in sustained rain) 

Homecoming
We won't be doing a run of the competition show this Friday, instead we will be participating in the Homecoming presentation.  Pregame will be as normal.  

Uniforms
Uniforms are operating as they should.  Shoes are a big problem.  They need to go home with the students.  They get left out and mixed up or lost when left in the room.  All I can do to help is say, you should have taken them home... 

Timeline
No Dress rehearsal
5:00 - Band Room Opens
5:45 - Full Band Report to Flag poles.
6:00 - Warm-up/ pep session
6:30 - Parade to stadium. 
6:50 - pregame
7:00 - Kick-off
TBA - Tuba section, Final Clean-up

Important Dates
10/4 - Grove City Competition 
10/18 - Double Header comp
10/25 - ***Tentative*** State Marching Band Finals @ Hilliard Bradley. (Requested 12-3pm)

Parent Volunteers
Nurse:
Melissa Wyatt

Field Help:
Chris Mirakian
Athe Norris
Jennifer Dryer
Heather Edwards
Kristie Blanton
James Pelfrey
Tony Phan

Guard Help:
Anne Shreffler​


​

Marching Tiger Families,

My apologies for the late FYI.  It was written and lost this morning when I attempted to upload to the weebly site.  Makes the day frustrating, but here it is! 

This week is going to be a busy one.  My suggestion is to get as much sleep as you can before this weekend.  With two events happening I'll cover the game on Friday then Band fest specifically. 

Friday
We are away at Canal Winchester.  Due to the field being close in proximity to the bus and equipment parking we will start our load after halftime and leave mostly leadership instruments out to finish the 4th quarter of the game.  This will ensure a timely departure and return home.  

We will not unload any gear once we return.  The equipment trucks will park in the gravel lot next to Tiger Stadium and we will have our dress rehearsal on Saturday in Tiger stadium.  

Uniforms
Everyone should be well aware of uniform expectations by now.  I do want to reiterate there is no face paint, glitter or accessories while in uniform.  This is to keep the uniforms looking sharp and clean.  If it is unseasonably hot again on Friday we will shed the jackets.  Be sure to wear your white show shirt under your bibbers. 

Friday Timeline
3:10 - Dress Rehearsal
4:10 - Load EQ, Snack, Change (Do not leave campus, pack what you need and bring to school)
5:15 - Buses depart for CW
5:45 - Buses Arrive at CW
7:00 - Kick off
TBD - Return Home, (Students be sure to text rides in advance) 
TBD - Clarinets have final clean-up duty

Saturday Band Fest
Band fest still needs volunteers.  We host this event every year and always need last minute parents to step up and help out.  Please email Emily Haverfield our booster president to get the latest regarding volunteer needs.  [email protected] 

In addition to our competition Saturday, PHSC Cross Country is hosting their Invitational on campus.  It will be in everyone's best interest to take home everything they need for dress rehearsal the night before and report to Tiger Stadium via Pickerington road.  Hill road is a part of the cross country meet and you WILL get stuck in traffic due to the XC track.  All students and staff should plan to park in the Tiger Stadium parking lot and overflow onto the streets next to Tiger stadium.  Please plan ahead for this!  

Uniforms for Contests
We wear our white contest pants for competitions.  This means that white socks are needed and students should be mindful of the shorts worn under their bibbers.  Light colors work best, grays and lighter.  Avoid dark or neon colors as we will be able to see your shorts through the white bibbers!!!  (yikes...) 

Busing for Pick Band Fest
Busing for Band Fest is 1 way!  We do this to save a few $1,000 in transportation budget and to encourage parents to come to the competition to see their child perform.  This group is really finding their stride, please come celebrate their hard work with us by attending Band Fest.  You will have to pick up your kid anyway!!!!

When At Pick Band Fest
I plan to let students who don't have unload responsibilities to dismiss to the stadium once we arrive at North to take care of any last minute needs.  Bathroom, water, etc.  (No pop/soda). I will give them a specific time to return to the EQ trucks before we head to warm-up.  

After we perform, students involved in presenting awards will need to quickly celebrate our run with friends then report to side 1 of the home sideline to get ready for the awards ceremony.  Booster parents will be there to help you get lined up in order and hand you the trophy to present.  

After Awards we will perform Amazing Grace with North.  Do not rush the field, we will call both bands out.  North will set their music arc and we will fill in between based on instrumentation. 

Once Amazing Grace is complete, Central will block up on the track and Cadence back to the EQ trailers for a load-in.  Once students have loaded EQ you are dismissed.  Please return to central to hang uniforms.  

Saturday Timeline
12:00 -2:00 - Dress Rehearsal in Tiger Stadium.  Avoid Hill Rd. entrance. 
4:45 - Band room opens. Parking lot reopened next to tennis courts. (do the normal thing)
5:45 - depart
6:15 - Arrive at PHSN
7:20 - Warm-up
8:30 - Perform 
9:00 - Awards
TBD - Amazing Grace
TBD - Parade to EQ truck, Load
All students return to Central to unload EQ and hang uniforms. 
TBD - Percussion have final clean-up duty 

Friday Parent Volunteers

Load Truck:
John Mezquita
Josh Warmund
Chris Mirakian

Nurse:
Holly Jean Hummel

Field Help:
Chris Mirakian
Barb Gilbert
Athe Norris
Lisa Mezquita
Heather Edwards
Emily Haverfield
Joy Shaw
Josh Warmund
Theresa Garee

Color Guard Help:
Anne Shreffler
Holly Jean Hummel

Saturday Parent Help
​
Load Truck
Chris Hartung
John Mezquita
James Pelfrey
Chris Mirakian

Nurse
Brittany Long

Field Help
Lisa Mezquita
Heather Edwards
Barb Gilbert
Joy Shaw
James Pelfrey
Tiffany McDaniel
Janel Theiss
Chris Mirakian

Guard Help
Anne Shreffler

Good Morning Marching Tiger Families, 

Although we didn't get the outcome we wanted in the game last Friday, there were some bright sides to the evening.  The kids performed well and we had our first successful run of loading equipment in and out of the equipment vehicles.  Our rental tractor for the semi trailer tried to ruin the night but thanks to Mr. Bob Cox, he willed the transmission into gear and limped her home. A new rental tractor coming this week!    

We did have some behavior issues we'd like to make sure we parents know about.  I encourage parents to ask your students about this.  The first being, bus drivers and chaperones are on the busses to keep everyone safe.  If you are asked to be quiet at railroads, this is not an attack on individuals.  It is literally a state law, and requires everyone to comply.  There is nothing personal about it.  I need to reiterate that on bus trips bluetooth speakers are not permitted on the bus.  Headphones and earbuds are 100% acceptable.  There is no reason to give attitude towards someone who is just doing their job or volunteer job.

The second issue is a continuation of expectations while in uniform.  I never thought I'd have to write this sentence, but when in uniform it is never acceptable to "chirp" the referees as they officiate the game or leave the stadium.  We had some very upset sports ball fans in the tuba and baritone sections who felt it necessary to express themselves Friday night.  When in uniform this is never OK.  If this sounds like your child (sons) please have a brief discussion about when this type of behavior is ok when representing the band program and PHSC. 

Band Fest Tickets
Band Fest tickets are on sale now!  We encourage everyone to attend.  This is our home show, so we won't be competing for caption awards but we will be eligible to qualify for State Marching Band Finals.  Consider Band Fest as a celebration of the hard work the kids have put into this show since July. Plan to come celebrate their hard work with us next Saturday.  

Evening/post game clean-up Protocols
I think we all know our children won't do obvious chores unless we explicitly tell them in great detail what the expectation is at home, RIGHT?  Well we've reached that point in our post game protocols where expectations have to be clearly spelled out.  I have implemented a series of procedures to ensure room 511 is cleaned and ready for school for the next week.  I'll spare you the details, but know each week a section was drawn at random to be the last section out of the door for 1 of the remaining known games/competitions.  I will post who has final clean-up duty in the FYI in the timeline section. 
​
Uniform update
The uniform mom's have done a great job helping students learn how to fold and hang uniforms correctly! (you might not understand how much of an accomplishment this is for some of our members, but it is!)  The current issues we face regarding uniforms involves hair dye and face paint (this includes glitter.)  Face paint is not permitted when in uniform. It gets on hands which then touch the uniforms and stains the jackets and white portions of our uniforms.  Hair dye is also a problem, it transfers onto the uniforms around the neck.  If you have long hair and have hair dye, this must be addressed.  Wear a head band or if it is passed the jaw line your hair must be up anyway.  Please correct this for this week! 

Concessions pre-order link for this week
This is working great, I couldn't recommend preordering your 3rd quarter snacks more.  It takes the stress off the workers, lets the kids have time to eat and allows students to have time to get back for the 4th quarter. 

​Timeline
3:10 - Dress rehearsal on turf field
4:10 - Dismiss.  Leave sound EQ and front ensemble on the field by the band stands.
5:00 - Band room opens 
5:45 - Report to flag poles in uniform 
6:00 - Warm-up and pep session. 
6:35 - Parade from Flag poles to (NEW) Tiger Stadium
6:50 - Pregame
7:00 - Kick-off
9:30 - Baritones (Final Clean-up Duty)

Volunteers
Nurse:
Melissa Wyatt

Field Help:
Chris Mirakian
Dan Kruse
Barb Gilbert
Athe Norris
Jennifer Dryer
Briitany Taylor
Heather Edwards
Lisa Mezquita
James Pelfry
Tony Phan

Color Guard Help:
Anne Shreffler
Holly Jean Hummel

Good Afternoon Marching Tigers,
The Band performed really well yesterday, I was particularly pleased with our performance in the park.  The community agreed and gave many complements on our parade performance as well as the concert at Victory Park.

This week we have our first away game so our Friday timeline will look different. In addition to having a different looking timeline we are doing a combined pregame with the North Pride, so we must arrive even earlier than a typical away game.  

Uniforms
Friday we will wear our full fall uniforms.  We almost did a good job.  Students need to find long black socks for home games.  Ankle socks do not pass uniform inspection and all be it, a small one can be a distraction in the show.  We need to be detail oriented in every aspect of a performance/game day. 

Uniforms protocols on Friday was OK as well.   I had to remind several students to zip up, and had to tell one person to turn their jacket around and wear it correctly.  Another friendly reminder, there is no PDA while in a school uniform.  

Away Game Protocols
Students must be escorted to the restrooms by Chaperones and enter the restrooms in pairs.  There will be a gate dividing North and Central spectators, AT NO TIME SHOULD CENTRAL STUDENTS BE ON THE HOME SIDE OF THE STADIUM.  The boosters will be purchasing pizza for the band along with other donated snacks.  Should your child have any allergies we need to be aware of please reach out ASAP. 

Friday Timeline
3:10 - Dress Rehearsal on band field.
4:10 - Load Equipment, Eat a snack, Change into uniform
5:15 - Load school busses
5:30 - Depart for North High School
5:50 - Arrive at North High School 
6:25 - Parade into the stadium
6:45 - Combined Pregame w/North Pride
7:00 - Kick-off
TBA - Bus Departure 

Bussing Expectations
When on the busses we are guests of Petermann Transportation.  Their rules are to be followed at all times.

 My rules for bussing are:
1.  No food or drink other than water.  
2.  Headphones are to be used at all time for music/cellphones.
3.  Be quiet, calm and courteous at all times.  
4.  Bus hopping is not allowed.  
5.  Chaperones are to be respected and listened to at all times.
5 1/2.  Mr Hakes would like to add "NO SCREAMING"

Bus loading protocol
Busses will not be labeled 1-5 in advance.  The first bus to arrive will be considered bus 1, the second bus will be bus 2, etc.  Please wait for the chaperones before beginning to load.  Chaperones will take attendance one at a time when loading the bus.  The same process will exist when loading the bus for the return trip.  

​Parent Volunteers
As always, thank you for volunteering.   Parents we will need help moving equipment from trucks to sideline and from sideline to performance. We also need your help feeding the students during 3rd Quarter.  If you are bus chaperone, please plan on helping serve pizza.  


I have one last ask of the parent volunteers,  Please help me keep students and or adults who aren't on this list off the track during football games.  Being this Friday is an away game, it will be easier.  But please help keep people not assigned to help in spectator bleachers.  The only acceptation to this would be alumni during 3rd quarter.  We do enjoy a visit from previous alumni.  If someone around the band 3rd quarter, the best first question to them if around the band is are you an Alumni? If it is not third quarter and the answer is "no, I'm not alumni",  calmly direct them to the gate and let them know their band member friend(s) can come to them at the fence. 

Load truck(s):
Chris Hartung
John Mezquita
Chris Mirakian

Nurse:
Melissa Wyatt

Field Help/Travel with Band:
Mike Osterlink
Melissa Osterlink
Jennifer Dryer
Lisa Mezquita
Heather Edward
Joy Shaw
Chris Mirakian
Trish Mirakian
Holly Hummel