Good Afternoon Tiger Families,

I didn't have the opportunity last week to share my gratitude for all the effort put into Band Fest.  I told the boosters this event doesn't happen without the support of the parents and boosters.  You all did a fantastic job and I couldn't be more proud of our performance as a team on and off the field.  Thank so much!  

As many of you heard, we are headed to Pasadina California for the 2028 Tournament of Roses Parade!  This is a huge testament to the hard work of both the kids and the parent organizations.  We will be one of 8 high school bands marching in on January 1, 2028.  (Make sure you let that date sink in, all the prep, fundraising and planning will happen in 2027) 

All this information is still very much new to all of us, but we have set up a website to present the FAQ about the trip and a place to ask questions you might have.  As we get more information you will want to look here first! https://sites.google.com/plsd.us/pickeringtonroseparade2028/home?pli=1&authuser=0#h.h5piacrv8awp This is the official website for the trip.  (not a very convenient web address but we will create links from our website to it for everyone) 


Homecoming
We will be performing at halftime this year!  Our plan is to present the final two movements of the show, all which will be new to parents and spectators.  

Be sure to remind your kids to be smart at Homecoming, with  "Band-tober" on the horizon we do not want kids to make any teenager mistakes and miss out on what we've been working hard at over the last two months.  

Uniforms
Uniforms are operating as they should Friday night with Purple pants and black socks.  Shoes are turning into an issue again.  They need to go home with the students.  I need your help reminding kids the band room is not their bedrooms and shoes should not be left on the floor or at school.

Timeline
3:10 - Dress Rehearsal
4:10 - Dismiss 
5:15 - Band Room Opens
5:45 - Full Band Report to Flag poles.
6:00 - Warm-up/ pep session
6:25 - Parade to stadium. 
6:45 - pregame (homecoming Court Presentation)
7:00 - Kick-off
TBA - Band Room Clean-up Mellophone SECTION (Jazz Band witnessed the random draw)

Important Dates
10/10 - Teays Valley Competition (Evening Comp - Plan on a middle afternoon dress rehearsal)
10/24 - Newark HS Competition (Afternoon Comp - Plan on an early morning Dress rehearsal) 
10/31 - ***Tentative*** State Marching Band Finals @ Hilliard Bradley. (Requested 12-5pm)

Nurse
Brittany Long-Selph

Guard Help
Anne Shreffler
Kristina Blanton

Field Help
Chris Mirakian
Barb Gilbert
Hope Hill
Heidi Meade
Heather Edwards
Kat Biggs
Tony Gerardi

Marching Tiger Families,

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 home vs Canal Winchester. We will also host the 8th graders from Central Junior High.  This doesn't impact our performances.  

We will institute an old procedure this Friday.  The band room is not getting picked up as it should after every use.  I will randomly assign a section for each Friday night and Contest Saturday for the rest of the season.  Once your section has served you will not be asked to do it again.  

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. (It will be warm to start the night, but I expect the weather to cool with the sun setting)

Friday Timeline
3:10 - Dress Rehearsal
4:10 - Dismiss
5:30 - Band room opens
5:45 - Report to flag poles
6:00 - Warm-up
6:30 - Parade to stadium
7:00 - Kick off

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] 

Please stick around after awards for the traditional Band Fest activities.  In addition to these we will have a special video announcement for all parents and students.  I've been holding this information a secret for a few months now and I'm super excited to finally be able to share with everyone!

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!  This is always something we have done 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.  Please eat before we get on the busses.  Do not get food on the uniforms!!!!

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 field and Cadence back to the EQ trailers for a load-in.  When at the trailers, students can grab their small cases and return to Central to hang uniforms and put instruments away.  This is much faster than waiting on the semi trailer to return! 

Saturday Timeline
12:00 -2:00 - Dress Rehearsal in Tiger Stadium. 
4:30 - Band room opens.
5:30 - depart
5:45 - Arrive at PHSN
6:40 - Warm-up
7:30 - Perform 
8:30 - 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
Nurse
Kelly Long

Guard Help
Holly Jean Hummel
Kristina Blanton

Field Help
Chris Mirakian
Heather Edwards
Melissa Wyatt
Lisa Mezquita
Katie Melton
Jennifer Dryer
Tony Phan
Ishbel Browne-Welch
Sarah Hurst-Pelfrey​

Saturday Parent Volunteers
Load Trucks @ Central
John Mezquita
Jeffery Westforth
Tony Gerardi

Nurse
Melissa Wyatt
Guard Help
Holly Jean Hummel
Field Help
Chris Mirakian
Trish Mirakian
Heather Edwards
Lisa Mezquita
Janel Theiss
Sarah Hurst-Pelfrey
Melissa Wyatt
Tony Gerardi
​

Good morning Marching Tiger Families,

Last week was a great week.  Friday night was especially good for the Marching Tigers.  I always expect the band to perform well, but the kids did really well in the stands, following instructions, being courteous to our friends from the North. It was a great night.  

Labor Day was also a great day!  The weather finally cooperated and made for a pleasant Fish Fry.  Thank you to everyone who came and supported the band.  Your attendance makes a difference! 

Parent Performance

We will host our first parent performance on Friday.  These are great for us to get meaningful performances in front of an audience before it counts at Band Fest on 9/19/2026.  Practicing is important and meaningful but practicing while nervous in front of an audience takes our preparation to the next level.  We will run our show twice on Friday for anyone that can attend in full uniform.  Then dismiss for the evening.  

Uniforms

We will plan to wear our full band uniform for the parent preview.  This changes how the kids feel while performing and will impact the quality of their individual performance until we get used to the uniform.  

With that said, it is Ohio and weather has been unpredictable.  I will monitor the the temps and make a change no later than Thursday if it looks to be too warm to wear the full uniform.  

Timeline

3:15 - Dress rehearsal with Hats on the field.  
4:15 - Head in to get in uniform. 
4:45 - Report to stadium in full uniform
5:00 - Parent performance 
5:20 - Start the move of equipment back indoors,
TBD - Dismiss. More hands helping move equipment back will help the kids get out sooner!!! 
NOTE* I realize this is going past the 5pm pickup time that is on the band calendar but I wanted to make sure our 9-5 parents have at minimum a chance to get to the parent preview and watch their kid perform.  (I made the change for you, the parent) 

All, 
I'm excited to announce it is finally September!  The weather made the last 3 weeks of August a challenge  but we look forward to many sunny skies moving forward. 

Today's FYI will cover 
- practice schedule and attendance
- Uniform(s) Friday and Monday
- Friday, Game Day timeline
- Labor Day Parade  
- Fees
- 3rd quarter Food for this game only
- Parent volunteers. 

Practice and Attendance
Thank you for the flexibility.  Last month was difficult with all the weather conflicts and last minute changes to rehearsal times.  Despite the hurdles we are still on schedule for learning the show. 

As a reminder, it is expected that everyone attends every practice.  "My work scheduled me" or "I have homework" are not accepted excuses.  The band intentionally does not practice every day to allow students to balance life outside of band.  I expect every student to manage commitments and fulfill your obligations to not only band, but to work and individual studies.  Parent's you know this is the most important life lesson we can teach our children.  Please help me reinforce this at home.  It not only makes our kids more reliable, dependable, responsible but also makes them more employable when it is time to be a functional member of society.   

Parents, injuries happen and we do want injuries to heal.  As the parent of an athlete I know how important it is to give kids the time to recover when injured.  With that said, if your child is not cleared to participate in band we need a doctor's note saying they can not participate until X date.  This allows me to know who is injured and who is trying to avoid doing the work.  Most doctor's offices will ask you if you need a doctor's note after a visit.  You can send me a copy of the note via email or student! 

Uniforms for Friday and Monday
Due to the heat we are experiencing, we will wear our summer uniforms for the game Friday and the Parade on Monday.  

Make sure you have your summer band shirt, khaki shorts, white ankle socks and and band shoes ready to go.  Everyone should own marching shoes by now so no tennis shoes will be allowed for Friday and Monday.  

As always, no accessory jewelry allowed when in uniform.  Bracelets, large necklaces, additional piercings will not be allowed when in uniform. 

Hair needs to be pulled back into ponytails or buns.  

Sunglasses are approved for the parade on Monday, but will not be necessary for the game on Friday.

Friday Night 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 Tiger Stadium
6:48 - Pregame
7:00 - Kick-off

Labor Day Parade and Concert in Victory Park
The Labor Day parade is a Pickerington Tradition.  It begins with a parade and ends with a brief concert in Victory Park.  Report time is 8:30am, Step-off for the parade is 10am.  The early report time is to avoid any road closures or traffic issues. 

The concert in Victory Park start time varies from year to year.  It simply begins when the parade has concluded and the bands are completely set-up.  The best viewing of the concert is from a lawn chair on the Victory park basketball courts.  Students will be dismissed at the conclusion of the concert. This has ranged anywhere between 12:30-1:30 in the past.  Please come support both awesome bands in Pickerington.  

Pro Tips
1. Drop student off in the morning, then go to Victory Park and set down chairs. 
2. Bring an umbrella, rain or shine, it will provide relief from the elements.
3. Sun screen and water make the event more pleasant

Pay to Participate Fee
As a reminder, this is a SCHOOL FEE from the district and not a booster fee.  The district's policy on unpaid district fees can result in your child not participating in marching band.  

I fully anticipate the district to enforce this policy this week.  Please make sure you are current on all school fees.  Especially the band PTP.

If you are experiencing financial hardship you may apply for payment plan options with the Athletic Office.  Feel free to email me with any questions regarding this matter.  

3rd Quarter Food
Due to the numbers expected for this game we will be serving pizza to both bands during the 3rd quarter of the game.  This is provided by the boosters. Kids will receive 2 slices of pizza and as much water as they need.  Sometimes the clubs include a cookie or snack, we will just have to wait and see!  If your child has a dietary concern and pizza needs to be substituted please contact myself or Mrs. Haverfield ASAP for planing purposes. 


Parent Volunteers for Friday

Nurse
Julie Ketchum

FIeld Help
Chris Mirakian
Heather Edwards
Hope Hill
Tony Gerardi
Janel Theiss
Melissa Wyatt
Katie Melton
Lisa Mezquita
Jennifer Dryer

Guard Help
Holly Jean Hummel
Kristina Blanton