Parents and students,

Thank you for a fantastic competitive marching band season.  It certainly was a memorable one! The students and parent volunteers work countless hours to make the production a success and this year was no different.  We were complemented by the current President of OMEA after our performance Saturday, his words where - thank you for writing a competitive show that the audience enjoys.  That meant a lot as we have worked really hard to increase audience engagement over the past few years playing music that our audience will recognize but at the same time stay modern with the current direction of the marching band activity. 

This Friday we travel to Upper Arlington, parking can be a problem so I do advise giving yourself plenty of time to travel and find a place to park if you plan on attending the game.  My hope is that with the completion of their new school they have added additional parking, but who knows...

Uniform
This Friday our uniform will be casual!  To avoid getting any uniforms dirty we will wear jeans, tennis shoes, sweatshirts and our PHSC MB insulated rain coats for warmth.  Please plan accordingly and wear your LEAST holy (not in the religious sense, lol) jeans. Students must wear the smallest rain jacket that fits. We must save our Large/XL/XXL jackets for students that need to wear carriers. 

Timeline
During playoffs we do not have practice right after school unless stated otherwise, this Friday will be no different.  The only potential problem is students assuming they can arrive at the latest possible moment to load and go.  Please make sure that your student is following the timeline in order to avoid any equipment/loading mistakes.  

4:30 - band room opens, Load EQ/Change 
5:15 - load buses
5:20 - Depart for UAHS
6:20 - Arrive at UAHS
6:40 - March to the Stadium
7:00 - Kickoff
TBA - Arrive at PHSC

Parent Volunteers

Truck Help 
Chris Hartung 
Chris Mirakian 

Nurse
Melissa Wyatt

Travel with Band/ Field Help
Natalie Matney
Emily Haverfield
Lisa Winters
Marie Renner
Mark or Kelly Brick
Chris Mirakian 
Christie Blanton

All,

This past weekend was a simply fantastic.  One of my favorite days of the year is the RMHC charity fundraiser.  In 2 hours we managed to raise nearly $900 for the Ronald McDonald House on Parsons Ave.  It is heartwarming to know that our students put so much joy, energy and time into helping others.

Playoff game #1
This will be our last performance of the halftime show at football games.  If we win and have a second home game we will get into doing show band activities. 

Uniform
The band will wear their hats and purple pants with gloves on Friday.  (don't forget black socks)

Friday Timeline
3:10 - Dress rehearsal 
4:10 - Dismiss/load/eat
5:45 - Meet at Ridgeview lot/warm-up
6:20 - Parade from Ridgeview lot to stadium
6:50 - Pregame
7:00 - Kickoff 

Parent Pick-up
As weather gets colder it is imperative that parents are communicating with their children at the end of games and contests to be picked up.  I will not allow my staff or myself to stay inside the building with single individuals, nor will we put them in our vehicles to transport them home for you.  You may notice that when kids are left behind I ask them to exit the building and wait on the hill for pick-up.  I will watch over them from a distance in my enclosed car.  This is fine in the early fall when it is warm, but as temps drop parents need to be more concerned with picking-up in a timely fashion. 

State Contest
This Saturday is the final Contest of the year.  Not all bands earn the privilege of going to State Marching Band Finals.  We perform at 8pm.  The Marching Tigers are one of many bands  Specific information regarding state contest sites, prices and parking can be found here: 

Saturday Timeline
3:00 - Rehearse
4:15 -  Load EQ/Eat/Change
5:15 - Load buses
5:20 - Depart for Hilliard Bradley  
6:20 - Arrive at Hilliard Bradley 
7:00 - Meet host/warm-up
8:00 - Perform
8:45 - Awards (students sit in visiting stands as a band)
9:30 - Depart for PHSC 
10:30 - Arrive at PHSC

Friday Booster volunteers
Truck Help 
Chris Hartung 
Chris Mirakian 

Field Help 
Natalie Matney
David Horton
Kim Kinnison 
Emily Haverfield 
Chris Mirakian 
Mark or Kelly Brick


Saturday Booster volunteers
Truck Help
Chris Mirakian 
David Horton 

Nurse 
Melissa Wyatt 

Travel with Band/ Field Help 
Natalie Matney
David Horton 
Emily Haverfield 
Lisa Winters 
Joy Shaw
Mark or Kelly Brick 
Chris Mirakian 
Miranda LeMasters
Kristie Blanton 

All,

What a great weekend of competition.  We had two great shows and had managed to win a few awards at the same time!  We are super proud of the band.  It should be stated that double contest days would not be possible without the help of our amazing band parent volunteers.  We are very fortunate to have a booster club that supports the program as well as they do!  Thank you boosters!

Uniforms
Seniors will do their own thing and be instructed on what to wear and when.  The rest of the band will be wearing our standard Friday night purple uniforms. 

Senior Recognition
Friday is Senior recognition.  This means there will be some "interesting" shenanigans this Friday.  You as a Senior parent do not need to worry about much other than your report time to the track. The AD is requesting all senior parents meet on the track at 5:30.  There will be people to help line-up the families in alpha order but we can help the process by making our way to the end of the line as band seniors will follow the cheer seniors and be the last student group to be recognized.  I will attach the PDF from the athletic office with information regarding senior recognition. ​

Friday timeline
3:10 - Dress rehearsal with seniors.
3:40 - Seniors Dismissed (finish changing then meet parents on track around 5:45pm.)  
3:40 - Underclassmen tunnel rehearsal/ pregame rehearsal.
4:15 - Load/dismiss 
5:15 - Underclassmen report to Ridgeview/Warm-up
5:30 - Seniors drop off costumes at Ridgeview band Room.  (Door G) 
5:35 - Underclassmen depart for Tiger Stadium
5:45 - Form tunnel on track
5:50 - Begin recognizing Seniors
6:30 - Perform Amazing Grace with seniors encircled on the track.  (Seniors take parents inside the tunnel) Pictures to follow. 
6:40 - Band members in uniform make their way back field to perform pregame.  
6:50 - Perform Pregame
7:00 - Kick-off/ Seniors report to inside Ridgeview to change.  

Ronald McDonald House Charity Event
Every year do a community service project.  Our favorite way to do this is to take a Saturday morning and busk outside of the two McDonald restaurants in Pickerington.  We form two equal smaller bands and send 1 band to the Hill Rd. McDonalds location as well as the Diley Rd. Location.  Students need to be at their assigned location before 9 so that we are ready to start playing at by 9am.  We will perform up until 11 am.  the band room will be open until 11:30 following the event. Students should dress accordingly for the weather in purple Tiger spirit wear.  This would be a great time to wear those letter jackets!  THIS IN NOT A FUND RAISER.  All money that we collect is donated to the RMHC which goes towards consumable goods for the Ronald McDonald House on Parsons Ave, next to children's hospital.  The kids have fun and learn how to use their time and talents to help others in need as well as teach them, "the greatest gift that you can give someone is your time".  This is one of my favorite days of the year as we really get to play "just for fun"!  

Due to the internet outage I will have to make a separate post to the FYI with the location/band member assignments. 

Parent Volunteers
We are in desperate need for volunteers in the concession stand this Friday.  If you are the parent of a younger student and haven't volunteered this year, this would be a great way to get your feet wet.  There is no background check required to help concessions, you simply need a positive attitude and a willingness to jump-in despite any apprehension you might have. Please contact Natalie Matney to volunteer!

Truck 
Chris Hartung 
Chris Mirakian

Nurse 
Melissa Wyatt

Field Help 
Natalie Matney 
Emily Haverfield 
Brittany Taylor
Chris Mirakian 
Miranda LeMaster
Brenda VanCleave 
Walt VanCleave 
Kristie Blanton 

​

All,

We had a fantastic Monday night!  I'm very excited to keep the momentum going this week as we prepare for a few days off of school, a Friday night game at Lancaster and our Double Contest on Saturday.   On Saturday we will be traveling to Athens High School for an early afternoon show, then to Seneca Lake for a picnic then a quick trip over to Meadowbrook for our final show of the evening.  I will include addresses for each site later in the FYI.


Uniforms
It is very important that students are take extra caution to keep their uniforms nice and clean over the next 3 performances.  We do not want any accidents.  As the weather turns hot chocolate might seem like a good idea during our 3rd quarter breaks but it truly isn't worth the risk!  

Friday is our full Purple Uniforms and Saturday is all white!  Be sure to bring your garment bag for protecting your uniform on the bus from any dirt and grime when not in uniform Saturday.  

Friday Timeline 
3:10 - Dress rehearsal 
4:10 - Load/Change/Eat
5:30 - Depart for Lancaster
6:15 - Arrive 
7:00 - Kick off
10:00 - Return to PHSC (No unloading, go sleep!) 

​Saturday Shows info / Ticket Information for Parents and spectators / General Comments
For students this will obviously be a long day. Encourage them to bring weather-appropriate clothing when not in uniform and cash for concessions. The Boosters will provide a tailgate style meal after the first show at:

Seneca Lake Park
22172 Park Rd
senecaville, OH 43780

Field Commanders will be left at Athens to collect any awards and judges sheets with a parent chaperone.  We will get them back to the cookout at the conclusion of the Athens awards.  

Athens Contest info
- Tickets are $7. Children are $5 
- 1 High School Road
   The Plains, OH 45780


Meadowbrook Contest Info 
- Tickets are $7. Children are $5 - 58615 Marietta RD
   Byesville, OH 43723

​Saturday Timeline
9:30 - Band room opens
10:05 - buses arrive
10:15 - Depart for Athens High School (1.5 hours by bus)
11:45 - Arrive at Athens High School
12:40 - Warm-up
1:45   - Performance #1
2:00   - Load EQ
2:20   - Load school buses, Depart for Seneca Lake (Leave FC’s at Athens for awards)
4:15    - Arrive at Picnic location
5:15   - Start clean-up and load
5:45   - Depart for Meadowbrook High School
6:10   - Arrive at Meadowbrook High school
7:25   - Warm-up
8:30  - Perform #2
9:15   - Awards
9:30   - Load and Depart
11:30  - Arrive at PHSC

*In the event of poor weather we do have rainout plans.  If these are enacted the boosters and myself will send updates on social media.  (Twitter and FaceBook)

Friday Nigh Volunteers

Truck Help
David Horton
Chris Mirakian
Tim LeMaster

Nurse
Kelly Long

Travel with Band & Field Help
Natalie Matney
David Horton
Emily Haverfield
Patty Richardson 
Tim LeMaster
Miranda LeMaster 
Chris Mirakian
Mark or Kelly Brick
Julie Brownfield
Kristie Blanton

Saturday Double Contest Day 

Truck Help (Please contact Rick Knapp about specific time to meet at Meadowbrook)
David Horton 
Chris Mirakian

Nurse 
Melissa Wyatt

Travel with Band & Field Help
Natalie Matney
David Horton 
Emily Haverfield
Lisa Winters
Joy Shaw
Marie Renner
Chris Mirakian
Mark or Kelly Brick
Brenda VanCleave
Walt VanCleave 

All,

Thank you for an awesome weekend.  We had a great night at Grove City.  Qualifying for SMBF yet again as well as finishing 3rd overall and 2nd in music.  We will continue to mold and polish this show into something really special!

This week is Homecoming week, due to this fact we will not be performing our competition show, rather we will be performing for the homecoming presentation.  This will result in less parent help needed as we will be bringing limited percussion and no props or sound equipment. 

Uniforms
We will be wearing our purple uniform this Friday.  Please make sure your students are wearing the correct uniform socks.  Student hair is becoming increasingly a struggle.  Students with long hair need to make a bun or ponytail that sits on top of their heads and doesn't push the uniform hats back on their head.  This creates a "flat plume".  Flat plumes are not uniform.

3:10 - Dress rehearsal on band practice field
4:00 - Dismiss.  Take uniform and instruments with you! 
5:30 - Full Band Report to Ridgeview parking lot
5:45 - Warm-up
6:25 - Parade from Ridgeview parking lot. 
6:50 - pregame
7:00 - Kick-off
*I want to continue to encourage SAFE car-pooling and/or parent drop off.
9:30 - return uniforms and clean band room 

Important Upcoming Dates
Double Header competition and picnic - Oct 14th, all day
Ronald McDonald House Charity event - Oct 21st, 9am - 11am. 

State Marching Band Finals 
I have requested October 28th at Hilliard Bradley for our first choice and second choice. I would plan on making sure this date is completely clear of conflicts.  Once we have an assigned time and date I will pass the information on to our booster club! 

Parent Volunteers
Because of homecoming we will NOT be performing our competition show.  We have to do a homecoming activity.  This makes for an easy week for parent volunteers.  Once I talk with our exact needs I will have Mr Horton send out an email with the nurse and volunteer list for this Friday.