Good Morning Band Parents,

This Saturday, March 8th two of our bands will travel to Teays Valley High School to participate in OMEA's Large Group adjudicated event.  The Symphonic Band will perform in Class B and the Wind Ensemble will perform in Class AA.  Both groups will be assessed in their ability to perform 3 contrasting pieces of music with one of those 3 being a required piece for the respective class they are competing in.  

The evaluation for both groups will look the same. The ensembles will be evaluated on their ability to perform those 3 selections and will assessed using a rubric that uses a rating scale of 1-5.  1 is the highest score possible, with 5 being the lowest possible.  The only difference between each band's performance is the difficulty of the music they will be performing.  

All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.  The event is quite a sterile environment but certainly another opportunity for you to hear your child perform.  Below you will find the timeline for our portion of the contest.  Please plan on making your way into the Teays Valley Auditorium 5-10 minutes prior to the performance time.  The doors promptly close at the marked times and will not open again until we conclude on stage.  

After the stage performance the band is not finished with the assessment.  We then go to a second location and sight read a piece of music they have never seen before.  This is quite possibly the most stressful part for the students (and myself).  No parents are allowed in the Sight Reading room and we are limited to just directors.  No chaporones or parent volunteers are permitted.  

Once Sight Reading is complete scores are tabulated and ratings are posted in Teays Valley's Cafeteria.  This is a good place to meet your child after the performance as they will all go there once equipment is stored.  

Parent's are permitted to take symphonic band students home after the performance if they can't stay the entire day. Those students will not be released until a written note is handed to a director stating you are taking custody of your child for our transportation logs.  We will pass the notes onto the bus chaperones for transportation logs. 

​​Timeline
Symphonic Band is represented as SB on the timeline
Wind Ensemble is represented as WE on the timeline

Dress Code
Dress for the performance is Concert Black.  This means students wear all black clothing.  We didn't have many issues for the gentlemen at the preview concert, mostly just issues with socks and shoes.  However the ladies in the groups weren't quite as consistent in following dress code instructions.  Our ladies in the program struggled with wearing professional looking black attire.  If wearing a dress the dress needs to be past the knee, especially when sitting down and shoulders need to be covered.  If ladies are unable to follow these simple requests I highly encourage them to seek a nice pair of black slacks.  (As my wife and daughter call them, "girl boss pants".) 

Address for Teays Valley High School
​3887 State Route 752 Ashville, OH United States

I am very excited for this weekend and hope you can make time to support our students.  

I know it has already been mentioned but remember: NO RECORDING of any kind.  You will be reminded many times the day of the event. 

Good Morning Marching Tiger Families, 

We are into week 2 of the playoffs!  We are home in the new Tiger stadium this week as many of you know.  I was just given wrist bands for those who want to "cross over" and support the band booster concessions.  I will distribute those to students on Wednesday this week if you were fortunate enough to purchase tickets before they were sold out.  

This game will be the last playoff game to be played on a Pickerington field.  If we advance all additional games will be away on a neutral site.  

Uniform update
We will wear our purple uniforms and maintain the same expectations for uniforms inspection.  As a quick reminder, face paint is not allowed in uniform as it can stain the white portions of our uniform jackets.  Uniforms for week 3 as with any additional playoff game will be determined based upon the weather forecast in the weekly FYI.  

November 11 London Parent meeting
We have a meeting scheduled on November 11th where a representative from London will be present.  In an effort to put our best foot forward we are going to have both bands perform in summer uniform shirts.  The performance will be very similar to some of our smaller leadership band gigs.  The difference is it will be the entire band, including seniors.  We do want to thank the seniors for their contribution to the program and providing the opportunity to underclassmen.  Meeting details and location are listed below.  

Who:     PHSN/PHSC Bands and Parents
What:    Official Invitation for 2026 London New Years Parade 
Where:  Peace United Methodist Church, 235 Diley Road, Pickerington, OH 43147
When:    6:30pm, Monday, November 11, 2024 (students report at 5:30 to get organized) 

Friday Timeline
3:10-4:10 Dress rehearsal in Tiger stadium
5:15 - Band room opens
5:45 - Meet at Flagpoles in uniform 
6:20 - March to stadium
6:30 - enter stadium
6:45 - Begin Pregame (combined with North)
7:00 - Kick-off 

Parent volunteers
Lisa Mezquita
Chris Mirakain
Heather Edwards
Emily Haverfield
Natalie Matney
Melissa Wyatt (nurse) 

​All,

This past weekend was a simply fantastic.  Thank you for a wonderful season.  It's absolutely a joy watching the show go from concept to final product.  In addition to learning the show and performing at a high level I'd like to think everyone learned some valuable life lessons and are more prepared to join the workforce. 

Our booster club has already started to brainstorm for additional fundraisers to boost student accts looking ahead to next year.  They have some really great ideas.  We would like to extend the brainstorming to our parents.  If you have an idea or fundraiser you have been successful with in the past and wish to share, please do so below at the following link. 

Playoff game #1
This week will be our first non competition show performance.  We will present a few stand tunes and keep adding to a post season show each week with something new.  

I'm sure everyone is already aware this game will be held in the old Tiger Stadium located at Ridgeview Junior High.  We are not too far removed from procedures for a game at Ridgeview, new or young students can reliably ask leadership or upperclassmen any questions they might have about playing in the old stadium.  

Key things for parents to know are:
1.  We do NOT bus the students to the Ridgeview bus lot. After the dress rehearsal students need to load/change/eat then either catch a ride/drive/walk to Ridgeview.  I have emphasized all week they need to obey the laws regarding catching rides with drivers under 18.  

2.  We do not bus the kids back to Central. Kids walk or catch a ride from a friend or family.  Same rules apply regarding minors.  

3. Students must return at the end of the night to unload/put instruments away/return uniforms/clean sections. 

4.  Finally, make sure your kids have all their uniform pieces when getting dropped off.  It won't be a simple, "I forgot something, can you let me back in the school?" situation. 

Uniform
The band will wear their hats and purple pants with gloves on Friday.  (don't forget black socks). Now that we won't be removing hats my long-haired friends need to move buns to the tops of their heads so that all hair is off the shoulder.  

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. 

Parent volunteers for Friday
Chris Mirakian
James Pelfrey
Sarah Pelfrey
Emily Haverfield 
Heather Edwards 
Lisa Mezquita

Good Morning Marching Tiger Families, 

Thank you for an awesome weekend. It is days like Saturday that make me feel very thankful to work in Pickerington.  Our booster club did an awesome job of supporting the band and putting together a memorable day for the band.  The support paid off with the band earning Best Percussion awards at both contests, a 2nd place finish and a Reserve Grande Champion at Tri-Valley.  In addition we have to the awards the band finished the season with straights 1's from all the judges.  This simply means every judge at both contests, 18 total judges, felt like we performed at a Superior level, which is the highest rating given in OMEA competition. 

Uniform update
We need to continue to have students with long hair figure out how to keep a low bun tight and off the collar of their uniforms. As a precaution we will be banning students in uniform from getting hot chocolate during the game this Friday to protect the white uniform tops.  Be sure to wear black socks on Friday and white socks on Saturday.  

Senior Night info for Parents
Senior parents will meet on the track in the North end zone by the flag poles at 5:30.  Here you will be placed in alphabetical order by volunteers. The recognition announcement will begin at 6pm or when the band has formed the tunnel.   Below is the letter from the Athletic department with all the details for senior parents. 

After senior recognition and pregame the class of 2025 will be escorted back to the HS to prepare for the rest of the evening's shenanigans.  

Friday Timeline
3:10 Dress Rehearsal, turf field (no seniors)
3:50 Dismiss 
5:30 Band form block at Flagpoles. (Seniors and families report to track) 
5:45 Parade to stadium, form tunnel.
6:00 Senior Recognition begins 
6:45 Band head back field for pregame.
6:50 Pregame 
7:00 Kickoff 

State Marching Band Finals info
State Finals are located at various high schools across the state.  Our location is at Hilliard Bradley.  Please make sure you are reading the info for the Hilliard Bradley location when checking out the SMBF website linked below.  

State Marching Band Finals is NOT a ranked competition.  It is more similar to the Pickerington Band festival when we receive a RATING only.  The goal is to receive a Superior (1) rating on a SMBF rating scale.  

All info including the price of admission and parking is located at the link below.  

​Saturday Timeline 
9:00 Band Room opens 
10:00 Dress Rehearsal (Location TBD)
11:00 Load/change/eat
12:10  Depart
1:10 Arrive at HBHS
1:55 warm-up 
3:00 Perform 
3:30 Awards 
4:00 Depart for PHSC  
4:45 Arrive at PHSC 

Parent Volunteers
Friday 
Nurse - Sally Malaret 

Field Help
Chris Mirakian 
Jennifer Dryer
Barb Gilbert
Sarah Pelfrey 
James Pelfrey 
Bridget McGeorge 

Saturday 
Nurse - Melissa Wyatt

Field Help 
Natalie Matney 
Emily Haverfield 
Heather Edwards
Josh Warmund
Chris Mirakian 
Lisa Mezquita
Joy Shaw 

Loading Crew for Saturday - if needed since Rick is unavailable? 
Chris Mirakian 
Chris Hartung
Josh Warmund 
John Mezquita 

Good morning Tiger Families,

We had a fantastic weekend at the Buckeye Invitational.  Memories were made and personal records were set.  Our students performed their best show to date, earning their first straight 1's of the season (superior in all captions) and ranking 8th out of the 31 competitive bands at the show.  This is our highest finish to date at this very competitive show.  

One quick note: Seniors be sure to read the information about senior night at the bottom of the FYI. 

Uniform Update
Mostly good with our uniform checks.  Our latest issue is honestly with hair.  Anyone with long hair must have their hair up for the performances.  Because we remove our hats for the show I asked our ladies to put their hair in low buns.  I should have known better and made a more specific request of TIGHT BUNS, no "messy buns" please. Students should not have pigtail braids or pony tails.  Tight buns for this weekend, please. 

Teays Valley info
3:10 - Dress rehearsal
4:10 - Load/change
5:20 - Depart for TVHS
6:10 - Arrive at TVHS
7:00 - Kickoff 

Doubleheader day
As a general outline we will be traveling to 3 locations, 2 contests and 1 park for a meal stop.  I will include specifics below for each individual stop.  The goal for our students is to take care of themselves and be fresh and ready to perform for both shows.  This means hydrating, eating proper foods and coming well rested Saturday morning. 

Newark info
Newark has a fantastic website that outlines all the information a spectator needs for their show including program, parking info and shuttle info.  I will link it below.  Please note, Newark's contest is at White's Field and not the High School.  

Picnic at Dillon Lake
5265 Dillon Hills Dr
Nashport, OH

The boosters will be providing a picnic for the bands at one of the shelter houses located on Dillon Lake.  Here kids will be able to use any of the recreational items they brought.  wiffle ball, football, cards, chairs, picnic blankets.  

From the booster committee feeding us: Thank you to everyone that has signed up so far through the SUG already sent out.  At last check, we could use some more individually wrapped desserts and beverages. Please do not bring anything other than what is requested.  We have plenty of time and food for the students to eat before the 2nd contest and it is difficult to find time and place to distribute additional foods.  

Tri Valley Info
Tri Valley High School is located in Dresden, OH roughly an hour East of Pickerington.  It is a smaller community but has a great venue for a band show.  The information for the contest is located in the attached PDF. Within this attached PDF you can find directions, parking info, ticket prices and info on concessions.  It is a letter to directors but is mostly information for spectators. 
​

Saturday Timeline 

10:30 - Band Room opens, Load any last minute EQ. 
11:15 - Depart for Newark
12:15 - Arrive at White's Field
2:00 - Performance #1 
2:45 - Depart Newark (Field Commanders stay for awards)
3:15 - Meal Stop at Dillon Lake Shelter House
5:15 - Depart from Dillon Lake
6:00 - Arrive at Tri Valley
8:00 - Performance #2
9:30 - Awards
10:00 - Load and depart for PHSC

Volunteers for Friday and Saturday
Friday
Travel with Band & Field Help 
Helena Mitchell
Julie Brownfield 
Bridget McGeorge 
Anne Shreffler 
Lisa Mezquita 
Nurse - Sally Malaret 

Saturday
​Double Contest Day 
Chris Mirakian 
Lisa Winters
Heather Edwards 
Lisa Mezquita 
Joy Shaw
Sarah Pelfrey 
James Pelfrey
Nurse - Melissa Wyatt 

Senior Night Info 
Seniors and Parents of seniors.  Senior night snuck up on us this year!  It is time to get organized rather quickly.  We need to get all bios submitted this week (by Thursday) in order for us to get the second step of drafting the script with plenty of time without mistakes.  Next weeks FYI will have a senior parent report time to the stadium with additional information.  Parents, please make sure your student completes the following info form!  Out of the 33 seniors this year, I have only had 7 students fill out the Senior Bio.  Lets be sure to get this done by Thursday.​

Good Morning Marching Tiger families,  

We have a busy weekend ahead of us.  In this FYI there will be two section and timelines, one for the home game on Friday and one for the Buckeye Invitational on Saturday. 

Last Friday we canceled our dress rehearsal from 3-4 because the halftime show was more than prepared for homecoming.  This week we will have a dress rehearsal. 

Uniforms
We will be wearing our purple pants and black socks on Friday.  Students need to take special care of their jackets and hats this Friday as we will not be able to clean any stained uniform pieces before the buckeye.  In other words, NO GREASY FINGERS OR MESSY FOOD IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE UNIFORMS.  Your uniform pieces are not a napkin!

Friday Timeline
3:10 - Dress rehearsal on turf field
4:00 - Dismiss.  
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 - Leadership dismissed once band room is cleaned. 

Friday Parent Volunteers
Nurse 
Melissa Wyatt 

Field Help
Chris Mirakian 
Barb Gilbert
Theresa Garee
Ronnie Winters 



Saturday Buckeye Invitational

Uniforms
Our uniform for Saturday is the dress white pants and socks.    It is imperative that all our students wear their WHITE show shirt and light colored shorts.  Unlike previous years, we will not have time to change out of our uniforms after our performance.  We will stay in uniform after we perform.  Everyone must take special care when eating food of all kinds.  Protect the white pants!

Expectations for all Marching Tigers in Ohio Stadium
- Once we have concluded our performance we will meet at the Rotunda for an informal band photo.  Because it will most likely be dark after our performance this could be a bust without professional lighting.  
- After the photo we will begin our load-in procedures.  
- Our booster president (Emily) and friends will have a section scouted out for all students to report to after loading equipment.  Everyone will sit together in the stadium.  
- Students are expected to be in a seat with the band when not getting concessions or using the restroom.  There is to be ZERO horse play.  
- If leaving the group for concessions or restrooms I expect students to be in groups of 2 or more.  If any student is found wondering alone a Director, Staff member or Chaperone has the responsibility of escorting the student back to the group.
- Students are expected to cheer for performing bands when appropriate.  Be positive and supportive of all the groups who have earned the invitation to perform in the Shoe.  
- The stadium has a NO CASH policy this year.  Food prices are expensive in the Shoe.  Plan accordingly.  
- We will stay for the entire show though the OSUMB performance and awards.  
- At the conclusion of the evening we will exit as a band.  Do not load the busses until the chaperones have logged you as present on the bus.  

Timeline for Saturday
1:30 - Band room opens
2:00 - Dress Rehearsal
3:00 - Load, eat (packed lunch/snack), Change into uniform
4:15 - Depart for OSU
5:00 - Arrive at OSU
7:15 - Perform
7:30 - Photo in the Rotunda 
7:45 - Load
8:00 - When finished putting instruments away, head into the stadium and find the we will all meet.  This section will be TBA.
8:15 - Sit as a group. Watch bands perform, eat, be supportive.  NO HORSEPLAY IN THE STANDS. REPRESENT YOUR BAND AND SCHOOL IN A POSITIVE LIGHT.
9:00 - OSUMB PERFORMANCE
9:30 - AWARDS
9:45 - Exit the stadium as a band/Load busses.
10:00 - Depart for Central
10:40 - Arrive at PHSC 

Saturday Chaperones
Nurse 
Melissa Wyatt

Travel with Band/Field Help
Chris Mirakian
Julie Brownfield
Heather Edwards
Josh Warmund
Joy Shaw
Lisa Mezquita 
Natalie Matney 

Good morning,

Last week was an interesting one!  Making the decision to not attend the football game was a difficult.  Ultimately there were several other bands in central Ohio that opted out of their games and even more in the south west region of the state. Thank you again for being flexible.  I don't mean to jinx us, but this Friday should be a beautiful night for football. 

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.  (we will need podiums)

Uniforms
We will be wearing our purple uniform this Friday.  Please make sure your students are wearing the correct uniform socks. We have been doing great with under uniform dress code.  Thank you! 

3:10 - Dress rehearsal on turf field
4:00 - Dismiss.  
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 - Leadership dismissed once band room is cleaned. 

Important Upcoming Dates
Buckeye Invitational - Oct 12th, Afternoon -11:30ish
Double-Header Day - Oct 19th, all day
State Marching Band Finals - Oct 26th, Late Morning to early evening. 

Double-Header Update
Double header days are a ton of fun for the kiddos.  The general outline typically is an early Noon competition, dinner/picnic at a local or state park and an evening competition.  Food will be provided by the boosters but they typically have SUG's for side dishes and or misc items for the meal.  We have plenty of room on the box truck and trailer for any yard games you'd like to bring along.  Corn hole is always fun, as well as wiffle ball.  (there have been some very serious wiffle ball games in years past.)  Picnic blankets are encouraged as well, rarely do we get to a park that has enough seating for everyone.    

State Marching Band Finals Update
I have requested October 26th at Hilliard Bradley for our first choice and second choice location. I would plan on making sure this date is completely clear of conflicts.  Our requested performance time is 3pm.  This could potentially float earlier or later by one time slot (15 minutes).  I will keep everyone up-to-date if there are any changes to the time.

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.  We will have our normal number of volunteers with us as we haven't had any parent issues on the sideline this year.  

Nurse - Sally Malaret 

Field Help 
Bridget McGeorge 
Helena Mitchell
Heather Edwards
Chris Mirakian
Joy Shaw
Tony Phan 

Good morning Tiger Band Families,

Congratulations to the booster clubs for hosting a great 50th Anniversary Pickerington Band Festival.  We are quickly turning into a sought after event by bands across central Ohio and beyond.  This isn't possible without dedicated parent groups and superior team work.  Thank you for every minute spend on planning and serving. 

Congrats to the Marching Tigers!  We have yet again qualified for State Marching Band Finals at our first show.  I will do some digging and see how many years are in this streak. Congratulations are certainly in order, but I do want to remind families and students that we are not finished with the show and must continue to maintain a strong work ethic to produce the best quality show we can before SMBF. 

Only after a band qualifies for State Marching Band Finals are they allowed to schedule and request a performance time.  It is not a guarantee until the last week of the season, but I have requested October 26th at Hilliard Bradley.  I will not receive confirmation of our date and time until the last week of district OMEA competitions (late October). 

"Give Back" Charity Event
After looking at the calendar there isn't a free Saturday this fall to do a traditional performance at our local McDonalds to raise money for the RMHC.  This has happened a few times before in the past.  Ultimately what we end up doing is a consumable products drive before our holiday concert.  This mostly consists of basic items needed in the house.  Toilet paper, paper towels, tooth brushes, etc.  All things that you already might have in your pantries at home.   

Another option would be to support an organization that is near to my own heart.  The Stowe Mission is an organization that provides essential care to those less fortunate.  Their services include: soup kitchen, food pantry, community closet, dental care, vision care and so much more.  The Stowe Mission is funded by local churches and the "Brighter Day" Foundation, a foundation created by professional golfer, Jason Day. 

For the purposes of fulfilling our charity goals we could provide children's toys for Mission's annual holiday gift giving event.  Which allows families in need from Columbus to give Christmas gifts during a time when many must choose between bills or gifts.  Our NHS chapter here at Pickerington Central has been making nearly 100 blankets each year for the last 3 years for this event and are always the first item to run out at the toy drive.  

Talk to your booster officers to voice your opinion on how to support families this year.  If there are other Pickerington organizations similar to RMHC or the Stowe Mission, let us know!  We should support our own community first.  

Timeline for Friday to Lancaster
Timeline
3:10 - Dress rehearsal
4:10 - Load/eat/change
5:20 - Load Busses
5:30 - Depart for LHS
6:15 - Arrive at LHS
7:00 - kick-off 

Pay to Participate Update
We are currently half way through the marching season and coincidentally we currently have a little over half the Marching Tiger families that are in "good standing" with PLSD's Pay-to-Participate fee. I've said this before but it never hurts to read it again, Pay-to-Participate is NOT the band booster dues.  PTP is a District office class fee used to maintain/replace/replenish uniforms. It is not for dry cleaning, dry cleaning is a booster expense, and a big one at that.  The fee also covers transportation costs for the band.  You see those fees at work when the Tiger Band trailer is rolling down the highway, when Mr Knapp is unloading the box trucks and when the band cruises to each performance in the luxurious yellow limousines! 

It is important to pay these fees as soon as possible as the district depend on these funds to keep the band rolling.  If you are in need of financial assistance, please email me and I can assist you in acquiring the correct forms for fee reduction or get you in contact with the correct people to set up a payment plan.  

Parent Volunteers for Friday's away game
Nurse - Melissa Wyatt
Emily Haverfield
Mike Osterlink
Melissa Osterlink
Lisa Mezquita 
Josh Warmund
Chris Mirakian