Band Camp: August 7- August 18th 2006

Hello Marching Band Parents and Members!

PLEASE BRING LOTS OF WATER TO BAND CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is your final mailing before band camp begins on August th. Hopefully, everyone has had a great summer filled with rest and relaxation! That rest is going to be needed as band camp is just around the comer. There are just a few things I wanted to mention before I see everyone on August 7th.

Please remember the uniform fitting times for instrumentalists and a-squad at the beginning of next week. If you are unable to attend the day you are assigned, please come on the other day. Students out of town for both days will be able to be fitted on the first day of band camp. However, we really need to have as many uniform fittings complete before band camp as possible!! Here are the uniform fitting times:

• SENIORS AND JUNIORS 9:00 AM -12:00 PM on Monday, July 31
• SOPHOMORES AND FRESHMAN 9:00 AM -12:00 PM on Tuesday, August 1

Just a note about performances: ALL PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY, from the first performance (Kennywood) to the last play-off football game. A detailed performance attendance policy will be distributed on the first day of band camp in the Band Manual. In the meantime, please know that the only excused absences from performances are a student illness, absent from school, official school athletic competition, a "once in your lifetime" out-of-town event, or a family wedding. The "once your lifetime" and family wedding excuse must be turned in to me in writing by Friday, August 11 in order for them to be considered as an excused performance absence. So please look down the road in your calendars now. One unexcused performance absence will result in the student not being able to go on the band trip.

Please be early to band camp everyday, but especially on Monday. ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN PROMPTLY AT 8:00 AM ON THE FIELD. So, make sure you arrive early enough to make it to the field, consult your section leader as to where you should be and be in your attendance spot for attendance at 8:00 AM! There will be a lot to do and we can't afford to get started late. Do your best to be punctual! Thanks!

Staff and Student Leaders need to arrive a half hour early each day of camp for a daily meeting (7 :30 AM).

DRUM LINE -Your arrival time is at 7:30 AM! You guys are the heart beat of the entire band. And your job is more difficult than anybody else. We need to have you here early to get your equipment, fix anything that needs fixed, and finally to get some good warm-up time with exercises designed to improve your endurance and technique.

Instrumentalists and A-squad, if you have not already done so, make sure you call me if you have a pre-existing band camp conflict Pre-existing band camp conflicts (like amazing opportunities out of state, for example) that are told to me before the beginning of band camp will be counted as ~xcused absences. Once band camp begins, last minute conflicts, except for emergencies, will not be excused and will result in the student not being permitted to go to Kennywood. Students missing camp for work win be considered unexcused and will not go to Kennywood with the band!! Dance Drill and Color Guard win follow the rules stated by Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Nicely.

Make sure everyone brings the following to band camp: water jug, sun glasses, sunscreen, tennis or athletic shoes (NO SANDALS!), hat, pencil, music, instrument, flip folder/lyre, lunch, a desire to learn, a solid work ethic and a great attitude.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING WATER LOTS OF WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please notice the three schedules in the mailing. One schedule is simply an update to the original schedule you received in May (replace that one with this one). The other schedule outlines each performance schedule throughout the year. Some of the times may need to be changed as the season gets underway. Please stay tuned to any changes. If a change is needed, we will certainly announce it in as many different venues as we possibly can. The final schedule is a band camp schedule. We will try to follow this schedule as closely as we can.

Finally, the tradition of going out for lunch will continue this year at band camp. Students will have one full hour for lunch. We are encouraging the students to stay and eat at the school, but we will permit students to leave school grounds for a meal. Parents, the Hampton Township School District is not responsible for any student who chooses to go out for a meal during the meal break. Also, the school district is not responsible for any student who goes out for a meal as a passenger in someone else's automobile. Students must not be tardy for rehearsals following the meal break if they want to continue to enjoy this privilege! We will take away this privilege if it is abused.

I am extremely excited about the upcoming marching band season! If I don't see you at the final optional rehearsal, enjoy your last week off and get ready for an energetic band camp beginning August 7th!

Happy Marching and PLEASE BRING LOTS OF WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chad Himmler, HHS Band Director, 412-486-6000 ext. 1044, himmler@htsd.kI2.pa.us

Last Modified: October 3, 2006

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