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Schedule:
Monday
* Full Band Rehearsal, 5:00 to 9:00 - Start in sectionals for a *brief* music rehearsal. Please wear WHITE shirts - white shirts make it WAY easier to set our spacing! We'll be putting the last sets of part 1 on the field. As always, bring water!
Tuesday
* First day of school! We will NOT rehearse on the first day.
Wednesday
* Start on the practice field at 7:45 am.
Thursday
* Start on the practice field at 7:45 am.
Friday
* Start on the practice field at 7:45 am.
* First set of pass offs due (See below)
We're finishing up the end of the closer and starting the polishing process so we're ready for our first game against Borger on the 31st! Y'all are already making huge improvements and I can't wait for your first performance!
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PASS OFFS
All pass off deadlines are posted throughout the band hall.
By the end of the week the Intro (from memory), first half of part 1 (from memory), and the Star Spangled Banner (no memory) should be passed off for a director.
If no attempt has been made by the time we go home on the 24th, it will be entered as 0 in the gradebook and late work penalties will then apply.
Please do NOT wait till the last minute. Start working on memorizing the music now. Remember, show music MUST be memorized - we do not use flip folders during performances! (This includes our first game against Borger!)
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MONDAY NIGHT REHEARSALS
Bring a water bottle!
Wear sunscreen!
Wear *soft soled* shoes that conform to your feet! NO flip flops, hard soled boots, sandals, etc.
Wear WHITE shirts to assist with setting drill!
Be prompt and on time!
Each Monday night rehearsal is equivalent to almost a WEEK of morning rehearsals. Your attendance is VITAL to the groups success! Remember, we learn new material Monday and clean in class during the week.
Also remember, failure to attend evening rehearsals could mean the loss of one's marching spot or loss of performance and/or travel privileges for games and contests. I cannot stress enough how important attendance is to our success. In fact, I think it's the single greatest indicator of our performance level.
Make it simple - be present and on time!
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REQUIRED PAPERWORK
If you missed band registration, here is what you need to know:
* Paperwork packets are available outside Benton's office. This paperwork is *required* before you may participate in performances, football games, parades, etc. YOU MAY STILL REHEARSE! But we do need that paperwork in ASAP during summer band.
* Student drug testing forms are now available! These, also, MUST be turned in before performances and *any* travel are permitted!
* Everyone ought to have instrument, locker, flip folder, and uniform by now. If you still lack one of these things, please talk to a director outside of normal rehearsal hours. (Hint: Five minutes before rehearsal starts is not a good time ask!)
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REMIND
Remind is an app that allows me to send immediate updates to your phone, either through the app (if you have it installed) or as a text message. Signing up for the Pampa Band Remind is easy! You can either:
Text the message @pampapride to the number 81010
or
Download the app and search for the class @pampapride
Please remember that if you changed numbers at any point over the summer, you're probably not signed up for the Remind! Aside from updates on this Facebook page, Remind is the PRIMARY way I communicate with the band. Please, if you want to know what's going on with the PHS Band on a regular basis, sign up for the Remind when you have a chance!
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MARCH-A-THON
If you haven't turned in your March-a-thon donation money, please do so this week!
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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Aug 20 - Last summer band rehearsal!
Aug 21 - First Day of School!
Aug 30 - Goldbeck panoramic picture
Aug 31 - First Game! Home vs Borger
Sept 3 - Chatauqua performance at Central
Sept 14 - Vernon @ Home
Sept 22 - ATSSB All State Help Session at WTAMU
Sept 28 - Perryton @ Home
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You are now approximately 1/3 of the way through marching season, in terms of rehearsal time. It's hard to believe, but it's true!
Y'all are doing great work and making great progress! The difference between Tuesday night's drill rehearsal and Friday's was pretty astounding, in a great way! If you keep making that sort of progress, you're going to be fantastic.
Please review the above information. I know I said it above, but please remember that your attendance at extracurricular rehearsals is VITAL to the band's success. I truly believe that consistent attendance is the single greatest indicator as to whether or not a band will be successful. Please be at all rehearsals and be on time!
(If I, as a band director, had three wishes from a genie, the first two would be for good attendance at every rehearsal! The third would probably be to win the lottery...)
Keep working hard and keep the momentum up. Y'all are going to be fantastic this year!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.
- Mr. Benton
john.benton@pampaisd.net
806.669.4800x1137