I wanted to give you a quick update since I'm sure you have many questions. I have answers for some, and unfortunately I don't for others. A few things you might have questions about are listed below, in order as they would have happened had our school year not been disrupted.
The Next Two Weeks
Monday the high school staff are meeting to discuss what our distance learning is going to look like. The band staff is meeting afterwards to coordinate the plans for band in particular. For high school, as of me writing this chilly Saturday morning, I can tell you that will likely take the form of online recording assignments via Google Classroom as we've done in the past. More detailed information about this will come out next week.
Additionally, next week I will post designated times for students to come by and pick up instruments and music. Please grab your folder AND your blue book, remembering that it has a fingering chart that may be invaluable to you as you're practicing on your own. Also be sure to oil your valves before you go and grab an extra reed or two.
The following week we'll begin our distance learning. Beyond that is hard to predict...
Spring Concert
Absolute best case scenario, our spring concert will have to be rescheduled. It was originally to take place on April 28th. As I'm sure you know, UIL has prohibited all performances and practices outside of school for ALL UIL activities until May 4th. Even if we do get to come back to school relatively soon, April 28th is no longer an option. Depending on how things shake out, we could be out of school longer than two weeks. At this time it's too early to say much beyond the concert will NOT be happening on the 28th. My heart hurts for our seniors.
Winter Guard
Unfortunately, until the UIL suspension of activities is lifted, we will not have the chance to meet and record the show... I don't know what this means for us at this time. I'll try to get more information for you. Know that I hate this for you, and I'm proud of you. It's our first winter guard in over a decade, and this hits right as our season began... it's not fair, but it is what it is.
Greater Southwest Music Festival
Honor Band & Jazz Band - Even if we're back in school, we will not be attending. Our performance date (May 2nd) is before the suspension of UIL activities is lifted (May 4th). Unless GSWMF is able to reschedule to a later weekend AND we're able to resume normal school, this event is definitely canceled.
Band Banquet
As of this writing, Band Banquet is on hold. Again, this one pains me. I think it's so important that we have the opportunity to come together and celebrate our achievements and recognize our seniors in a social, stress free setting. If we have the opportunity to reschedule this, we will. Unfortunately, again, it's too early to make a determination.
End of Year Auditions
Drum Line, Color Guard, Drum Major, Leadership Team. These are - you guessed it - on hold. It's possible, if we're still out of school, that they might end up being online submissions, just like our assignments for the next couple of weeks. Again, it's too early to tell.
TSSEC
No word has been given on TSSEC one way or another. Of our end of the year activities, this one is furthest out. As of now, it's still on - so ensembles practice your music - but understand that could change very quickly.
Spring Trip
I've been working with the tour company to reschedule, probably at the very end of June. I wish I had more for you than that right now, but I don't. We are one of hundreds of groups trying to reschedule all at once and they and their vendors are inundated with requests for refunds, vouchers, scheduling changes, etc. I'll let you know more once I know more.
~
On a personal note, I miss you all terribly. We've had a wonderful year with the Pampa High School Band and it's absolutely, terribly unfair that it's being cut short like this. It's only regular spring break and I want nothing more than to have regular band rehearsal again. I do hope you enjoy your time off with your families, but I know I for one can't wait for this to be over and behind us. (And, hopefully, never again in our lifetimes!)
One final note. Given that the staff is generally going to be working from home for the foreseeable future, email is currently the best way to reach me.
Mr. Benton
john.benton@pampaisd.net
806.669.4800x1137