Tim Allshouse, Director
of Bands
Kent
Rausch, Assistant Director of Bands
Lisa
Evans, Assistant Director of Bands
Blue Springs High School Department of Bands
Phone:
816-229-3459 ext. 243
Fax:
816-220-0695
February 2, 2005
Dear 8th Grade Band members and parents:
Greetings
from the Department of Bands at
All students enrolled in the band and the color guard unit (flags/rifles) attend the annual Golden Regiment Summer Music Enrichment sessions. Although there is a great deal of work involved, we also find time to participate in many fun activities. Prior to the intensive S.M.E. weeks, two days of special “first-year member” training takes place. This session is from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on July 5th and July 6th. These are critical days as students meet their section leaders, the staff, receive music and learn the basics of the Golden Regiment traditions and marching system. Most importantly, the first-year members can feel free to ask many questions as well as get used to the system before the entire band arrives. Please see the enclosed S.M.E. (Summer Music Enrichment) schedule.
Please know
we are excited to welcome you and your family as a part of our family and we
trust your years with the Blue Springs High School Department of Bands will be
filled with great memories. As one can
imagine, it is impossible to provide you with all of the information that
involves the band department in this brief mailing. More details
will be available at the required 1st year members informational
meeting for all incoming band members on *Monday, March 14th,
at 7:00 p.m.* in the Blue Springs High School Band Room.
Please find enclosed:
Commonly Asked Questions
Brochure
S.M.E. Flier
Important Music Statistics
Visit our website at: www.goldenregiment.org
Some Commonly Asked
Questions
Is
S.M.E. required?
Yes. We really need you there! This is vital to the success of our entire year. We develop critical marching and musical fundamental skills. This is the equivalent of summer football training sessions. Those who have a conflict should contact one of the band directors beginning mid-April.
Is marching band all
year?
No. We usually end the 1st week in November. For the other 7 months of the school year, 9th graders are placed into 2 equal concert band classes that meet during the day and join together for concerts. The 9th grade band averages around 70 students yearly.
Can I play a fall sport
and still be involved in the marching band?
It is very
difficult to participate in both activities, as attendance at band rehearsals
and attendance at other practices are critical to both organizations. Some activities will allow you to split time
with band practice and then something can be worked out. Other activities will insist that you be at
100% of their practices, in which case you will need to apply for a marching
band waiver. You do not need to drop
band, however!
Do I need to drop band if I play a fall sport?
No! Please call the high school in May and set-up a meeting with one of the directors so you may apply for a fall partial or full activity waiver. It is critical that you do this. Band is co-curricular which means in-school and out-of-school activities are included in your course grade. The activity waiver will provide you with alternative assignments to do so you can still be a part of the band program and receive full credit. We have many athletes that do both activities successfully.
What if I play a school owned instrument?
Please contact the high school in May to set up a time to check one out.
The Auxiliary Unit (Color Guard) and Percussionist/Drumline Questions
Detailed
information concerning these groups will be sent home. Auditions for the 2005 Color Guard Unit will
take place mid-April and each school’s respective band director has detailed
information concerning this group. Both
the Color Guard and Drumline have an additional
1-week session in early June.
My child is apprehensive about
attending S.M.E./joining band. What
should we do?
This is very
common with anything new. 8th
Graders have enjoyed a year of being the oldest students in a building and now
they are rookies in almost everything. Many
children miss out on good activities their 9th grade year because
they are fearful of taking that first step.
Whether it is band or any other activity that you feel is worthwhile, we
recommend that you give them that extra push to do it. 9th Graders are mature in some
ways, but in many ways they still need your guidance; and sometimes mom and
dad still know best! They and you
will be in a better position to evaluate whether or not this is something they
wish to continue long term after they have actually experienced it. Band is not for everybody; however, it is
difficult to make the decision without trying it. Most students who
make it through S.M.E., also make it through the entire year. The band retention rate is extremely high
once the students get involved. As
anything in life, the child will get out of the experience whatever they put
into it.
I’m concerned about my child
being able to keep good grades while in band.
The average G.P.A. of the entire 250 members of the band program last year was approximately a 3.4 (A-). As you will see from the enclosed flier with research statistics, we believe that participation in music does positively affect students in every aspect of their academic pursuits. We actually found that band students’ grades were actually higher in the fall during the marching season than any other time of year.
What else?
Well, there is much more to share…that is why you and your child need to come to the meeting on March 14, 2005. You will receive additional handouts, view a video from S.M.E. and a variety of other activities. The students will meet some of the upperclassmen and learn some marching basics. We do recommend that you visit the website: www.goldenregiment.org and talk to current members/families of band members. The Golden Regiment will teach you about music and a great deal more.
The GR Mission
The Golden Regiment is a youth
organization that provides opportunities that promote and develop musical
skills, life skills, personal enrichment through
education and self-reliance through self-accountability. Known as the “sport of
the art;” it encourages team work and the importance of group over self,
sportsmanship, civic pride and contributions of one's personal best to a unified
group goal. These lessons are learned through a musical and marching activity
in which there is a blending of the arts and athletics. The Golden Regiment strives to not only
produce dedicated and talented artists; but also self-sufficient, confident
young people who have seen the positive effects that their behavior and talents
have created. The drive for the GR comes
from improving as a group, improving as individuals, being upstanding citizens
and performing for the audience first and foremost. Finally, the GR is a close family that spends
a great deal of time together producing great music, learning life skills while
creating memories for a life-time.
We look forward to seeing you this summer! S.M.E. is a great deal of fun and you are going to love all of the awesome experiences you will have during your years with us. Before you know it, you will be a senior helping the new freshmen class. The time goes by fast! Please contact us if you have any questions and be on the lookout for the next informational letter. Due to teaching schedules, email is the most efficient way to get a hold of us when possible. Please direct most general questions to 816-229-3459 ext. 243 or levans@bssd.net.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tim Allshouse Mr.
Director of Bands Assist. Dir. of
Bands/Drumline Assist. Dir. of Bands
tallshouse@bssd.net krausch@bssd.net levans@bssd.net
816-229-3459 ext. 243 816-229-3459 ext. 292 816-229-3459 ext. 243