Band Update 8/15/2021 – Contents:

From the Directors – Welcome Back!

Here We Go!!! We are VERY excited to start school this week, and see all of our WONDERFUL band students! Reminder to ALL Band Students and Families: Mr. Wagoner and I are ALWAYS here to help, in any way we can. Band is that amazing and unique environment: we have no bench – EVERYONE counts, all the time. It’s not about beating someone else or winning – it’s about valuing the process and getting better every day. It’s about making great music with wonderful people, and about supporting each other through the process.

A couple of quick notes to start the year:

Communication is KEY! We have an exciting year ahead in the band. Effective communication will make it possible. Here is our communication plan:

  • The Band Update (This webpage!) will be used to post all details of band events, volunteer sign-ups, etc. Please bookmark this on all your devices!
  • Charms: We will continue to use the Charms Email system. Please make sure that emails from “@charmsemailsender” are not going to junk folders… they’re from the band! Pretty much everything we email in charms will also be able to be found 24/7 on the band update webpage.
  • The “BAND” App is a new social media tool we will implement this year. Students will learn more about it in classes over the next couple of weeks.
  • Canvas and Synergy will be used as appropriate – usually for communications to an individual band class, rather than the full band program.
  • Communication is a shared responsibility. We will do all we can to make sure you have timely, helpful information. It is your job to read and process that info, and respond as needed!

Band in the era of Covid. As the Delta-variant surges, our covid-concerns are higher than we’d all hoped they would be at this time. However, the mitigation strategies we implemented last year WORK, and the studies that gave us these strategies are still ongoing. Updated results from those studies were released this summer, and they are GREAT news for us. CLICK HERE to read more.

Band Summer Newsletter – including Forms/Dues. CLICK HERE for the Summer Band Newsletter (just in case you missed it). Please pay special attention to Band Forms and Dues. Thank you!

Looking forward to a phenomenal year of music making ahead!!
Mr. Freeman

The Next Two Weeks Ahead. Weeks of 8/15 and 8/22

(NOTE: This section of the Band Update is where you will find all details of upcoming Band Events. If other Calendars conflict with this info – then assume THIS info is correct, and let the directors know of any discrepancies)

CLICK HERE for BVN’s Block/Traditional Schedule Rotation for August-September
CLICK HERE for the BVN Bell Schedule

8/16 – 8/20/2021

Monday, 8/16: No School/No Band Events – Teacher Professional Development.

Tuesday, 8/17: No School – Teacher Professional Development. Freshman and New Student Orientation (Pep Band!)

  • Leadership and Volunteer Pep Band for Freshman Orientation Day!
    • CLICK HERE to sign up. Sign up includes all details.
    • Summary: 9:50 Arrive in band room. Begin performing in gym approx 10:10. Done approx 11 AM. Wear this year’s blue BVN Band Shirts.
    • All members of leadership should perform. Pep Band is open to all band members.
    • Community service hours!

Wednesday, 8/18: First Day of School! “Traditional Schedule” (all 7 classes will meet). First Wednesday evening rehearsal!

  • Bring your Instruments! ALL Band Classes WILL play this day!
  • Marching Mustangs (1st hour) will be indoor.
  • First Wednesday Evening Rehearsal for Marching Mustangs
    • 6:30 – 8:30 at BVN. We will be on the WEST turf field (the one with lights).
    • Please plan to be ON the field, ready to go by or before 6:30 PM
    • Front Ensemble – please plan accordingly (arrive early) to be able to move instruments to the west field and be set-up on time.
    • WHITE OUT WEDNESDAY! We request that everyone wear a white t-shirt! We’ll make all of our Wednesday rehearsals “white out wednesdays”. This uniformity helps us clean drill and visuals throughout the season.

Thursday, 8/19: Traditional Schedule (all 7 classes will meet) regular school day.

  • Bring your Instruments! ALL Band Classes WILL play this day!
  • Marching Mustangs (1st hour) will be OUTDOOR.

Friday, 8/20: Traditional Schedule (all 7 classes will meet) regular school day. School Picture Day!

8/23 – 8/28/2021

Monday, 8/23: Odd Block Class Schedule

  • Marching Mustangs: First 7 AM Rehearsal. We will rehearse from 7 AM to the end of first block, dismissing students in plenty of time to move inside and get to 3rd block classes.

Tuesday, 8/24: Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start

  • Marching Mustangs: First Tuesday/Late Start 7 AM Rehearsal. Following previous year’s patterns, we will rehearse on Monday’s and Tuesday’s beginning at 7 AM. On Tuesdays, we will dismiss at 8:10, so students have plenty of time to get inside for 2nd block classes.
  • Parents: Back to School Night at BVN! Check the North Notes for details.

Wednesday, 8/25: Odd Block Class Schedule.

  • Marching Mustangs: Wednesday Evening Rehearsal for Marching Mustangs
    • 6:30 – 8:30 at BVN. We will be on the WEST turf field (the one with lights).
    • Please plan to be ON the field, ready to go by or before 6:30 PM
    • Front Ensemble – please plan accordingly (arrive early) to be able to move instruments to the west field and be set-up on time.
    • WHITE OUT WEDNESDAY! We request that everyone wear a white t-shirt! We’ll make all of our Wednesday rehearsals “white out wednesdays”. This uniformity helps us clean drill and visuals throughout the season.

Thursday, 8/26: Even Block Schedule with Late Start

Friday, 8/27: Traditional Schedule (all 7 classes will meet) regular school day.

Saturday, 8/28: The Return of the BVN Band Car Wash!!! A SUPER fun way to support the band. We need LOTS of volunteers and Donations!

  • BVN Band Car Wash, 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturday, 8/28! SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE!
  • VOLUNTEERS and DONATIONS – Students AND Parents – We Need you!! CLICK HERE to sign up to donate/volunteer.
    • Shifts on Car Wash Day are 9-10 AM (Set-up), 9:45 Am – 1:00 PM (Washing cars!), 12:45 – 4:00 (Washing Cars), and 4:00 – 4:30 (Tear down/clean-up)
    • Donations Needed: Microfiber towels (lots), towels in general (lots), and a handful of supplies such as car wash liquid, hoses, etc. See the sign-up link for details. Donations can be dropped off as listed in the sign up genius (Thursday evening 8/26 to Mrs. Lank’s house) or brought to the band room.
    • Help Make posters/Signs. See the sign-up link (above) for details.
  • A HUUUUGE Thank you to Mrs. Cyndy Lank, parent of Freshman Trombone Parker Lank, for coordinating our Car Wash!!

BVN Band Calendar

BVN Band Calendar Webpage.
BVN Bands 2021-2022 Calendar of Events (the “Fridge Calendar”)

Calendar Updates – please double-check/make these updates in your own calendars!

  • BVN Band Car Wash Moved to August 28th. Earlier versions of the calendar showed August 21st…. the 28th is correct!
  • CANCELLATION: The Marching Mustangs will NOT be performing at the Olathe Marching Festival on October 9th, due to Homecoming being scheduled for the same week. We are considering adding a different marching festival. Details TBA Soon!
  • Homecoming Week – Parade and Light Show!
    • Please note the Homecoming Parade will be on Wednesday, October 6th (Marching Mustangs and Freshman Band Combine to perform in this parade!). This is a VERY fun event.
    • Friday, October 8th will be a BIG NIGHT! It will include Senior Night for the Football Team and Marching Mustangs, Homecoming Events, AND our annual Marching Mustangs Post-Game Light Show Performance (they shut off the stadium lights and the band lights up the field!)
  • Save the Dates for Summer Band Camp 2022 (for the 2022-2023 School year!
    • July 25th – July 30th, 2022: “Pre-Camp” week. Percussion/Color Guard/Leadership/Rookies!
    • July 31 – August 6th, 2022: Band Camp! With our parent performance on Saturday the 6th.

Expanding your Musical Horizons!

During the School year, there will be many AMAZING opportunities to make music outside the walls of BVN. Honor Bands, Private Lessons, and much more can and will be highlights of your year, and memories that will last forever. Please read more info on our Extra Musical Experiences Webpage.