Band Update 8/22/2021

Contents:

  • From the Directors – A BIG Two Weeks ahead
    • Exciting Announcement!!
    • Water and Tissue Donations.
    • The BVN Band CAR WASH.  SIGN UP to Donate/Volunteer Here!
    • Volunteer Pep Band for the White-Out Soccer Game on Friday 8/27.  Sign up Here!
    • Marching Mustangs:  Our First 7 AM Rehearsals, our first trip to the DAC, and our first Home FB Game!
  • The Next Two Weeks Ahead in the Band
    • Daily Schedule with LOTS of details.  Thank you for your careful reading!
  • Calendar Updates – Please read carefully and update your personal calendars!
  • Expanding your Musical Horizons – Honor Bands and More

From the Directors:

And we’re off!  We had a really nice first few days of school – it was GREAT to see all of our band students back in action!!  Special shout-out to all who performed with the pep band on Freshman Orientation Day!!

We’re about to take off with a bunch of fun and exciting events.  It will keep all of us on our toes…  ADVICE to all:  one thing at a time, read all the info that comes out, and  show up with your amazing attitudes and brilliant minds, ready to work and have fun.  The rest will take care of itself.

Wonderful/Exciting News to Share!!! (2 parts)

Part 1:   Our BVN WIND ENSEMBLE has been selected to perform at the Kansas Music Educator’s Association (KMEA) State Convention!!  We were selected via a competitive/blind audition process (we submitted recordings of previous years’ performances), against bands from across the State of Kansas.  While there’s not really a “state championship for music” – this is about as close as we get.  It is a big honor to be selected and a wonderful challenge for our students!  Being selected is a testament to a fantastic overall band program, from beginning band to graduation, and the result of the outstanding work of our amazing student musicians!  The performance will be on Friday, February 25th, at 11:30 AM, at Wichita’s Century II Convention Center – Concert Hall.

The KMEA performance will be part 1 of a little “mini tour” of Kansas!  Part 2 of the exciting news is – the tour continues on Sunday, February 27th, when the BVN Wind Ensemble will reprise their performance as a featured guest of the KU Wind Ensemble!  The KU Wind Ensemble is PHENOMENAL – one of the top collegiate Wind Ensembles in the country.  BVN will share a concert with KU, performing in the BEAUTIFUL Lied Center of Kansas in Lawrence.  Concert time is TBD – but it will be an afternoon concert in Lawrence.

This will be an incredible few days of music making for our Wind Ensemble Students.  ALL Band families should be proud of this and help us celebrate!!  Both events have been added to our band calendars – make sure to add them to yours.

Donations Needed!  From All Band Families:  Each year, we ask all band families to donate 1 case of bottled water, and facial tissues (kleenex) – in whatever amount you choose.  We are completely out of both, and it’s time to replenish our stock!  Please send in your donations any time – just have your band student bring them to the front of the band room any time.  You can also drop them in the main office, labeled for the band.

Reminder – Our Band Car Wash is this coming Saturday, August 28th!  Please sign-up to donate and help, and spread the word with this flyer (print or post on social media). It’s a VERY fun day!!

NEW – Volunteer Pep Band Added this week!  For our White-Out Soccer Game versus BVNW, at the DAC on Friday 8/27!  Click here for sign-up and details!

Marching Mustangs Families – you have a busy two weeks ahead.  Our First 7 AM Rehearsals.  Our first rehearsal at the DAC (This Wednesday Evening).  Volunteer Pep band and Car Wash. And our First Home Football game!  It’s a quick-hitting year (this is a very early first home FB game… which dominoes and makes all of the “firsts” happen more quickly).  Since it’s been 2 years since we had a full marching season, all of us are a bit out of practice –  so lets all be very deliberate these next two weeks and cover all of our details.  With that being said – this will all work our really well and be lots of fun!  Generations of students/families have done this before, and we’ll get through all of it together.  Take it one day/one event at a time, while paying attention to what is coming up, and you’ll be fine (in fact, you’ll thrive!).  Students – You have my personal thanks and full support for all of your effort and sharing your time and talent with me!  Parents – you also have my personal thanks for making it happen!  Planning rides, making sure the kids have all they need, while juggling so much other stuff –  we truly couldn’t do it without you – and… THANK YOU!!!

A couple of quick reminders:

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

The Next Two Weeks Ahead. Weeks of 8/22 and 8/30

(NOTE: 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

8/23 – 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.
  • Mustang Band Boosters – Board Meeting (via zoom) at 7 PM.  Zoom link will be emailed out on Monday.

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! 6-8 PM.  Looking forward to meeting many of you!  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 the DAC!  The “DAC” is the District Activities Complex at 135th and Switzer (NW corner of the intersection, the football stadium just south of BVNW).  Parking is on the North Side of the stadium, enter through the main gate and go to the football field.
    • Please plan to be ON the field, ready to go by or before 6:30 PM
    • Percussion:  We will be loading trailers on Wednesday.  Plans will be communicated during class/on the BAND App.
    • 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.

  • Volunteer Pep Band for the Soccer White Out Game versus BVNW.  CLICK HERE to sign up and see all details!
  • Short Version of Details.  (Make sure to get all the details from the sign up page.)
    • Perform at the DAC (135th and Switzer)
    • Meet in the parking lot near the main gate at 6:20 PM.  Perform 6:40-7:00.  When the game starts (7:00), we’re done!
    • “White out” – this year’s gray band shirt, or a previous year’s band white shirt, or the soccer teams white-out shirt (if you choose to purchase… totally up to you/no pressure)

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!!

8/30 – 9/3/2021

Monday, 8/30: Odd Block Class Schedule

  • Marching Mustangs: 7 AM Rehearsal.

Tuesday, 8/31: Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start

  • Marching Mustangs: 7 AM Rehearsal.

Wednesday, 9/1: Odd Block Class Schedule.

  • Marching Mustangs: Wednesday Evening Rehearsal for Marching Mustangs.  White out Wednesday!
    • 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

Thursday, 9/2: Even Block Schedule with Late Start:

  • First Home Football Game – Marching Mustangs Performance!!  Schedule:
    • 4:30:  Band Room Open for uniforming and equipment loading:
    • 5:30:  Busses Depart from BVN.  This is your “Call time” – you need to be on the bus, in full uniform, with everything loaded BEFORE 5:30.  Early is on time.  On Time is Late.  Late is left at BVN.
    • 5:45:  Arrive DAC.  Unload equipment and Set-up.  (Instruments out, cases in beautiful “sideline stacks” in the grassy area underneath the scoreboard, Set up in stands, then move to Softball outfield for warm-up)
    • 6:40 PM:  Blue Valley North Pregame Show!
    • 7:00 PM:  Game Kickoff.   BVN versus Bishop Miege
    • 7:45, estimated:  Halftime Performance
    • 9:30, Estimated, game finishes, load equipment and return to BVN.  You are dismissed/free to leave once your instrument and any other equipment is put away, and your uniform is hanging NEATLY AND NICELY in its uniform bag on the appropriate uniform rack.
  • Details for FB Game Performances:
    • FULL MARCHING UNIFORM!  (if the weather is really hot, we may consider going to a “summer uniform”, but for now – uniform is your FULL Marching uniform.)
      • Bring/wear from home:  BLUE Band shirt, your Shako (hat), gloves, marching shoes, LONG BLACK SOCKS – must be at least mid-calf length.  NO SHORT SOCKS.  Comfortable shorts to wear underneath your uniform.  Athletic shorts are the best.  Jeans are NOT recommended and do not work under the uniform pants.
      • If you ordered gloves and shoes at camp, they will be delivered to BVN.  Announcements will go out when they arrive and you can take them home!
      • Your Uniform – (Jacket and Bibbers) will be waiting for you at school.  We will spread them out by section, into a few different locations in the 600 hallway (band room, choir room, PAC lobby).  You will get into uniform in those locations.  If you wear your shorts/band t-shirt to school, you just pull your uniform on over your clothes… it works very easily!
    • TIMING:  the 5:30 departure is REAL.  We will leave at 5:30 whether you are on the bus or not – so, plan accordingly.  Do the backwards math from 5:30:  how long will it take you to get into uniform, get your instrument where it needs to be, get your music and anything else you need for the game, and get on the bus?  Then add 10 minutes to that time… it’s the first game in 2 years for a full marching performance – plan on something delaying you!
    • PARENTS:  plan to drop your students at BVN based on the timing above, and please know that we really have no idea when the FB game will be done.  We’ll get back to BVN as quickly as we can after the game, and your student is dismissed once their instrument, uniform, and any other equipment is appropriately put away.  Best guess is 10 PM.  We’ll have students text you when we’re on the bus heading back to BVN.

Friday, 9/3: Traditional Schedule (all 7 classes will meet) regular school day.  Enjoy the long weekend with Labor Day Monday off school!

BVN Band Calendar

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

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

  • Wind Ensemble Performances on Friday, February 25th (KMEA), and Sunday, February 27th (Lied Center/KU) have been added.
  • 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.

First up will be auditions for the ECKMEA District Honor Bands (all band students are eligible), and the Kansas Sousa Honor Band (for 9th Graders).  These are FANTASTIC experiences and well worth the effort to audition.  HIGHLY recommended for all students.

Please find all details of these and much more on our Extra Musical Experiences Webpage.
Audition Materials can be found on the Student Resources Login Page of the website.  Students should know the password.