Band Update: 8-19-2022

I must start with a sincere thanks to our students for a wonderful start to the school year.  2nd hour Concert/Freshman Band is going to be REALLY good.  Jazz Band has already read 2 charts, a bunch of scales, and begun improvising.  Marching Mustangs are off to a smokin’ start.  This is going to be a lot of fun!!

Also – THIS STAFF!!! World class educators, brilliant musicians and performers, and the BEST people.  I am lucky to work with them.  More importantly – what they do for our students every day is beyond my ability to describe.  WOW. HUGE thanks to Mr. B, Mrs. Sipes, Mr Solomon, Mr. Wagoner, and Mr. McCarty.

After a few days, I’m exhausted but totally energized, if that’s a thing!

Now to the business…

The next two weeks in the Band are exciting!  Monday morning 8/22 – make sure to catch the Marching Mustangs on TV with KMBC 9!  And we can also look ahead to our first home football game on September 2nd.. it’s coming up quickly!

Also, ALL Band students need to make sure they’ve checked a few beginning of the year boxes… band forms are due and we’ll release our course syllabi and band handbook next week.  Not as exciting as performances, but very necessary for a successful year.

As always, thank you for your careful reading and support of all things band!

-Mr. Freeman

Contents of the Band Update:  

  • The next Two Weeks Ahead, 8/22-8/26 and 8/29-9/2
    • MARCHING MUSTANGS:  lots for you in this:  KMBC 9 performance details, start of 7 AM rehearsals, first football game, and more!
  • 22-23 Band Forms: Due from all band students by the end of the month.
  • BVN Band Performance Calendar 22-23
  • Honor Bands – Audition Music!
    • Our Student Resources Page (ask section leaders for the password) has audition materials for BVN, ECKMEA Honor Bands, All-State Honor Bands, and the John Philip Sousa Honor Band
  • Student Resources Page on Band Website

The Next Two Weeks Ahead, 8/22 – 8/26 and 8/29-9/2

Week of 8/22/2022

Monday 8/22

  • Odd Block Class Schedule
  • Marching Mustangs Performance for KMBC 9’s Back to School Special – “Banding Together”!!!
    • Wear THIS YEAR’s NAVY BLUE Band Shirt!  This is a required uniform for everyone.
    • 6:30 AM:  on the East Turf Field, ready to go!
    • Perform 6:45-6:55ish.  News Chopper 9 fly’s over during this time to get aerial footage as well as camera crew on the field.
    • Shift to set-up for Johnny Rowlands’ live broadcast
    • 7:15 AM:  Live Broadcast.
    • When finished – Breakfast provided by the BVN Father’s Club!
    • After breakfast, we’ll continue with our first Monday “7 AM” rehearsal of the marching season.
    • Reminder that we’ll rehearse at 7 AM on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout marching season
      • On Mondays:  7AM to the end of 1st hour
      • On Tuesdays:  7 AM to approx 8:15 AM, with plenty of time to get inside for your 2nd hour class.

Tuesday 8/23:

  • Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start
  • Marching Mustangs 7 AM Rehearsal.

Wednesday 8/24:

  • Odd Block Class Schedule
  • Marching Mustangs Evening rehearsal at BVN
    • 5:30:  Color Guard and Percussion Begin
    • 6:30-8:30:  Full Ensemble

Thursday 8/25:

  • Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start

Friday 8/26:

  • Traditional schedule (all 7 periods)
  • At the end of the day:  BVN Fall Assembly.  ALL Members of the band from ALL Classes perform as one large pep band for this event.  You’ll dismiss a few minutes early from your 7th hour, grab instruments, and head to the gym!

Week of 8/29/2022

Monday 8/29

  • Odd Block Class Schedule
  • Marching Mustangs 7 AM Rehearsal

Tuesday 8/30:

  • Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start
  • Marching Mustangs 7 AM Rehearsal.

Wednesday 8/31:

  • Odd Block Class Schedule
  • Marching Mustangs Evening rehearsal AT THE DAC!
    • 5:30:  Color Guard and Percussion Begin
    • 6:30-8:30:  Full Ensemble
    • The “DAC” is the football stadium at 135th and switzer, immediately south of BVNW
    • After School: Marching Mustangs members should get everything they need for rehearsal, and meet us at the DAC for rehearsal.
    • More details to come re: trailer loading.
  • Band Forms due for all band students.

Thursday 9/1:

  • Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start

Friday 9/2:

  • Traditional schedule (all 7 periods).  Handbook and syllabus signature page assignment due for all band classes.  Handbooks, syllabi, and signature page assignment will be published the week of 8/22.
  • Marching Mustangs:  First Home Football Game Performance!
    • In FULL Uniform.  This includes uniform Coat, Pants, and Shako (hat).  Uniform Gloves and shoes (which will be delivered to BVN soon), and LONG Black Socks – AT LEAST mid-calf length.  MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR SHAKO, SHOES, GLOVES, and LONG ALL-BLACK SOCKS from home!!
    • Underneath the coat:  all students wear THIS YEAR’s Navy Blue Band Shirt.  This is a required part of the uniform.
    • By 4:00 PM:  Uniforms will be out and ready for students.  Plan to arrive at BVN in time to get into full uniform and load busses BEFORE our departure time.
    • By 5:30 PM:  Departure time for the DAC.  The official “call time” of the evening.  All students ON THEIR BUSSES by 5:30 PM, in full uniform, with everything they need for performance.
    • 5:45:  Arrive at DAC, unload, set up in stands.
    • 6:10:  Warm-ups on Softball Field
    • 6:45 PM:  BVN Band performs Pregame!  Parents make sure you are in your seats by 6:40!
    • 7 PM: Kickoff.  BVN versus Bishop Miege
    • 7:50 PM, estimated:  Halftime of the game, Marching Mustangs Take the Field!
    • After Halftime:  3rd quarter break for the band. Return to seats by or before the 4th quarter.
    • After the game finishes, load busses, return to BVN.
    • Students are dismissed when their instrument, music, and all supplies are properly put away, and their uniform is NEATLY hung back up on their assigned uniform rack.  Best estimate is 9:45 PM, but this is totally dependent on how long the game goes.  Students should text parents/rides to keep them in the loop with timing.

Band Forms and Dues

Like many activities, we need to collect a couple of forms from all band students at the start of each year.  In addition, we collect Fair Share Band Dues, which are critical in making the band experience possible for all students.  All of the details are below in the Complete Forms Packet.  Please know that Dues should NEVER cause a student to not participate in band.  If you have any concerns about dues, please email Mr. Freeman.

  • Complete Forms Packet
  • Student info/Dues E-Form (this one can be submitted in hard copy or online… hard copy is the first of the forms in the complete packet linked above)
  • Marching Mustangs:  should have already submitted their forms and dues during Band Camp.  If you have not, please do so ASAP.
  • All other Band Students (Concert, Freshman, and Jazz Band):  please submit your forms and dues by or before the final Friday in August – 8/26/22.

BVN Band Calendar 2022-2023

Honor Bands and BVN Audition Music

For students interested in a WONDERFUL musical experience that challenges and inspires, they should consider auditioning for these great honor band experiences.

The ECKMEA District Honor Bands are FANTASTIC, and earning placement in them is the first step towards becoming an All-State Musician, which is the highest musical honor given to individual students in the state of Kansas.  Students who make the EC bands are eligible to audition for the All State Bands.  ECKMEA All-District and KMEA All-State Groups are open to all students, grades 9-12.

  • Auditions for the EC Honor Bands are November 5th.  These will be live/in-person auditions are Gardner-Edgerton HS.
  • Audition Music can be downloaded on our Student Resources Page.  You can get the password from any older member of the band.
  • If you earn placement in one of the EC Honor Groups (there are three concert bands and one jazz band), then you rehearse and perform with these groups on Saturday, December 3rd.

The John Philip Sousa Honor Band is an incredible all-state level group for 7th-9th graders.  Students who make the group will participate in three days of rehearsals and performances in January, at KU.  This honor band experience is one of the BEST, anywhere, and is HIGHLY recommended for all of our 9th graders.

  • The Sousa Band uses recorded auditions.  The recordings have to be submitted by Mr. Freeman or Mr. McCarty. Recordings are due to Mr. Freeman by Wednesday 10/19.
  • CLICK HERE for audition music and more details.

BVN Spring Concert Bands:  All BVN Band Members will audition for placement in one of our spring concert bands.  BVN auditions will be held on Wednesday, 11/2.  Our audition materials will be excerpts of the ECKMEA District Honor Band Audition music.  You can find this music on our Student Resources Page.

Student Resources Page of the Band Website

The “Students only” section of our band website will be utilized throughout the year to distribute many resources to our students, behind a password wall.  Students can ask a director or any older member of the band for the password.  All students should familiarize themselves with this page, as it will be used quite a bit!