Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of Bay Rocket Marching Band Members:
Greetings! We are looking forward to another great marching band season this year. I want to first make sure you have subscribed to emails on our Bay Music Boosters website. Please ensure we have an up-to-date email address for you, and that the current performing group(s) your student participates in are selected (i.e. marching band, concert band, jazz ensemble, etc.). We will send out important information throughout the year using the email address you provide. On the Booster website, you can also find the instrumental music schedule, announcements, and music forms. It is a great place to go when you have a question about a date, time, or procedure.
Practice Schedule
Percussion Camp
July 27-31, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
All Freshmen (and any new Marching Band Members), Squad Leaders, and Field Commanders
July 29-30, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
All Marching Band Members
July 31, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Full Band Camp (All Marching Band Members)
Aug. 3-6, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Aug. 7, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (PICTURE DAY for marching band)
Practices continue throughout August and into the fall season. Please make sure you follow the Band Calendar. Other important dates to note include:
Thursday, July 30th, 6:30 p.m.—Marching band meeting/picnic for all parents (no students)
Saturday, Aug. 15th, 9:00 a.m.—Door-to-door fundraiser—all students are required
Friday, Aug. 21, First football game—Home Ashland High School
Additional information about these dates and others will be distributed during the week of Band Camp. Please mark your calendars now. If you have a conflict, please let me know as soon as you know about it. One person missing leaves a hole in our performance. All these students made a commitment to this group, and work, birthdays, Guardians tickets, dinner conflicts, rock concerts, etc. are not acceptable excuses for missing practices or performances.
We will obtain your student’s Emergency Medical Form from Bay High School. You will receive a link to fill it out from the High School sometime over the summer. Please make sure you fill it out before Aug. 7th so we have it well before the first football game.
Please note that again this year, I am asking every marcher to have a binder with non-glare sleeves that they will use to put their music and drill charts in. This will help students hold onto their music throughout the marching band season. We will begin using the binders at our first rehearsal. Please also remember that shoes appropriate for marching are required at our practices (i.e. tennis shoes—no flip-flops or heels). Students with inappropriate footwear will be asked to get some before practicing. As always, it will be very hot, so use sunscreen, eat a good breakfast, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Ear protection is highly encouraged, especially for percussionists. You can find disposable earplugs at the pharmacy (get the highest decibel cut-out).
Please consider volunteering or chaperoning for a game. We cannot run the marching band without parental help. If you chaperone you can get in free to the game. There is a new requirement for chaperoning, you will need to be fingerprinted by the Board Office. If you have been approved recently it lasts five years so you should be good to go. Please use the link below to schedule a background check. Be sure to bring your driver’s license. They do not charge for volunteers. It will take about 5 mintues… Schedule an appointment through this link:
I am looking forward to hearing this wonderful group of students, plus we have some great shows planned for this year! If there are any questions, please feel free to contact me at darren.allen@bayschoolsohio.org. Thank you for your support!
Musically Yours,
Darren Allen
Director of Bands