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We have two guest commentators this newsletter!
Note to our 'band kids' from Debbie Ottarski (Brent's mom):
I have such a deep respect for all of you right now! Friday, you received news of quite a blow to your band. One of the only guarantees in life is that there will always be change of circumstances. All of us have two choices when faced with those changes. One, to acknowledge the change, dig in, work hard and rise above our circumstance. Two, we can lay down under our circumstance and be defeated by it. It speaks very highly of all of you , both as individuals and as a group, that you chose to meet the challenge...dig in and rise above your circumstance! Your performance on Saturday showed the work, the care, and the professionalism in which you bring to this organization. The class, decorum, and support that our eighth grade members showed on Saturday showed just how incredible all of you are!
The trophies that are won are incredible...but the quality of this band, it's members, and it's directors, are both inspiring and humbling.
You guys are exceptional!!
Greetings Hillwood Band Family & Friends from Alice Craft (Alex's mom):
What an incredible past several days we have had.
Being a "Channel 4 Cool School" was certainly a good reason to get to school early, very very early on October 3rd. I saw some of the broadcast and I believe Hillwood was shown in a wonderful light, especially several of our band members. If you are interested in what was broadcast, it may be on the wsmv.com website. Special thanks to the parents that got the lock-in coordinated off campus to help get a good turnout for this sudden scheduled school event.
The Traveler's Rest Invitational Competition (TRI) on Saturday at John Overton High School was a fairly good success for Hillwood Band. In light of the substantial membership changes that our directors were forced to make at the eleventh hour before the contest, I must say I feel a great sense of pride in how graceful our youth have handled the situation. It hurts when you work so hard, put your heart into an activity and then for whatever reason the "powers that be" make a proclamation that hits you hard in the gut, sending you a thousand steps backward forcing a change in plans. Although changes had to occur, we did have a great learning & performing opportunity for everyone involved. Hopefully, we can continue to allow cluster members not yet attending High School to work with the band in a capacity of Topper Helpers or Future Toppers, I dunno, let's come up with a good title for Band members in waiting that want to help us get things done. We definitely need their help. And we want their help.
Another note about TRI, the "Drill Down" was very entertaining. I must mention and offer kudos to Fareed Rafipour, Zack Sutton, and Maria Chavez who each did a great job stepping out to represent and take a try at what looked to be terribly difficult marching situation. The drill commands were fast, furious and probably hard to hear. Thanks for giving it a try.
Now moving on to something about which I feel a strong sense of responsibility. The uniforms we have are on the third year of a ten year use period. They have to last seven more years. To keep them in good shape, looking unworn, and like new, we must avoid unnecessary washing. Our Directors & Field Conductors put Band Members in the uniform for the show, for the absolute minimum amount of time as possible. For this reason it is unlikely that the uniforms need to be washed after every competition or football game. Also, Band Members were provided with Fariba's Febreeze in little bottles to spritz their jackets on inside to keep the offensive smells to a minimum. However, it is possible that the pants portion (or Halves) may need attention more often than the Jacket. If someone a feels the a particular uniform requires attention, be it a cleaning or repair operation, please simply mention it to uniform moms (Fariba Rafipour or Alice Craft). You may be asked to write the specific problem on a piece of paper, in any case the problem will get attention. We do need help getting the washing accomplished when it comes time, so if you are willing to get involved in doing a chunk of laundry, please let us know. Your help is greatly appreciated and will always be!
In an additional note about uniforms, We are apparently misplacing our wrist gauntlets. So we must come up with a plan for better accountability of these very critical parts of the uniform. If there is a Band Member who has a good idea of how to keep up with these, please let us know. More information to come on this item. In any case, we absolutely must throw down the gauntlet on the gauntlets!
From this Hillwood Band Mom, I must say thank you to everyone who works to keep things moving in a positive direction. We have a fantastic group of parents and staff working within our band family. It is great when more folks are able to help get things done. If you have something you want to share, a talent or ability to get things done, please don't hide! Your Band Family needs you! Sometimes the things we do seem impossible at first, but miracles are the routine and happen all the time around the Hillwood Band. Come see!
And finally, to anyone who is actively engaged in Band activity, please know you are appreciated. If you need acknowledgement (or something else to do?) let me know, I will certainly arrange for some appreciation! Our children are very appreciative and show it with the incredible show they perform, their wonderful manners, and their fantastic attitudes.
Yes, you can say, I LOVE YOU, HILLWOOD BAND!
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