Commentary
From Mr. Chester
Dear Band Families:
This weekend marks the ending of another successful competitive marching season. I cannot fully express the gratitude I have for all the parents who made this season possible, as well as for our new parents who jumped in to help without thinking twice.
The band members did a great job navigating through the many obstacles they faced throughout the season. The rain, though welcome, kept the band from being able to learn their dots in a timely manner and their uniforms from staying clean. There were hydration issues and minor injuries, but the band kept moving forward.
Despite challenges, there were good points as well. The weather was mild and kept the band members from having to "layer up" to practice in the freezing (literally) cold or hydrate every 15 minutes because it was too hot. Trophies were added the band's already large collection - so large we had to add another shelf to hold them all!
The band as a whole is young and has much to learn, but the young ones are off to a good start while the older band members can look back on a successful four years as members of the Hillwood High School Band.
On a final note, I would like to invite the families to watch at least one of the final two performances Saturday in support of the band and see the rewards of all those practices. (Directions to both competitions are included in the gig sheet.)
Though this may seem premature, I certainly believe we will have a successful day Saturday if we continue to work hard the next two days. Thank you all for your support and assistance and I look forward to seeing many you soon.
Warmest Regards,
Michael Chester
Music Director and Conductor
The Hillwood High School Band
Saturday Information:
The rehearsal hall doors will open at 7:15 AM. Students should be dressed in FIELD UNIFORMS and have instruments cleaned and ready to go. At 8:30 AM students should be "arched up" ready for the downbeat. We'll need plenty of extra hands available by 10:15 AM to help the band members load the truck.
Students need to have a lunch packed - between contests, they will be given plenty of time to rest, hydrate, and eat.. We should arrive back to Hillwood High School around 9:45 PM. ALL BAND MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO UNLOAD AND CLEAN BEFORE THEY ARE DISMISSED. We'll try to make this happen quickly, but we can always use additional parents help.
Estimated Timeline for Saturday below. (Please see Gig Sheet for full schedule.)
7:15 AM - Band rehearsal hall doors open
8:30 AM - Call Time - Athletic Field for rehearsal IN HALVES
10:15 AM - Load truck
1:30 PM - Band Performance #1 time
6:00 PM - Band Performance #2 time
7:30 PM - Awards begin
9:45 PM - Arrival at Hillwood High School
Additional Comments
No additional comments this week.
Calendar
OCTOBER
Oct 22 (Thu) - Metro Fall Break (no school)
- Rehearsal, dinner provided (1:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Oct 23 (Fri) - Metro Fall Break (no school)
- Rehearsal (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Oct 24 (Sat) - COMPETITION: Glencliff
- COMPETITION: Highland Ridge at Westmoreland
Oct 27 (Tue) - Rehearsal (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Oct 28 (Wed) - Sectionals (3:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
Oct 29 (Thu) - Rehearsal (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Oct 30 (Fri) - Football @ Overton
NOVEMBER
Nov 6 (Fri) - Middle School Performances (school hours)
Nov 10 (Tue) - Booster Meeting in the Rehearsal Hall (6:00 PM)
Nov 11 (Wed) - Veteran's Day Parade (school hours)
Nov 12 (Thu) - Hillwood Cluster Honor Band (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM)
Nov 13 (Fri) - Hillwood Cluster Honor Band (all day)
- Hillwood Cluster Honor Band Concert (6:30 PM)
Nov 21 (Sat) - Mid-State Jazz Auditions @ Hillwood (all day)
Nov 25 (Wed) - Metro Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
Nov 26 (Thu) - Metro Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
Nov 27 (Fri) - Metro Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
Email updates are provided by Hillwood High School Band Boosters.
Cindy Franco and Shirley Dansby,
Co-Vice Presidents for Media and Community Relations
