This is the schedule for Wednesday, September 14 to Tuesday, September 20.

Wednesday, September 14 – No band rehearsal during the school day………..BLOCK SCHEDULE. Our weekly rehearsal at the stadium will be held this evening. Students must be in their seat no later than 5:45 p.m. for this evening rehearsal. The entire drum line will rehearse with John this evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the high school band room. Students are to wear a white tee-shirt and dark shorts for this rehearsal so that I can see how the formations look from the stands. All aux. are also to dress the same.

Thursday, September 15 – Rehearsal for the instrumentalists will end at the conclusion of the school day. The aux. will practice until 4:00p.m.

Friday, September 16 – Rehearsal will end at the conclusion of the school day for everyone.

For this evenings home game
– Students must be dressed in their uniform and in their seat no later than 6:15 p.m. I suggest that you arrive no later than 6:00 p.m. Remember to bring your black band shoes and your black socks. You must also wear your band shirt under your uniform. Wear a pair of shorts so you can slip the uniform pants on easily. The students should be ready to leave the high school no later than 9:30 p.m. following this home football game. PARENTS – PLEASE WAIT OUTSIDE OF THE BAND ROOM FOR YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER. It is already quite congested in there after a performance. Absolutely no students (except those in the band) will be permitted to walk through the band room to get into the high school.

ALL SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS ARE TO BRING COOKIES (at least two dozen) TO THE HIGH SCHOOL BAND ROOM WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT 6:00 p.m. (Use non-returnable containers. The cookies are for the after halftime refreshments for both bands.)

Saturday, September 17 – The Lakewood High School Band Festival begins at 7:00 p.m. Students are to report to the high school before 5:30 p.m. There are ten bands at this festival and Westlake performs eighth. I predict that we will not perform before 8:15 p.m. There is a “Parade of Bands” around the track prior to the start of the event. I hope we have a good representation of people from Westlake attend this festival. Try to sit near the fifty yard line and be sure to wear something that says “Westlake!” The students should be ready to be picked up at the high school before 10:00 p.m. on Saturday following the festival.

Monday, September 19 – Rehearsal will end at the conclusion of the day for the instrumentalists. The aux. will practice until 4:00 p.m. Work on the new routine.

Tuesday, September 20 – The entire band will rehearse until 3:30 p.m. today. EVERYONE MUST STAY. We are learning more new music for Homecoming. The Majorettes, Debonaires, and Demonettes will practice until 4:30 p.m.

Please remember………

ALL PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY!! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A COMPLETE PERFORMANCE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT EVERY STUDENT IN ATTENDANCE!

Here’s the schedule for Wednesday, August 31 to Tuesday, September 6.

Wednesday, August 31 – Rehearsal will end at the conclusion of the school day. Our weekly rehearsal at the stadium will be held this evening. Students must be in their seat no later than 5:45 p.m. for this evening rehearsal. The entire drum line will have their first sectional rehearsal of the school year with John this evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the high school bandroom. I will dismiss the entire band at 8:00 p.m. from the stadium. Students are to wear a white tee-shirt and dark shorts for this rehearsal so that I can see how the formations look from the stands. All aux. are also to dress the same.

Thursday, September 1 – The entire band will stay after school today until 3:30 p.m. (The block schedule will not begin for another week.) The aux. will practice until 4:30 p.m.

Friday, September 2 – Rehearsal will end at the conclusion of the school day.

For the first home game on Friday, September 2.

– Students must be dressed in their uniform and in their seat no later than 5:30 p.m. I suggest that you arrive no later than 5:15 p.m. Remember to bring your black band shoes and your black socks. You must also wear your new band shirt under your uniform. Wear a pair of shorts so you can slip the uniform pants on easily. The students should be ready to leave the high school no later than 9:30 p.m. following the first home football game. PARENTS – PLEASE WAIT OUTSIDE OF THE BAND ROOM FOR YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER. It is already quite congested in there after a performance. Absolutely NO students (except those in the band) will be permitted to walk through the band room to get into the high school.

ALL SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS ARE TO BRING COOKIES (at least two dozen) TO THE HIGH SCHOOL BAND ROOM WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT 5:15 P.M. (Use non-returnable containers. The cookies are for the after halftime refreshments for both bands.)

A reception provided by the Music Boosters will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center for the members of the band and their families. Dr. Keenan and Mr. Freeman will both be there to help us “kick-off” the start of the first home game of the season. Please plan on attending. At 6:25 p.m., all parents and friends will form a tunnel at the main entrance to the stadium to welcome in our 2011-2012 marching band. Look for Mr. Rovniak at the main gate so that you know where to line up.

Monday, September 5 – ‘Labor Day’ – No school!

Tuesday, September 6 – The entire band will rehearse until 3:30 p.m. today. (We always stay later on Tuesdays.) The majorettes, Debonaires, and Demonettes will practice until at least 4:30 p.m.

Please remember……….

ALL PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A COMPLETE PERFORMANCE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT EVERY STUDENT IN ATTENDANCE!

This is the rehearsal schedule for 7/27 to 8/1

Wednesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 28 – Rehearsals for all NEW Debonaires, and Demonettes. Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 11:00 a.m.

Friday, July 29 – Rehearsal for ALL Majorettes, Debonaires, and Demonettes. Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, July 27 – Trumpet Rehearsal – 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Percussion Rehearsal – 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, July 28 – Trumpet Rehearsal – 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Percussion Rehearsal – 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Friday, July 29 – Freshman/new student rehearsal – 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
*I need the entire trumpet and percussion sections as well as several seniors at this freshman orientation to help out the new students!!!

Friday, July 29 – Percussion Rehearsal – 10:15 to noon

Monday, August 1 – Full marching band rehearsal for the entire Westlake H.S. Marching Band begins. Daily rehearsals are held at the high school from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon until school begins (Mondays thru Friday).

Picture Day will be scheduled once the date is confirmed with the photography studio.

Once school begins, the entire band will rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the stadium. We will also stay after school until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Rehearsals will lighten up near the end of the season. The percussion section will have additional rehearsals that will be scheduled by John. The auxiliaries will stay later on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. They will always be finished before 4:00 p.m. unless there is a real need to stay longer. (Additional evening rehearsals for the auxiliaries may also be scheduled.) ALL PERFORMANCES OF THE WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL BAND ARE MANDATORY!

The Westlake High School Band has a reputation of being one of the finest instrumental music programs in the entire state of Ohio. There are more students involved in the Westlake High School Marching Band than any other activity at Westlake High School.

Band is for the entire year at Westlake High School – not just one particular quarter. Only football players and football cheerleaders are exempt from marching band during the first quarter.

Auditions for the Symphonic and Concert Bands take place near the end of marching season (middle October). The band listed on your schedule for concert season is not necessarily the band you will be in next school year. With so many students in the band next school year, the scheduling of students in the Symphonic Band will be extremely competitive. If you are not already studying privately, I strongly suggest that you begin soon. Please consider switching instruments for the marching season so that the band will have a full sound! Also, check the quality of the instrument you are currently playing on.

You will receive a telephone call before summer rehearsals begin. Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Mr. Raymond S. Walczuk