Band Notes for April 2008 Newsletter
2008-09 Symphonic Band Auditions
Materials are now available (beginning of April) for auditions that grant current 8th-11th instrumentalists admission and placement in next year’s Mardela High School Symphonic Band class. Students auditioning will be committed to after school practices, pep rallies, performances, engagements, and trips that the Symphonic Band and Warrior Marching Band incur through a full performance year.
All instrumentalists, including current 2007-08 Symphonic Band performers, must make tape-recorded auditions featuring specified scales, 2 musical selections (provided) and a short selection of their choosing. See Mr. Boltz for materials and instructions. All tapes are due by Thursday, May 1; late tapes will be accepted until Friday, May 9. Any late tapes will be scored and placed behind those submitted on time; students not submitting tapes will not be placed in the performing group.
Contact Mr. Boltz, (410)677-5170 or cboltz@wcboe.org, with any questions.
On Saturday, May 10, BingoMania 47 will be held by the Mardela Band-Aides, Inc. This is a big event, not only for the number of people who travel from our surrounding states and beyond to play in this high stakes evening of bingo, but also for the profit potential that it provides for the band.
Ultimately, the Band Organizations’ bottom line (and general amount of foot pain) is dependent upon the final number of players (700-1000+ people), the amount of band parent help, and enthusiasm of the crowd. By law, many responsibilities can only be done by people 16 years of age or older. In an ideal situation, we need 20 parents for Early-Birds, 20 parents for Instants, 20 parents to conduct business at tables and stations, and 10 parents to do miscellaneous tasks. Yes, that is 70 parents and students 16 years of age or older. We urge all parents grades 6-12 to assist in this big event; any job is easily explained, learned, and performed. Come to the Civic Center at 4:45p with good walking shoes.
Please look for a BingoMania form to come home in the middle of April, to be returned by May 6 by all students in the Middle School Bands, High School Band, Bandfront and Poms. Come out and help, for you will find this evening to be a BLAST Evening food and drink is provided.
Saturday Night Band Bingo continues with the committed help of 3 teams of dedicated, generous, enthusiastic parents. Doors open at 5:00pm in Mardela High School’s Cafetorium, Instants at 5:15pm, and regular play at 7:00pm.
Band Parents, whether you are committed to a team, or not, are encouraged to come out and mix with the other band parents and supportive community members. Jobs include Instants Sellers, Cash Attending, Ticket Attending, Calling, and organizing/setup. On a typical evening, we will earn the equivalent of a good 2-month-long candy sale (which we do not conduct).
Remaining Bingos before summer are few; but help would be greatly appreciated:
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 17.
Currently, we would like to train willing parents so that we can start the 2008-09 Bingo year with 3+ teams intact. You can show up to help without any previous notification. Contact Mr. Boltz at (410)677-5170 or cboltz@wcboe.org with any questions.
The Warrior Marching Band and Bandfront will be making a 2-day visit to Winchester, VA, for the 2008 Apple Blossom Festival, May 2 and3. On that Friday, the Symphonic Band will compete in a Concert Band Competition (very much like the District Festival, but with more stringent judging and no sight reading) followed by the entire marching unit competing in the Firemen’s Parade.
Saturday afternoon, the marching band will compete in the Grand Feature Parade.
Our parade this year is “In Defense of Freedom”, a patriotic statement that will be further exemplified by the band and poms sections forming a marching American Flag. Students need to come to April evening marching rehearsals (April 17, 22, and 30) already marching as-good-as or better than they marched in our extremely successful Christmas Parades.
A meeting of parents acting as chaperones will be held Wednesday, April 30, 7:30pm.
Upcoming Band Events:
Evening Marching Band Practices in preparation for Winchester: April 17, 22 and 30.
(Bandfront and Poms schedules will vary, but include the above dates)
April 10 Band Meeting (Wednesday, 7:00p in Bandroom)
April 21 Spring Concert: Orchestra, 6th Grade Chorus, Intermediate Band, 7:00p
May 2 & 3 Winchester, Va, Apple Blossom Festival
May 6 MMHS Choral Spring Concert, 7:00p
May 7 MMHS Spring Band Concert (Advanced, HS Symphonic, and Marching Bands)
May 10 Warrior Marching Band, Bandfront and Poms at Mardela Heritage Parade
(morning)
BingoMania 47
May 15 Band Incentive Trip to Lorenzo’s Dinner Theater (inquire about available
seats)
May 20 Band Awards Ceremony
Mid to End of May: Bandfront Auditions for the 2008-09 Bandfront Troupe
May 30 Graduation Ceremony (TBA)