Weekly Band News: Oct 31 – Nov 6

February 28, 2022
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS

  • Concert Band practices will be from 4 pm – 5:15 pm on Wednesdays for Symph Band 1 and Thursday for Symph Band 2 starting on November 3rd/4th.
    • NOTE: Due to mandatory faculty meetings at OCHS, the Symphonic Band 2 rehearsals have been moved to Thursday afternoons 
  • 2022 Orlando Band Trip: 
    • The next trip payment is due November 12th.
    • See the trip section below for details!
  • All-District and All-State Band audition registration form and fee ($6.00) were due by Friday, Oct. 29. The audition will be held on Sat. Nov. 20 at OCHS. This doubles as the All-District Audition and the First Round All-State Audition
    • If you missed this deadline, you need to contact Mr. Centers–Please do not put form/money in the Band safe for this after the deadline.
    • Students will perform TWO scales and BOTH All-State Audition Etudes
    • Registration Form for All-District/All-State Band Audition
  • All-District Jazz Audition Form and Fee ($6.00) were due by Friday, Oct. 29. The audition will be held on Sat. Nov. 20 at OCHS
    • If you missed this deadline, you need to contact Mr. Centers–Please do not put form/money in the Band safe for this after the deadline.
    • Students will perform the required scales for jazz band district audition, the audition piece, and any additional items as discussed in class.
    • Registration Form for All-District Jazz Band Audition
  • All-State Jazz Audition Registration Form is available here. Jazz band students have been given the etudes, scales and information for this audition to begin preparation for the audition. All-State Registration form is due by Monday, Nov 1 along with the $10 audition fee. Make checks payable to OCHS Band. 
  • The application season for the 2022 Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) is upon us!  See the section below for details on this amazing program.
  • The online band spirit wear store is open!  Use this link to order additional band shirts, hats etc.  
  • We are compiling a band directory.  Please opt in to include your student and family information here in order to help everyone be in touch as needed!  Complete the google form using this link.
  • Attention Parents:  We are hosting All District Auditions at OCHS on Saturday, November 20th and we will need 30+ volunteers for the day to make it successful.  Most of the time slots are in the afternoon/early evening with a few folks needed in the morning.  Needs include:  
    • Here is the All District sign-up genius link.
    • Supplying Dinner/Dessert for the judges
    • Work the check in table at the front door, monitor hallways, check in tables at audition rooms, and monitoring the warm up room
    • Sell ice cream/concessions
    • Setup and Takedown
  • JAZZ BAND CONCERT: will be held on Thursday, Nov 11 at 7:00pm in the OCHS Cafeteria
  • The November Band Booster meeting will be held on 11/15/21.

CONCERT BAND PRACTICE UPDATES:

If there are post season games for football, the band will play for games that are held at OCHS as a pep band from the stands. We will not perform the halftime show past Oct 29.  The first post season game will be an away game.

Concert Band practices will be from 4 pm – 5:15 pm on Wednesdays for Symph Band 1 and Thursday for Symph Band 2 starting on November 3rd/4th.

Sight Reading Factory Accounts:

The sightreadingfactory.com accounts for students have been renewed. All students must set up (or extend) their accounts at this time.   This is a valuable tool to help students prepare for auditions, practice for LEVELS and become a better musician! Students can access this great resource from any device that has internet access.

If a student is activating a SRF account for the first time:

If a student has had a SRF account in the past and is renewing their account:

 FUNDRAISING REMINDERS:

  • It’s not too late to order gift cards through Scrip to earn money for the band!  Here is some information:  Website: ShopwithScrip.com
  • Our Enrollment Code: D7944F4229834
  • Amazon Smile:  In your Amazon account, set your charity as as the “Oldham County High School Band Boosters”
  • Kroger Community Rewards:  Oldham County High School Band or code QJ874 

GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

The application season for the 2022 Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) is upon us! GSA’s summer program is a transformational tuition-free experience that provides access to scholarship opportunities at nearly 30 colleges/universities, and we hope to see an applicant pool that represents the many places, identities, and perspectives of the Commonwealth!

Current high school sophomores and juniors can apply for GSA 2022 between November 3 and January 9, but GSA encourages prospective applicants to start by attending their informational webinars that begin next month on October 6 (recordings of the webinars will be made available afterward, as well).

Here are two printable flyers:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d_ZGYqXjmHJnNkq4CDNbUm_oIGZ3BWd1/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k10EfEj2mvY5iV_L22SPSkVYCh2b5U52/view?usp=sharing

Here is the application timeline:https://www.kentuckyperformingarts.org/education/governors-school-for-the-arts/prospective-students/attend-an-info-session-or-prep-workshop

Students and their advocates may contact GSA with any questions at 502.566.5192 or [email protected].

BAND LEVELS:

Congratulations to our very first LEVEL 10 band member, Hannah Centers completed her last item to achieve Level 10 status!

We currently have 2 Level 8 students, ~5 Level 5 students, ~8 Level 4 students, ~12 Level 3, ~20 Level 2, ~20 Level 1 and ~42 students who have not “leveled up” by completing the first set of skills for Level 1. 

Students are encouraged to take the initiative and set up times to continue leveling up throughout the year! 

  • The Band Levels Program is a skills based learning program that takes students through the most basic skills to more advanced levels
  • Students are graded on their levels progress (Level 1 through Level 10). 
  • Students have many options for “leveling up”: students can schedule a time with Mr. Centers in the morning before school, during LEAD time, after school, and during “level up days” in class. Students may also “level up” with approved private teachers and section coaches. 
  • Online submissions for LEVELS is available now. Students who have completed Level 1 may submit levels items online through Google Classroom using the Google Form found in Assignments. 

BAND PHOTO REQUEST:

  • Say cheese!!! Did you capture any great pics of the band in action?  Please upload them to this location!  It is a tradition to have a slideshow at our end of year celebration – pictures and videos saved here are the perfect way to be sure all band members and events are celebrated!
  • A BIG thank you to Erika Watt who started a folder in our shared drive full of pictures from senior night.
    • Senior Night Folder Google Drive Link
    • There are 467 pictures, but please try to look at them all if you have a Senior. There should be at least a couple of pictures of each Student and their family.  I apologize if I wasn’t able to capture the Best pictures. I did try to crop several to give you better options but also left most of the originals, so you could make changes to them.
    • Parents of Seniors should be proud! What a great group of kids! 😊

REMIND Text for OCHS Band 

Remind Texts will be used to notify parents of the OCHS Band of any special announcements or reminders 

This is an optional communication that you can choose to join to be notified of special announcements and reminders 

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO SIGN UP FOR REMIND TEXTS 

BAND TRIP 2022

Below is a link to the documents handed out during the Band Trip Meeting along with an additional sheet that has information for Parents/Families that want to book the trip without the Bus Transportation ($400 less). 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1P1zrDn5CfdMqCWDbwM-CULsl2Ufp92sw?usp=sharing

The next payment is due Friday, November 12th.

Band Trip Info from Taylor Tours:  Below is a link that will allow you to purchase the Group Travel Protection Plan for your trip. Rates are based on overall trip cost and not age. You will need to enter your full trip cost for accurate coverage. You will need to make your purchase prior to final trip payment in order to qualify for the pre-existing medical condition waiver. Please view the group marketing for rates and schedule of coverages then click the link to purchase. You can purchase one plan at a time. For questions on the plan, coverage or procedures, please contact the Group Desk at Travel Insured 844‑440‑8113.

https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=135070&guid=55f4378bdb2045b7b8f8f9922b332f84

OLDHAM COUNTY COMMUNITY BAND

Are you or your student musician interested in joining the Oldham County Community Band?  

Students who rehearse and perform with this ensemble can claim Beta or NHS community service hours…as a bonus, they’ll have a horn on their face for at least two additional hours a week, reading and performing music they won’t see in their school ensemble rehearsals!  What a deal…

The OCCB has plenty of room for students on any woodwind, brass or percussion instrument, but those who play double reeds, clarinet, horn, flute or percussion would be huge in balancing the group and opening up even more repertoire possibilities.

 Any kid you consider an “advanced” middle schooler (grade 2-3 capable; good readers) will be able to hang on; most high schoolers fit in right away.  There is no audition or membership fee involved for students. 

The group generally performs grade 3-4 concert literature, marches, popular music medleys and show tunes.  The plan for post-COVID includes performances in late October/early November, Christmas, mid-winter (February/early March) and spring.  Check out the informational flier here!

BAND COMMUNICATION

We communicate band news through various channels and additional channels (Google Classroom, Remind) will be added as the school year begins.  Please feel free to pass this information to other new parents who may not be receiving communication yet.

  • Emails: Each Sunday evening, an email is sent with details of the week’s band activities, as well as a preview of upcoming events.  This is our main source of communication.  If it’s a busy week, or there is new information since Sunday, a Wednesday email will be sent out as well.  You may request to be placed on the email list by emailing your students Name, Grade and Instrument to [email protected].  
  • Facebook: The Band Boosters group maintains a private Facebook group called Oldham County HS Band Boosters!  You can request to join through Facebook and we’ll add you.  This is a good place to get quick answers to your questions, as many people will see your post fairly quickly. 
  • Contact Information:  For Band Booster questions and business, please use the band booster email [email protected].

SAVE THE DATES – Important Dates – 2021 & 2022 School Year

  • Nov 3rd & 4th Concert Band Rehearsals Begin:
    • Band 1 is on Wednesdays from 4pm – 5:15pm.
    • Band 2 is on Thursday from 4 pm – 5:15 pm.
  • Thur. Nov 11: Jazz Cafe 7:00pm in the OCHS Cafeteria
  • Sat., Nov. 13: UofL Marching Band Day (optional – $20 fee)
  • Mon. Nov 15:  Band Booster Meeting
  • Sat., Nov. 20: All-State First Round Auditions (All-District Auditions) @ OCHS
  • Sat., Dec. 11: All-State Final Round Auditions @ John Hardin HS, Elizabethtown
  • Sat. Dec. 11: All-State Jazz Band Auditions @ John Hardin HS, Elizabethtown
  • Tuesday, Dec. 14: OCHS Holiday Concert @ OCHS Auditorium
  • Fri.-Sat., Jan. 7-8: All-District Band Weekend
  • Tue., Jan. 25: KMEA Conference Preview Performance (Symphonic Band 1)
  • Wed.-Sat., Feb. 2-5: KMEA All-State Ensembles and State Conference
  • Fri., Feb. 4: KMEA Conference Performance at KICC (Louisville) (Symphonic Band 1)
  • Sat. March 5: KMEA Solo and Ensemble Assessment at NOHS
  • Tues., March 8: KMEA Assessment Preview Concert at OCHS
  • Wed.-Fri., March 16-18: KMEA Large Ensemble Assessment (exact date/time will be set by KMEA)
  • April 2-8: OCHS Florida Band Trip (optional)
  • Week of April 18: Recital Night (Date TBD)
  • Week of April 25: Chamber Ensemble Concert (Date TBD)
  • Week of May 16: GALA Concert (Date TBD)

VOLUNTEER & SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES

The OCHS Band Boosters is needing volunteers for open positions for the coming year.  Board positions are elected positions called out in the By laws and include the officer positions and the class reps.  Committee Positions are non-elected positions.

After surveying those currently serving, the following positions are open for next year:

  • Board (all positions except Treasurer are up for elections but the following do not have someone rerunning).
  • Committee Coordinators
  • All District Co-chair to work with previous year’s coordinator.
  • Alumni Coordinator

In addition, all committee positions are always open to shadowing or additional help.  The committees below have Senior parent this year and would be great to have someone shadowing next year that could take over the following year:

  • Sponsorships
  • Mums Sale Coordinator
  • Directory
  • Instrument Rental
  • Band Website Support
  • T-shirts

Please email [email protected] if you are interested in filling any of the roles listed above or if you are interested in shadowing any committee.  If you would like more details on each position’s role, please feel free to email [email protected] or contact the current coordinator. 

BAND BOOSTER LEADERSHIP

Board Members for 2021-2022

  • President – Chad Adams
  • Vice President – Brandon Gossett
  • Secretary – Melissa Gossett
  • Treasurer – Lisa Zahradnicek
  • Treasurer-Elect – Angela Schmidt
  • Senior Member-at-Large: Katie Fuller
  • Junior Member-at-Large: Stephanie Skeens
  • Sophomore Member-at-Large: Natalie Dorris
  • Freshman Members-at-Large: Mary Tatum

Access the Band Booster Board and Committee Leaders Contact List for additional names and contact emails using this Band Booster Board and Committee Leaders Contact List link.