University Band Update: 8/18-8/23

WEEKLY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Our normal rehearsal schedule is: Tuesday/Thursday 5:15-8:15 (Full Band) & Sectionals every Wednesday (Brass and Woodwinds rehearse every other week; Percussion is every week) – Brass/Woodwinds: 3:45-5:45pm; Percussion 4pm-7pm

GENERAL BAND PARENT MEETING – 8.26.08; 7PM
Join us for our first general band parent meeting on Tuesday, August 26th from 7pm-8pm. It is very important that all parents attend this meeting as we will be discussing the nuts and bolts that provide the backbone of the University Band Program. The band program cannot do anything without the support of an active band parent organization. Please make every effort to attend.

ALL-STATE BAND AUDITIONS
All students interested in trying out for All-State must sign up on Monday, August 18th. The cost is $20 to audition for all-state. Auditions will be on September 20, 2008 at Ocoee High School. All students interested in trying out for all-state are encouraged to go to the UCF All-State Preparation clinic on Saturday, August 23rd. You must register online at: http://music.ucf.edu/camps/allstate.php.

ZERO PERIOD JAZZ BAND
If you are interested in participating in a Jazz Band, you must have reliable transportation every day and the zero period available in your schedule. All students interested must show up at 8:30am on Monday 8/18. We will keep an open enrollment until Wed 8/20. Rosters will be finalized on Wednesday.

MARCHING BAND IS A REQUIRED PART OF BAND AT UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
There are a number of students that did not attend Band Camp during the summer. All students enrolled in a band class must participate in the marching program. The only exceptions to marching band are: (1) Religious, (2) Medical, or (3) Extraordinary Circumstances. Parent contact with a director is necessary to be considered excused from the marching program. If there are students that are enrolled in a band class that are excused from marching band, they will have a 4-Page Weekly Paper assigned on Monday and due on Friday for the duration of the marching season. All students that are excused from the marching program with “extraordinary circumstances” will also be required to perform in the stands at all home and away football games.

WHERE DO I GO FOR BAND INFORMATION?
The latest band information can be found at our website: www.uhsband.com. You can link to our Charms Site from the band website. You can access student financial reports as well as view the calendar. If you have forgotten your charm’s password, please e-mail Mr. Obado (philip.obado@ocps.net)

TWO FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
We have two fundraising opportunities currently running.
(1) PROGRAM ADS: Students receive 80% of the profit. Program ads range from $25-$100 per ad. All ads are due on Friday, August 22nd.   http://www.uhsband.com/2008-2009/Program Ad Form.pdf
(2) CHEESECAKE SALES: Students receive 35% of all profits. Forms are available from the band room. The orders/money are due no later than Thursday, September 4. Cheesecake pick-up will be Wednesday, October 1st.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
While there is a financial commitment to participating in the band program, we know that there are some individual situations that may make this difficult. Students should not drop band because of the financial commitments. The directors work hard to ensure everybody´s participation regardless of financial situation. There is a place for all students who want to be in the band program. Fundraising is available. Please contact a director about financial concerns.

Reminder: $50 was due on June 6 to band camp to cover band camp expenses. The first marching band deposit ($100) is due on Friday, August 15th and a guard deposit ($50) was due by August 9th. You can check all due dates at: http://uhsband.com/2008-2009/Assessment 08-09.pdf. Remember that you can fundraise all of your financial commitments.

THE NEXT THREE WEEKS

Sincerely,