Announcements 8/2/20

1)  Since we still don't know when the hotel in NY will open, we are going to distribute the refunds that we have right now, and distribute the portion of the refund from that one hotel whenever they open back up.  Starting this week, Thomas Tours will begin crediting payments made by credit card back to that card.  For all other payments made out of pocket, they will send refund checks to the school where I will then distribute them.  I will let you know when those checks come in.

2)  Seniors - If you can make it to the school between 10 am and noon on Monday, August 3, I want to get you in your uniform and take your picture for the senior banner.  If you can't make it during that time, message me so that we can find a time this week to get that done.

3)  Booster meeting this Thursday at 6:30 pm over Zoom.  

Announcements 7/26/20

1)  I have talked to the leadership team about our goals for Marching Band this year as move forward into the fall.  We are currently working on a plan to still have all the fun, keep the passionate and competitive spirit within our band, and continue growing as a top notch program this year.  We still plan on being outside when we can during class, still plan on improving marching fundamentals, and still plan on performing when we can, even it's in smaller groups.  More detailed information will come later since much of what we do depends on what the beginning of school actually looks like.  Either way, we are going to have fun and get everyone involved, whether it's at home or at school!

2)  The props team will be working again Tuesday night at 6:30.  

3)  I don't have any updates from NY.  I will send out a message ASAP if I hear anything new this week.  

Fall Announcement

It is with sadness that the SGCHS Band announces the cancellation of their Fall Competitive Marching Band season.  The risk of the safety of the students was too great. At marching competitions they would have been exposed to people from dozens of communities at a time and at rehearsals we could not have more than 50 people at a time without unnecessarily raising the risk of exposure to the virus.  Also, many competitions have recently been announcing their cancellation, limiting the performance opportunities available to us this fall.  Specifically, with today’s announcement that the Division II State Marching Band Championships were cancelled, we saw no reason to risk student safety by proceeding with a traditional competitive marching schedule.
  

Along with this comes the announcement of the cancellation of the 2020 Hornet Invitational.  I will begin contacting the judges and vendors to let them know.  I thank those who have already put in work for this event, and I look forward to hosting this great event again as soon as we can.


We are still going to have Marching Band this fall in some form.  It is going to look different but I am still going to put the same effort and passion into making this year just as memorable for the Band as any other year.  Be prepared to roll with the punches, be willing to change directions and plan on a dime, and be ready to have fun as we look forward to being together again in the SGC Band this fall!  Go Band!

Announcements 7/19/20

1)  Since the Tournament of Rose Parade has been moved to next year, all payments toward the trip have been delayed by a year.  So do not worry about the payment coming up next month.  You may even get an automated email saying that the payment is due soon, but we have been told by the tour company to ignore that if it still goes out to anyone.  Look for the email that the tour company sent out about the next steps to take for the Rose Parade.

2)  The Props work team will be working this Thursday night at 6:30.  

3)  A decision about the Fall will be made next week.  Our plan when we postponed Band Camp was to re-evaluate the COVID-19 situation at the end of July and decide our next move toward the fall.  I want to re-iterate that whether a student chooses to attend school or stay at home, it will not affect their status as a member of the Band.  It may look different and work a little different, but everyone will be a part of this band and a part every performance that we are able to have

Tournament of Roses Parade

It is now official.  The Tournament of Roses Parade has been postponed for a year.  According to their press release:

"With reluctance and tremendous disappointment, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association announces that, in accordance with Governor Newsom’s Phase IV re-opening schedule, and after thoughtful consideration of the restrictions and guidelines in place as a result of COVID-19, we are unable to host the 2021 Rose Parade.

Click here for the full statement: https://tournamentofroses.com/pasadena-tournament-of-roses-unable-to-host-2021-rose-parade-on-new-years-day/

We will now be performing as a Mass Band in the January 1, 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade.  Current Seniors will still be eligible if they choose to perform with us, and current 8th graders will now be eligible since it will be their freshman year when we perform.  More updates will be given as they arrive.  

Announcements 7/12/20

1)  We will have a booster meeting over Zoom this Tuesday at 6:30 pm.  I will send the link out Tuesday afternoon. 

2)  Props build team will work Thursday starting at 6:30 pm.  

3)  We are still waiting on the hotels to open up to get our refunds from the NY Trip.  I will give you an update early this week when I ask for another update.  I am still expecting it any day now.  

4)  As everyone ponders on your decision of how to return to school, know that as far as band goesyou will still be a part of the band whether you decide to stay home or attend school.  My primary concern is the student's safety and well-being.  We still don't entirely know what the fall brings, but know that I will work with every student to make sure they are improving as musicians and improving as Color Guard performers whether they are at school or at home.  "Flexible" is going to continue to be the key word this fall, and I intend to do what it takes to make sure every student stays safe yet still continues to learn. 

Announcements 6/28/20

1)  With Band Camp not happening in July now, it's time to get creative on how we can keep our musical and physical abilities improving before we are able to get back together.  Students, talk to your section leaders about some ways that could help you stay sharp musically, and some ways that we could keep in shape while keeping it fun.  Then the leaders can share any ideas with me so that we can fine tune them.  Remember we will be re-evaluating at the end of July what the next month or so of Band will look like. 

2)  The props team will still meet Monday night at 6:30 to work on the props.

3)  The email I received from Thomas Tours regarding hotels opening back up slowly was that the hotels were hoping to get the refunds out to all the groups "very soon".  This is a good time to let you know how refunds will be handled when they do come in.  We will set up times at the front office of the high school where the school bookkeeper and administration can help me give refunds out in an organized manner.  For those not going to the Rose Parade:  Only money paid out of your pocket will be refunded, so double check your checkbook to make sure we are paying you back the correct amount.  Any money raised by fundraisers will go back into the general Band account.  For those going on the Rose Parade:  You have the option of receiving back money that you paid for the NY trip, or transferring it straight into your Rose Parade trip account.  Any money raised by NY fundraisers will be automatically transferred to your Rose Parade account.  More details will come when we get a definite date for the refunds.