If your family is anything like mine, we have one more week of summer before life gets a lot more hectic.  Are you ready?  I'm not sure I am, but ready or not we must march on (pun intended).  

Here are a few tidbits for this week:

1.  HOME football games - The first home football game is this Thursday, September 3.  Band members should arrive to the HS by 5pm in uniform.  They should eat something before they go as they are not fed prior to the game.  They do get to roam about during the third quarter and many hit the concession stands then, but otherwise they must sit together in the stands for the other quarters of the game.

2.  Run-throughs - At the end of Monday and Tuesday evening practices the band typically ends with a full run through of the show so far.  Show your support by walking over to the stadium to watch their progress throughout the fall.  It's a great way to see where your child is on the field because once they're all in uniform it's much more difficult to spot your very own child!  

3.  It's been a cool week, and despite the forecast for the upcoming week, the cold is coming.  Some of those performances in the late fall are bitterly cold.  Prepare now by making sure your student has the necessary leggings/long underwear/under armour cold gear/whatever you want to use to keep your student warm.  These items can be worn under the marching band uniform but they MUST be black and the top must not have any sort of turtleneck collar (mock neck or otherwise).

For those of you who are new to marching band, one thing that may surprise you this fall as you begin to see the marching band perform and compete, is that two shows are never just alike.  The show is ever changing and evolving throughout the season.  The show you see at half-time of the football game this Thursday will not be complete.  The performance at our first competition in Rockford will be different than the show in Bowling Green and our performance in Belding.  Each practice throughout the fall, as well as during class time, will add more to the performance.  While some changes will lengthen the program, some changes add dynamics, more flare, always something to make it better, more creative, to add distinction.  This is part of what makes being a marching band parent so much fun!  Last year I must have seen the show dozens of times at run thorughs, competitions, and practices but I never got tired of it.  It's amazing to see how hard everyone works to create this show.  

Interested in a Jenison Band sticker for your car?  Jodi Rysko sells these at the SCRIP table on Monday nights when she is able to be there.  She will be there this Monday, 8/24 selling show shirts as well.  Please contact Jodi ([email protected]) if you'd like to purchase stickers and want to know when she'll be at the SCRIP table.  SCRIP is available Monday nights from 6-8 outside the HS band room.

OK, so I think it's time to start talking about competition season.  It's right around the corner and it's going to hit at one of the busiest times of the year so it's best to be prepared.  The schedule for competitions is on the band website calendar so I'll leave out those details, but here are some basics.

1. Nationals in Indianapolis - Why do I start with the last competition you ask?  For very good reason.  If you are even THINKING about going to Indy November 12-15 you should secure hotel reservations now.  The rooms are going fast and will only continue to do so.  Whether or not you are sure of your plans, book a hotel with free cancellation and you will be able to cancel for any of the days later, but if you wait and decide last minute to make the trek...trust me, you'll be frustrated.  Jenison is tentatively scheduled to perform around 10:45PM on Thursday, November 12.  If they make it past the first round they will play again on Saturday.  The kids will arrive home early Sunday morning.

2.  Local competition days - On Saturdays when the kids have local competitions the day goes like this:  Practice at the HS from about 9am-4pm and then they eat together (Feed the Band).  After dinner they head to the evening competition (Rockford, Belding, Reeths Puffer (at Rockford)).  They arrive back to the HS usually between 10 & 11pm.  The specifics for each competition will be posted early the week of on the band website under "NEWS".

3.  Competiton at Bowling Green State University (Ohio) - This year the band performs at approximately 2:30pm.  The top ten bands perform again after dinner.  They head for home around 11pm and arrive back between 2-3am. 

4.  Homecoming - Sat. Oct. 3, the day of the Homecoming Dance there is NO PRACTICE!!!  

5. State Competition at Ford Field -  This year we will be performing in the early afternoon.  At the state competition there is only one performance and awards are given at the end of each Flight so the band will be done by late afternoon.  In the past people have organized having a tour bus transport parents to and from the state competition...let us know if you are interested in organizing this!

Have you ordered your show shirt yet?  You've seen them, because your child has received his/hers, but have you purchased one for yourself and any other fans?  Orders can be dropped off at the SCRIP table outside of the band room tonight 8/17 and next Monday 8/24.  You can choose a t-shirt in either long or short sleeves ($15) or even a sweatshirt. Show shirts provide a way for us to show our solidarity and support our kids.  It's especially nice for new parents who may not know many other parents as those wearing show shirts are easy to identify at competitions and football games.  Order forms are available at the SCRIP table and all orders are due 8/24.  Don't miss out! 

I thought a little educational disclaimer might be in order.  This blog was approved by the Jenison Band Directors but is completely edited by band parents.  My vision was to have a place that new parents in particular would be able to get a few helpful hints about how to navigate this giant called marching band.  I found that in my first year I always wanted MORE information...and the band directors do a great job of giving very detailed information (did you see the band camp packet?) but it doesn't always come to me as early as I'd like, because I'm a bit of a planner, and I like to know what's going on, early, like in advance, not the week of, get my drift???  So while I hope to give you some general advice, please know that this is not the "official" site for Jenison Marching Band information.  As the season goes on, you will find that www.jenisonbands.org will give you plenty of details about up coming events under the "NEWS" heading.  Typically the itinerary for any weekend competition is posted early that week.  This blog is the place for the insider information, the "tips and tricks" so to speak.  If you have any ideas for posts or topics you'd like to see covered, please send us an email (look for Blog under "contact").

Though I have not witnessed it myself, I'm told the kids are doing great!  The chaperones are working hard to encourage everyone to stay hydrated.  I don't know about you, but I'm really excited to see what they've been working on this Friday at the community performance @ the high school.  Be sure to bring Grandpa & Grandma out to watch the show Friday @ 7:30.  Here are a few pictures of the week so far.