Here we go...two weeks left!  This is when it gets really exciting.  If you cannot make it to State or Nationals, be sure to stop out at GVSU on Friday for the last half hour (at least).  You need closure.  : )  A detailed schedule should be out Monday or Tuesday for the rest of the season.   
jenisonbands.org/news/

State Competition at Ford Field

If you did not pre-purchase tickets, you MUST HAVE CASH to purchase them at Ford Field.

We play at 6:15pm on Saturday.  Flight II starts performing at 3:45pm.  I enjoy watching all the bands in Flight II, remember these are the top 12 bands in the state this season (in our flight), and many of them we have not yet seen perform.  If you only want to see Jenison, just remember to allow yourself enough time to park, walk to the field, and find your seat.  Remember your etiquette, you cannot enter the stands when a band is performing so be early.

Check out www.fordfield.com to see their bag policy.  They say the same policy applies.  My experience has been that they are not too strict, but it's a good idea to check it out.  They will check  your bag on the way in.

Nationals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy
If you are traveling to INDY, please note that our preliminary performance is at 2:45pm on Thursday, November 10.  

Bands perform in prelims all day Thursday and Friday.  Each band only performs once during these two days.  On Friday night they announce the semi-finalist bands.  If we make semi-finals we will perform again on Saturday.  Finals are Saturday evening for the top 10 bands.  

Our band will leave Indy after finals on Saturday evening.  This is true whether or not they make semi-finals or finals.  If the band is not in finals, they watch the top 10 bands perform.  

Check out this website for more information about ticketing for Grand Nationals.  You have to purchase separate tickets for each day and separate tickets for semi-finals and finals (even though they are both on Saturday).  
www.musicforall.org

Don't forget that uniform check ins occur again this Monday and Tuesday for State and then again the following Monday and Tuesday for Nationals.  

On Friday the students will rehearse at GVSU from 5-10pm.  This is a great opportunity to come out and watch the show, especially if you are unable to attend State and/or Nationals.  There will be a complete run through at the end of the practice, but parents are welcome to come and watch for any part of the rehearsal.  There will be cookies...

Rehearsal on Halloween is scheduled for 6-9pm.  There will also be uniform check in that night for juniors and seniors in preparation for their State Competition.  Check out sign up genius to help with uniform checks...

State   www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c49aeaa23a02-uniform10

Nationals   www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c49aeaa23a02-uniform9

Perhaps you've noticed that almost everyone at the band competitions is wearing some gear that represents their school and/or band.  It takes no effort to identify what community any person represents.  Therefore it's easy to form opinions about their community based on how they act.  This goes both ways... the way WE act represents not only us, but the entire Jenison community.  The band directors talk to the students a lot about the importance of representing our school well.  When they are in uniform or wearing their Jenison Bands jacket, they should be aware of how they are treating others, the language they are using, and the actions they take.  The Jenison Band program has the reputation it has because of this dedication of the students and band directors, techs, and parents to represent Jenison well.  While it was fun to take first in the competition last week, it is also important to acknowledge that our competition was pretty amazing too.  So have fun, cheer for our band, and be grateful when they win.  But please, remember who we represent and how hard EVERY band works.  

When you arrive to volunteer this Saturday, be sure to check in first.  Check-in is located in the atrium by the HS cafeteria. At check in you will get your hand stamped (so you get in free) and other important things (like your free meal ticket).  If you are volunteering later in the day, you can check in anytime to get your hand stamped so you can enjoy the band performances prior to your shift!  

The Jenison Invitational is only 6 days away!  This is the largest competition in the state and it lasts from the wee hours of the morning until late into the evening.  The first half of the day is Scholastic competition and the second half is MCBA.  Forty one bands compete throughout the day.  If you are volunteering (and you should be because it's required) you get in FREE!!!  I encourage you to stay and watch some of the bands.  I always love to see Petoskey's show (1:15) which is always creative and their drum line is amazing.  

Jenison performs twice in exhibition (1:45 & 9:30pm).  Although we are not receiving awards, we are judged and scored and the directors receive feedback just like every other band competing.  Our competition time at State finals is based on the average of our two best MCBA competition scores and the Jenison Invitational score is very important for us.  So although we aren't "competing," we are definitely still competing.  The flight II band with the best average of MCBA scores  play last in their flight at state.  We are only competing in two MCBA competitions this year: the Jenison Invitational and the Westshore Invitational on Oct. 29.