March 6, 2008

Sorry I’m a couple of days late, but you haven’t missed anything.

Congrats to last night’s Pep Band for the girls game at the state tournament. They lost, but I have gotten thank yous from Coach Darst, Dr. McLean, a random mom of one of the girls on the team and some tremendous compliments from the Wichita Heights Band director and some of her students. So thank all of you who were able to go and support our team. You brightened the evening for West!

We’ve had football season and basketball season, now we are entering MUSIC SEASON!

OE is on the road to Pittsburg Friday. They depart at 12:30 and will return at about 11:00. Good Luck!

Solo and Ensemble recital night is on March 27th from 6:00-9:00p.m. We begin working on scheduling that event very soon. For those that are new, this is an opportunity for every soloist and ensemble that is planning on going to the regional Solo and Ensemble Festival on April 12 has an opportunity to perform for an adjudicator for comments in order to further help them prepare for the real thing. This will be in the band and choir room. Parents may come and listen.

Musical – Beauty and the Beast – April 10-12

Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival @ Blue Valley HS April 12. Times to be announced.

State Large Group Festival, Blue Valley HS (Sym. Wind Ens.) and Blue Valley North HS (Freshmen) April 16.

Jazz on the Bridge – April 4 Parent helpers are still needed. Please contact Reid and Jean Hillmer.

Spring Concert (on the lawn) May 8. 6:00 p.m.

Band Banquet ALL Band students and parents – May 12

Graduation – May 21

Seniors – we need senior pictures and baby pictures for the year end video. Please get them to Barry Bernstein or to the band office by the end of March. There is a LOT of work that goes into the video. We really need them that early.

Good News enrollment is up for next year. We are over 90 students in grades 10-12 and 61 freshmen. That’s over 150 band students. Since we are planning on marching freshmen (for pre-game only) add on the dancers and we will be marching over 200 next year! Our competition show will still be just grades 10-12 as it has been.

Red Wheel fundraiser is coming on March 26. This will be another London Fundraiser as well as for the program as it has been. The profits will be split 70/30 as we did earlier this year on the Car Wash. We are still looking at a Car Wash in early May. I’ll keep you posted.

Have a great week!

___________________________

Bill Thomas

Director of Bands

Shawnee Mission West High School

email: wethomas@smsd.org

voice: 913-993-7852