September 9, 2008

Greetings from the band office! There are several notes of importance today.

TONIGHT IS THE SEPTEMBER BAND~AIDES meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the band room. Please come lend your ear, and your moral support. The strength of each wolf is the pack and the strength of the pack is each wolf.. We need YOU!

FRESHMEN -
We are going to have a special rehearsal for the freshmen to join with the rest of the marching band tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. until 7:30. Hopefully the students have mentioned this to you. Parents please have them at the HS a little before 7:00 if at all possible. We will also rehearse the pregame drill again on Thursday during seminar class - IF it is not raining. This should be the only early rehearsal for the freshmen. Sorry for the late notice. still lack of computer to email.

FRIDAY IS OUR FIRST HOME FOOTBALL GAME. Call time for everyone 9-12 is 4:15 in the band room. As of today I would say that we are going to wear the complete uniform instead of our hot weather gear (shorts and T-shirts). Therefore we need everyone to be prompt. New parents and students, we know this may present difficulties in scheduling of getting people where they need to be with many parents still at work. Please come to the BAW meeting to find rides if needed. We will dress at 4:15 and load equipment. We will depart from West by 5:00 at the latest so we can get to South Stadium rehearse and have dinner prior to Pre-game starting at 6:30ish. We should return to West by 9:30. Parents you are ALL invited to come sit with the other band parents at the West Pride banner next to the band.

FORMS AND FEES - If you have not turned in your forms we need them ASAP. This Friday we especially need to have the Field Trip Form. So if you do that please turn in everything else. If there is a problem with the fees right now, just let me know, we will definitely work with you.

MARCHING SHOES AND GLOVES are in and will be given to the students Wednesday.

AUDITION MUSIC for District and State honor band is ready and available to give to any interested 10-12 grade student. The auditions will take place in early November. Practice NOW! Many students started over the summer. Some of this music will be used for our own auditions in October. Get a head start!

LONDON STUFF

Passport copies are due this week! Please email a copy to Kristi Mehrer BAW President or bring the Passport to the office and I will make a copy and pass on to her. This is critical!

BAW is offering scholarships to deserving students who need a little extra help with finances. Parents must be members of BAW and have given of their time or talents. Scholarship forms are available on the Website as well as in the band room.

The final payment date is October 22. The final price as of today is still $2,900.

If any London traveler has special needs associated with meals while in London (vegetarian, kosher, diabetic, etc) or preferred seating on the plane (doctors note required) please contact Mr. Thomas as soon as possible. This must be known and turned into the travel company by October 15.

Many, many details are coming due in the next 30 days. Please ask your student, and check your email often about anything that is said in class.

We'll see you at tonight's BAW meeting!

___________________________
Bill Thomas
Director of Bands
Shawnee Mission West High School
email: wethomas@smsd.org
voice: 913-993-7852