Week 6 - Congratulations, Looking Ahead, This Week

Congratulations to the Marching “Ram” Band, Aries Color Guard, Ramettes, and Drum Major Amy Nash - All received FIRST PLACE Trophies this past Saturday evening at the Jackson Apple Festival Parade Competition. Great Job in Performance Everyone!

We’re past the half way mark in the season. The first five weeks of the season have been quite successful; and we can only continue going up from here. Looking ahead: Next week is HOMECOMING WEEK!!! That’s right – Homecoming is just around the corner. Remember there are events all week. Here’s the quick list:

Monday – Alumni Band Practice 7-8:?? (Ram Band Members are ENCOURAGED to attend!!!

Tuesday – Alumni Band Practice 7-8:?? (Again, Ram Band is strongly encourage to attend – get a jump start on the music!!!)

Wednesday – Homecoming Parade & Bonfire – Ram Band, Aries Guard, and Ramettes – Report to Etna Rd. Elementary @ 6PM

Thursday – Sectionals/Rehearsal with Alumni Band 6-9PM

Friday – Homecoming Game vs. Granville – Band Call 5:15 (Special Rehearsal with Alumni Band)

A very busy week; so everyone keep on top of your job to ensure another great performance.

Zap back to the present!!!! We’re back home this week vs. Heath. Another busy game this week with the 8^th grade band & Little Whitehall Twirlers joining us on the field. Plus, a brand new show! The weather is not looking great for Friday; so everyone needs to dress appropriately. Layers under your uniform are an absolute necessity. A t-shirt and shorts just won’t cut it when the temperature is below 60 degrees and the wind is blowing. LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS. Here’s your run-down:

1) Thursday Night Sectional/Rehearsal – nothing new; be prepared and focused.

2) Friday Night – Home vs. Heath; Little Twirlers & 8^th grade band night.

3) Saturday Night – Homecoming Dance -> Have fun; be safe!

Friday:

Uniforms – WINTER (LAYERS)

Band Call – 6:15PM

GO RAMS!!!

Jackson Apple Festival - Details

I want to make sure everyone has the details for our performance on Saturday @ Jackson.

Saturday Sept. 26 – Jackson Apple Festival Parade

12:00 PM Band Room Open

12:45 Band Call

1:30 Depart for Ohio Statehouse

1:45 Arrive Statehouse

2:00 Picture Time

2:45 Depart Statehouse for Jackson

4:30 Arrive Jackson

6:15 Return to Buses

6:45 Line up for Inspection

7:00 “Mosey” to Start Position

7:45 PARADE STEPS OFF

??? Parade Ends

9:00 Depart Jackson

9:45 Arrive McDonalds-Chillicothe – ONLY IF WE GET OUT OF JACKSON FAST!!!!

11:45 Arrive WYHS

12:30AM GET SOME REST

If you have any questions, please let me know.

REMINDER – FRIDAY Night Band CALL – 5PM

GO RAMS!!!!

Week 5 - FB @ Licking Valley, Jackson Apple Festival, WIMBA Meeting, and Fundraiser

First off, let’s review last week and pass out some kudos:

Kudos #1: WIMBA & Friends – A HUGE Thank You to WIMBA and all the volunteers (Band/Aries Guard/Ramette Parents, Whitehall Lions, HS Admin, Board Office Staff) for an amazing Band Spread/Dinner and Concessions last Thursday night for the Bexley game. Every comment we received from the Bexley band, staff, and parents started with “WOW”. Thank you to: Kelli Abshire, Ken Abshire, Bob Bailey, Naja Bailey, Bobbi Buchieri, Dee Bukowski, Sharon Bukowski, Susie Carr, Carol Corcoran, Irma Duffy, Audrey Dunkle, Michelle Ebbesen, Sharon Eudy, Ken Euman, Judy Hinkley, Sylvia Knoblauch, Ann Leach, Russell McPherson, Dawn Miller, Terry Rigsby, Helen Roberts, and Glenda Tedder. I hope I didn’t leave any names out!!! Thank you again!

Kudos #2: Ram Band, Aries Guard, and Ramettes – Our tribute to Brian was a huge success! Your hard work truly paid off. Ms. Dobbert-Meloy, our Superintendent, was very impressed and proud of all your efforts. Bexley Band Directors, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Manchester, were completely floored by every aspect of your conduct and performance during rehearsal, dinner, pregame, and half time show. GREAT JOB being a perfect example of what our community and schools are striving towards each day.

Kudos #3: Oak Hill Band Festival – Our best performance yet! I wasn’t expecting the announcer to say “feature band”; but we accepted the challenge and showed our Ram Band P.R.I.D.E. Kudos to all.

We’re now in Week 5 of the season; that’s right. Just like last week, this week is HUGE. Here’s the list for this week; as always, READ CAREFULLY!!

1. New Show Music: Mr. Boyd Tressler’s show, “British Invasion” is our focus during music rehearsals. Sight reading of the first two charts went pretty well last Friday, so we need to keep focused as we start to perfect the music. We hit the field next FRIDAY!!!! PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!
2. Thursday Night Sectionals/Rehearsal: We’ll continue focusing on the “British Invasion” music, as well as rehearsal the Band Camp Show, AND parade music for our trip to Jackson on Saturday.
3. Friday: Away Game @ Licking Valley; UNIFORM: WINTER Band Call: 5:00PM Departure: 5:45PM.
4. Saturday: State House Picture/Jackson Apple Festival: Our last big trip of the season is this coming Saturday. We will travel downtown to have our formal band pictures taken on the Statehouse steps then we’re off to Jackson for the Apple Festival and Parade. Everyone should bring money for concessions/fair food. MMMM Apple Dumplings & Apple Butter. YUMMY YUMMY!!! UNIFORM: WINTER Band Call: 12:45PM Departure: 1:30PM

Fundraiser: The start-up prizes are today; 10 items sold is a $10 gift certificate or $10 cash. Keep selling to fund our long term projects!!! New uniforms, trip and band camp discounts, etc etc.

WIMBA Meeting: Tonight @ 6PM in the Band Room. ALL BAND, ARIES GUARD, and RAMETTE Parents are WELCOME!!!! The more the merrier.

Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication!

Oak Hill Band Festival

I almost forgot another important event this week. Thanks to Mrs. Russell for the quick reminder! Many folks have asked if we’re heading down to Logan this year. Our football schedule determines many of the extra events we attend each year. The two back-to-back home games in October put a cramp on our travel options. So, I decided to continue our perfect attendance record at the Jackson Apple Festival… 30+ years running to my knowledge. The Homecoming Dance is scheduled for the same date as Logan; so we’re taking a year off from seeing our friends to the south so the band can attend the dance. Don’t worry!!! We’ll be heading back next year for sure.

I didn’t want our students to miss out on an opportunity to perform in a festival similar to Logan. Another band who regularly performs at Logan, Oak Hill Middle/High School (The Marching Oaks), hosts a festival each year. They have extended us a special invitation to perform not only our band camp show, but a combined performance just before the awards ceremony with the host band. The show begins at 7PM with seven bands scheduled to perform.

Oak Hill is a approx. 20 minutes south of Jackson on St. Route 93, a 2 hour bus ride. We need to arrive by 6PM so there’s time to unload, warm up, move to the stands, and get something to eat before the first band hits the field at 7PM. Be sure to bring some money for concessions. Band Call this Saturday will be 3:00PM for a 3:45PM departure. The show should end by 9:30 and we’ll be back no later than 12 midnight.

Here’s a link for directions: Whitehall to Oak Hill Middle/High School I’ll have printed copies of the directions at school later this week as well.

Date: Saturday Sept. 19

Uniform: WINTER

Band Call: 3PM

Week 4 - Ram Band Tour & Brian Adkins Tribute

Great job to everyone this past week preparing for our road game at Fairfield Union. I felt the half time show went very well and showed improvement over the previous week. Big switch for this week – New Show & Short Week. If you’ve been keeping up with your calendars, this is a home game on Thursday night with our normal sectionals/full band moved to Wednesday. It is supremely important for everyone to be at school and all rehearsals. Please read below this week’s list:

1) Brian Adkins Tribute Show: This week’s show is a tribute to Brian Adkins; a 2001 graduate of Whitehall-Yearling and dear friend to many Ram Band alumni. Although Brian was not in the Ram Band, he certainly was part of the Whitehall Ram family. In conjunction with the Bexley Band, we will present a very special half time show this week. It includes features for each band, both drum majors, the Aries Guard and Ramettes. Most importantly, we will honor Brian and his service to our country with patriotic music and a special ceremony.

2) Practice Practice Practice: This is a short week!!!! Music Checks are WEDNESDAY!!! The band room will be open all day Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for anyone who wants to come down and practice during their study hall or lunch. I will also keep it open to 5PM Monday & Tuesday as well. We have three songs to memorize. Don’t let time waste away. This is a very important event for our band, school district, and community. Ram Band P.R.I.D.E.

3) Ram Band Tour: This Tuesday, Sept. 15, is our annual Ram Band Tour of Whitehall. The Ram Band, Aries Guard, and Ramettes will travel to each elementary school to perform a concert in support of recruiting for the 5^th grade band program. All members will be released from class at 8:10AM and we will return to WYHS at 12:30PM. Each student will need to bring money for lunch on Main St. They will need to bring their black shoes, spats, and gloves to school and something to change in too for under their winter uniform.

4) Wednesday Night Practice: Yes, Thursday game means Wednesday Night Practice. It has been on the calendar since July; so everyone should be there. Its absolutely crucial that everyone is in attendance Wednesday.

5) Thursday Evening: There are several events occurring Thursday evening; please read carefully.

a. Combined Bands Rehearsal: We will be rehearsing with the Bexley Band Thursday afternoon at 4:45PM. All Ram Band, Aries Guard, and Ramette members are to report to the band room at4:30PM for Band Call and warm up. Both bands will perform their individual portions of the show and then combine for the latter portion and ceremony.

b. Band(s) Dinner: As a sign of community building, WIMBA is hosting a bands dinner for the Bexley & Whitehall Bands immediately following the combined rehearsal. This will be free for all Ram Band, Aries Guard, and Ramette members. Dinner will begin at 5:45PM in the WYHS Café. Any parents who wish to help WIMBA prepare and/or serve dinner, please contact Sharon Bukowski (htbukowskis@whitehall.k12.oh.us). We are looking to make this an annual tradition for a different band each year. Your help will ensure the event’s success!!!

c. Half Time: As I mentioned earlier, the half time show will be very special for everyone involved. It has been months in the planning and preparation. I hope we can truly honor Brian and his sacrifice for our country.

Uniforms:

Tuesday (Ram Band Tour): WINTER

Thursday (Bexley Game): WINTER

Band Call:

Tuesday: 8:10AM (includes Eastland, Fairfield, and Reynoldsburg Satellite students)

Wednesday Rehearsal: 6:00PM

Thursday Combined Rehearsal: 4:30PM

Thanks for everyone’s continued hard work! It should be a great week for our band and the community!!!

Band/Team of the Week!!!

That’s right!!! Congratulations to our Whitehall Rams football team for being selected as the NBC4 Football Friday Night – Team of the Week. Great job to the coaches and players for well deserved recognition.

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT****

The Whitehall Marching “Ram” Band has been selected the NBC4 BAND OF THE WEEK!!! That’s right!!! The Ram Band, Aries Guard, and Ramettes will be feature tomorrow night during NBC4’s Football Friday Night segment on the 11 o’clock news. Several members of your Ram Band, Aries Guard, and Ramettes will be featured during the broadcast; including a performance of our Fight Song on the air!!! Be sure to set your VCR’s and DVR’s for NBC4 from 11-12 tomorrow night!!!

Congrats to the entire Ram family for well-deserved recognition of achievement!!!

Week 3 - Away @ Fairfield Union

I hope everyone was able to enjoy the rest of our long weekend. I’m very proud of everyone’s hard work and focus last week in preparation for two major performances in two days. Congrats to all!

It’s a short week but plenty on the schedule to be aware of, so please read carefully:

1) NEW MUSIC: Next week’s home game vs. Bexley (THURSDAY NIGHT) will be a very special evening for the Whitehall community. We, in collaboration with the Bexley HS Band, will pay tribute to Brian Adkins; a Whitehall alum who lost his life in service to our country. Many former band members were very close friends with Brian; and this show is for him, his family, and his friends. We will present new music during this show; which like all other shows, is memorized. Start practicing NOW.

2) KUDOS #1: Squad 6 was last week’s Honor Squad of the Week. Amber Eck, Lindsay Mays, and Delina Farnlacher were recognized for their continued dedication and hard work. Nice Job Ladies!!!

3) KUDOS #2: Certainly worth our recognition are the family members and friends who helped out this week in the concession stand. Many thanks to: The Abshires, The Baileys, Dee Bukowski, Angie Burnheimer, The Clayburns, Ken Euman, The Howards, Dawn Miller, Terry Rigsby, and Glenda Tedder. We’re always welcoming new volunteers!!!

4) On The Road Again…: We’re back on the road again this week @ Fairfield Union. Band Call: 5:00PM Uniform: Winters. Be sure to clean your spats with warm water and a paper towel. Wash but do not tumble dry your gloves. They will shrink.

5) Last, but certainly NOT least: A HUGE RAM BAND CONGRATULATIONS to our Men in Black; Mark Burris, Henry Shilling, and Trey Manning. The 2009 Rams had a HUGE win last Friday night. Nice job gents!!!

Looking ahead… Next Tuesday, Sept. 15 is the Ram Band Tour – we will present concerts to each elementary school to support our recruitment efforts for the 5^th grade band program. These concerts will take place during the school day and conclude by lunch. Students will need to bring their winter uniform accessories to school that day to change in too for the trip. Also, they will need to bring some spending money for the restaurants on Main St. We will make a stop on the way back to school for a special ‘lunch on the town’ after the concerts.

2009 Season - Week 2 - BIG WEEKEND

Big weekend folks! Big Big!!!

Tonight we're at home vs. Linden McKinley. Band Camp Show makes its premiere and the new pregame will bring the stadium to a roar. Tomorrow is our trip to Athens for Ohio University's Band Day.

Friday: Band Call is 5:45 for Seniors; 6:00 for underclassmen - Summer Uniform.

Saturday: Band Call is 9:00AM. Arrive dressed in Summer Uniform but bring your Winter Uniform accessories.

Have a great Friday and GO RAMS!!!