BAND CAMP NEWSLETTER
WELCOME TO OUR 2023 SEASON!
We hope that summer break has been great for everyone! It's hard to believe that Band Camp is coming up in just a matter of days. In this newsletter, you will find important information pertaining to Band Camp and the upcoming season. Please make sure that you have arranged for transportation, your instrument is ready, and that you are ready for an exciting season.
Remember, your attendance is crucial to the success of the group. We all perform, and your role as a member of the team is important. Camp officially begins at the Kick-off Rehearsal and Uniform Fitting on the evening of Sunday, July 23. For the rest of the week, be prepared to start early. Rehearsals will begin promptly at 8:00am every day!
Thank you to many students who have already submitted their online registration form and payment. If you have not already, please remember that the submission of the (1) Online Registration Form, (2) Physical, (3) Code of Conduct, and (4) Fee Payment are what officially register each student for marching band. All information must be completed and submitted with payment on or before Sunday, July 23, 2023 (first day of Band Camp). This is a firm deadline and no student may participate in any marching band activities unless all forms and payment have been submitted. If needed, you can find all of this information on the Marching Panthers page of the NC Band Website (https://www.northcentralbands.com/athletic-bands/marching-panthers).
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
Due to ongoing construction on the NC campus, student arrival and dismissal will look differently than it has in the past. We ask that you plan ahead and allow for extra time getting to the school on the days we have camp. Carefully look over the routing maps that are linked to help you find your way to the right place at the right time. Be sure to note that the student arrival/dismissal location is different on Sunday, July 23 than it is for the rest of the week. Click here to view the routing maps for band camp.
CAMP WEEK SCHEDULE
July 23, 2:00pm-4:00pm – Leadership Meeting (STUDENT LEADERS ONLY)
July 23 – Kick-off Sectional Rehearsal & Uniform Fitting (SEE BELOW FOR SECTION SPECIFIC TIMES)
July 24-28, 8:00am-4:00pm – Band Camp (Note: July 28 will extend through the Parent Preview Show)
July 28; 5:00pm – Parent Preview Performance
Parents, families, and friends are invited for our Preview Performance which will showcase some of what we will perform for our home football games throughout the season. The Preview Performance will take place in the football stadium. Guests should sit on the home side bleachers. Please follow the routing map linked above, entering campus via the east entrance off of 86th street. Guests may park in the available spaces on the north side of the stadium.
SUNDAY, JULY 23 – SCHEDULE FOR KICK-OFF SECTIONAL REHEARSAL AND UNIFORM FITTING
On Sunday, July 23, students will have a sectional rehearsal followed by their uniform fitting. Students will be released when they have finished their own individual uniform fitting. Because of this, there will not be a firm scheduled end to each group’s scheduled time. Students who are car riders should communicate with their ride for a more approximate pick-up time.
Percussion – 5:00pm-9:00pm* (approx. end)
Woodwinds - 5:00pm-7:00pm* (approx. end)
Brass - 6:30pm-8:30pm* (approx. end)
UNIFORM FITTING
Our uniform fitting will take place during the kick-off sectional rehearsal on Sunday, July 23. Our Band Parent Organization President sent an email this past week requesting additional parent help, so please take advantage of this easy way to help our students. Parents, please sign-up to help here - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d49a9af23aa8-20232#/.
Some specific notes for students about the uniform fitting:
Students who already have marching shoes should take a moment to try them on again to make sure they still fit from previous seasons.
Students who are ordering new shoes should be sure to wear socks for shoe fittings.
Students should wear a t-shirt and athletic shorts for the uniform fitting to help our parents ensure the best fit for all students.
REMIND
Parents and students, please join the Marching Panthers Remind by clicking on the link (https://www.remind.com/join/nchs-mp) or by sending the text message “@nchs-mp” to 81010.
BAND CAMP CHECKLIST
Instrument
Sun Screen
Comfortable Clothing - weather friendly. We will be outside for most of the day.
Laced Tennis Shoes and Socks (Sandals & Flip Flops are NOT Permitted)
Hat and/or Sunglasses
Lunch – bring every day (Students will NOT be allowed to leave campus during the lunch break)
Extra Reeds, Valve Oil, Slide Grease, Drumsticks, Etc.
Jacket & Rain Gear
Water Jug or Thermos – This is a MUST! All students are expected to have water with them at rehearsals.
Lyre (see below)
MARCHING SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS
Students playing Marching Horn, Marching Euphonium, or Sousaphone will be assigned a marching instrument on Sunday evening to use for the remainder of the season.
LYRES
As was noted in the Online Form, most students will need a lyre to hold music flip folders. Lyres can be purchased from Paige's Music (317-842-2102 or www.paigesmusic.com) or other retailers for the first day of Band Camp on July 23. If you are getting it from Paige's Music, you may order and have it delivered to NC or pick-up directly from the store. We will also have a stock of new lyres for purchase at NC. Cost for lyres is the following (cash in exact change only): Clarinet=$15; Saxophone=$13; Trumpet=$11(3rd valve insert) or $14(clamp-on); Marching Horn=$10; Trombone=$17; Marching Euphonium=$11.
Students who play Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Marching Horn, and Marching Euphonium need to order/purchase a lyre.
Students who play Trombone need to order/purchase a DEG Clamp-on Trombone Lyre (this is the kind that clips directly on the bell)
Students who play Flute, Sousaphone, or Percussion do not need to purchase a lyre; the school will provide a lyre for these students.
PERCUSSION
Percussionists will audition for their instrument first thing at the Kick-off Rehearsal on July 23. Information and audition music can be downloaded from the Marching Panthers webpage. Students assigned to play Snare Drum or Tenors will be required to have marching drum sticks. Students needing these can purchase them at NC for $10/pair.
PANTHER PREP
PANTHER PREP (also known as Registration) occurs during band camp week on Thursday, July 27 from 12:00-7:00pm. The school has strongly encouraged students to attend at specific times according to grade level. If possible, please try to make plans to register your child after the 4:00pm dismissal time from band camp. However, we will, of course, understand if students need to miss part of rehearsal to attend registration at the specified grade level times. Also be aware that there will be increased traffic on this day, so plan accordingly for pick-up at the end of the day of band camp.
REGULAR SEASON REHEARSALS
Once school begins, rehearsals will primarily be on Mondays and Wednesdays after school from 3:35-5:45pm. There are a few exceptions to this, so always refer to the calendar on the band website for specific rehearsal dates.
BAND PARENT ORGANIZATION
Our Band Parent Organization is a dedicated group of parents who support the band by coordinating volunteers and fundraising efforts for all of our bands throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to be involved as much as possible to support our students. Whenever you see an opportunity for volunteers, try to sign-up for a need that will ultimately benefit the NC band students. Please join the NC BPO Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all things related to NC Bands. Click the following link to view/join the page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/359258656023178/.