Next Years Show!

Reflection, adjustment, and realignment are a key part to building a great program.  This past year I was super happy with the entire year, more than ever.  We had a great band from the first day of camp through the dome.  Great friendships, great music, and a phenomenal year. Unfortunately, the judging results didn’t reflect a meteoric rise through the class. Since we are all competitive, I have been thinking all year about the direction of the program, what we are doing and where we are going, so that we may be able to get more recognition numerically from the judging community.  Our kids deserve to win, and with that in mind, I have been brainstorming the future direction of the program.  First things first, we will keep all the great things we have going for us right on track. Please read on.

Reflecting upon the past season it is obvious that by writing a simple show musically we got away from what our strength is, music.  We marched great, the guard looked phenomenal, pit was better than ever, battery was solid and magical as usual, and everything was tight (no phasing at the dome at all, a first) but by making the music easy and getting away from our strength of a solid and challenging musical program, we lost a large part of what was carrying us to high scores in the past, our music.....our wind sound.  Last year one of the ensemble music judges had us in 2nd place at the dome.

This year, with my arrangements, which I deliberately made easy, we got away from the music and we need to get back to it. I asked John Oddo in the locker room what is going on here with the judging?  What are we doing wrong, whey are we not getting recognized?  He then went on to say "Do you want me to blow smoke at you or tell you my opinion?"  As I always do, when I ask John, I want a real answer.  John is one of the top marching people in the country, a member of the drum corps hall of fame, he is brought in all over the nation to clinic and help drum corps and marching bands.  He then went on to say something very interesting, door opening for me and true.  He said "We haven't found our Niche."   That was a lightbulb moment for me.  Yes, we have been floundering, going in a different direction each year, not really grabbing onto a style or "the kind of band we are" or "the type of shows we do" going through 4 or 5 phases in my 8 years here.

When I got home I went through historically what we have done since I got to Roslyn. My 8 years directing at Roslyn, 5 phases, not a real way to create an identity or culture of "What we do."  Yes other bands do this all the time, each year they do a different type of show.  However, the best programs have an identity. It makes it easier to culturally build a program.  Please notice, I have no judges results here, this all has nothing to do with that.

Phase 1
2004  Elton John Show (pop rock show)
2005  Bon Jovi Show (pop rock show)

Phase 2
2006  Piano Lesson (innovative, unusual drama show)
2007  The Workout (innovative, unusual drama show)

Phase 3
2008  Zarabanda (straight ahead, classical, movie music type show)
2009  Gold Rush (straight ahead, classical, movie music type show)

Phase 4 2010  Straight Classical music with actors

Phase 5 2011 The Playdate (innovative, unusual drama show, easiest music we have ever done)

Phase 6 (final phase hopefully)

So after much thought, pretty much round the clock for the past months, I have decided that we need to try the Broadway direction.  There are a whole bunch of reasons for this. 1.  Our culture in Roslyn will support and embrace this.  Broadway is a big part of our lives in Roslyn, our kids go to shows regularly, know the idiom, and it is in our culture. 2.  The music will be more demanding and show us off.
3.  People will recognize what we are doing.
4.  The shows will be fun.
5.  We can pump out a stream of great shows, people will know what we do, and it will be exciting whenever Roslyn takes the field.

With that being said, I think the perfect show to kick us off in this direction is Wicked.  Our Roslyn community and family will be so excited, it will inject energy into our program, and we will most likely pick up kids.  The style is great and these arrangements (now on the downloads page) are true to the show, demanding, recognizable, and fun.  In addition, Wicked is also one of the hottest shows right now. I have had my eye on this Wicked show for many years but it was only available to our zip code the past month. Always wanting to do this show after I saw the show myself, I have periodically checked the regional protection on these arrangements and the publisher just recently made it available to our zip code in Roslyn.  I thought this was a sign. Since we are dealing with the time factor here at Roslyn as always, to maximize our 80 hours of rehearsing I would like to order this, Rob and I can get the arrangements to our in school bands to work on after the concerts and throughout the year, and John can write the drum parts now so that we can really get a jump on this.  Proper prior planning and we can be competitive in our class.  I know that we totally belong in SS2 and would like to stay there.

As usual, I will write the drill with Stephanie, make it simple so that we can max out this music and with Jimmy's help we can march great and nail this thing.  I would like to add a bunch of horn pops into the show, we can figure that out early as well so that we can start rehearsing it.  A box sequence is in the works as well. We will have two solo dancers, one in white and one in green, pretty self explanatory, they will be the witches dancing solo throughout the show.  We will keep our dancers as well.  No speakers, no talking, nothing. We will have auditions for the two dancers.  I think this will be the best show ever!  Listen to it on the downloads page of the website. They are Hal Leonard arrangements with that annoying beep every 40 seconds, I am planning on making a recording with the Wind Ensemble and  Mr. Oddo, Mr. Carman and Mr. Romeo playing the new drum parts once they are written.  The audio is now on the website. We will have the music online asap.

Today's scores. What do they mean?

Ok, here's the first big question.  Are we slotted for last place tomorrow?  Maybe.  Do today's scores mean anything?  Maybe.  Can we still win tomorrow?  Maybe.  Yes, anything can happen.  Some of the judges clearly love our show, and some don't like it.  There is no way of knowing whenever you design a show and learn it as to how it will be received by the judges or the audiences.  It may do well, it may not.  In any case, we are having a ton of fun performing it and hopefully, in the indoor arena, we will be able to get some good numbers.

And now for the most important thing and I know I run the risk of repeating myself but this is very important.  We must never, never, ever let the opinions, numbers, or placement by judges affect how we feel about ourselves, our program, or how great we are.  I have seen alot of bands over the years and I am being very honest when I tell you that this program is incredible, one of the best I have ever witnessed.  It is truly a privilege and honor to direct such great people.  We have so many great and amazing things going on here.  We are a family, a team, a positive force in so many peoples lives.  We must totally see the big picture and be proud, so proud of all of ourselves.  As we embark on this last day of the 2011 season let's all remember......We Rock!

And going back to my great analogy about subjective judging.  It is like gambling at Atlantic City on the roulette wheel.  We throw that marble, if it lands and we win we will "Go crazy."  If we lose, we will go to the buffet, or as the band will do tomorrow, the Mall. And once again:  In the current subjective judging environment winning or losing may not mean much.

I want to thank all the great kids and parents for helping us build this dynasty.  Together we have and will continue to build upon our great Roslyn Marching Bulldogs.

Why we compete, from the mouthes of (older ) babes

Recently I have been pondering this whole "competing" thing with the marching band.  Two things have come into play to bring about my reflection.  The subjectivity and randomness of judging results, coupled with my coming in contact with many band directors at Newsday with fine bands who do not compete have forced me to grapple with this whole concept.  As a staff we struggle with the competition environment.  As I always do, I went on to poll some of our band members.  They were incredible with their statements.  I received these quotes.  "Competing makes us strive to be great." "We learn about real life and subjectivity."  "We form bonds which band members for the rest of our lives." "We become a family and work together to accomplish a goal."  So, as usual, and I say this many times as an adult with 6 of my own children....."The kids are fine, I am not."  I am referring to the fact that the kids are more resilient, more flexible, more adaptable to change, and more forgiving with the judging results than we as adults are.  While we, the staff and parents, are all upset about the judge's results, scratching our heads to figure out what they were looking at, our great band members are eating a hot dog and deciding if they will by the sprinkle cupcakes or the white frosted ones on the food line.  We will compete forever.  We must realize why we compete and although we aim to win, we must realize that the results, no matter what they are, in this environment are more like spinning a roulette wheel at Atlantic City.  If we win, we get excited and feel amazing.  If we lose, we knew it was just a gamble and go to the buffet.

Judging - Too Hot for the Blog

I want to meet with any parents who can stop by the field at 2pm today for about 10 minutes.  We can meet at the small bleachers next to the gate to the field. Don't change your schedule around, but if you can stop by for a quick meeting with me about the judging it would help us greatly.  No big deal, but I want us all to be on the same page before we go into these last three competitions.

The Last Two Weeks of the Season

This is an important e-mail about the last two weeks of the season.  Please read!

As director I always get complaints from parents and band members about the added night during each of the two weeks and the heavier rehearsal schedule.   Not many complaints, but enough to get me to write this blog explaining what is at stake here.  First of all, the schedule has been up since April so none of this should come as a surprise.   People start missing things due to their not being used to the schedule, fatigue, and not seeing the big picture.  Some band members have SAT and other classes scheduled on Thursday nights, fully knowing that we had these two Thursdays scheduled when they signed on with the band.  It is your responsibility to miss those things and be at these rehearsals. Our schedule is minimal and it is requred to be at each and every rehearsal.

Please realize that we rehearse 80 hours and that 11 1/2 hours are in these last two weeks. That is 15% of our rehearsals are ahead of us. Add the fact that these rehearsals are right before the Dome and on show days and the real impact in terms of concentration is pretty much doubled.  So, as a band director and staff we pretty much consider 1/3 of the rehearsals are in the last two weeks (in terms of how much work we can get done and how much better we can get).  These rehearsals combined equal band camp!  

THESE REHEARSALS WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR SEASON!

OUR REHEARSALS DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS

Thursday, October 20th - Newsday 6pm to 11pm (one hour rehearsal)

Saturday, October 22nd - Mineola Show 2pm to 11pm (three hour rehearsal)

Wednesday, October 26th - Rehearsal 6:30 to 9pm (2 1/2 hour rehearsal)

Thursday, October 27th - Rehearsal 6:30 to 9pm (2 1/2 hour rehearsal)

Saturday, October 29th- Rehearsal after Phoenix (2 1/2 hour rehearsal)

We need every single person at these rehearsals.  Students who miss any of our very light schedule will obviously be able to remain in the band because we will not hurt everyone by making a hole at this late a date. But realize that missing a rehearsal will eliminate you from the right to even interview for a leadership position. Since every single person expects one of the 25 leadership positions, this should be enough of a deterrent.  Once again, missing one rehearsal is the equivalent of 3 or 4 rehearsals in any of our competitor’s bands which would be an automatic out.

Our competitors practice 200 to 400 hours in a season.  We get it done with a fraction of that due to 100% attendance, focused rehearsals, and proper planning.  We need everyone to get enough sleep, keep up with their school work, and eat right.  We cannot afford to have anyone get sick this week.

Homework

You will be able to do homework in the Newsday stands during the show, and on the bus ride to and from Syracuse.  We have the busses with outlets in front of every seat so you can bring your laptop and plan on 10 hours of homework/study time.  We show no movies and leave that time open for you to use in any way you see fit.

New Confidential Post

There is a new confidential post on roslynbandonly.com  
Ask any of the band members for the username and password.  Your computer probably stored it from the last time you went there.  Will be up for one day.

Great Job at the "Friday Night Lights"

It is very difficult making the call with the rain.  It is the hardest job for any band director. You will get people angry if you go out in the rain, you will get people upset if you don't go out and it clears up.  The situation is further complicated by the fact that the field clears off and drains in about 10 minutes.  So we really had to stay to see if the rain would stop.  In addition, we have not been on the practice field in 9 days, a huge amount of time in the middle of the season.  If it rains this Wednesday, October 19th, we would be going to perform at Newsday without performing the show outside for 15 days!  So this was a difficult situation to say the least. At 7:30 we brought the band out to no rain but then at about 8pm it started to rain, borderline time to go inside.  Luckily, it lightened up a bit when we finally went on.  We got the run through in, and the band looked and sounded great!  This was very very important and we got it done.  Thanks to everyone for being so understanding with the inevitable confusion and for being a great team! The parents were amazing, drying off the instruments and putting them back into the trailer. We also made the necessary Newsday show adjustments.  We needed to get 45 seconds off the show.  With the Newsday rule of 10 minutes on the field, we were way too close with the 9:50 we have been running with the show.  Making the adjustments, we got it down to 9 minutes last night, perfect for the Newsday show.  The Newsday announcer makes an announcement, which will be as we enter the field, then Lindsay will talk over the band playing in the opening to set up the show, a few phrases which describes what is going on. In competition that introduction by Lindsay will be during the pre-game, which is that time when the band is first on the field, playing around.  We have 13 minutes total in the Competition environment so we can let the band play without the "set up phrases" covering up the music.  We also need the special announcement by the Newsday announcer because it sets up how great we are to everyone, reading our accomplishments and getting the attention of all the camera people on hand so that we get some good coverage.  Many bands at Newsday do not have a resume to talk about and those that do don't think about putting that in the announcement.  Last year the MSG Varsity crew put us as the second to last band in the entire telecast and said the phrase "And now from the best, to the biggest" between us and Northport.  The announcement helps facilitate this as well as the fact that we have a very entertaining show.  Great job to the band last night!  And thanks to everyone who helped and for being understanding with the rain.

Disney Trip Itinerary and Waiting List

We have just received permission from DIsney to add some people to the trip to fill the rooms to 4 in a room.  This all has to be finalized with Disney by Friday.  They are very strict about security due to our performing in Disneyworld. If you are currently signed up for this trip and would like to pull out, please let us know so that we can add a person in that spot. If you are on the waiting list, I will be contacting you to see if you still want one of the spots.

Our Performances and list of what park we are in each day will be posted here shortly.

http://web.me.com/patpatterson/Roslynband.com/Florida_Trip.html

Homecoming Schedule

Homecoming, Saturday, October 1, 2011

Report to the school at 12:30pm.  If you have an SAT get there when you can.  We need to work on the two parade tunes, Broadway and Rocky. 

About 30 of the older players will be performing at the Cafeteria grand opening at 2:00, we will all be performing the parade tunes at the field for a pre-game at 3:30pm. Game starts at 4 and our full half time performance will be between 4:45 and 5.  You will be dismissed after halftime but are strongly encouraged to stay for the entire game.

As always, in the case of rain, still report to the school at 12:30pm.  The cafeteria opening will go rain or shine and with our turf field's ability to drain almost immediately we will have to wait to decide what will be going on.

Great Job Today at the Brentwood Show

Great job today.  We never had a 70 in the middle of September.  We are an easy 5 to 8 points better than we have ever been!  The judges loved the show.  And our show would have been much clearer to everyone if Lindsay’s voice was heard, I didn’t get the PA fixed until the closer. Our overall score is the highest we ever had at this time of the year. Right now, the subjectivity is working in our favor.

And now for some big news. Our visual total was the 2nd highest in the entire show!  2nd on the Island!  Our colorguard and marching has catapulted us to one of the highest visual bands on the island!  Today, we beat some bands that we never beat before.  Special kudos should go to Mr. Downey and Ms. Lusardi for our visual numbers today.

Music we were 4th overall in the show.  Another first!  4th music on the island, even with a super low number by one music judge.

The audience loved the show!  The entire audience reacted to our effects, the ice cream truck, the sleeping, and the ending.  Everyone is talking about us once again.  We will really shine!  We are great!

On the way home on the bus I looked at the nysfbc.org website to check out last night’s scores.  WE ARE CURRENTLY IN 2ND PLACE IN THE STATE IN OUR CLASS.  Jordan Elbridge won with a 68.75, Johnson City with a 67.2, Norwich with a 66.95, Corning East with a 64.7  and Phoenix at another show scored a 65.05.  We are 2.15 points above the highest band in the class below us and within striking distance of the top band.  Of course, judges subjectively make the call on all of this, but right now it is pretty exciting to be placed that high on the opening weekend.

I will be putting the video up on youtube within the hour.  Sign up for the twitter tweets if you want to be tweeted when it is up.  I will send out a text if I get it up before 9pm.

I am so proud of all of you.  And congratulations for waiting on the field for 5 plus extra minutes while we tried to fix the sound system.  That was a great opening performance.  With a championship at stake we need to work hard and go for it!

1st Performance of the Season - Bravo!

Great job today!  The band looked and sounded great, especially for a first performance.  The video is now up on our youtube site.  Look for things we can fix before next week.  Make positive comments on the site.

Thanks to all the parents who helped and to the band members who helped out as well. A special thank you to Amy Pinchiaroli for filling in, you were great! And thanks to the 6 people who stayed an extra hour to help out loading the trailer.  I know you totally did it to help out the band, stayed there late while everyone else went home and for that reason you have "hit the jackpot" by getting awarded 200 points for showing me that you really care about the band!  Want to know who they are, just check the attendance and awards spreadsheet.  Yes it was beautiful out and I really don't blame people who went home right away after the game today, we are all very busy and some were taking in a nice day, spending time with their family, doing homework, or just getting a breather after a few days getting into the routine with homework.  Those special people who do that incredible amount extra may be awarded my special "jackpots" throughout the season.  They can come at any time and will be awarded to people who go "above and beyond" what is expected from any band member.  Congrats to todays "jackpot" winners.  And I want to continue our "no drama" policy with the band program.  We have taken some great strides this year in minimalizing the amount of drama between band members.  For instance, do not see people getting more points than you as a competition against you.  We are all on the same team.  Congratulate anyone in our band who excels.  Look around.  Did someone in your section or another section of the band do something great today?  Tell them, write them a text, compliment them.  Write a positive thing on the youtube site about something you see. Make freinds with everyone!  This is what is making our band great this year!

We have a very important rehearsal on Wednesday so lets all focus and be as great as we can next Sunday at the Brentwood show, our first competition.  I am so very proud of our entire program.  I left the school today thinking that I am a very lucky person to be the director of such a great group of people!

Competition Season is here!

As the season starts I will start posting about our up and coming competition season. This year’s show is very creative and you will see some very interesting things going on throughout it.  We have a crowd pleaser here and hopefully a “judge pleaser” as well.

I just posted the “Brentwood Show Sheet.”  I do this for every single event.  I will also blog about each show before and after so you can come right here if you want to know what is going on.

Twitter - I give twitter updates.  You can have every one sent to your cell phone as a text, or simply bookmark our twitter site to see what is going on throughout the season.  I will be tweeting more on competition days this year so put your phone on vibrate.  I will tweet out the score from the back judges room as well if I know before it is announced.  Just don't cheer and/or boo and get me in trouble.

As a director I am tremendously proud of how far the Marching Bulldogs have come in terms of their development. The students have worked so hard, from the first step at band camp through the night rehearsals and the competitions.  As most of you know, I treat band as a leadership training, character development, and goal setting class in addition to the marching and music instruction.

Many bands choose not to compete. They choose to perform a less involved and simpler show at only the Newsday festival and their home games. We, the “Roslyn Marching Bulldogs” compete. We are better for it and will accomplish great things by being a competitive band.  Short and long term goals are an important part of life and through this great activity, we will “shoot for the stars.” 

Our scores have risen and we have been beating more and more bands each year at the dome.  And at the dome “ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.”  When we received 2nd out of 12 we were ranked dead last all season in the competitions.  The dome brings in the best judges and doubles the slate to minimize the impact one judge can have.  Judges from outside our area are more likely to make the call and lead the local judges to do the right thing when we are at the dome.

And now a paragraph about all the band shifts this season. We are in Small School 2, which is a higher class than Small School 3 or Large School 3.  We get an automatic bump up for being in that class, or at least that’s what should happen.    The Field Band Conference did a spreadsheet of average scores over the past 5 years and adjusted, moving some bands into our class and some bands up a class.  Mineola got moved up to Small School 1 and Malverne got moved to Small School 2, our class.  Copiague moved out of the National Class and are competing in Large School 2 which is why Mineola, in Small School 1 will be performing last in the local shows, unless there is a National Class Band there which is the most prestigious class. We usually go on later in the local shows because of our more prestigious Small School 2 class.  We go on after all Small School 3 and Large School 3 bands, which is most of the bands who compete on Long Island.

The order within classes is done by a draw upstate.  This year, for instance, we are going after Malverne at the Mineola, Brentwood and Phoenix Shows.  Phoenix is going on after us at their show but before Copiague and Brentwood, which pretty much means that they are competing.  Some bands compete in their home show.  If they are scheduled with their class they compete. If they are at the end, then they are just doing an exhibition.  We drew a great spot at the dome, which is why we are checking out in the morning on October 30th.  We are towards the end of the class with just Corning East and Johnson City after us, both new bands which were moved to our class.

You need to be competetive but remember, this is totally subjective, like figure skating.  People who are sports people and are new to our idiom may have some trouble with this.  You may see our band, hear the score and wonder what happened.  Yes, the judges TOTALLY make the call, in fact, they decide everything, total subjectivity.  

Remember, we are great, look at how far we have come and everybody in the Marching Band community, judges, other band directors, audiences, and the public fully knows Roslyn as a “powerhouse” marching band.  We are proud as ever and I as director feel truly privileged to run such a great group of kids and great parents.  We had parents who bring out our equipment, parents running band camp, and the largest contingent of spectators go to the dome from Roslyn each year.  Our parents even cheer for our neighbor competitor when they win the class over us!  We are the greatest people anywhere!  Total team players.  The kids are perfect!  They give up part of themselves for the team every single day! Hard working, fun, smart, bubbly, and love band!  What more could I ask as a director?  A fair read from the judges?  YES, I want it all!  I want our kids to get the score they deserve!  I am very positive, a “glass half full” kind of guy!  It will happen, at some point, and you will know when my post simply says “YES, HERE WE GO.” It may be this year, next year, or 10 years from now, but it will happen.  It is inevitable. We are on the right track!

Syracuse Trip Return Time

Please note - Due to our performance time of 11am, we will be checking out of the hotel on Sunday, October 30th in thevearly morning, leaving after awards to stop at the Carousel Mall for lunch, then driving home to arrive at Roslyn between 7 and 8pm that night.

Attendance and the impact on missing anything on our schedule

This week I have had number of last minute absence notifications from events and/or rehearsals, more than in the past 4 years combined.  Perhaps people are thinking that my more relaxed approach to Marching Band equals a more relaxed approach to our attendance policy.  This could not be further from the truth. I am relaxing the Marching Band rehearsals and camp to make it more fun and to make it a better experience for all.  As always with our marching band, there are severe ramifications to missing anything on our schedule.  In a band like ours, attendance is just about 100%.  Please fully realize that missing any event or rehearsal - anything on this band schedule - will just about guarantee you not receiving any leadership position in the marching band.  People with one or more misses over their years in the band aren't even considered for these positions.  Any band members who are excused told me within a few days of the schedule going up in March that they had a major attendance problem and I worked the program around them and excused them or told them not to be in the band.  Major family issues are pretty cut and dry as to what we consider an excusable absence.  Weddings, Bar mitzvahs and Bat mitvahs, Communions, Baptisms (all of immediate family members) are usually told to me right after the schedule goes up since these are set up years in advance.  Obviously, deaths in the family are excusable.  Concert tickets, other concerts, tickets to sporting events, SAT prep classes, studying, etc are considered unexcused absences.  If you miss a rehearsal for any of these you will be pretty much out of the band if you come 5 minutes late to anything else that year.  This is like being in an RCP or Spotlight show.  It is your job to stay healthy, get plenty of sleep, and be there for everything on the schedule. People are depending upon you. It is also your job to do your academic work around our one weekly rehearsal each week. Anyone who is in this band already knows this. We have band members who work family events around our schedule.  We have about 20 people who are not in the band because they were unable to come to one of our events. This is a very special group where every single person has a very important position.  We only have 11 events and need every person at every one.  Here is it directly from our band booklet.

Marching Band Rehearsal Attendance

During the fall season, rehearsals are held on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, and on competition days for an hour or two prior to leaving for the competitions.  Attendance at rehearsals and performances is MANDATORY. Students who have a conflict with any rehearsal MUST SUBMIT a parental note at least TWO WEEKS in advance.   Students with ONE ABSENCE will be given a WARNING from the band director.  Any additional absences will result in removal from the Marching Band.

Marching Band Competition Attendance

Band members must attend all competitions and shows. As in a school musical, each position is crucial to the success of the entire unit.  The show is custom written for the exact number of people in the band, and even one hole effects each member’s drill, which must be modified at the competition, which is not acceptable.  Anyone who has a conflict with one of the shows may not be a part of the marching band. In a competitive marching band, every person has a leading role.  

Band Camp Blog 1

Day three of band camp.  I allotted some time to write a blog today.  I can now give you my impressions of the new camp.  It is great!  The cabins are clean and well kept, the grounds are manicured and everything is close.  The bugs are at a minimum.  The walk from the cabin to the field and rehearsal areas is a matter of a few minutes.  The parents have been great as usual.  We had some great activities, steal the bacon the first night and crazy hats last night.  We moved the curfew to 12 midnight this year and it is working out great.  The kids all made it to breakfast and were perky!  We do a lights out right away at 12.

We adjusted the schedule yesterday to try something different.  We loaded up the night rehearsal and are now giving a larger break in the afternoon.  This is a rehearsal schedule that a band director in the midwest told me works great.  We tried it yesterday and the kids are responding great.  We got through all rehearsals with no fatigue.  Water breaks every hour to refresh.

7:30 - Wake Up
8:00 - Breakfast
9:00 to 11:30 - Rehearsal
12 noon - Lunch
1:00 to 3:30 - Rehearsal
3:30 - Pie Mafia activity
3:45 - Afternoon snack provided by Camp Taconic
4:00 to 6:00 - Pool time, break, shower, relax, do homework
6:00 - Dinner
7:00 to 9:00 - Rehearsal
9:15 - Ice Cream Snack provided by Camp Taconic
9:45 to 10:45 - Night Activity run by "Band Fans" parents group
10:45 to 12 midnight - Free time
12 midnight - curfew, lights out soon to follow

7 hours of rehearsing, breaks throughout all rehearsals.

This worked out great.  The kids now have more time to go to the pool, shower, and change before dinner, while keeping out of the hot sun in the middle of the day.

We have some pressure to learn the drill due to the rain the first one and a half days.  We are in no way passing that pressure onto the kids.  The staff will figure out what we need to do as the week progresses to finish the drill with the primary goal being to keep the kids happy and loving band.  We will be sticking to this schedule from today through Saturday and using Sunday exclusively as a run through day, running through the entire show.  The kids have learned all of the music and we will be working outdoors all day today in an attempt to catch up on the drill.

The last day of camp and our rehearsal hours

Many parents have asked me if we can all leave after breakfast the last day of camp.  I feel that I need to explain why the 7 day camp is crucial and why we have to stay the entire final day to rehearse.  We all need to see the big picture here.  We are a competitive band that must be at a certain level when we take the field in competition.  I will explain.

Just about every band we compete against rehearses 3 times as much as us.  They work all summer, two to three times a week, and put in around 200 to 300 hours.  We compete against them with a rehearsal schedule of 40 hours during the season and about 40 at camp, about 80 total hours. To drive this point home, bands that we compete against do basics for 80 hours. Considering the academic nature of our school we must keep these rehearsal hours down to minimize stress on the students.  We can compete, consistently scoring in the middle the prestigious Small School 2 class,  due to our maximizing rehearsal time, high level of concentration, and incredible planning prior to rehearsals.  Most bands show up to rehearsals and wing it, wasting the kids time.

For any band, every hour at camp is worth 3 hours at home.  The concentration level is higher, there are less distractions, and by rehearsing at camp we are getting more done because we are reinforcing our show every day, during three separate sessions.  Cutting out 4 or 5 hours of rehearsing on any day at camp equals six night rehearsals (15 hours) during the season. That last day is like adding a second night of rehearsals for six weeks. Although I realize that there will be traffic on Sunday night, that it would be so much more convenient to go home early on Sunday after breakfast, I must ask you to see the big picture here. Would you rather have them rehearse that last day, or add Thursday night rehearsals during the season. Cutting the rehearsal hours will have a major impact on our season.  In addition, the last day has to be a "band day" which is why I took out the relay.  I feel that doing activities the last day makes if a "fluff" day and lowers the concentration level of the kids, when they should be reinforcing all that they learned during the week.  We need that time.  We are at camp to learn the drill, learn the music, and reinforce running through the show over and over again so that we remember it two weeks later.  I truly believe that our kids have "fun" playing and doing the show.  That's why they are in band.  Although the activities are also "fun" and help with bonding, too much emphasis on them takes away from the real goal of band camp, to learn the show. Please realize that the really important "fun" is performing, making music, and doing these great shows. This is why I am slightly adjusting the band camp activities as well.  We need to get as much practice time in as possible, and still let the kids have enough free time to relax, take a nap, do some homework, or even practice their instruments by themselves to reinforce some of their music in the show.

Band Camp 2011 Format

Band Camp Parent Volunteer Explanation

My Opening Remarks

When we started Band Camp for Roslyn High School, I asked Susan and Jed Schlacter and Bruce Goldman to work with me in organizing an away camp. The school district budget did not have funding for a week of chaperones, so we enlisted parent volunteers to serve in that capacity. Susan, Jed and Bruce ran the parent part of the camp in its entirety. Although I had run about 20 camps prior to joining Roslyn, they took on that part of the responsibility and were so successful at it that I was freed up to really focus on running rehearsals with the kids. 

The Schlacters and Bruce have done an incredible service, creating a culture which is ingrained in anyone who has been to band camp with us.  Our Band Camp is special – combining learning with team building; during this educational, social, and fun week, we all bond and truly become a tight knit family (BOTH student band members AND parents.) 

As much as we did not want to admit it, we knew that the Schlacters would be moving on at some point. Both of their children were former Marching Bulldogs for four + years, but their younger child is already a junior in college!  Susan, Jed and I have agreed to use my backup plan this year – they will advise our parents in Roslyn, before camp, who wish to  take on more responsibility. Knowing that people might be reluctant to take over this first year, I will run the entire camp - both the music and the team building aspects as I did the 20 years prior to coming to Roslyn.  

We are in a good position: the culture and expectations are set. Because the routines are established, new parents can step in easily and be a tremendous help to the students.  We will gain advantages from my 30 years of collected experience (I directed my first Band Camp in 1984); I will take the excellent culture we currently enjoy and hone/modify this year’s camp to make it a better experience for all.

Two major modifications that I made this year are to select a new camp, Camp Taconic, and to create a new contract that puts more responsibility on the camp staff rather than the parents (specifically supplying needed refreshment to our students twice a day). By shifting the snacks and water responsibilities to the Taconic Staff, I have reduced  the need for all the parents to stay at the camp the entire day.   The location of Camp Taconic, in the Berkshires, is a wonderful  locale for day trips, shopping, and the arts; there will be occasions, on a rotating basis, for parents to go into the surrounding areas during the day or evening to enjoy the area. We still need parents to help run and judge the afternoon and evening activities (and to participate in “Pie Mafia”), and we encourage the parents to watch the progress of our kids through the course of the week, but the required “on call” time should be less than in the past. I am also flexible with parents coming just before bedtime to take on a bunk, especially if they have been chaperones with us before.  

Meetings and Planning

I have also  built the band schedule to allow me  the time to take on a greater role with the parents.  Our band schedule starts out with basics, which Mr. Downey and Ms. Miller will be running,  while the parents and I meet  each morning after breakfast to discuss open items and plan out the day’s activities.  I will also have the opportunity after dinner, about 7 p.m., for a recap/touch base with everyone.  

I am establishing a structure in which the ”Parent-Director of the Day” will be the "go-to" person,  answering questions and being in charge between those two meetings and at night, so that I can fully devote the balance of my attention to running rehearsals with the band. 

Bunk Chaperone

One parent is needed in each bunk each night from 11pm through wake up at 7:30am.  The bunk chaperone’s job is to be a pair of eyes in the room, an adult to help watch over them in case there is an emergency. Bunk chaperones are not to be disciplinarians or the generals of your platoon.  The process is simple.  If there are any problems in the girls bunks, the chaperone notifies Ms. Miller; boys’ chaperones will notify me.  Ms. Miller and I can rectify any issues in a few minutes. Our kids are great, so bunk chaperoning is a piece of cake. Before signing up for a slot you can look to see who is in that room; the bunk list is listed below.  In the past, if parents asked to be in the bunk with their own children, we tried to accommodate that request, and we will try to do so again.  However, depending on which parents volunteer to be chaperones this summer, I cannot at this time commit that every parent will be in a bunk with his/her own child.

Extra Female or Male Chaperone at Camp

These are chaperones who are at camp, and will double up in two of the bunks. They are there in case we have an unsupervised bunk due to one of our bunk chaperones being suddenly called away on a personal issue (a child needs to go to the infirmary, for example).

Afternoon and Night Activity, and Pie Mafia

These parents will run the afternoon activities, the Pie Mafia for the day, and the night activities, as listed.  Once again, since these activities are already established; it is pretty simple to coordinate.  If you enjoy leading students and have done this before, it would be a perfect place for you to join in.  Other parents, who are also Bunk Chaperones on those nights, will be there to help you.  On the last night, I need a parent to help run the Senior Ceremony, which is a huge part of our Band Camp.

Parent Director of the Day

This is a parent who has done at least two band camps with us, has a rapport with me, and can be in charge for the day, an overseer of the parents.  Do not feel intimidated - if you have previously volunteered as one of our band camp chaperones, you are well qualified to take on this role!  As I stated, the camp staff is providing all snacks and water during the day, and a night snack of ice cream each night. This Parent Director would help to organize/coordinate the afternoon and night activities and the Pie Mafia,  and any other little things we decide on each day.  This parent must also be a Bunk Chaperone on the nights for which he/she signs up.

Please sign up

In the coming weeks, Susan and Jed plan to meet with the parent volunteers to review the afternoon and night activities, the Pie Mafia, explaining how these activities have been run in the past.  I would like the parents to sign up as soon as possible, so that we can organize these informal meetings and be fully prepared for a great band camp.  I will be updating the schedule daily, so you can look right here to see who is on it. 

We need you!  We want you!  And we are sure that this will be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying experience for the parent volunteers!  Thank you for helping to make this such a memorable experience for your kids.

Rehearsal Cancelled

Due to the weather forecast for the evening, the rehearsal tonight, June 1st, is cancelled.

Possible Show Change during 2011 Season

I just received an invitation from Randy Knudson, the band director at Manhasset High School to compete in their competition.  I am contemplating doing this competition on Saturday, October 15th instead of the Huntington Show on Sunday, October 16th.  The Huntington Show is on our schedule. Manhasset has a marching band that competes in the USSBA conference.  USSBA allows new bands in their conference to compete in one show for free, without having to join the conference.

The benefit of going to the Manhasset show is that we get another set of judges to see us, it is closer to Roslyn, we are exposing ourselves to a new audience, and it is a night show, which are more fun to do.

In terms of the NYSFBC (the conference we compete in), we still have 3 shows, Brentwood, Mineola, and Phoenix which is the required number of shows to compete at the Carrier Dome so that would not be a problem.

Many bands compete in two conferences.  Manhasset runs a great show and it might be time for us to compete since the date works out great for us.

Let me know if there are any conflicts with the date change, if you would like to make the change or stick with the Huntington Show.

Disney Trip Deadline is Monday

Right now I have 28 people who have brought in deposits and are definitely going on next year's February Disney Trip.  I need 60 by Monday or the trip will not happen.  If you are on the list on the Website with a question mark next to your name please let us know your status.  If you do not bring in a check to Mr. Gazzo or myself by Monday we will take you off the list. Please get the word out!

Student Leaders List Up Tomorrow

The student leaders for 2011 will be posted tomorrow.  All people on the top 20 service point list will be receiving positions.  This is really the top 28 if you put the 8 seniors back in.  So if you were in the top 20% of the service point earners for the 2010 marching band season, you definitely have a position (we had 100 in the band last year). The service points are a significant part of this process now.

While most band members get to rehearsals right on time, and leave right after the rehearsal, approximately a quarter of the band comes early, stays late, and spends many hours helping out whenever they can.  These top 20 people have ALL gotten positions.

If you didn't get a position, you didn't get into the top 20 percentage of the service point earners which means you didn't do enough extra things while others did.  Translated, you did not come early, stay late, or volunteer doing extra things enough to break into that top group, which would have secured you a position on the leadership team.

This was clearly stated at Band Camp last year and the point and attendance sheet was updated after every single event and rehearsal.  It is always on roslynband.com.

Next Year's Schedule is Finalized - Our Attendance Rules

As of March 30th, we finalized our 2011 Marching Band Schedule.  Please realize that all rehearsals from Band Camp on are absolutely mandatory to be in the Roslyn Marching Band.  Due to the academic nature of our high school, our entire schedule is one third to one fourth the amount of practice hours of all our competitors.  Check their websites and you will see.  We can be competitive due to the fact that we have 100% attendance, rehearse efficiently, and focus incredibly well at each and every rehearsal and event. We also do about half of the shows other bands due.  We leave several weekends open for college visitations while our competition goes every single weekend.  It works for us but you must understand, for this reason, we need everyone at everything on the schedule. All information, forms, directions, the band camp packet, absolutely everything, is on the roslynband.com website. As always, if you have any questions just e-mail me.

Now on to the schedule.  Band Camp will be Monday, August 15th through Sunday, August 22nd at our new Camp Taconic. Our first performance will be at the home game on Saturday, September 10th.  We will be doing one more show this year, the Brentwood Show on Sunday, September 18th, the "Friday Night Lights" Soccer game, which is the only date we do not know yet, and the Homecoming on Saturday, October 1st.  Since the Homecoming is on the same day as SAT's it will be in the late afternoon, with the Parade and game scheduled so that it does not conflict with the tests.  There is a home game on October 6th, a Thursday afternoon, due to the holiday being that weekend.  Our regular Columbus Day weekend is off with nothing scheduled, the Huntington Show is on Sunday, October 16th, Newsday on Thursday, October 20th, the Mineola Show on October 22nd and the Phoenix and Championship on the 29th and 30th of October as we always do.  We will be staying for the finals this year and coming home on Monday, October 31st by 2pm.   Remember, with our marching band having so few rehearsals and so few shows, attendance is mandatory for every single day on the schedule. Any absences will result in immediate removal from the group.  Our show is a "Broadway type show" designed for every single person in the group! I start writing the drill after July 5th, so anyone can be added or get a full refund for marching band through that date. If you have any questions just e-mail me. The schedule can be downloaded by hitting the schedule link on the roslynband.com website.

Big Changes in the Field Band Classes!

Wow, there was a reclassification of the bands in the New York State Field Band Conference this week.  Click this link to view http://patpat15.com/2011nysfbcclasses.  They moved Leroy, Mohonassen, and Mineola up a class to Small School 1, which leaves us to be top ranked in our class.  In addition, they moved the three bottom bands in SS1 down to our class, Johnson City, Corning East, and Jordan Elbridge.  This is really good news for us because it pretty much means that everything will be more open.  Copiague is now out of National and in LS2, Huntington has been moved down to LS3 and a whole bunch of other bands have been moved around.  Malverne has been moved into our class SS2 due to their win last year in SS3.  We will still be on in the middle to late part of the Long Island Shows, with only Mineola, Huntington, Brentwood and Copiague in higher classes than us while the other 6 bands are in the lower class LS3.  This will be an exciting year!

Trip On!

We have reached a total of 55 people who say they will go on a trip to Disney next February!  Traditionally, when we have had 50 commit verbally, we hit about 65 to 70 band members actually taking part in the trip.  We will be departing Roslyn on Friday, February 17, 2012 at around 6pm and arriving back to Roslyn on Friday, February 24, 2011.  We will be performing in two parades, have a dinner at Epcot for all parents and students one night (to be determined) and visit each of the Disney and Universal Parks during the week.  This trip will cost around $1300 and will include food money each day.  Remember, at this time it still needs to be approved by the Roslyn Board of Education. I will be proposing the trip to the school board within the next month or so.  Due to the economy, I am proposing this trip very early so that families may get the best prices if they want to meet us down there.  It is also easier to plan ahead and save money for the trip.  Remember, all students must ride the busses down to Florida and back to be a part of this trip.  More information to follow.

We're Almost There!

We are now up to 45 people going on the Florida Trip to Disney next February break.  If we get 5 more people I am going to go ahead and propose the trip!

Bowlathon a Huge Success!

The bowlathon last night was a huge success!  We had over 80 people attend, it was a great time, and a successfull fundraiser!  Thanks to Claudia Wolfson, Sherri Marx-Eisenstadt, Linda Woods, and Nancy Goldman for running this incredible event.  A special thank you to  Terri Kurtz for getting our amazing donations of the ipad, nook, etc, and for so many pre-sales of our incredible raffle!  It was a great event!

Disney Trip Update, Extending Deadline

We need another 22 people to go on the Disney Trip next year.  I am extending the deadline to Monday, March 7th to make the final decision.  In all likelyhood, this trip will not happen in 2012.  Right now we have 28 people who e-mailed me that they will go on the trip.  I need at least 50 to do the trip.  I will not bring a band to disney unless we have at least half of the band going.  Please e-mail me if you plan on attending.  If you do not e-mail me, I will assume that you are busy and not interested in taking part in this trip next year.  In that event we will skip a year and try to do a trip during 2013.

Disney 2012 Update 2

We now have 26 people out of 76 listed in the band who want to go on a trip to Disney next year.  Understandably, it looks like the current economic conditions are impacting everyone and we will most likely have to skip a year.  I am keeping the decision to be made on March 1st, so please, if you are planning on going on a trip next year with the marching band, e-mail me asap!

Disney 2012 Update 1

After receiving only 17 positive responses from people interested in going on a trip to Disney next year, we will most likely be skipping a year and/or rethinking this Spring trip strategy for our program.
Due to the economy, the costs involved in band camp and Syracuse, along with family plans, we will probably be going with the every other year trips and doing the odd numbered years. Even this past trip included only 68% of our 100 piece band.  Perhaps there is just not enough interest in these Spring trips with our Marching Band.  Many people are hurting with this economy and as a band director I must be sensitive to this.

I will still make the final decision around March 1st, so if you are interested in going please e-mail me before that date.  In addition, if you know of any new members or incoming 9th grade definites who want to do the trip, tell them to e-mail me.

I need to hit participation by 80% of the marching band in order to go forward.  Right now, with 17 people out of 75 (I am not even including the incoming 8th graders or any new members) I am at 23% interest.

Should we do a trip to Disney in 2012?

I am thinking ahead in regards to a trip to Disneyworld next year.  We would  go during the winter break from Friday, February 17 through Friday, February 24. The cost would be about $1300.  Due to the economy, I am determining if we should move towards an every other year trip plan.  Membership in the Marching Band is very expensive, and I want to be sensitive to the needs of the band members and their families.  Theprojected annual costs are $615 for band camp, approximately $200 for the Syracuse trip, and roughly$1300 for the spring trip which totals about  $ 2115.

By proposing the trip earlier, next month, we would be able to plan more carefully and recruit more band members earlier.  In addition, if we do not get enough interest, we could skip a year and do a trip on the odd numbered years, 2013, 2015, etc.

Please send me an e-mail if your son or daughter would attend a Disney trip next February if it were to happen.  This is not a firm commitment, and all information will be confidential. I am only using it to determine if a trip is viable for the 2012 year.

I will be accepting these e-mails up until March 1st and will then make a determination if a February 2012 trip is possible.

Also, if you know of any incoming 8th graders or people who will be joining the band, they may e-mail me as well so get the word out!

The Letter

Doing these trips is a daunting task for band directors.  It is an all consuming, tremendous responsibility that takes hours away from family time during the planning stages and typically falls during the holiday season when families are gathering together.

These are optional trips, not part of the competitive season schedule or the curriculum. They are “extras.” Directors joke: extra work, extra headaches, and extra sleep deprivation! The chaperone pay during the few days of the trip is also an extra, but no band directors who do this ever calculate the actual hourly rate based on the entire trip process, better we don’t know.

So here I am, planning on pulling next year’s trip off the table, an easy decision with the bad economy and knowing the expenses associated with being in this band to begin with. I was thinking we could simply skip a year or maybe a few years until my youngest children (2 and 4) are in full time school, or old enough to go on the trip. It is very hard for me to cut the holidays short or leave them during a break, which is why most band directors either choose not to do these big trips or have their families accompany them  With 120 family members going to Florida to be a part of this trip, it is obvious that being with our families during the break is a priority for all of us. Last year at Disneyworld, we had huge numbers as well.  Remember that big dinner show at Epcot! It is clearly no wonder that I am torn between my immediate family and my extended band family.  And then I receive this incredible letter from Joe Capozzi, one of our chaperones at the Orange Bowl. It reminded me why we do all this. No person on the earth could have worded it any better.  Please read on.

5 January 2011

Dear Mr. Patterson:

I want to thank you for including me and congratulate you on an incredibly successful trip.
The experience you provided for your band members far exceeds the fanfare of standing on a field before 80,000 fans and millions more on TV.  The memories they will hold forever transcend perfected notes, synchronic steps, and undulating candles.  It is the pride, the camaraderie, the esprit de corps, the teamwork, the mutual support, the work, the blood, the sweat, the tears, and the laughter they shared that will so profoundly impact each of them the rest of their lives.

I knew a few of your members prior to the trip from class.  It was a pleasure to view them in a different venue as well as to get to know more of the members.  To see these 68 students of varying ages, abilities, and experience blend, meld, sync, and bond was the most heart-warming aspect of the trip. To see students who are perhaps not the biggest stars in a Roslyn classroom shine in the Florida sun was a great reminder of why we do what we do, why we teach.

It is not the lessons of the classroom, but the lessons of life that are our most valuable gifts to our students.  And through your (and your co-workers) efforts, your consideration, your attention to detail, your support, your encouragement—and likewise admonishment when necessary—your tireless and sleep-deprived dedication to your members, you have provided numerous and significant gifts that will last all of your very fortunate members a lifetime.

As a parent, our children become the barometer for all of life, and I can think of no higher praise to proffer than the thought that I wish my own children could experience a similarly nurturing experience. It takes a Herculean effort to plan and implement this type of undertaking.  I applaud your efforts and dedication.  To do what you do and have your students walk away with the positive experience they do is beyond commendable—it is almost incomprehensible, especially considering 50+ hours of bus rides!

Congratulations and thank you again for including me.

Sincerely,
Joe Capozzi

Running Late

Some logistical things were sprung onto me during this trip. Due to the hotel cutting out drivers out of their rooms, the drivers had to wait to go through red tape with BGA to get their rooms back, rooms we already paid for (after they took a taxi back from the hotel to sleep).  This cut us back about an hour or so. In addition, we have had some problems finding places to eat on the way home, we stopped at a bunch of areas which resulted in longer rest stops both ways.   With finding food areas, since the kids do need to eat, and that has to be a priority, we are running late.

The good news, they will be well rested!

We instituted a “mandatory sleep time” on the busses from 12:30 to 8 am in which all the kids slept very well.  They are continuing to sleep, at any given time half the band is sleeping. We will try to squeeze in another 5 to 6 hours of sleep time for them so that we are all in good shape to go to school tomorrow.

Parade Crash Course and Info about today's parade

First of all, from Claudia, and thanks to her for getting information about the parade

Hi All,

I know that everyone is concerned about where to go tomorrow for the parade.  After much “googling” I’m suggesting meeting on the south side of Miracle Mile at Ponce De Leon Blvd, which is where the Band will turn to go west on Miracle Mile.  From that side of the street we should be able to see the Band come down the street facing directly at us.  If anyone has a better suggestion, please let me know and I will email everyone.

It is approximately 43 minutes from the Hyatt to Miracle Mile.  For those of you staying at the Hyatt, I’m suggesting that parents meet in the lobby at 12:45 to be at the parade route by 2:00PM.  Also parents can carpool if possible, since we have heard that parking can be difficult.

Please know that this only “my” recommendation. Unfortunately, we haven’t been given very much information about the parade.  See you tomorrow.  It should be a great day.

Claudia

Now my blog on this and other parades,

As you know, I usually give out all information about every aspect of every venue and event we are involved with.  You have nothing at all about today’s parade.  You have exactly the same information as I do.  Parades are fickle, unorganized, and it is amazing that any of them even get down the street.
From the Columbus Day Parade in New York, to every single parade I have ever been involved with, they all excel in one area accross the board.  Total chaos.  This parade seems to be no different.  The directors and parade committees change yearly and are competitive with each year in how each year’s parade goes so no information is usually passed down to help things run smoother. I have received three different spots to go to with the band, communications from the parade committee demanding that we report to all three spots three hours ahead of time, with the busses not allowed to stay and us not allowed to warm up.  Of course this is the way they all do it.  Any band director knows this.  They also sent an old fashioned waiver to me weeks after the deadline which they needed immediately, remember?  I had to have every single parent sign one and get it to them in one day.
Don’t expect anything today from the parade. The Hyatt parents will be meeting in the lobby at 12:45.
 
Please go to the spot Claudia has chosen, I will tweet out as much information as I can as the day proceeds so you know what is going on.  We will be doing a 2 minute stand still of our show closer, wherever the judges booth is, once again I have no idea.  I would go to Claudia’s spot to watch the show, you will get to see the band for a longer period of time from the approach through the pass by.  If the parade stops alot (it probably will) we will perform our stand still 2 minute show near there as well.  It might be possible to walk from there to the end of the parade, it may not, I have no idea how crowded it will be there.

Once again, I will tweet out everything on our twitter.