Next Year's Show Announcement

Next Year's Marching Band Show

The First Thing that Happened

Ok, so I was pretty much set on the Elton John Show, Beatles or Les Mis.  As I listened over and over none of them were really doing it for me, they seemed cheesy and I couldn't get excited about it.  After finding multiple bands at all levels who did each of these shows on youtube I was further unimpressed.  I started looking for other shows, round the clock in my free time.

The Second Thing that Happened

We were looking at the old shows on youtube after band on the smartboard. After talking to the Seniors in the Wind Ensemble who did marching band, a group of them said that their favorite show was the Wedding show, when we did Emperata Overture, Song Without Words, and Chorale and Shaker Dance and not because of the theming as much as the music. I took a quick vote (broadway, rock show, or classical music as the choices) and the last choice won.  I was surprised.  This coupled with my lack of excitement for the other shows continued me on my quest.

The List

Before looking further I put together a list of what I feel we need to take care of to move our entire marching band forward to the next level.  These are my goals as director of the band for next year.

1. A show that is musical, with catchy melodies
2. A show that either Stephanie or I can write the drill and teach it in case Stephanie is teaching in some other part of the country and I have to write and teach the drill
3. Feature the entire guard (they were awesome, see the youtube videos of met life, they reached an incredibly high level this year)
4. Feature the dancers (classical style is better)
5. Continue to feature the drumlin as we have done for some time now
6. Feature the Woodwinds
7. Feature our amazing three freshmen soon to be sophomore floutists, Alyssa, Kat, and Kellie.
8. Feature the pit. After watching/listening to the metlife video, the pit was amazing.
9. Feature and add body moves for the band proper, during winter rehearsals, awarding points to the band member who come so that at least half of them know all the body moves before camp, in the featured playing/body move spots in the show.
10. I feel that we have a very advanced band program here at RHS and we need to work on a more difficult show, more challenging and one that has educational merit.   The Broadway show thing isn’t meeting that criteria.
11. A show that is 7 minutes long.  With the short amount of time that we rehearse, we really do not need to add a minute. This past year we were over 8 minutes.  The top bands in the country do the least amount of minutes required, which is 7.

The Show

So here it is, I am so excited about this show.  Each time I listen to it I get more and more ideas.  The theme came to me after I compiled the three works.  I call it “Butterflies.”  It will illustrate to music, the life of a butterfly.

The beginning would be the dancers, or entire guard in a cocoon.  The cocoon opens up, the butterflies come out with the music, either the entire guard will be the butterflies, or just the dancers, with the guard being the elements that come in contact with them, then everyone dances, and go through the various things that butterflies come in contact with during their life cycle (wind, sun, calm, etc.).  The first pit feature, about a minute in, would be with the three flute soloists with wireless mics which we already have, featured within the drumline playing the unisons along with the pit.  Those three flute would be featured throughout the show with the wireless microphones.We would put the entire guard into uniforms and flags depicting butterflies or something embellishing that.  We could do anything, just in the planning stages right now, but all around that basic concept.  The band proper will do dance type moves (those things that all the bands are now really starting to do) during the percussion and pit features.

In Conclusion

I am very excited about this show and concept. Listen to the show a few times, it will totally grow on you and these melodies will stay with you throughout the day. Also watch our show "The Wedding" from 2010 on our youtube site.  It was a successful show for us, where we put classical wind music to the field with a simple theme.  And thanks to the seniors for pointing me in this direction.  I am truly and totally into doing this incredible show, I hope you all are as well.

Hit the link below to listen to it.  Give it a minute to load.

patpat15.com/Butterflies2014

Great Year! Post season wrap up.

Wow, we had a great year in 2013!  The best band we have had, the highest score we have had, 2nd in the State and 9th at the Nationals.  The sound, look, guard, pit, winds, dancers and drum line was firing on all cylinders.  Now to my take on the Nationals last night.

I sat and watched the entire class 5A.  I personally had the top three bands in that order, they were clearly, in my opinion, above the other 6, and in that order, and the scores showed that (remembering that these are all subjective).  As far as 5 through 9, I couldn't have made a call or put them in order at all, and this includes us.  We were all about the same in terms of guard, musicianship, and marching…..everything.  We all had great moments and all had moments that weren't so perfect. But one thing stood out for sure. They were all GREAT bands and I told  the band members I came in contact with that we could be 5th, 9th, or anywhere in between.  We received 9th but went on to receive the highest score we have ever achieved, a score of 85!  We were all excited.

As far as the conference switch, I think we made the right move.  We were placed in a class of great bands in the appropriate point range and it was clear to me that all of these bands were much stronger than the other conference. This was clearly a National Championship at a great venue, the MetLife Stadium.

From a band director's standpoint, US Bands is up to 780 bands for a reason.  They are a "Child Centered" conference.  Not once did I or any of the staff get treated in a mean fashion, or with a businesslike, tense demeanor, by anyone at any of the shows.  The judging seemed fair to me, yet subjective. Everything was relaxed, calm, and we had a great experience from beginning to end.  We could have done without the 2 in the morning return last night but that won't happen every year.  The classes are scheduled at different times each season.  At least it is not on a school night.

In addition, the Columbus Day parade was a great trade for the late weeknight Newsday Festival.  In addition, I think that the 2 weeks off and spread out in the season gave us the energy by recharging, doing college visits, and tending to life and school needs.  For the first time we didn't have that crazy last week of the season in which we are all stressed out and staying up super late to get everything done.  I am truly not done processing it all because the season just ended, but overall, I think we are all happier.

In addition, going to Syracuse to see my son in Mineola last week, I had no idea how much that trip costs for a family.  Joey and I went and the costs involved with going to Phoenix and the Dome championships were astronomical.  I was not ready for that.  Obviously that is why we have more people going to Florida this year.  We usually take around 60 and this year we are at 90.  By pulling out the $1000 costs of paying for your son/daughter along with the family to go to Syracuse, we have gained more participation with the Spring Trip which is awesome!

So, in a nutshell, a great year was had by all!  Thanks to the Pit Parents for all their help, thanks to the Parents and administration for all your support, and thanks to the "Band Fans" for being the best band support group on the planet.

I know I keep harping on the 80 hours thing, but it is a reality and something we cannot overlook.  We practice much less than other competition bands, much less.  Sometimes it catches up with us.  Sometimes we don't have that clarity and perfection that another 80 or 100 hours would accomplish, the stuff that the judges see but we don't.  The pure fact that we are even scoring within points of these top bands in the nation is absolutely phenomenal.  Think about it.  And for our school, our band, and our culture here at Roslyn I wouldn't change a thing.  This is so much fun.  The music we pick is always enjoyable to rehearse and listen to. We have all built friendships that last a lifetime.  Our band camp is incredible, like no other anywhere. We are absolutely amazing.  A powerhouse National Class Band.

Great job everybody!

And to the band, I know it sounds crazy but I already miss you!  

My Pregame Speech for the National Championship!

We have the Nationals today. I am so excited for all of us. It’s our first time at the Nationals at MetLife Stadium and I cannot wait for the day to start! Today I really want to just reiterate that you should keep it all in perspective.  Today we have 10 people making a decision, putting a number on the bands in our class and ranking them.  What they really should do is bring the 10 judges down in front and say in the opinion of these 10 judges today here are your scores.  I know it may sound cliche, but there is really no ultimate champion. Anyone in the entire activity, in any band, is a champion.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes we are caught up in this too, the numbers, the placement, as if it really means something.  Remember that the reason we compete is to push ourselves and we are all better because we compete.  

Remember, your work means a heck of a lot more than 9th place, 3rd place, 1st or 8th.

We are an art form incorporating drill (which is art work) music, dance, and flag/dance together in a broadway show type production on a huge canvas.  Now think about it. Trying to judge an activity that ultimately cannot be judged, anything in the arts, dance, art at any museum, a movie, a rock concert, is kind of silly. We are an art form, remember that.  Even 5 of us looking at any of these art forms may get 5 different opinions and if we had to put a number on each performance what would that really mean?  Just keep it all in perspective.

The proudest thing about directing you in Roslyn is your hard work, your compassion for each other, your love of life, and your perspective on life. I love all of you for being such great people. Lets have a great day today at the Nationals.

The good, the bad, and the cold!

I have received a few questions about the cold next week at the Nationals.  I then realized through the questions being asked that none of you know how I as a director, handle this whole performing in the cold thing.  We have had a bunch of warm seasons so I have to update you on my philosophy.  A famous marching band instructor once said to me "Marching Bands are a slave to the weather."  I totally agree!

We have to always take that into effect with band camp, the season, performing and most importantly, keeping the kids safe and healthy. I totally agree, and since right now we have no idea how cold or what the weather will be like next Saturday at the Nationals, I can give you some information on where my philosophy lies in terms of dealing with the weather. Please read on.

My band director real weather story #1

In 1990, my first year at Mineola with 46 total in the band we drove all the way to the TOB Northeast Championships in Scranton, PA.  Over a hundred family members drove down.  It was raining, sleeting and 40 degrees out with the wind blowing.  I asked a band director next to us in the warm up area if they were competing, with the sleet and soaking rain bouncing off the timpani drum next to him he said to me "of course!" That image of the drum with his reaction, a few feet away is seared in my mind.  Yes, every single band was playing. I put my instincts into play, I thought that this was nuts! I made the call,  Mineola left the venue, we all went to the Mall, and all our parents lost all the ticket money, registration fees, etc.  Not one parent or kid complained, not one.  It was obvious, crazy to perform in those conditions.  

My band director real weather story #2

I am proud to state that I am one of the two band directors at Giants Stadium in 1996 that had our entire band of 250 members warm up on the busses, wear their coats into the stadium, make a big pile of outerwear just inside the stadium by the tunnel, play the show, then put their coats, gloves, and hats back on when exiting the stadium.  Every other band warmed up for hours outside, in the wind, freezing, without coats, because "That's what you do."  No way for our kids.  Incidentally, Mineola got 3rd out of a bunch of bands, and Piscataway, the other band that also looked weird walking into the building with parkas, ski gloves, and winter hats over their uniforms like us, got 1st.  None of the kids from either band got sick (I called that director after about a week) and today I believe that both of our scores were greatly impacted by their keeping warm. 

My band director real weather story #3

St. Patrick's Day parade on Long Island, once again with Mineola.  We had 250 band members, we got off the busses at the beginning of the parade route, the trombone and trumpet slides froze. We couldn't keep warm even with full winter attire over the band uniforms. I believe it was 1998 0r 1999.  The temperature was 30 degrees and was about 22 with the wind chill.  Pretty simple, we got on the busses, went back to Mineola and released everyone.  I had my drum majors put their parkas on and walk to parade route to let everyone know.  No twitter or texting back then.  For this one I got a lot of backlash at first, parents standing in the cold were mad, yelling at me when they went to pick up their children, calls to the administration on Monday.  It was bad publicity for about two days, until the stories came in of the little cheerleaders who got sick, the kids who were freezing, and the whole thing turned around to a backlash at the people running the parade and why they didn't cancel it.  I knew I made the right call as we pulled out to go home, watching the little children, the same age as my kids at the time, freezing and crying in the lot, huddling together to stay warm.  Another image seared in my memory, that I will never forget.

Please remember, I treat them as if they are my own children, winter coats on when it is 50 or below with the wind.   We are a child centered program here and we will take care of the kids. Trust me, I will make the right call on this.  If the weather is going to be warm, frigid, or simply cold, I will totally update the directions on roslynband.com and tell everyone exactly what needs to be packed.  I have Directed bands at the old Giants Stadium 8 times.  I’ve got this covered. We might lose some money, but we will not lose our health.

Please realize that playing the 8 minute show in uniform is feasible and safe.  The kids’ adrenaline to  perform and inner excitement protects them for that short time frame. They are moving and keeping warm.

We also have 320 hand warmers, 320 body warmers and 320 toe warmers donated but the Small family to help us keep warm.

What took so long?

I was waiting all night to get the Met Life order and seeding, it happened around 4:30am.  I expected our performance at MetLife to be around 7pm but was thrilled that we were on closer to awards, performing at 9:30pm.  I was wired and up for the day. Then I went ahead and put up the leadership team as well just so that we wouldn't lose the rehearsal tonight with everyone flipping out and getting nervous.  When I put up the schedule I deliberately took the link off the top menu to see how long it would take for someone to figure it out.  Since we are all geniuses (I include myself) here at Roslyn I figured, by 2nd period, Symphonic Band, people would have figured out how to find it, either by googling roslyn band leaders 2014, or going through the back door to the site map.  I thought that it was pretty obvious, since the leadership team was omitted from the top menu.  Then came Symphonic Band 2nd, nobody knew.  I was shocked. Then onto Wind Ensemble 4th period, nobody figured it out.  Wow.  I walked through the halls to see if anyone got it, nobody smiling, coming up to me, nothing, just the regular "hi".  Then finally, at 1:15, between 7th and 8th period, a bunch of people ran to me in the hall in front of the guidance department and told me that everyone knew their leadership positions.  Finally.  

So now we all know.  I will make the link available in the top menu right now.  I will still announce it tonight, without all the suspense or the drama.  I will announce it to celebrate all the new positions.  Yes, I created some new ones, we had some great guard people who scored in the top 20 and I needed to find places for them and by the way, I think that a Colorguard President and CEO are brilliant additions to the Colorguard here at Roslyn.  In addition, I was excited to be able to not only get the top 20 positions but went down to 32, that was totally a surprise for me when I went to double check if all the top 20 were in.  

I am sorry we do not have 107 positions for everyone in the band but for now, giving 31% of the band members positions is about as high as we can go.  

Congrats to everyone who got something and to everyone else, keep on working to get those points and practice!

Leadership Positions

I am announcing the marching band leadership positions tomorrow night, Wednesday, October 23rd, at the end of the rehearsal.  In the past I have simply posted it after the season is over but with the pressures of the point system growing, I want to have a "no points" period from the announcement tomorrow through to the Spring rehearsals.  I do not want students fixated on points when we go to finals next week or on the Florida trip.

Since I have these positions all ready to go, I decided that it would be a great boost for the program to just go ahead and announce it prior to the end of the season.

Positions will not take effect until after the Disney Trip, when we start the Spring rehearsals.  Students receiving positions will need to sign the contracts which will not be available until after the Nationals.

The top 30 all have received positions this year, which is unusual.  The top 20 on the point list are guaranteed positions.

I have decided the positions as to where I think people fit, what their strengths are, and how they will be most successful for themselves as well as the band.

Only upper classmen (Juniors and Seniors during the 2014-2015 school year) are getting positions.  Since no current freshman scored in the top 30 point recipients, this should be no surprise.  In addition, with a band this large it is difficult to get a position with only one year's experience.

The point system was devised to give credit for extra work done by band members.  I update it after every single event on the website roslynband.com.

Any questions, just e-mail me and I will be happy to talk to you.

Band Members - Please read, then text me that you read it

This is a blog for the band members.  Please read, then text me that you read it.

Band members in Symphonic and Wind Ensemble need not text me, I will read it to them in band.

TEAM ROSLYN:

We need to maximize rehearsal time.  The best rehearsal we ever have every year is the rehearsal the day before the dome at Central Square Stadium.  Everyone has a sense of determination, focus, and the breaks are strictly to quickly go to the bathroom and/or get a snack or drink. The students monitor this themselves. The band returns with a focus and we get so much done.  We need to have this sense of urgency now and at every one of our rehearsals. 

We are trying this on Wednesday night.  We want to get a great placement at the National Championships.  We need to get more done at reharsals.  Here is our itinerary for this week.

Each segment will be an intense positive and great segment where we will get something great accomplished, cleaned, fixed, or made magical.  There will be one staff member up and one staff member down running each segment.  We will make this clear to you and there will be no other distractions, no talking, chatting, etc.  If any other staff members want to add a comment we will raise our hand and the staff member up on top will give them a minute to add their comment.

I will oversee the entire running, timing, and expedite the rehearsal to maximize our rehearsal which will lead to us doing great at the Nationals.

6:30 pm - Rehearsal start - Basics, warm up, sectionals

7:00 pm - Segment 1 - Staff Leader Up -  TBD   Staff Leader Down - TBD

7:25 pm - 5 minute water/bathroom break

7:30 pm - Segment 2 - Staff Leader Up -  TBD   Staff Leader Down - TBD

7:55 pm - 5 minute water/bathroom break

8:00 pm - Segment 3 Staff Leader Up -  TBD   Staff Leader Down - TB

8:25 pm - 5 minute water/bathroom break

8:30 pm - Full run throughs on the field - Patterson runs

9:00 pm - All sound stops, all to rear podium

9:05 pm - Rehearsal wrap-up talk

9:15 pm - Dismissal from field and pack trailer, return instruments to bandroom - Come if you can to help out f

9:30 pm - Pick up in front of High School

Lets have the best rehearsal ever and be great at the Nationals in 3 weeks!

Columbus Day Parade on October 14th.

I will blog the information I know right now, but there is not alot I can tell you.  They traditionally get the info to me a week or two before and I have to guess the step off time from what division we are in.  I brought Mineola to this parade 11 times.  It is a great parade, and incredible experience however the parade is so huge that it is hard for them to set everything in stone prior to a few weeks before the parade.

The New York City Columbus Day Parade has 35,000 marchers. Over 100 groups, including bands, floats and contingents and nearly one million spectators. Last year WABC televised the parade, usually it is also nationally televised.  In the past each band pauses and performs on the red carpet but only bands who perform on the red carpet prior to 3pm have any chance to get on TV.  This is totally up to the producers, directors, commercials and if special speakers become available when your band is on the carpet, you will not be televised. 

Last year the parade marched up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 72nd Street with red carpet performances on Fifth Avenue between 67th and 69th Streets. The parade usually starts at noon and ends around 6pm. Once again, any and all of this could all change, and I probably will not know until a week prior to the parade.  

We plan on going to Chinatown to eat after the parade due to the fact that it will be less crowded than where the parade is ending, and the food is better and cheaper.  After we perform we will board and change on the busses while they drive downtown.  Kids will be required to stay in the immediate area in groups of 4 or more at one of the restaurants we choose, we will give them a list.  Our itinerary will be adjusted when I have a better idea of our report time & performance time.  This is all going to be strictly a guess.  There is no way to know the parade speed of any parade, especially a huge one like this.  More info to follow and the itinerary as always will be up on roslynrehearsal.com or the last page of the website, as soon as I have it.

Right now, the report time says TBA, some time between 10am and 8pm.  This will be set when I get the itinerary.  I will adjust so that we are not actually out for all those hours.  We could start our day as early as 10am or end it as late as 8pm back in Roslyn.

Our band, our performances, our scores and what we are all about

At times we receive low scores at the shows.  Many have asked me why and I want to reiterate what our band is all about here at Roslyn.  We are a competitive band in an academically oriented high school.  In more flashy terms, Roslyn Schools are and have always been an academic powerhouse.  We are giving the students the opportunity of a lifetime being in a great competitive band here at Roslyn.  Now onto dealing with the scores.

First, we practice 80 hours during the season when our competitors rehearse anywhere from 200 to 300, with most at the high end of that.  We compete with bands who rehearse 2 nights a week and one day on the weekend.  Some have bands with not one student in a sport because they rehearse every day after school for 3 hours.  And just about every band who competes rehearses 4 weeks in the summer plus a one week or two week long band camp.  So, for what we do, the fact that we are close and scoring over some of these bands is absolutely incredible. 

Our band students triage everything they do, they have to in order to get it all done.  So, understandably, only about 25% of them play until the final competition.  They choose not to practice and do not get their parts down right away simply due to the magnitude of things they are involved with. The academic demands they put on themselves are much more stringent than any of our competitors.  In addition, they all see this as a fun activity and feel that they do not have to practice until finals. This hurts us because we get “slotted.”  By the time they get to finals and they are finally all playing (as you could hear at the dome last year), they are great but unfortunately their scores are already so low that they are slotted by the judges and end up getting a less than stellar placement.  We should have been top 2 last year, yet received 7th out of 7.

Yes, the students choose to put academics first until the championship, that is great, understandable, and we totally respect their decision to do so.  We must fully realize however we are negatively impacted and could end up getting a lower placement. We are not trying to make their academics suffer and will never put more pressure on them to achieve, they do enough of that to themselves.  

In response to this and in an effort to be more competitive we have, as a staff, tried to take steps towards getting higher scores.  We have put the show music online in April and have 6 rehearsals in May and June to learn it.  Next, the music was taught measure by measure to each and every individual instrument at camp by the staff.  We did that this for the first time this year, rehearsing music entirely in sectionals to overcome the lack of practice time for each of our kids who are already up late doing homework and other academic based activities. This is why we sound better this year, as many of you have noticed. Now it is totally left to each and every band member to finish carrying the ball to the goalpost and score by practicing and memorizing the music at home in their limited free time.  We tried to let them understand that the last days of the summer was the time to get all the music memorized. 

So in short, we have built a great program here but are limited by the small amount of practice time that we have due to the limitations of working in an academic environment as well as the fact that these kids have alot of stuff on their plates.  

In addition, I will put the positive experiences and affect that this program has had on their lives up against any one of these other "higher scoring and supposedly better bands."  Look at what this band has done for all out kids.  I truly believe that the Roslyn HS Marching band does more for the child’s growth musically, socially, and emotionally, including but not limited to "changing their lives for the better" than most bands.  They learn life skills here, how to work as a team, how to be a great leader, how to work hard towards a goal, etc. This band gives them many things that will stay with them forever. Unfortunately, these things won't be talked about in the stands but will be talked about at dinner tables forever, those discussions about how the Roslyn Marching band changed their lives for the better.  The events, trips, competitions and freindships they develop will last a lifetime.

We must constantly remind ourselves that some things are not reflected in the scores or in the impression we give to strangers and judges with our band.  We all know what this band does for all of us.  That is why we are all here, that is why we all love it, and that is why we are all in the band!

US Bands Opening Show!

This is an important post and I need everyone in our program to read it. The final schedule for this weekend is on roslynrehearsal.com

Band Members:  Look at the new schedule and look up our competitors on youtube.  These two bands are incredible! We are too but realize, we are the new kid on the block and need to make a great impression this week. If you watch these bands from last year's championship you WILL practice!  So do it!

Everyone: This week we are competing in the US Bands in Class 5 Open.  This is a super competitive class.  These bands are among the best on the east coast.  I have chosen to be in this class because we are on the bubble, between open and A.  By being in open our season is extended only one week from our usual ending weekend.  If we are in 5A our championships would be in Scranton PA on November 9th.  As you now know, by going into 5open we are ending at Met Life Stadium on November 2nd.  I think this is a better end of the season for us but it does have challenges.  We are in a class with powerhouse bands.  Our goal is to be the best we can be and to be competitive.

This is from earlier in the year:
It is time for a change.  After much thought and reflection, it is time to move from the Field Band Conference and begin to compete in the US Bands conference.  I have wanted to do this for some time; my roots are in this conference which used to be called CMBC then YEA.  I was trained in their clinics in the early 90s and my philosophy of Marching Band is very much in line with the US Bands. Due to “Roslyn’s tradition” of going to the Dome, we stayed in that conference. I wanted to respect our culture and traditions.  Now, as we have grown as a band in size and quality, I believe that the best thing for our band is to try this new venue. In addition, given the academic demands that we have in your lives here at Roslyn, I am making changes which will have less impact on our school time and hitting those deadlines for early applications to colleges for the Seniors. Moving to US Bands will be great for our program. It is the largest growing and most exciting Marching Band Conference in the country.  

US Bands, what they are

The US Bands is a conference of over 700 bands which runs 150 shows in 25 states.  Of those 150 shows, 50 are regional or national competitions and 100 are local competitions. 

Bands are in classes by band size, not school size, which is a system which rewards bands based on the number of people that they have in the group.  I believe this would definitely work in our favor since bands in the higher classes receive higher points for the most part.  Below is the size breakdown for how your band is placed into classes.  Group I: 1-40 members, Group II: 41-55 members, Group III: 56-75 members, Group IV: 76-100 members, Group V: 100-135 members, Group VI: 136+ members.  Then they then put each band into “A” class or “Open” class. We would be in division 5 or 6 depending upon how big our band is next year and start out in the A class.  The judging is much different, and is based more on General Effect and Music, another thing that will help us.  Their judging traditionally rewards the kind of shows that our band performs.

We are looking forward to a great season and remember "Aim High, Be Patient, and Be Ready for Anything."

Band Camp Update #1, an overview

Band camp is going great.  We have not had one drop of rain, the weather has been somewhat cool, and yesterday it was overcast which is great for learning drill.  We are up to Set 13 of the show, right on schedule, and are playing with the drill up to that point.

Our schedule is wake up at 7:30, breakfast at 8am, bunk cleaning and dressing at 8:30.  Field basics from 9 to about 9:45, learning drill from 9:45 to 12 noon and lunch at 12 noon.  Then we go to indoor sectional rehearsals from 1 to 2:45, then music ensemble outside standing still from 2:45 to 3:30.  We have pool break from 3:30 to 6pm with a snack at the field house at 4pm.  Dinner at 6pm, field rehearsal from 7 to 8:30, and the night activity (all are required to participate) from 9 to about 9:45.  We then have a snack included in camp, at the canteen at 10.  The Canteen is open to purchase other snacks from 10 to 11 and we have the kids curfew at 11pm, with a lights out at 11:30.

The band rehearses for a total of 7 hours a day.  Most band camps are 9 to 12 hours rehearsing a day but we have found that by being super organized and efficient, we get just as much done or more within this 7 hour rehearsal environment.

I have felt, after running band camps for about 30 years, that the social needs are key to making this entire thing work and that the free time is bonding for the students, preparing them for real life training with our business like "climb the ladder" point system (I will explain that in detail in the next blog) as well as preparing them for real life with my CD program.  My CD (Character Development) program hinges on being a "Person of Character" something that I have striven to teach all the students I have come in contact with them.  These kids here at Roslyn already have character, we just sneak a workshop in on further character building as part of everything we do here.  That will be another blog this week as well.

I'd like to thank Principal Dr. Andrews for coming to our camp yesterday.  He was here all day and we really appreciate his support.

Another update tomorrow.  Remember, follow us on twitter and see the pictures on roslynband.com.

POINTS - History and New Rules - READ THIS ENTIRE POST

The points thing got out of control in 2010, the 2nd year of doing it.  I was getting e-mails and texts asking for points before I posted any point opportunities.  Now, once again, three years later, it is starting up again, people hungry for points, forgetting what this is really all about.

Below is the exact blog post from November 27th in 2010, when the points thing was getting a little too intense.  History is repeating itself and I think it is time to read through this again.

This year I am getting barraged by calls and e-mails about people not getting their points.  Last year, not one call.  The leaders and I watch everything, write it down and that is how we do this.  If we didn’t see it, then it is not getting points.

Also, if this is WHY you are helping out, please don’t.

The intent of the points is to reward people who are helping out, not to get more people to help out.

We always had those altruistic and hard working kids who never got noticed, now they are, through this simple point list. That is the ONLY reason I made it, so that those people get some recognition.

Last year I didn’t receive any e-mails about “you missed my points.”  This year it is out of control.  And most of these people are already in the top 20! So here is a new rule, if you e-mail me for more points, I will simply reply “please don’t help out if you are doing it for points. You should be helping out because you love the band and want to contribute to the program.”

A great band person told me last year “If I get some points, great, if I don’t, that’s great too, I just love that feeling of being a part of this and helping out.” That person is one of our leaders now!

In addition, part of life is for the important people to see you do that extra stuff, you need to build those skills as well. The officers you want to be seen by are the President, CEOs, Vice Presidents, and Managers. You should know who they are.  Do not ask them about your points, just make sure one of those people, or I see you.  In the workplace it is a major skill to get the credit for what you do in a passive and intelligent way.  Yes, you could tell your boss “hey, did you see me do that” but it would probably be more effective to “just do it” and be seen doing the work in a modest, hard working fashion. I am the one who ultimately picks the officers and this is the kind of person I am looking for.

We need help at certain times. It is pretty obvious when those times are. The 9 of us are taking notes and watching at those exact times in those places. Those are the times that we need you and that’s where you will get noticed.  And know what else? You should be an altruist and do it for no reward!

From this time on there will be no more point adjustments after the date. You should be doing this for the “love of program.”  Points are only to give SOME recognition to those who work very hard to keep us going! If you are the type of person who won’t do it without points, don’t. We have plenty of people who will help just because they want to.  Those are the kind of people that I am looking for to be our future leaders, hard working, band loving, altruists.

New Rules for 2013!

All sign ups ahead of time, you cannot simply show up to help.  Parents need to know when to drop off and pick up their son/daughter band members.

I will not take requests prior to point postings. All postings will be on the points page. Do not be obsessed with checking the page, that is not healthy.

You can only sign up via e-mail

Texts to me will no longer be honored for point opportunity sign ups 

It is too hard for me to fairly combine both time stamps

e-mail to pattersax@gmail.com

Great First Rehearsal

We had our first full rehearsal of the new season last night and the band was amazing.  First we introduced all the staff and student leaders in the Lecture Hall.  Then we went on to do a bonding activity in the Gym, where we made two big circles, made each one go a different way, and we stopped them about 12 times, where they would meet and greet whomever they were facing when we stopped the circles.  This worked very well to get the new and old band members acquainted.  Next was 15 minutes in their sections, where they could meet all the people that they will be working in close musical and marching proximity to in the show, at camp, and in rehearsals.  Next was a basics introction to marching, then to the bandroom where the winds learned the music, the cologuard, pit and drumline went to their areas to work on basics and/or the show.

We did a full run of the first song and a bit of the second in the bandroom and ended the night together. It was a great first rehearsal.  The incoming band members are great players and this will be an amazing year.