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.

Accessibility, Communication, and Supervising the Band

I take great care in keeping the communication lines open to everyone as much as possible.  My initial rule still holds true, if your child is upset about something to the point where they are having trouble sleeping, text or e-mail me and I will get back to you immediately and take care of it.  If however it is not an emergency, please let me do my job of running the trip.

Let me explain. Moving this band is like moving an army.  There are a myriad of tasks which I must constantly keep on top of at all times to keep things running smoothly.  In addition, I try to keep very organized so that I am available to meet the sudden things that come up with the kids during the trip.  This amounts to everything, from security and keeping track of them, to keeping them from slamming doors, eating right, going to sleep, dressing correctly to the emotional dramatic things that can and do suddenly crop up with teenagers around the clock.  As you are aware, the itinerary and every bit of information is already available on the website, blog and twitter.

Thanks for being great!  We have tons of parents and family members going to Syracuse this weekend, probably more than any other band!  I am excited to take your children on this trip, am looking forward to seeing you all upstate and we will all have a great weekend!  Make sure you get those salt potatoes at the Phoenix Show, that is one of the high spots of the weekend!

Storm Blog

As far as the storm approaching,  I am on top of it.  If the storm is hitting New York we will obviously bring the kids home immediately.  Anyone who knows how I run trips is fully aware that their well being is the most important thing,  I treat them as if they are my own family.  Mr. Pilnick and Ms. Murphy are also on the trip and we will all be monitoring the situation at all times.

Judges Announced, etc.

Last night the band was once again, absolutely amazing.  Look at the show on our youtube site https://www.youtube.com/user/roslynmarchingband?feature=mhee Everyone is happy and proud.

The judge panels went up today for the last weekend of the season and here is my quick explanation.

Of the 6 judges at Phoenix, 3 have seen us before, 3 have not.  The three that have seen us before are judging us the next day at the dome.  The other 3 are only judging us at the Phoenix show this year.

This year 11 of the 12 judges at the dome will have seen and judged our band this year.  There is only 1 judge who will be doing a first read of us at the dome and he has judged our band in the past years. One judge will be doing his 3rd read of us at the dome, the other 10 their second read (each having seen us one time this year at one of the shows).  They were spaced out throughout all the shows that we went to this year.  

All judges have seen our band in the past and are all New York State judges.

A few of my observations of competing at the Carrier Dome.

The dome is an indoor venue.  The sound is totally different in that environment so the band can sound and look totally different to the judges and audience in general.  This is both good and bad. There is an echo in the room and some bands cannot deal with it.  Some bands freak out, get nervous, hear the echo and fall apart while others dig in and do their best performance of the year in that room.  Our band always peaks there. The winds can sound louder and this can help some bands.  Drumlines tend to drown out winds in the dome if they are too loud. And most importantly, the judges view the bands from a much higher angle so they get to see the forms better.  Our parents who go to the dome can attest to this as well.  In that room it is a different ball game. Every band looks and sounds much different from the high vantage point.

There are three areas that bands in our class compete in New York State, the Syracuse area, Binghampton area, and Long Island area.  These three areas do not really compete together until the last day of the season at the dome.  In other words, the two Long Island bands do not ever go head to head against the 5 other bands until the last day of the season at the dome.

Are the judges aware of season placements?  Nobody really knows for sure.  Look at the last week placement in 2011 and the results at the dome on this sheet  2011 Last Week to Dome Results. Corning East moved from 6th place to 3rd at the Dome, and Malverne went from 3rd to 1st when they went head to head with everyone at the Dome in 2011. So yes, anything can happen at the dome.

Roslyn Scoring History at the Dome
Hit the link for our dome history which shows how far we have come. Year to year scores really do not mean much, the judging sheets have been adjusted over the years which is why you see dips here and there throughout the years.
http://patpat15.com/roslynhistory2011a 

Being realistic vs. defeatist 

It is my job to make sure that the band, parents, and community are ready for anything, 1st through 7th place, but also to realize that we are currently slated in the bottom of the class.  This can be construed as my being defeatist but I am not.  With every fiber in my being I am always aiming to win.  However, in a subjective judging environment we must realize, that judges are making the call on everything.  So I say we are being positive, aggressively shooting for first place but being realistic in that endeavor.  We are in a competitive class, we have a very strong band program, and are having a lot of fun.  If we win "great" if we don't, that is ok as well. We should all be proud and exuberant with how everything is going this year, regardless of the judging results. Remember, in 2006 we were slated dead last all year, yet in the dome, we came in 2nd out of 12.

Let's have a great ending to our season!

Next Weeks Rehearsal Schedule

In order to alleviate the pressure next week we are going with the following plans.  This is a reiteration of what I went over with the parents at the Band Fans meeting and the students at the end of the rehearsal on Wednesday night.

Scenario #1 - We score within a point of Malverne

• If we are within a point of Malverne on Saturday night we will do Scenario 1.  This means we are in contention to win the New York State Championship and due to the fact that the judges have popped our score, we need to give our kids the best chance of winning.  We need to rehearse on Wednesday for at least one hour.
• On Tuesday morning next week I will look at the weather for the week.  If it is going to be nice on Thursday night for the Newsday Festival we will rehearse for 1 hour, from 7 to 8, on Wednesday night. I may wait another day to make the call on this. Or..............
• On Tuesday morning next week I will look at the weather for the week.  If it is going to be raining on Thursday night that means Newsday will be cancelled.  We will then have a full rehearsal on Wednesday night.  I will only do this if it looks like it is almost definitely going to be raining on Thursday night.

Scenario #2 - we are still points below Malverne and it looks like we are being slotted into 7th place (in other words, the current scenario continues).

• On Tuesday morning next week I will look at the weather for the week.  If it is going to be nice on Thursday night for the Newsday Festival we will cancel Wednesday night's rehearsal. I may wait another day to make the call on this.
• On Tuesday morning next week I will look at the weather for the week.  If it is going to be raining on Thursday night that means Newsday will be cancelled.  We will then have a full rehearsal on Wednesday night.  I will only do this if it looks like it is almost definitely going to be raining on Thursday night.

I will put any changes on this blog, explaining everything as well as the twitter site.

Let's have a great week!