Dear Parents,
It is time to get ready for the next step in our growing music program at Unity.
This year will be the first in a long time that a Unity marching band will perform
again on Hicks field.
This all begins with our preparation at Band Week. Band Week will be held
from August 11th to the 15th and be held at Unity Junior High. This will prepare
us for our fall marching season. Here is what we will do during the week:
Base Marching Skills
Learn marching style, technique, body control, coordinate system.
Music Practice
Learn and memorize music for the halftime show.
Show Drill
Learn all the forms for the show, placement, alignment and technique.
This week has no fee, instruction is free and is our preparation for the
marching season.
Your student musician will now belong to the largest team activity at Unity.
Each student has a specific responsibility and our success will depend on
every student executing their job as part of a whole show. Each and every
student will have a specific position. We learn these positions during the week,
link them with music and work on the combination of playing while moving.
It is quite a demanding task but with the appropriate teaching approach students
will learn how to manage these skills. For a marching band Band Week is as
important as doubles are to a football team.
If a student misses this week it will be necessary to make them an alternate.
Students will be adjusting to each other to align forms and adjust movement.
Learning the show just practicing during school will be very difficult.
Enclosed you will find a daily schedule of our rehearsal during the “week”
and a list of things students will need.
We also need help with the construction of flats for the field, equipment
management at home games and especially sewing flags for the field show.
We have the pattern and I have had parents make the flags in the past.
It really adds to our performance.
If you have any question feel free to contact me at home (469-7093) or
through e-mail at jeanb@unity.k12.il.us and I will get back to you as
soon as possible.
I am very excited about the show this year. It will be fun, exciting and
quite a learning experience for all. You are all invited to come observe
our efforts throughout the week. I encourage you all to be curious about
our new venture, get involved and share the experience with your
son or daughter.
Welcome to Marching Band.
Sincerely,
William Jean
Unity Music
Monday August 8th to Friday August 12th 8:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
8:30 to 9:15 Basics
8 & 8’s (variation)
Body Carriage
Movement skills (backward & slide movement)
Visual skills
Box Drill
10:00 to 12:00
Show Drill
Use of coordinates and field markers
Application of basics to performance movement
12:00
Lunch (students bring lunch)
We will have access to building and cafeteria
12:30-2:30
Horn line Music Rehearsal Color Guard
Reading Flag Work
Memorization Drill Work
Bleacher Music Ensemble Drill
Show Music Warm-up Routine
Field Warm-up Flag work for bleacher music
Pre-game Pre-game/school song
Drum Major
Field commands
Movement skills
Conducting
Showmanship & Salute
2:45 to 3:30
Drill & Music Fusion
(“crash & burn”)
Please make sure to bring a bottle for water.
We will make sure to take water many times when we are outside.
Sun screen, hats and t-shirts, shorts and tennis shoes
(flip-flops
are not safe to march in) are the best attire to wear
during the week.
Color Guard Pre-Camp Aug 1-5; 5:30 to 7 in the music room.
Drumline (Battery) Pre-Camp Aug 2-4 5:30 to 7 in the music room.
We will be auditioning and setting the line.
Color Guard Pre-Camp Aug 1-5; 5:30 to 7 in the music room.
Drumline (Battery) Pre-Camp Aug 2-4 5:30 to 7 in the music room.
We will be auditioning and setting the line.