Pictures

We need new pictures for the blog! Please e-mail them to Mr. Rhoades if you have any.

Columbus Day Parade

The EPHS Band has been chosen to march in the Chicago Columbus Day Parade this year. The parade steps off in Grant Park at 12:00 Noon on Monday, 10/12/09. More details and call time to follow.

Attendance

As detailed in the 2009-2010 Band Handbook, please take a moment to review the policy on Excused Absences:

“Attendance is mandatory at all Band-related events. Students should arrive early so that they are ready to go at the call time. Absence requests are to be submitted to the director in writing at the earliest notice, and will be considered at the director’s discretion. Examples of excused absences include funerals and weddings in the immediate family, legitimate illness (with a doctor’s note), other school final events (not practices), and other related family emergencies. Work, vacation, non-emergency appointments, oversleeping, freight trains, lack of fee payment, and lack of transportation are not considered to be excused absences or tardies. Because band is a group activity, every member’s participation is essential to the success of the whole. Attendance is considered as part of each student’s participation grade.”

…Speaking of the handbook, some of you students still owe me a parent signature!!

There are some occasions where things come up last-minute and cannot be explained ahead of time. In those cases, please feel free to send in a note after the fact or send me an e-mail.. Unfortunately when it comes to attendance, students are “guilty until proven innocent”. That is, if a student is not at a Band event and I haven’t been notified ahead of time, their grade will be a 0 for that event. Some of you may have fallen into that category this weekend; please let me know if there’s a way I can fairly and justly help your grade in that regard.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Football Scrimmage 8/22/09

Call time for the scrimmage is 10:30AM.

Wear your band polo, khaki shorts, and marchable shoes.

The game starts at approximately 11:30AM, and we will be finished after halftime.

To receive full credit for the performance, you MUST arrive on time. If the weather turns inclement, we will cancel at that time...not before!

Weather Update

80% chance of thunderstorms for tonight. Rehearsal will NOT be cancelled. Please come prepared for slight moisture, and know that we will head inside if the weather becomes so inclement.

Students who still need uniforms should arrive a few minutes early and will be fitted at that time.

Marching Band Picture Day

Athletics has just informed me that our Picture Day time is Tuesday, August 25th, right after school. Tennis and Soccer students should see Mr. Rhoades ahead of time, as they have matches that day.

Students will report to the band room immediately after school, change into uniform, and head out to the field. We cannot wait for late students; those who are not there on time may not be in the final picture.

Band Boosters Meeting

This year's first Band Boosters meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8/19/09 at 6:30PM in the EPHS Cafeteria. Please note that there is also Marching Band practice during that time.

Scrimmage Performance

The EPHS Band will be performing at the football team's scrimmage game on Saturday, 8/22. Details are as follows:

Call time: 10:30AM
Game time: 11:30AM (approx)
Dress: Band Polo, khaki shorts, gym shoes (same as 4th of July)

We will play in the stands and perform at halftime. Students will be dismissed after halftime. This performance will replace the Band Preview Night from years past.

WEDNESDAY night rehearsal

Due to the Freshman Orientation on Thursday, 8/20, we will have our weekly night rehearsal that week on Wednesday, 8/19, from 6-8PM.

Band Camp 8/5/09

Band Camp will begin at 10:00AM on Wednesday, 8/5/09. We will still dismiss at 3:00PM.