Plainfield High School Band Boosters

The PHS Red Pride Marching Band came within 15/100ths of a point of an invitation to this year’s state finals. The band’s sixth-place performance and Gold rating are something to be proud of – especially when you consider that such a large number of this year’s band members are freshmen who had no experience when the season started.

Next fall, they’ll be seasoned veterans who will help take the band to new heights and bring us back to the RCA Dome for state competition!

“I would like to thank all who have helped the marching band so much this fall with chaperoning, uniforms, snacks, equipment, support – the list goes on and on,” said Mr. Roberts. “The band could not function without the great support that we receive from you.” And band parents are quick to thank Mr. Roberts and the entire staff for their hard work. They knew this would be a tough season, and you couldn’t miss the joy on their faces after the band’s stunning performance at Regionals. If you couldn’t be there, know that you missed their most outstanding presentation of the year.

The kids may be disappointed that the invitation to State eluded them this year, but they have no reason to be apologetic. Their performance and dedication was superb, and we’re excited about Winter Drumline and the future!

FROM THE PRESIDENT – SUZANNE KAMEL-MOHAMMED

For the past six months or so, we have all been working together to support our band in their mission and to provide our kids with quality fun time. We all worked very hard for the same goals and ambitions. We encouraged the band kids equally and we succeeded in earning their trust and respect. It is a lot to ask, especially from people in their young age, but we did it because of our sincere intentions for them. As band parents, our relationships grew closer and we enjoyed each other’s company. We succeeded in closing the gap between the newcomers and the old group, and we all benefited from each other’s experiences. We all shared difficult times and happy times. I saw unselfishness and sacrifices from parents among us who lost loved ones during the past four months – they worked hard and put the band and the kids above their personal pain. These genuine sacrifices are seldom found, but they are the characteristics of our big band family.

Although the marching season is over, the band season never ends. We move from one band activity to another year ‘round. I hope that your support for our kids will continue even after your kids graduate and go to college. Let us support their pep band season. Let us enjoy their cheers and music for our basketball teams. Our drum line/winter guard team did wonders last year – let us stand by them and encourage them to earn more. And let us enjoy your presence with our group.

Remember, we have a band booster meeting this coming Tuesday 10/25 at 7:30 p.m. The board meets at 6:45 p.m. then followed by the general meeting. There are a lot of subjects on the agenda. Please do not miss this important meeting!

WANT TO SEE STATE?

State Finals is this Saturday, Oct. 22 at the RCA Dome beginning with class B at 10:00 AM. It’s a great chance for our band members to see the state’s top bands in competition.

BAND GROUPIES Q&A

by Tina Wheeler (mom to Freshman Andrew Ward, Trombone)

Hello fellow band parents – and welcome to yet another edition of Band Groupies Q & A.

Yes, band season is now over for the Marching Red Pride, but that doesn’t mean our kids will stop playing music until next year. We have a number of things going on, like Pep Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band. Some of us music-challenged individuals may ask, “what’s the difference in the groups” and “what do they do?”

I contacted Mr. Roberts, and asked a few questions. I wanted to know exactly what Pep Band is, and what they will do. “Pep Band is a volunteer group that performs at 10 Home Basketball Games (3 girls’ and 7 boys’ games). It is open to band and guard members that play an instrument. The pep band rehearses during the class period for a few weeks in November and before each game for 30 to 45 minutes,” stated Mr. Roberts. The kids are required to sign a contract that says they are committed to being there when scheduled.

Concert Band is created when the kids audition for a spot. Their “chair” position will be decided after all the auditions have completed. We’ll have more info to come in our next edition.

Jazz Band is directed by Ryan Fraley. They play various types of Jazz music, and could potentially participate in a few Jazz Festivals between January through March.

In our upcoming columns, we will explore the history of the various types of band our kids play in today. We will briefly learn about their origins and how those forms of music became a part of our education curriculum today.

PEP BAND IS COMING

Mark your calendar for these upcoming performances by the Pep band at home basketball games. If your son or daughter is interested in participating, he or she will need to complete a “pep band contract” and return it to the band office ASAP.

Wed., Nov. 23 Whiteland (girls)

Fri., Dec. 2 Avon (boys)

Wed., Dec. 14 Brownsburg (girls)

Sat., Dec. 17 Martinsville (boys)

Wed., Dec. 28 Lebanon (boys)

Sat., Jan. 14 Monrovia (boys)

Fri., Jan. 20 Whiteland (boys)

Fri., Jan. 27 Greenwood (girls)

Fri., Feb. 3 Richmond (boys)

Fri. Feb. 24 Columbus E. (boys)

'TIS THE SEASON TO SELL TRASH BAGS

With all of the beautiful fall colors, Randi Brinker reminds us that those beautiful leaves will soon be on the ground and all of your friends and neighbors will need trash bags. We still have a supply of bags in the uniform room that need to be sold while the opportunity is upon us. If you can help, please do. Sales forms are on the Fund Raising page or else you can just make a list on any piece of paper. When you are ready to fill your new orders, please contact either me (979-0860) or Bill Bloom (839-4806). We'll also be available to fill orders at the Boosters meeting next week. Reminders: Orders are prepaid and checks should be made out to PHS Band Boosters.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Mark your calendar with these upcoming dates!

Tues., Oct. 25 7:30 Band Booster Meeting

Tues. Nov. 1 Cheese Orders Due

Thurs., Nov. 17 2:30 Cheese Delivery

Wed., Nov. 23 Pep band

Fri., Dec. 2 Pep band

Tues., Dec. 6 7:30 Holiday Concert in PHS Gym

Wed., Dec. 14 Pep band

Sat., Dec. 17 Pep band

Wed., Dec. 28 Pep band

PHS BAND BOOSTER BLAST

Scott Flood, editor – send submissions to blast@sfwriting.com

Tom Travis, publisher – to unsubscribe, send request to TTravis@PlainfieldBands.org

Brad Roberts, band director – broberts@plainfield.k12.in.us

Dates, times, places, and everything else are subject to change!