Mix it my people!!!!

John's Project is done!

The following contains selections from John's letter:

"I am writing with an update on the BK Band Platform, which I am happy to say we finished yesterday. I have attached “before and after” photos for your review. We finished more quickly than I had planned, finishing in one day instead of two. I will call the City to arrange for an inspection first thing in hopes that we can have the structure inspected for use before the football game this coming Friday.
Secondly, I wanted to thank you all for the incredible support you gave this project. Every person within the BK family gave time and effort to move this project to completion, which spanned over 15 months. I also received invaluable help from my scout troop, my Scoutmaster Mr. Chesley and my project mentor Mr. Patrick Lind. It really demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work together. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you on this project for the Band. I learned a lot and in the end, I can say it was fun. I will keep you advised of the inspection just as soon as I have more information.
Sincerely,
John Langfield/Life Scout"

Interesting Stuff

Venice (Bc)

View more presentations from ha_ha.

Cool Video Created by the Students

More Tunes?!?

The first full football game went well. We had the first chance to use the new P.A. system and found it to be wonderfully effective. With just 3 trumpets, 2 bones, a flute, a clarinet, and a violin. We were able to mic each of the horn players and double or triple that sound. We also pumped both synth players and the guitars. It made us bigger and better. Imagine what it will be like when we get the system dialed in. :)

so,... We are gonna be adding some new tunes. Expect between 6-8 new stand cheers. Those are easy. Zombie Nation, Clocks, Iron Man, and many others will be tossed into the mix. We'll also add some longer tunes this week, more appropriate for timeouts like The Office, Halo, and other great tunes. If you have any you'd like to hear, suggest them here.

Game Friday

The early part of any season is tricky. The two tunes that NEED to be good are the National Anthem (which is always #1) and the Fight Song (which must be memorized). If you perform these tunes well, you are a good band. If not, they are looking for a new director. So the first two weeks of school have been dedicated to bring the group up to speed on those two tunes primarily. Add to the list the Alma Mater, Funky Town, Low Rider, and a short list of short tunes and you've got a show. As the year goes on, we'll ramp it up. But for now, a few good tunes.

We'll also be missing about 5 wind and brass players (Arg, sports!) so we'll be relying on our keyboards to project some melody. Arrival time on Friday is 6:00PM for a 6:55 National Anthem.

Dress is shorts or pants and a BLACK BK shirt. We need to get a polos ordered again this year. Any volunteers to arrange the Spirit Store again?

Amazing Parents and Players

Thanks to everyone who helped this weekend with concessions. Students, parents, siblings, and friends all jumped in to help the music department make a strong showing at the football game. Few people know how difficult it is to get the concessions at games. In my near 10 years of teaching, I have never had a group that was given the chance. This is epic. The fact that the parents jumped in and did such an amazing job means we will likely be given more. I am so tickled.

Great job to the bandos who were able to play the SSB. It came off well. Nice conducting debut to Joe, as well. It was a hot day with a ton going on, thanks for being there!

Our game on Friday is a tricky one. We have just 4 days to try and put about 10 tunes in the book. Some of those are old stand-byes like. Go, Knights, Go, Go BK, Mortal Kombat, et. al. But some of those will need to be full length tunes. That's a lot to work on. Be prepared to practice at home this week.

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Spinning Up

Hello, Bandos.  This blog page will serve as a launch pad for many other exciting things.  But it has to start somewhere.  Rather than sending home newsletters which are more often used as extra napkins when the students are eating Big Bun, I thought we could create a more interactive and persistent resource.  It does require you to (at least) check it out from time to time, or subscribe to it which is even better.  

News of the week: Liz Rathbone voted band president.  She must be referred to at all times as "Madam Presidente".  Failing to do this may result in a brutal regime where she spends all of the bands money on shoes, woodwinds are treated as second class citizens (not that it's wrong), and banners, monuments, and stoic paintings of "Madam Presidente" blanket the school.    

She will be assisting with scheduling, organizing, reminding Mr. Haskell what day it is, communications, and general leadership.  We are thrilled to have her.  

Note, that although "Madam Presidente" will be supporting Mr. Haskell and the band, this is still "Hoochocracy", a form of Government where George Pollock is in control.  

More to come friends!