Newsletters

JGHS Band Families! 

I hope you’re all enjoying a relaxing and fun summer! Marching Band Camp starts 4 WEEKS from today, on August 3rd at 8am. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead! This is one of the most important and memorable weeks of our season, and we’re looking forward to an exciting, productive, and impactful experience with all of you.

During Band Camp, students receive the equivalent of eight weeks of instruction in one week. We’ll learn the entire halftime show, pregame show, and pep music, setting the foundation for a successful season. To ensure each student gets the attention they need, we bring in professional music staff to help guide and support the learning process. Because every single person is crucial to the show's success,  full attendance is required for every student. Please ensure no appointments or conflicts are scheduled during these times.

This year, the band camp location is at the Christa McAuliffe MS Band Room and the football stadium because JGHS is being renovated. On August 3rd, we will meet in the CMMS Band Room (come in the side door by the football field). Plan on arriving to marching band events 10-15 minutes early because we always start on time. We will have our first performance of the year at the end of band camp on August 7 at 5:00 PM in the JGHS Stadium. Please read below for important information, including parent help that is needed and joining our Remind so you can receive the latest communication regarding marching band events.

Join Our Remind for the Latest Communication!

We use the Remind app for all marching band updates & communication. This sends important messages right to your phone. All students and parents/guardians should join. To join, click THIS link on your mobile device or text @jghsma to 81010. If texts aren’t working for you, we highly recommend downloading the app for notifications.

Volunteers/Donations Sign-Up (Band Camp & Full Season)

It takes a village to make a marching band season and band camp successful and smooth. Every year, we are fortunate to receive so much support and volunteers from our band families. Without your help, it would be hard to pull off a week of great experiences & productivity. This year, we are fortunate to have families who are donating their time and resources to ensure our students are fed for lunch. Students are welcome to bring a lunch too if they prefer, but the food is always really good! Below is the lunch schedule for band camp: 

• Monday: Pancakes & Sausage "Breakfast for Lunch" (provided by the Barkell Family)

• Tuesday: Sandwich Bar (provided by the Barkell Family)

• Wednesday: Hot Dogs & Mac & Cheese (provided by the Marshall & Brunette Family)

• Thursday: Pulled Pork (provided by the Gallant Family)

• Friday: Pizza, Salad, & Cool Treat (provided by the Crawford Family) 

Additionally, we need volunteers and donations for both Band Camp AND the full marching season. With donating snacks, Gatorade, drinks, popsicles or side dishes for lunches.  We are also hoping to add some parents to the uniform team, which includes uniform fittings on August 17th evening rehearsal and helping out with uniforms in the band room before & after performances. Please sign up for the uniform team, as we need help with this! This is at the very bottom of the sign up below: 

• Sign-Up Link click HERE

Band Camp Spirit Week & Schedule

If the student is wondering what the daily schedule of band camp will be, HERE is the plan. It is a working document and the plans adjust based on progress. Students are encouraged to participate in our band camp spirit week. Just remember to tennis shoes only for safety! 

• Monday, August 3: USA Day

• Tuesday, August 4: Hawaiian Shirt Day

• Wednesday, August 5: Section Color Wars Day

  • Flutes - Purple / Clarinets - Blue / ALL Saxophones - Red / All Brass - Green / Drumline & Drum Majors - Pink

• Thursday, August 6: Dynamic Duo Day (Twin Day) 

• Friday, August 7 : Black shorts + Show Shirt (provided)

What to Bring to Camp (Arrive early to camp each day)

• Instrument and accessories (reeds, mouthpieces, lyres, flip folders, drumline stands/sticks)

• 2 different colored highlighters and a pencil

• Athletic clothing (follow spirit day themes; jeans should be avoided as they get super warm)

• Tennis shoes (strictly no sandals, Crocs, or flip-flops for safety during marching)

• Water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat (students will be outside most of the day)

• Small bag for personal items

• Sack lunch (optional—lunch will be provided unless you prefer to bring your own)

Marching Band Camp Evening Activities

During band camp, on Monday, August 3 & Thursday, August 6, we will be hosting an optional evening bonding activity for our marching band kids from 6:30-8pm. Students are to go home after camp ends (5pm) and come back for the activity.  These evenings are often some student's favorite part of band camp, but if a student is exhausted after a day of hard-work, that is perfectly fine. 

• Monday, August 3: Kickball 

• Thursday, August 6: Board Game Night

Band Calendar

After camp, rehearsals will continue (mostly Mondays, some Tuesdays), as indicated in the calendar. Be sure to review the full season calendar on our website by clicking HERE. As students enter high school, they will be responsible for ensuring this is on their calendar, as the dates are communicated well in advance. There is also important marching band information on our website. 

I encourage students and families to directly add this to your personal calendar by clicking on the corner of the Google calendar on our page. If you are an Apple user, like myself, you can add a Google Calendar to your Apple calendar by following THIS advice.

Show Shirts

Every year, all students get a show shirt as a t-shirt included with your marching band camp fee. Families will have a very small window that will open soon if they'd like to buy one as well. Keep an eye out for this. 

Upcoming Schedule At-A-Glance

• Sunday, August 2 – 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Marching Band Leadership Meeting

• August 3-7 – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Marching Band Camp (Christa McAuliffe MS Band Room)

  • Note: Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early each day to meet in the band room. 

• Friday, August 7 –  5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Band Camp Final Performance

• Tuesday, August 11 – 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Marching Post-Camp Rehearsal

• Monday, August 17 – 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Marching Band Evening Rehearsal

• Monday, August 24 – 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Marching Band Evening Rehearsal

• Tuesday, August 25 – 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Loons Game (HS) 

  • Buy tickets by clicking HERE: students performing do not need tickets. 

• Monday, August 31 – 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Marching Band Evening Rehearsal

• Wednesday, September 2 – 3:30 PM – Until Close: Parkside Mini Golf Fundraiser

  • 20% of Ice Cream & Mini Golf Sales will be donated to our band program