I would like to offer a friendly reminder to sign up and "follow" our twitter account. All Students and Parents will want to have this account set up before Band Camp. I am using this new media forum to post announcements both formal and informal. When the band travels, you will see this as a necessary (and interesting!) way of keeping updated with all that the band is doing. Please note: you cannot reply/respond to the announcement page. This keeps all the information secure and coming directly from me!

twitter.com/GilbertHSBands

Learn more about Twitter, how to use it and why it's a "good thing" with these two free resourses:

    * A brief video, "Twitter in Plain English": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o
    * A Twitter educational website with lots of information for beginners and experienced users: http://thetwitterschool.com
  
Mr. Libby, M.M.Ed. 
Director of Bands 

Gilbert High School

BAND CAMP at PINE SUMMIT

July 27th-July 31st

The Gilbert Marching Pride will be heading to the cool pines this Tuesday, July 27th.  Parents should have received a packet in the mail that included a Band Camp itinerary, rules, and packing list. (You may also download a copy here.)

You may also download copies of the medical form needed for ALL medication you are sending with your child. Remember that the band can only provide Tylenol to the students (if okay'd on medical form) per District Policy. Any anti-acids, cold medications, allergy medications, motion sickness medications, etc. must be provided by the parent with proper paperwork.

Your students were given a brief camp run down at the end of Thursday's practice. They were shown how to bring their medications, told what they will need to pack, and were instructed on Camp Rules, District Policies, etc.

If you have any questions about Band Camp, please contact Brent Garrett (Trips & Travel Chair) or Mr. Libby. 

The fall marching season is over and the Winter Guard and Drumline Season is now upon us.

More than 70 kids are participating in the winter programs this year.  Congratulations to the students that will be participating in Drumline, Black Guard and Gold Guard.  We are looking forward to a great winter season filled with practices, competitions and our own Gilbert HS Winter Competition on March 20, 2010.  Black Guard will also be traveling to San Diego to compete in the Power Regionals February 26-28, 2010.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Monday, Dec. 7:

• Brass Practice 2:45pm – 4:30pm (last practice of the semester.  No practice finals week)
• Gold & Black Guard Practice 2:45pm – 5:00pm

Tuesday, Dec. 8:

• Woodwinds Practice 2:45pm – 4:30pm (last practice of the semester. No practice finals week)
• Drumline Practice 5:15pm – 8:30pm
• (Sectional practice may be held prior to practice start time)
• Gold Guard Practice 2:45 til 5:00pm
• Black Guard Practice 5:30 - 9:00pm

Wednesday, Dec. 9:

• Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt Fundraiser.  Corner of Val Vista & Warner in the Fry’s shopping center. Stop by any time throughout the day and enjoy some frozen yogurt and 25% of the proceeds will go towards the GHS Marching band programs. Bring a flier or mention that you are with GHS Marching Band to make sure your proceeds are donated.
• Early Release school day
• Regional Guard Practice 4:00pm-6:00pm

Thursday, Dec. 10:

• Band Concert 7pm, Call times:
  • Concert Percussion – 6pm
  • Jazz Band – 6:30pm
  • Concert Band, Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble – 6:45pm
• No Drumline practice due to concert.
• Gold & Black Guard Parent Meeting: 5:45pm
• Gold & Black Guard practice: practice following parent meeting to 9:00pm
• Winter Guard and Drumline payment due

Saturday, Dec. 12:

• Drumline Carwash 9am-Noon
• EVERYONE IN TOWN IS EXPECTED TO WORK ALL CARWASHES. Parent volunteers NEEDED.  Please come out and support your student. Everyone should bring carwash supplies: towels, buckets, sponges, hoses, splitter, soap. 2 locations:
• Valero @ Val Vista & Guadalupe:  Pit and Cymbal line
• Arbys @ Gilbert Rd. & Guadalupe:  All battery except cymbal line

NO PRACTICES DURING THE WEEK OF FINALS: DEC. 14-18

Please see Winter Drum Line Information for those participating.

See also Winter Guard Information for those in the guard this winter.

IMPORTANT INFO

ALL MARCHING BAND FEES ARE NOW PAST DUE. It is very important to pay your fees as we have already paid our bills. If you have not paid your entire fall 2009 marching band fees please contact Mr. Libby ASAP.

All students in the Winter Programs MUST have paid their fall 2009 fees in order to participate.  Winter program fees are due December 10, 2009.  Uniform costs, including shoes and guard/drumline T-shirts are NOT part of the fees.

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES, YOU SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

We’re asking you to “Get in the GAME”.

Gilbert Advocates for Music Education (GAME) is a local parent advocacy group in Gilbert that supports the ongoing quality of music education in our schools.  GAME’s purpose is to promote a joint effort between the parents, the schools, and the community that builds on our tradition of quality music education.  GAME is a new group in Gilbert, basing its model on a national movement to support music which can be found at www.supportmusic.com.  As parents, we want to uphold and advance quality music education for all children in our district from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

You can get in the GAME by e-mailing Elaine Huettl.  Periodically, we’ll update you with news about issues and events that affect our children’s music education.

We’re asking for your help in getting the word out about GAME. Please tell your friends and neighbors, especially those with children in elementary and junior high, about us so that they can “Get in the GAME” as well.

Thank you for supporting our children’s music education by getting in the GAME!

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES

If you missed the opportunity to purchase your personalized luggage tags, key chains, etc from Encompass Media Group at the Gilbert Invitational, you are in luck.  We will continue the sale of those items.  If you are interested please contact Carolyn Gieszl.

Escrip requires each family to renew their subscription online at the beginning of November. Logon on to escrip.com and renew your Safeway and other subscriptions.  You MUST do this to continue to  accumulate funds toward your child's band fees.  While you are on the site, check out other alliances with merchants to earn money toward band fees.  For instance, Macy's gives a percent of purchases made on a registered Macy's credit card. If you have any questions, contact Elaine Huettl.

There are spots available for ASU concessions.  Contact Suzi Cannady.

Please sign up @ onecause.com under Gilbert High School Bands.  This organization pays the band back a percentage of all money spent when items are purchased thru onecause.com or when you use the toolbar to search for items.  Please contact Carolyn Gieszl for more info.

Gilbert Tiger Pride is Going to State Marching Band Championship Finals on November 14th, 2009!

We are very proud of the performance of our students!  They have come very far and have an awesome show!  On this Saturday, November 14th, the band will compete at the ABODA State Marching Championship.  The event will be held at Phoenix College Stadium (see the map below).

Saturday's Schedule

• Please eat a GOOD MEAL for lunch…
• 3:15pm  Inspection/Call Time
• 3:45pm  Load Truck
• 4:45pm  Depart Gilbert HS
• 5:30pm  Arrive @ Phoenix College/Unload
• 5:45pm  Stretch
• 6:00pm  Begin Visual Warm-up
• 6:20pm  Begin Music Warm-up
• 6:50pm  Transition to Warm-up zone
• 7:00pm  Official Warm-Up Zone
• 7:30pm  Transition
• 7:45pm  Performance
• 9:00 - 9:15 Championship Presentation
• 10:00pm Depart Phoenix College
• 10:45pm Arrive @ Gilbert HS (We will NOT unload)

Good Luck to our Gilbert Tiger Pride Marching Band!!

Wear your gold shirts to show your support!

Location and Map

• Phoenix College Stadium
• 1202 West Thomas Road
• Admission - $5.00 – children under 5 admitted free.

View Larger Map