The "Pride of the Tribe"

I know that you are enjoying your summer vacation.  I’m sure that you aren’t looking forward to the beginning of the school year yet, but I am.  The new halftime show will be “Things That Go Bump in the Night” and is the soundtrack of a trip through a haunted house!  I think that once we work on the music and learn it, you and the audience will find it to be a fun and exciting show! 

Music for the marching show will have to be played off much like last year. Your music playoffs will be memorized and they will be played while marking time.  You must be able to play your music and move your feet at the correct speed at the same time!  As in the past, you will know the playoff dates well in advance and you may try as many times as it takes to get the grade that you want to earn!   With the exception of the first playoff, the other two playoff dates will be a week or more before we will actually march the corresponding drill for the first time. This will allow us to have ample time to rehearse without music in preparation for the first time we perform the drill.

Please put the following dates on your calendar now to avoid conflicts later.  Plan on being with the band all day on these dates!

October 13:  Edna Marching Contest

October 20:  UIL Marching Contest in El Campo

If you have any questions orconcerns please feel free to call the band hall.  The phone number is 771-4362.

Summer Band Schedule

July 30-31

7 a.m. – 9 a.m. AND 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Freshman Marching Fundamental Camp

All new band students arerequired to attend!

After marching, any student who needs a school horn must stay and get a horn checked out.  Bring the yearly rental fee of $25 at this time or you do not receive a horn!!!  OnJuly 30-31, we will do the marching camp with horns but without playing.  I will be taking orders for band shoes at this time as well.  They will cost $25.00 and must be paid for at the time of the order. I will also be taking orders for band t-shirts.  I am unsure of the cost at this time, so Iwill take the order without payment, but I will not give you your shirt until payment is made!

August 1-3 and August 6-10

7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Marching Camp

All band members are requiredto attend!

We will review fundamentalsof marching then start working on the show.

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Music Camp:  Percussion and Flag times may vary dependingon other schedules

We will have practices during the week of teacher inservice days (August 15-19) based on other school activities.  I will let you know these times as soon as I know them myself.

Show music playoff dates:

Will be announced during Summer Band!

*Important*

Required rehearsals are MANDATORY!  Very few excused absenceswill be granted.  If you have a situation, such as a death in the family or personal illness, you will be excused IF you notify me ahead of time of the problem.  If you must miss for any other reason, talk to me to see if the absence will be excused or not.  Two absences will mean you are automatically removed from the show until you have done whatever make-up work I decide to require in order to earn a spot back in the competition show.   Excused absences will require much less make-up work than unexcused absences!

Also, please remember to follow these guidelines when showing up for marching rehearsals.  It is very hot in August even in the morningsand these guidelines are for your health and safety.

Wear sunscreen!
Wear loose fitting, light colored, comfortable clothes that are within school dress code.
Wear a hat and sunglasses.
Athletic shoes of some sort are REQUIRED. 
No sandals, flip flops, or boots are allowed.
Eat regularly.
Bring water or a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade . 
Bring at least a quart size container!
Drink lots of water the night before practice.  

Below you will find the itinerary for the Area Marching Contest which will be held at East Central High School in San Antonio on October 29, 2011.  The address for the stadium is :  7173 FM 1628, San Antonio, Texas 78263

11:00 Run Throug, Load Trailer and eat Pizza for Lunch.

12:40 Leave Ganado

2:10 Arrive at Bucees for pit stop

2:40 Leave Buccees

4:00 Arrive at ECHS

4:45 Warm up starts

5:15 clear Warm up

5:30 Perform

5:45 Take Pictures with on site photographer

6:00 Re-load equipment on Trailer

6:15 Boosters serve meal in parking lot

6:45 Re-enter Stadium as group

Results will NOT be announced until after the 2A Finals which will run until 10:15 p.m.

10:45 Results Announced/Awards Ceremony

This will be a Drum Major retreat so they will remain in uniform.

11:00 check roll on busses and head home

12:30 Pit stop at Buccees

12:50 Leave Buccees

2:20 arrive back at Ganado

unload trailer

go home!

10:00 a.m.  Meet at hill for run through

10:30 a.m.  Load trailer, get into uniform

11:00  a.m.  Leave Ganado

11:15 a.m. Arrive in Edna, unload trailer

11:40 a.m.  warm up

12:15 p.m. Perform in Prelims

12:30  p.m. Watch Video Clinic

2:30 p.m. Re load busses to come home. ( I will know if we are outstanding 1A in prelims at this time)

2:45 p.m.  Arrive back in Ganado, chill at band hall

3:00 Boosters will grill hot dogs.  We will have chips and drinks with them.

If we are not Outstanding 1A band you can leave after we eat.
If we are Outstanding 1A band, follow the rest of the ininerary.

Chill in band hall, watch a movie, play psp or gameboy (no you can;t bring your xbox or ps3) until time to reload

5:15 reload busses to return to Edna

5:30  Arrive in Edna, Unload equipment.  Put uniform back on.

6:15 p.m.  Awards Ceremony

6:30 p.m. Warm up on field

7:15 p.m.  Perform as first band in Finals

7:30p.m.  reload trailer

9:15 p.m.  Announcement of Finals awards

9:30 Leave to return home

9:45 p.m.  Arrive back in Ganado, unload and go home!

Itinerary for Edna Marching Contest on Oct. 9, 2010

9:00 a.m. Meet at Band Hall

9:15 a.m. Run Through the show at the stadium

9:45 a.m. Load trailer, get into uniform

10:30 a.m. Leave Ganado

10:45 a.m. Arrive in Edna, unload

11:25 a.m. Enter Warm up

11:50 a.m. Leave Warm up for field

Noon Performance

12:15 p.m. Video Clinic (anyone selling at auction may leave at this time)

12:30 p.m. Load equipment on trailer, eat lunch at concession stand (meal provided)

1:45 p.m. Bands begin performing after judges lunch break

6:15 p.m. Announcement of results

Anyone selling at the auction must be back at the stadium at this time!

6:30 p.m. If we DON’T make Finals, return to Ganado. If we DO make Finals, start getting ready for Final performance.

9:15 p.m. Finals results announced.

9:30 p.m. Return home

Lunch is provided. For supper, you may bring a sack lunch with your name marked on it. We will have coolers to store any lunches brought. You may also choose to eat at your own expense at the concession stand.

To all prospective High School Band Members:

Enclosed you should find a copy of the Summer Band Schedule.

I know that you are enjoying your summer vacation.  I’m sure that youaren’t looking forward to the beginning of the school year yet, but I am.  The new halftime show is called “Master ofIllusion.”  As we discussed at the end ofthe school year, it will be a magic show on the field.   I think that once we work on the music and learn it, you and the audience will find it to be a fun and exciting show! 

Music for the marching show will have to be played off much like last year. Your music playoffs will be memorized and they will be played while marking time.  You must be able to play your music and move your feet at the correct speed at the same time!  As in the past, you will know the playoff dates well in advance and you may try as many times as it takes to get the grade that you want to earn!  As a matter of fact, I have put the due dates on the bottom of the Summer Band Camp schedule.  With the exception of the first playoff, the other two playoff dates are a week or more before we will actually march the corresponding drill for the first time.  This will allow us to have ample time to rehearse without music in preparation for the first time that we march the drill.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the band hall.  The phone number is 771-4362.  Finally, if you need a horn to practice over the summer, please call me to make arrangements to pick one up!  (771-4362)

Sincerely,

Patrick Flaniken

Band Director

Summer Band Schedule

July 28-30

1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Freshman Marching Fundamental Camp

All new band students are required to attend!

After marching, any student who needs a school horn must stay and get a horn checked out.  Bring the yearly rental fee of $25 at this time or you do not receive a horn!!!  On July 30, we will do the marching camp with horns but without playing.  I will be taking orders for band shoes at this time as well.  Shoes will cost $20.00 and must be paid for at the time of the order.  I will also be taking orders for band t-shirts.  I am unsure of the cost at this time, so I will take the order without payment, but I will not give you your shirt until payment is made!

Uniform Fitting: 4p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Seniors and Juniors may come on July 28 for uniforms.

Sophomores may come on July 29 for uniforms.

Freshman may come on July 30 for uniforms.

August 2-6 and August 9-13

7 a.m. to 9 a.m. 

Marching Camp

We will review fundamentals of marching then start working on the show.

All band membersare required to attend!

Percussion only: 200p.m.-3:00 p.m. We will work on cadences, etc. at this time.

3:00 p.m. to 5:00

Music Camp

All band members are required to attend!

We will have practices during the week of teacher in-servicedays (August 16-20) based on other school activities.  I will let you know these times as soon as I know them myself.

Show music playoff dates

Measures 1-81 will be “Part 1” and due by August 25 at 5:00 p.m.

Measures 82-143 will be “Part 2” and due by September 9 at 5:00 p.m.

There will be some measures added to this section to increase the drum feature during the “Sleight of Hand”section.

Measures 144-end will be “Part 3” and due by September 23 at 5:00 p.m.

*Important*

Required rehearsals are MANDATORY!  Very few excused absences will be granted.  If you have a situation, such as a death in the family or personal illness, you will be excused IF you notify me ahead of time of the problem.  If you must miss for any other reason, talk to me to see if the absence will be excused or not.  Two absences will mean you are automatically removed from the show until you have done whatever make-up work I decide to require in order to earn a spot back in the competition show.   Excused absences will require much less make-up work than unexcused absences!

Also, please remember to follow these guidelines when showing up for marching rehearsals.  It is very hot in August even in the morningsand these guidelines are for your health and safety.

Wear sunscreen

Wear loose fitting, light colored, comfortable clothes that are within school dress code.

Wear a hat and sunglasses.

Athletic shoes of some sort are REQUIRED. 

No sandals, flip flops, crocs, or boots are allowed.

Eat regularly. 

Eat protein for breakfast.  Avoid milk if you have a sensitive stomach!

Bring water or a sports drink.  This is especially important for the Freshman Marching Camp!

Drink lots of water the night before practice.  

April 7, 2010

To the parents of all JHS band students:

On April 15th, the 7th and 8thgrade bands will be going to UILConcert and Sight-Reading Contest at the Palacios High School Auditorium.  This contest is the only event in which the entire junior high band competes away from school during the course of the school year.   We have been preparing in class for this event for about 6 weeks now. All 7th grade and 8th grade band members are required to attend this contest unless they are ineligible!  It is very important that your child be in attendance on this day!  The contest is open to the public and free to attend, so please come out and listen to your child perform if you can!

The dress code for the day will be the same as the dress code that we have for our concerts. Young men must wear dress pants, slacks or khaki’s with a button down shirt and tie.  If they do not have a tie, I will have some available for them to wear.  Dress shoes or boots should be worn.  No flip flops,denim (blue jean material) or tennis shoes are allowed.  Young woman should wear a dress, skirt with blouse, or dress pants and blouse.  Dress shoes, boots or sandals should be worn.  Again,no denim, flip flops, or tennis shoes are allowed.  If you do not have clothes that meet this dress code for your child, please contact me so that I may help find the properattire.

Our schedule will be as follows:

7th  Grade

7:00 a.m.  Meet at Band Hall, load bus

7:30 a.m.  Leave Ganado for Palacios

8:15 a.m.  Arrive in Palacios, unload instruments

8:40 a.m.  7th Grade band warms up

9:05 a.m.  7th grade band performs

9:30 a.m.  7th grade band Sight-reads

10:00 a.m. Load bus to return to Ganado

10:45 a.m.  Arrive back in Ganado, unload equipment, attend class as normal for the rest of theday.

8th Grade

11:00 a.m.   8th Grade goes to lunch early

11:30 a.m.    Meet in t he band hall, dressed and ready to go. Load equipment and bus.

11:45 a.m.  Leave for Palacios           

12:25 p.m.  Arrive in Palacios, unload, get ready for warmup

1:00 p.m.  Warmup

1:25 p.m.  Perform

1:50 p.m.  Sightread

2:20 p.m.  Load bus and equipment

2:45 p.m.  Leave Palacios

3:30 p.m.  Arrive back in Ganado

If you have any questions, please call the band hall at yourconvenience; if we are unable to answer the phone please leave a message.  We will return your call.

Patrick Flaniken                                                         

Band Director 361-771-4362 

Contest is on Wednesday, April 7!

We will meet in the band hall right after lunch.  You will NOT check in to your 6th period teachers.  At that time we will load the trailer with all equipment and get out uniforms.  When we get on the bus you MUST be  in uniform including black socks that do not allow skin to show above them when you sit down.  You must also have on your black marching shoes.  If you don't have both of these items, you will not be allowed on the bus. 

1:00 Meet at band hall

1:05 Start loading equipment/getting into uniform

1:30  Be seated, get ready to get on busses.

1:37 Load busses and leave for Industrial

2:10 Arrive in Industrial.  Disembark from bus and go listen to Brazos and Van Vleck perform.

3:20  Leave Auditorium.  Unload equipment get ready for warm up room

4:00 Warm-up

4:30 PERFORM

4:50 Move to Sight reading room

5:00 Sight read

5:15  Re-load equipment on bus, get ready to return home

5:45 Leave Industrial

6:10  Arrive home in Ganado, unload trailer, get out of uniform

6:30  Leave Band Hall!

November 20, 2009

Re:  GISD Bands ChristmasConcert

To the parents of all GISD Band students:

I am writing this letter to inform you about the upcoming Christmas concerts.  As most of you already know,this is a required event for any students who are in a band class here at Ganado ISD.  There is a grade attached to their concert.  It counts as a major exam.  All students are expected to attend and take part in their concert.  I have been talking to the students about their concert since the beginning of November so this should not come as a surprise to any of them.  Hopefully, it won’t come as a surprise to you either. 

There will be two separate concerts.  On December 17th, the High School Band and the Jazz Band will perform.  All JHS and 6th grade students are welcome and encouraged to attend.  They will be given a “free” test grade of 100 for attending the concert and then writing a very short assignment about the concert.  On December 11th,the 6th grade, 7th grade and 8th grade bands will perform.   High School students willbe given the same opportunity for a “free” 100 at the JHS Band Concert. Both concerts will begin at 7:00 p.m.

We do have a dress code for the students during the concert that is a little stricter than the normal school dress code.  The dress code for boys will be as follows: Boys must wear slacks or dress pants. For example, “khaki” style pants, or suit pants are acceptable; however jeans of any sort are not acceptable. Boys must wear dress shoes or boots. Athletic style shoes, tennis shoes, and sneakers are not acceptable.  Boys must wear a button down shirt with a collar and a tie.  T-shirtsof any type are not permitted.  Neither shirts, nor pants should be made of denim! The dress code for girls will be as follows:  Girls may wear any typeof skirt and blouse, dress, pants suit, or slacks and blouse as long as it meets the following two requirements. First, it must fit the school dress code.  Second, the outfit can not be made of denim.  Dress shoes, sandals are allowed.  Athletic shoes, sneakers and flip flops are not permitted! 

If you are going to have to find or purchase clothes for this event, I would suggest black pants and a white top/shirt.

I can help find appropriate clothes if your child doesn’t have some of these items.  Please let me know if you need help finding these clothes for your child.  Any assistance needed in this matter will be held in the strictest privacy!  If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at the band hall as soon aspossible.  If I am not in the band hall when you call, leave a message on the answering machine that includes your number and the best time to reach you and I will call you back at that time!  The number at the band hall is 771-4360.

Thank you,

Patrick Flaniken

Band Director

Ganado ISD

We will be traveling by charter bus to the State Marching Contest.  There will be rules specific to this trip.  Most of these are already covered in the band handbook that you received at the beginning of the year.

1.  You will be allowed to bring ONE bag with you on the bus for luggage.  Since we are only going for one night and you will be in uniform the next day, you don't need a lot of luggage packed.  All that you need to bring with you is your band t-shirt and shorts to wear beneath the uniform, your black socks, your sleepwear and your necessary hygiene products.   You may bring clothes to wear once we are done performing for the day.

2.  You may bring snacks/drinks on the bus.  Be reasonable in the amount that you bring.  Normal rules apply about drinks.

3.  NO VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS MAY BE BROUGHT! 

4.  Once we arrive at the hotel, you will get checked in and be put in your rooms.  There will not be time for use of swimming pools, etc.

5.  Once you are in the rooms, you may not leave for any reason until 5:30 a.m. 

6.  You will have a chaperone to whom you are assigned.  If you have any questions or need anything, you must speak to the assigned chaperone about it.  If they don't have an answer, they will contact me.  This includes the time in which you are in your rooms.  In case of emergency, call the chaperone first and then follow their instructions.

7.   Once we tell you that LIGHTS ARE OUT, all lights must be out and the TV off.  You need to be well rested so you will perform at your best.  The chaperones and I will walk the halls and perhaps open the door to your rooms if we think you have lights or the tv on after this curfew.

8.  Doors will be taped shut.  If the tape is broken during the night, that means that someone left the room after lights out.  The entire room will be punished accordingly.  Chaperones WILL be in the halls as well.

9.  No one is allowed in a room containing members of the opposite gender FOR ANY REASON! 

10.  When at the Alamodome, you must stay with the group unless you are going to the bathroom, concession stand, or souvenir stand.  If you leave to visit one of these areas, you must take a buddy along AND inform a chaperone.  You should be watching the other groups respectfully just as you would want them to watch your performance with respect.  

If I think of any other rules they will be added here.  Check back often!

Itinerary for UIL State Marching Contest

1:00 p.m.  Meet at band hall

1:15 p.m.  Load the buses to leave

1:45 p.m.  Arrive at Memorial Stadium in Victoria

2:00 p.m.  Rehearse to get used to the feel of artificial turf

2:45 p.m.  Rehearsal ends

3:15 p.m.  Leave Memorial Stadium

6:00 p.m.  Eat at Hard Rock Café

7:30 p.m.  Leave Hard Rock Café

8:00 p.m.  Arrive at Hotel

                                Check in,unload bus

9:00 p.m. Locked in rooms

10:00 p.m.  LIGHTS OUT!

Monday, November 2

5:30 a.m.  First Wake-up Call

5:45 a.m.  Second Wake-up Call

6:00 a.m.  Breakfast in Lobby

7:00 a.m.  Be on the bus in uniform pants, black socks, marching shoes, band t-shirt.  Have Coat, sash and hat with you. 

7:05 a.m.  Bus leaves with or without you!!!!

7:30 a.m.  Arrive at Alamodome.

                                QUICKLY unload bus and get ready for Warm-up time.

8:02 a.m.  Enter Warm-up Area

8:44 a.m.  Leave Warm-up Area

9:09 a.m.  Perform for STATE MARCHINGCONTEST

9:23 a.m.  Start lining up for Pictures

After Pictures, we will go back to the trailer and load the instruments.  Then we will go back into the Alamodome as a group.  You MUST be in uniform to re-enter the Alamodome.  We will, however, leave our hats (and if allowed) our coats on the buses.  We will finish watching the 1A prelims.  After the 1A prelims, there will be a “drummajor retreat” where the drum majors of each band will meet on the field to receive plaques for participation.  Atthis time, finalists will be announced. After this ceremony, we will go back to the bus where we will eat lunch.  Alamodome rules do not allow usto eat in the parking lot unless we are on the bus and if the bus leaves the parking area, we must pay for re-entry. We will have food delivered to us at this time.  If we advance to Finals, our evening schedule will be determined by our draw order.  If we do not advance to Finals we will return home after we eat lunch.

The Area E Marching Contest will be held at East Central High School in San Antonio on Oct. 24, 2009.  The format of this competition requires that there be a prelims and a finals IF there are enough bands to justify prelims.  In the case of 1A this year, there are not enough bands to have a prelims, so there will only be a "Finals" competition.    There WILL be a 2A prelims, which will start at 10:00 a.m.  After the 2A prelims are concluded, there will be a break for the judges and then the 1A Finals will begin.  when the 1A bands are finished, there will be a 2A Finals competition featuring the best ten 2A bands of the day.  At the conclusion of that competition, there will be a "retreat" where all of the Drum Majors from all of the 1A and 2A Finals bands will be recognized and awarded with a plaque.  Everyone will receive either a "participant" or a "finalist" plaque.  The bands that will advance to State will be announced at that time.  After our itenerary, I have posted the schedule for the entire day's events in case anyone is interested in reading it.

We will feed the band on the way to the stadium.  During the 2A finals, there will be a concession stand available for students, or students may bring a "sack lunch" to eat on the bus before we return to the stadium for the Finals.

OUR ITINERARY

11:15 a.m.  Meet at Band Hall

11:30 a.m. Run through at hill  (if the youth football games are still going on, we will run through on our parking lot.)

11:45 a.m.  Finish Run Through/Load equipment and uniforms/GO TO THE RESTROOM!!!!

12:30  p.m.  Buses Leave for San Antonio

3:00 p.m.  Arrive at The Steak Company in La Vernia for Late Lunch/Early supper

4:00-4:15 p.m.  Leave for Stadium

4:30-4:45 p.m.  Arrive at East Central High School, unload, get into uniform

5:15 p.m. Enter Warmup Area

5:45 p.m.  Leave Warmup

6:00 p.m.  Perform

6:15  p.m.  End of Performance return to trailer, load equipment, after equipment is loaded we will return to stadium.

7:30-10:15 p.m.  Watch 2A Finals

10:45 p.m.  Drum Major Retreat

11:15 p.m.  Load buses to return to Ganado

1:45-2:00 a.m.  Arrive back in Ganado!

2A PRELIMS

10:00  East Bernard HS  

10:15 Poth HS

10:30 Tidehaven HS

10:45 Harper HS

11:00 Blanco HS

11:15 Industrial HS

11:30 Odem HS

BREAK

12:15 Santa Rosa HS

12:30 Skidmore-Tynan HS

12:45 Navarro HS

1:00 Jourdanton HS

1:15 Van Vleck HS

1:30 Cotula HS

BREAK

2:00 George West HS

2:15 Brazos HS

2:30 Taft HS

2:45 San Diego HS

3:00 Randolph HS

3:15 Hebbronville HS

3:30 Refugio HS

3:45 Verification Period

4:15 Announce Results

1A FINALS

5:15  Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco

5:30  Charlotte

5:45 Falls City

6:00 GANADO

6:15 Nueces Canyon

6:30 Runge HS

6:45 Benavides

7:00 Verification Period

2A FINALS

7:30 Finalist 1

7:45 Finalist 2

8:00 Finalist 3

8:15 Finalist 4

8:30 Finalist 5

8:45 BREAK

9:00 Finalist 6

9:15 Finalist 7

9:30 Finalist 8

9:45 Finalist 9

10:00 Finalist 10

10:15 Verification Period

10:45 Announce Results (Drum Major Retreat)

7:45 a.m.  Arrive at school

8:00 a.m. RUN THROUGH

8:30 a.m. Load Trailer

9:00 a.m. Load bus, leave for El Campo

9:45 a.m.  Arrive in El Campo 

10:15 a.m.  Warmup

11:00 a.m. Perform

We will stay through the 2A bands so bring money for the concession stands if you wish.  I will post the departure time on Monday when I am back at school and have the schedule in front of me.