The "Pride of the Tribe"

To the parents of all Ganado High School Bandmembers and band aides:

As you know, the Pride of the Tribe advanced fromthe Area to the UIL STATE MARCHING CONTEST! We will perform at the Alamodome in San Antonio on November 7, 2011 at11:14 a.m.  Since this will require thatwe be at the Alamodome fairly early, we will spend the night in San Antonio thenight before the contest.  Since this isan overnight trip, I will be reminding the students of the rules outlined inthe handbook for overnight trips.  Therules listed below are the major points and I will expect these rules to befollowed without exception!  I havecopied and pasted these rules below:

1.    Do not collect souvenirs that do notbelong to you: towels, silverware, signs, etc...

2.     Allschool policy and band rules and regulations will apply.

3.    Boys will not be allowed to visitgirls’ rooms and girls will not be allowed to visit boys’ rooms.  No exceptions for any reason!

4.    No displays of affection by any bandmember on any trip or activity of the band.

5.    All bags/luggage etc. is subjectto search by chaperones before being loaded on the bus.

6.    Doors will be taped shut at adesignated time.  Students will NOT beallowed to leave the room unless there is a MAJOR emergency.  If the tape is off the door, someone has leftthe room and will be written up when we return to Ganado.  (This is NOT in the handbook, but will beenforced!)

Luggagerestrictions:

You must take your uniform bag with your completeuniform.  Shoes will NOT be allowed inthe uniform bags.  Make sure to get yourhat box as well.  The only thing thatshould be in the hat box is the hat!

Other than the uniform bag and hat box, you willonly be allowed ONE “gym bag” size piece of luggage.  You will only need the following items:

            PersonalToiletries (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, etc.)

            Your tan Band shirt

            Your STATE Band shirt

            School length shorts for underthe uniform

            LONG BLACK SOCKS!!!!!

            BLACK MARCHING SHOES!!!

            Pajamas/Sleepwear

You may bring a pair of jeans/jacket if it iscold.  You will be allowed to change intothose items after we eat lunch but you MUST wear the appropriate band shirt oryou will not be allowed back into the Alamodome. 

No “extra stuff” will be allowed.  Do not bring PS3 consoles, Xboxes, games,etc.  We will not be at the hotel longenough for you to use them before we turn the lights out for the night.  While we want you to have fun on the trip,once we get to the hotel we need to focus on the reason that we are there, geta good night’s sleep, and be prepared to perform at our BEST level on Saturday!

TicketInformation:

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or at thedoor when you arrive.  On Ticketmaster,search “Alamodome” Prelims and Finals are separate tickets.  You can buy them individually for $17 or as a“Day Pass” which covers BOTH events for $30.00. If you purchase them at the gate, these prices will be accurate.  If you purchase at Ticketmaster, you will betheir additional fees. 

Parking Rates are set by the City ofSan Antonio.  It costs $10 to park avehicle at the event and there is no “in and out” privilege.  If you leave the parking lot, you will becharged to re-enter it. 

As of the time I am writing thisletter, the itinerary will be as follows:

Sunday,November 6

9:00 a.m. -9:30 a.m.  Drop off luggage to be searched/loaded.  (An adult female will search the female’sbags.  An adult male will search themale’s bags.)  Go home or go to churchthen come back to the band hall later.

Noon Band Hall opens for students

12:30 p.m.  Check roll go to hill for rehearsal

2:00 p.m. Leave Ganado

5:30 p.m.  Eat at Fuddruckers in Alamo Plaza.  Students will have a choice between a Burgeror a Veggie Burger.  Both come with friesand drink.  The band boosters will payfor this meal.

7:00 p.m.  Leave Fuddruckers to walk to River CenterMall Theater (about a block).

7:30 p.m.  Watch “Puss In Boots”

9:00 p.m.  Leave Theater to go to Hotel.  We will be staying at the Comfort Suites at6350 I-35 N.  The phone number is210-646-6600. 

9:30 p.m.  Check in to Hotel.

10:30 p.m.  Settle into rooms.  Check roll in rooms.  Tape doors shut.  Chaperones will be in the halls at night toprevent sneaking out of rooms!

11:30 p.m.  LIGHTS OUT! GO TO SLEEP!

MondayNovember 7

7:30 a.m.  Doors untaped. 

8:00 a.m.  Wake up call! Go downstairs to eat breakfast.

9:00 a.m.  Load bus IN UNIFORM!

9:30 a.m.  Arrive at Alamodome.  Unload, get ready for warmup

10:07 a.m.  Warmup

10:49 a.m. Leave Warmup

11:04 a.m. In Ramp

11:14 a.m. Perform

11:28 a.m.  Take Pictures

11:42 a.m. Drum Major Retreat

12:30 p.m.  Lunch Served at bus.  (Band Boosters will provide meal fromMcAlister’s Deli.)

1:00 p.m. As a group, re-enterAlamodome to watch 2A Prelims.

5:35 p.m.  2A Drum Major Retreat

5:45 p.m.  Eat Dinner served at bus (Band Boosters will providemeal from Chick Fil-A.)

Ifwe do not make Finals, we will return home at the conclusion of the 2A Prelimsafter we receive the food from Chick Fil-A.

Ifwe do make Finals, the competition begins at 7:15 p.m. and we will not knowwhat time the performance will be until the order has been drawn onMonday.  We would return home at theconclusion of the Finals performances. 

If you have any questions, feel freeto call me at work or on my cell.  Youcan also reach me by email!

Sincerely,

Patrick Flaniken

Band Director

W 771-4362

C 361-484-0461

pflaniken@ganadoisd.org