Band camp is on its way!

Madison High School Band members and families!

Welcome to the beginning of a great year of band at Madison High School. I can’t wait to see everyone again and exchange stories of all the fun summer adventures we had! With the arrival of August it is time to start preparing for marching band camp. Just remember that band is as fun as you make it, and the long hours and hard work are totally worth it!

On the documents page there are a few other important pages to read. Please take time to read ALL the information sent. Hopefully you’ve kept your marching band music from the spring, but if not I will post links to the audio recordings on our website and Facebook to listen to before your arrival at camp! Band camp will feel a lot less overwhelming if you are able to get a feel for the music before you arrive. Also needed is a student information sheet, so that we can make sure that I have up-to-date data on everything we need for band, as well as a health/emergency form for band camp. These forms can be dropped off in my mailbox at either building (Wilkinson or Madison High School) throughout the summer, or you can bring them to the first day of camp. Included in this letter is a sheet to help prepare for band camp, as well as a schedule for camp and football season.

Pre-Band Camp begins on Monday, August 24th and Tuesday, August 25th for drumline students, color guard students, and leadership students ONLY. Rehearsal will last from 9am-3pm on these two days only. If you have a question on whether you need to attend camp on Monday & Tuesday please email me! Band Camp for ALL marching band students will take place Wednesday-Saturday that week (August 26-August 29), from 9am-5pm. We’ll have a half day on Saturday (August 29), going from 9am-noon, concluding with a BBQ at noon for friends and family, and an “end of camp showcase” beginning at 1:00pm at the Madison HS Stadium. All breakfasts and lunches will be provided for marching band students during band camp. In the evenings, we will host special band “hang-outs” from 6:30-9:00pm at Wilkinson. These are not required but highly recommended.

If you have conflicts with some rehearsals, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can assist you in working things out. Band camp is a traditional part of any marching program, as it allows us to lock down our technique and prepare for our half-time performances this fall. It is extremely important that you attend as much of band camp as you possibly can. Missing band camp means that you will have a lot of material to catch up on, and being behind the rest of the band can be very frustrating. You can reach me easily by email, or on Facebook. If you haven’t liked the band page yet, look for it, it has a lot of helpful information!

If you are able to volunteer during the week of camp, please email Ms. Pagels with your availability ASAP. We can always use volunteers! Please feel free to contact me by email or Facebook with any questions you might have. I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks!