Congratulations Carmel High School Marching Band on being named the 2012 ISSMA Class A State Marching Band Champion. Thank you all directors, staff, members, parents, and alums.
Category Archives: Marching Band
Marching Greyhound Parents are a little…
Marching Greyhound Parents are a little…
By Pat Gerber
…….excitable. Let’s admit it. We LOVE to see our kids perform, and some of us are just incredibly creative when it comes to showing our excitement! How could we possibly start a performance without first hearing….Give me a C!!!! Our kids may say they are a little embarrassed by the public display of love, but really they anticipate it and are motivated by it. So, yes, we band and guard parents can get a little loud – but that is part of the whole experience and really a lot of fun! So join in!
…….clueless. Although I manage to keep a job, raise 3 kids, pay my bills, when it comes to understanding and knowing everything “band” I admit that I feel clueless much of the time! Inevitably a fellow parent will mention to me about a “form” that was due, money the kids need for yet another t-shirt, or possibly a sack lunch that is required for the long bus ride. I literally break into a cold sweat….did I know about this? Did my kid know about this? Is there still time for me to go to the ATM or make a PBJ sandwich? It is nearly impossible to keep it all in your head! Thank goodness the structure of the band encourages our kids to manage a lot of these pieces themselves. So, I must admit, with my band kid being a senior…I have decided to just revel in my cluelessness!
……competitive. And I don’t just mean when we are performing against some of our favorite rivals! Have you seen the spreads for the spirit bags lately? Have you seen some of the spirit bags themselves! If not, be sure to come to the next send off! Section Mom’s and Dad’s have brought in glass-top tables, candelabras, butlers, and catered meals to accompany the spirit bags the kids take on the bus! Parents who volunteer to create the spirit bags for their kid’s section have a whole new level of pressure! But the kids so enjoy anything the parents provide – so thank you to all who contribute – whether the treats are in a brown paper bag or served on a silver platter!
……incredible. As Mr. Kreke says, “The Marching Greyhounds could not even get out of the parking lot without the parents and their support.” What is wonderful about becoming involved with this activity as a parent is all of the really great people you meet! I have developed many friendships over the 8 years of my band tenure. It really is fun when you are helping the kids and having fun with other adults as well. So no matter how you get involved or are involved, know that you are valued. As I walked back to the buses with the kids after the Lafayette Jeff show, many of them walked up to parents (not their own) and asked for their opinion of the show, their help with something, or just to greet them. It is amazing that the kids feel so connected and comfortable with all band and guard parents.
So the next time you hear someone say….”Those Carmel Marching Greyhound parents are a little….”, just smile.
Let’s All Salute the Apocalypse!
Let’s All Salute the Apocalypse!
By Pat Gerber
Not sure if your son or daughter has mentioned to you that the Apocalyptic Midnight is coming to Carmel High School on Saturday, October 6. Yes, I know, you are probably asking yourself the same question I did when I first got wind of this event…..is it possible to be midnight during an apocalypse? Hats off to the Senior Class as they incorporated the two major themes that were suggested for this year’s Bandcoming Dance…..the Apocalypse and Midnight in Paris. If hosting the Apocalyptic Midnight Bandcoming Dance isn’t an example of collaboration and teamwork, not sure what is!
I certainly felt like a parent, an old parent as my daughter likes to say, when I tried to think of the appeal of the world ending. I obviously was not thinking of the cool scenery that would be built by the band members who are also artistic, or the awesome lighting that the band member who is a lead tech student for theater productions could set up, or the amazing catch phrase (dance ‘til the world ends) that could be incorporated. No, I was much too literal in my thinking (apocalypse is defined as any universal or widespread destruction or disaster on dictionary.com). This will be a night to remember that is certain…..but for great reasons!
For new band and guard parents, I know that the whole “Bandcoming” thing is perhaps a little odd and didn’t appear to be as well publicized as most band events. I think it is pretty awesome, though, that this event is designed, planned, and orchestrated primarily by the Seniors. There are some great parents who have helped the kids but this is truly a kid-planned night. So on top of keeping up with AP classes, applying to colleges, band practice, SAT tests, and a number of other obligations – these kids have planned a really fun and well-deserved event for band and guard members!
Rest assured, your child will survive the Apocalyptic Midnight that is occurring in the band room on October 6……and should have some great memories to share with you on October 7.
The Pursuit of Perfection: for the Good of the Whole
By Pat Gerber –
Although, hopefully, our children are not out for evil as they contribute their own expertise to the band there are many similarities to The Borg from this fictional series. Each band and guard member quickly learns that his/her decisions and movements impact the overall visual impact, the sound, and the unity of the performance. As the band strives to achieve perfection, it may require many repetitions of the same movement even though any number of individuals has already mastered their parts. Even if certain instrumentalists have been given solos during the performance, the quality of that component of the show is impacted by the whole band both before and after the solo.
So as our band strives for perfection and aims to think as “one” during their performances, let’s remember how it really is a group effort. It is about individuals bringing talents to a group and striving for perfection for the good of the whole. If any group of “beings” can do it, the Marching Greyhounds can!
New Parent Boot Camp – SAT MAY 19
And finally, on the 19th, immediately prior to the student’ End-Of-Camp performance, we will be holding a New Parent Boot Camp in Room E157 in the Performing Arts wing of the High School. The Camp will begin at 4:15 and dismiss at 5:35. There will be a brief presentation on what to expect this season as well as a question and answer session for all those questions you have as a new MB parent! No question will be considered too small…so start writing your list and come to get the answers!
Schedule Change – Get Acquainted Camp – SAT MAY 19
Because Get Acquainted Camp is the Saturday before Finals Week, the camp will be held in the afternoon only from 1pm to 6pm in the Band Room.
There will be a “informance”/student performance the last 20 minutes of the camp. All parents are welcome to attend that portion of the camp.
Marching Band – General Meeting – MON MAY 14 – E157 Freshman Band Room
Mark your calendar for May 14th…the first Band Boosters’ General Meeting of the season will be that night at 7p.m. in the E157 (the Freshman Band Room). The 2012 show, fees, fundraising, fee reducers, MB registration, required volunteer commitments, June car wash will all be discussed. Lots of important information..so don’t miss it!
2012 Grand Nationals Finals Ticket Orders
Marching Band Deposit Now Past Due
Parents, a non-refundable deposit of $200 was due by April 20th to secure a drill spot for your student.
(Please note that Color Guard deposit is NOT due until after Guard Auditions, May 10.)
Scrip money in your student’s account may be used to pay the deposit.
Please note that all old Marching Band and Guard fees need to be caught up prior to the start of the new season or your student will not be allowed to participate in the 2012 program.
Fee deposit should be sent immediately to
- CHS Band Boosters, PO Box 65, Carmel, IN 46082
- or use the payment link on the website.
Grand Nationals Videos Have Arrived!
If you ordered a Grand Nationals’ Finals Video from Mr. Video at the end of last marching season, they have arrived!
You may pick up your copy
- at the Spring Concert on May 9th or
- at the General Boosters Meeting on May 14th
- or at the Volunteer Fair on May 19th.
A few families have not picked up their End-of-Season DVD’s. Not to be confused with the Grand National Finals Video, the End of Season DVD highlights the entire Marching Band Season. If you paid for that DVD, it will also be available for pick up on the same dates as the Grand National Finals’ Video.