June 2017 Newsletter


Summer is an exciting time for the Highland Bands!  The Marching Trojan Pride (MTP) begins their practices by working on music for the three 4th of July parades! After a bit of time off, the Marching Trojan Pride starts Band Camp, preparing for their contest season! Beginning Band will begin to learn their new instruments right before school starts!

If you've ever wondered what the benefits of music are in your child's life, PBS put a great article on The Benefits of Music Education.

The Band Calendar for the 2017-2018 School Year is now available online!

Disney

Mr. Blocker will hand out the packets for Disney participants next week during parade practice on Tuesday, June 20th.  We will have a notary in the band room for the medical forms on both June 27th and June 28th from 5-6pm in the High School Band Room, please bring your photo ID.  These papers need to be turned in by July 3rd.  A packet will be required for each person going to Disney, students, chaperones and family members!

DCI

The MTP, family and friends are traveling to Michigan City to the DCI "Pageant of Drums" on June 25th.  Mr. Blocker will be sending out permission slips within the next few days.  The fee for this trip is $25.  We will depart Highland at 5pm. We're in need of 2-3 Chaperones, please let us know if you're interested!

4th of July Parades

Practices for the parades begin June 19th and continue through June 29th.  Winds will Practice Monday-Thursday from 2-5pm. Drumline has practices from 5-8:30pm.  The Highland Twilight Parade call time is 5:00pm on July 3rd.  July 4th has both the Griffith and Munster Parades.  Call time is 8:30am.  We will serve lunch between the parades back at the high school.  We're in need of donations for lunch and a couple of parents to walk and 'water' the kids during the parades. Please sign up for whatever you can help with!

Band Camp - MTP

Band Camp starts July 31st with 2 a day practices, 7:30am - 12:30pm and 6-9pm.  The Boosters will have dinner for the kids on August 11th!  Look for more info to come on this!

Upcoming Fundraisers

July 1st from 10am - 2pm We will be holding a Car Wash at the Elks Lodge in Highland!  Bring your dirty car by and we will wash it!  The Elks will have the grill going so you can grab some lunch while your car gets clean!

Some new fundraisers are in the works! A March-a-Thon, which will run during Band Camp.  Lady's Gourmet Popcorn in Griffith, which we'll spin up at the start of the school year and a couple of dining out opportunities that will help support the band!

Marching Festival

We will host a Marching Festival on September 16th for marching bands in the area to come and perform!  We will need a lot of helpers!  Be on the lookout for more information in the coming months!

Fall Craft/Vendor Fair

The Fall Craft & Vendor Fair is scheduled for November 11th-12th.  We'll feature our crafters and vendors, a raffle, concession stand, bake sale and Dodge Test Drive.  We will need people to help with set-up, to work various areas during the show and breakdown as well as donations of pop and baked goods.  Sign-ups will come later for this!

If you know anyone who is willing to join us as a crafter or vendor, please let us know!  As you visit the various markets in the area over the summer, let folks know about our show! Applications will be created and go out soon to past crafters and vendors.

Notes from the Director

Mr. Blocker is looking forward to using the iPads coming to the Middle School and High School this year and the technology that comes with this!  Smart Music will be used more, with the opportunity for students to possibly do their tests via Smart Music in class.

Next Meeting

July 10th @ 7pm.  Location will be announced soon!  We're looking into possibly Gelsosomos for something fun and different!

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