Good evening!  Thank you for taking the time to read this post.  There is a lot of information, please take the time to read all of it.  

Great job during the 4th of July Parade!  It was so much fun to watch all of our students perform with enthusiasm and excitement even though it was a very hot day.  I am proud that the 2019 Trojan Band began with tremendous success!  I look forward to when everyone is back from vacation and we all come together on July 15 to begin preparations on this year’s half-time show.  

Water Donations

We use a lot of water throughout the season!  In an effort to keep the costs down for our booster club we respectfully request donations of 4 cases of bottled water.  If you would prefer to not purchase the bottled water, then would you please donate $10 so that we can purchase the cases on your behalf?  We use the bottled water when our band travels to away games and when we feed our students meals throughout the season.  Many of you have actually already brought in some cases of water, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

BAND CAMP

The first week of band camp  (July 15 – 19 from 8:00AM – 3:00PM) is quickly approaching!  All members (or Full Band, which means winds, percussion, and guard) are required to attend this camp as we will be learning important marching fundamentals, stands tunes, and begin work memorizing the music and choreography for our half-time show!

Daily Itinerary – Plan on being outside for most of the day

• 8:00AM – 11:00AM Outside (bring an extra pair of shoes in case yours get wet)
• 11:00AM – 12:00PM Lunch
• 12:00PM – 3:00PM Inside Music Rehearsal (yes, you need your instrument)

1st Week Meal Sign-Up

During the first week of band camp, the school system will provide all students with breakfast and lunch for free.  We are blessed to be supported so generously.  If students would prefer not to eat that lunch, that is ok, but, we need to know about those students that will be having the school provide their breakfast and lunch for the first week of band camp.  If your child signs-up, please make sure that they accept the breakfast or lunch and sign for it.  Our cafeteria workers must account for the meals because it is funded by a grant program and we need your help to make sure we document it accurately.

Here is the link to sign up your child for breakfast/lunch during the first week of camp:

• Sign-up for breakfast and lunches here.

Please complete this form by 5PM on Wednesday, July 10 as we need to provide the school with an accurate count.  If your child requests a meal they must take it.  Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Vegetarian?

Does your child require a vegetarian option?  Please fill out this form so that we may be sure to provide a vegetarian meal for your child for the marching band season.

• Let us know you are a vegetarian here.

2nd Week of Band Camp

July 22 – 26 • 8:00AM – 9:00PM

This week is also required of all members (full band).  During the second week of band camp, we put in a ton of work!  In addition to our guard and percussion specialists, wind specialists join us to provide individual instruction in the middle of the day and to assist us in learning drill.  During this week of camp, we will accomplish the equivalent to 4 weeks of practice!  This is why it is important that everyone is there.  Once school starts it just isn’t possible for us to recreate a week like this full with extra specialists and fewer distractions.  Our week will culminate in a parent preview night – TROJAN NIGHT – where the students will perform skits, a portion of our half-time show, and conduct a candlelight ceremony.  More info to come.

Daily Itinerary

• 8:00AM – 11:30AM Morning Block – Outside
• 11:30AM – 1:00PM Lunch
• 1:00PM – 4:30PM Afternoon Block – Inside
• 4:30PM – 6:00PM Dinner
• 6:00PM – 9:00PM Evening Block (In the Stadium)

CHS Trojan Business Day

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019. Students are assigned various times that are to report to the high school cafeteria to take care of varies items in preparation for the start of school. Students are asked to handle their business as expeditiously as possible so that the disruption to band camp activities are minimized.  Band students should follow this schedule:

• SENIORS and JUNIORS 8:00AM – 9:00AM
• (Section leaders please attend from 8:30AM – 9:30AM to help get the day started)
• SOPHOMORES and FRESHMEN 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Lunch Sign-Up

For the 2nd week of band camp, the boosters will provide lunch and dinner for our band students.  Please make sure that students eat breakfast before reporting to camp.   Please complete this form by 5:00PM on Thursday, July 11 to select a lunch meal preference for your child.  If this form is not completed, we will guess and select a meal for your child(ren). 

• Sign- Up Here

Volunteers Needed

The real secret to our students’ survival is a village of volunteers who help us take care of our students.  Here are the links to help us take care of our students the First week:

• Monday • 7/15
• Tuesday • 7/16
• Wednesday • 7/17
• Thursday • 7/18
• Friday • 7/19

POOL PARTY

We have a swim party at Midtown Swim Park on Wednesday night the first week of band camp from 5:30pm – 8:30pm.  The boosters have taken care of the reservation fee for the pool, but we ask students to bring $5 to cover the cost of dinner.  Are you willing to help chaperone and serve dinner? Here is the link to volunteer for the swim party Wednesday night – VOLUNTEER HERE

That first week we needed some volunteers, but we are in need of more for the Second Week since we are providing lunch and dinner for our students this week.  Please follow the Volunteer links below to sign up to help.

• Monday • 7/22
• Tuesday • 7/23
• Wednesday • 7/24
• Thursday • 7/25
• Friday • 7/26

TROJAN NIGHT

Trojan Night is the celebration concluding band camp on Friday night.  We will cook and serve hamburgers as well as provide desserts for the evening meal.  The boosters take care of the cost of the hamburgers, but we need volunteers to set-up, cook, clean-up, and provide desserts.   

• Here is the link to volunteer for Trojan night

HOW TO SURVIVE BAND CAMP

Continue to drink water – yesterday, today, and tomorrow – every day. A good rule of thumb is to drink your body weight in ounces of water per day and to check for clear urination.  If your child has been inside all summer, please ask them to get outside some this week to begin acclimating to the heat.  It is a great excuse to ask them to mow the lawn, trim the hedges, paint the fence, sweep the driveway, whatever outside work you need done.

Additionally, please check out this survival guide compiled by our former Trojan Booster President, Michael Post.  The information is still very helpful!

With our band camps just a week away, I’m sure there are a lot of rookie students and parents wondering just how to prepare themselves for band camp. With that in mind, we wanted to re-share this article that provides a short list of tips that we compiled from several insightful articles that should help our newcomers and veteran band members better prepare for this year’s band camps.

• Be prepared. Make sure to have water, instrument, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.
• Early is on time.  Always arrive a few minutes early. Remember that you need time to gather your things and get to the practice area.
• Try your hardest. Band camp will go a lot smoother if you make a decent effort at marching and playing your instrument.
• Be optimistic and don’t complain. Complaining or bellyaching is extremely annoying to everyone and ultimately unhelpful.
• Make friends. Get to know your classmates, your section, whoever is sitting or standing next to you in the formation. You have band and music in common already, but do not talk when you’re are setting up formations or going over your music.
• Learn the show. Now is the time to practice. Practice as you would like to perform- learn your formations, music, rhythms, etc.
• Take care of yourself. You’ll perform better and feel better if you take care of your body. Marching band is a sport!
  • Stretch. Marching band can be demanding during the summer, stretch as you would in preparation for any other strenuous activity.
  • Wear sunscreen and a hat. That sunburn won’t feel good tomorrow, and it’ll spare you sock tans, glove tans, and drum harness tans (somewhat). Remember to reapply every 2 hours or so.
  • Wear chapstick that protects against the sun. Sunburned lips are not fun to play an instrument with, especially for brass players.
  • Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses will help protect your eyes from UV rays and block annoying glare.
  • Drink plenty of water. This means water and/or Gatorade/Powerade. Soda and juice will dehydrate you. Avoid drinking milk or eating dairy products. The heat will cause it to curdle in your stomach and make you nauseous.
    • Remember to start hydrating in the days leading up to band camp too. This preparation is very important.
  • Eat healthy foods! Don’t just eat a pop-tart for breakfast on your way out the door; marching a lot is a very physical activity, especially if it’s for the entire day. Also, remember to eat a healthy lunch. Fried foods aren’t good for you anyway, but if you eat unhealthy fast food, you will regret it later.
  • Wear lightweight clothing and comfortable, athletic shoes. Dress appropriately for the weather and being on your feet for long periods of time.
  • Smell good. No one likes a smelly band person. Deodorant helps and should be available in case you need a quick refresh.
• Learn how to wear your uniform and try it on. This way you can avoid disasters before an actual show at a competition. Minutes before your first show is not the time to learn the intricacies of tying your citation cord, discover that your pants are too short or too long, or learn that nobody ever issued you a plume.  We will be fitting for uniforms, so you will have a chance to do this.
• Care for your instrument.
  • Insert the brass mouthpiece or woodwind part firmly enough that it doesn’t fly out when snapped up and down.
  • Avoid getting a woodwind wet, especially the pads. If your instrument does get wet, use your cleaning cloth to dry it after practice.
  • Oil your valves or slide before practice. It’s much harder from mid-field.
  • Learn the proper way to set your instrument down: not on its keys or delicate valves. If you must set your instrument on the ground, set it with the others from your section, it might help save them from a careless foot.
• Get some rest. Band camp can be strenuous, and it’s easier if you’re well rested.
• Be respectful and courteous towards band directors and assistants. Often they are busy or stressed, so be understanding.
• Remember that everyone is at band camp to learn. If you’re a newcomer, don’t take it personally when an instructor gives advice. Remember, they’re trying to help you look better in performance. If you’re a returning member, help out newcomers and be patient with them. You were a rookie once, and if you model how to take correction with a great attitude then our rookies will learn that correction is how we all get better.
• Have fun! At first, band camp may feel completely insane. However, nothing can compare to the feeling of marching your field show at halftime with all of your friends. You’re going to make tons of friends.

Tips & Warnings

• Woodwinds and brass should not play their instrument after eating or drinking sugary stuff (like Gatorade and Powerade). It’s fine to have a snack during breaks, just make sure to wash it down with water.
• Never handle or play somebody else’s instrument. You will be held accountable if it gets damaged.
• If you are given a drill sheet/card with your formations on it or music do not lose it.
• Respect upperclassmen, they have experience and chances are they do know what they are talking about.
• Many people can overheat during band camp if it’s hot outside. If you start to feel fatigued, dizzy, nausea, you may be suffering from heat exhaustion. Tell a section leader, drum major, or staff member immediately. Get to some shade and get some water if you think this is happening to you.
• Don’t talk when the band director, staff, drum majors, or section leaders are talking. This will distract people around you from what they’re saying, which could be very important. If you need help finding your drill spot, quietly raise your hand and someone will gladly help you. Since we are working with over 200 students marching Band is very military-esque. When the director is speaking, you do not. When you need to snap to attention, you snap. Take it seriously, many skills that you learn in this activity can be applied to everyday life!

I hope you find this article helpful as you prepare for this year’s band camps. Remember if you have any specific questions about either band camp, you can contact Mr. Carr at christopher.carr@carrolltoncityschools.net or the Band Boosters at chstrojanbands@gmail.com.

More posts will be coming later to define each week’s schedule and provide volunteer sign-up info.

Information used from:
http://www.banddirector.com/article/pg-marching-band/how-to-survive-band-camp?productguide=311#sthash.WPArK2u4.dpuf
http://community.sparknotes.com/2011/12/02/how-to-survive-high-school-band-camp

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