This weekend 14 Trojan Band members visited Ringgold GA where they participated in the GMEA District VII Honor Band. They all represented our band program with pride serving as ambassadors of our community while bowling in Dalton, volunteering to announce upcoming pieces at the concert, answering questions during rehearsals, being courteous guests at the hotel, and enjoying donuts at Krispy Kreme. Justin Arnold was presented Dave Seanor 9-10 Trumpet Award for being principal trumpet in the 9-10 band and Charlie Robinson had many solos as the principal saxophonist in the 11-12 band. The 9-10 students had the honor of working with Joel Denton, who retired as a band director at Ooltewah High School in Tennessee and our 11-12 students were lead by the Commander of the United States Air Force Band, Colonel Don Schofield. Go Trojans!

9-10 Concert Band

• Emily Hicks – flute
• Connor Haley- bassoon, principal
• Max Duncan – bassoon 
• Bryan Ramos – clarinet
• Nathan Stagliano – alto saxophone
• Justin Arnold – trumpet, principal
• Julian Redwine – percussion

11-12 Symphonic Band

• Andrew Beam – flute
• Asha Brown – flute
• Jeffrey Garcia – clarinet 
• Charlie Robinson – alto saxophone, principal
• Nico Pate, tenor saxophone
• Josh Hansen, trumpet
• Walker McCullough, trumpet 

Kiwanis Showcase Honorable Mentions!

Congratulations to Emily Hicks and Elsie Kilgore who practiced diligently and demonstrated courage by entering into the Kiwanis Showcase! Their concert was this evening and they both performed very well. Emily performed selections from Chaminade’s Concertino and Elsie performed the first half of the first movement of a Mozart Sonata that was arranged as a clarinet duet. They both were recognized as an honorable mention for their preparations. Thank you both for the extra efforts that you made and for the professionalism and talent that you displayed tonight while you represented our school! We are very proud of you!!

Week at a Glance:

• Monday • Symphonic Band w/Gary Smith• 3:45pm – 6:00pm
  • Varsity Winter Guard 5:30pm – 8:30pm
• Tuesday • Wind Ensemble w/Gary Smith • 3:45pm – 6:00pm
  • Junior Winter Guard 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• Wednesday • Disney Band • 3:45pm – 5:00pm
• Thursday • Disney Band • 3:45pm – 5:00pm
• Friday • Junior Winter Guard 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• Saturday • Winter Guard at River Ridge HS • Itinerary to be posted soon • Purchase Tickets Here
  • CJHS Guard performs 10:28AM
  • CHS Guard performs 1:10PM

Gary Smith to Visit CHS

Mr. Smith will be here Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening. He will work with our Symphonic Band on Monday after school, our 1st and 2nd block band classes on Tuesday morning, and our Wind Ensemble on Tuesday after school before flying home on Tuesday evening. We are excited about hosting him! Below is his bio from the University of Illinois where he is recognized as Associate Director of Bands Emeritus.

From 1976 to 1998 and again in 2004, Gary was the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, Urbana – Champaign, where he conducted the nationally famous Marching Illini, Basketball Band, Symphonic Band II, and taught marching band procedures and band arranging in the School of Music. 

Previously he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Marching Band Director at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, Director of Bands at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and Director of Bands at Northside High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1988 Gary was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.  In addition, he is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi music honorary fraternities and participates in the College Band Director’s National Association, National Band Association, and the Illinois Music Educators Association.

Recent awards include the University of Illinois Alumni Association “Outstanding Educator”, the Mary Hoffman “Outstanding Music Educator”, the “Spirit of the Illini” from the University of Illinois Athletic Association and the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal.

Gary has served as a consultant, guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Singapore, China, Australia, Japan, Canada, Ireland and France.  In addition, he is the coordinator of the pre-game, halftime and parade festivities for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (formerly the Peach Bowl) and assisted with the production of the 2005 Orange Bowl Halftime.  In 2007, Gary served as co director of the Oklahoma Centennial All State Marching Band, which was be featured during the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade opening ceremonies.  Presently he serves as the producer of the annual DISNEY THANKSGIVING PARADE OF BANDS held at Disneyworld in Orlando, FL. and head clinician for the 2011 Marching Band Directors and Drum Major Clinic in Singapore

Smith is former owner and director of the Smith Walbridge Clinics for drum majors, flags, rifles, marching percussion, marching band student leaders and directors. Since 1949, these clinics have attracted thousands of high school and college students from across the United States and several foreign countries.

Several of his articles have been published in The Instrumentalist, The School Musician and the Band Director’s Guide.  This guide, The System, “Marching Band Methods,” is used as a textbook in several University marching band courses and marching band clinics.

Disney Update

We will march a parade through the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in celebration of their 50th Anniversary on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 12:45PM in the Magic Kingdom.

Our last two Disney Band rehearsals are this week on February 16 and 17. Attendance at these rehearsals is mandatory for students participating in the Disney Trip.

A virtual chaperone and final student meeting will take place on February 17 at 6:00pm. It will be virtual because our Winter Guard will be using our band room space that evening. We hope that this will also be a bit more convenient for all involved.

When packing please consider that you will need clothes for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Additionally, we will wear our marching band uniform for the parade. We will wear Mickey Ears provided by WDW instead of our shakos. The colorguard will wear our pre-game white dresses for the parade. All uniforms need to be stored in a garment bag for travel. Ms. Dothard has extra garment bags for sale for $5.00 if you have misplaced yours or just need/want a new one.

More information concerning a more detailed packing list, and a detailed itinerary will be shared later this week. Additionally it will be discussed at the meeting on Thursday evening.

Annual Trojan Band March 5K and Fun Run • PLEASE SHARE

This event is required participation for all students. Student volunteer duties will range from performing in small groups stationed throughout the course, cheering on the runners as they pass by, handing out waters and snacks at the end of the race, taking photos of the event, and helping to clean up afterwards. More information regarding parent volunteer needs will be posted.

Please download the photo above and share on all of your social media pages. We are hosting our annual 5K on March 19, 2022. People can sign-up by scanning the QR code, visit our website for more information, or access the sign-up page directly at: runsignup.com/Race/GA/Carrollton/trojanband5k?remMeAttempt=

Senior Spotlight – Need your help

We would like to continue our Senior Spotlights tradition that was started last year. Seniors or senior parents, click here to fill out this form to allow us to customize your senior spotlight. Filling out the form allows us to celebrate our senior’s future plans and share photos of them from throughout their school careers.

Graduation

Just a reminder that Graduation this year is on May 20, 2022 although our last day of school is not until May 25. This is an important evening for all of our band students because not only do we get to celebrate with our graduating seniors, but we perform as part of the ceremony. This is a required performance for all wind and percussion students. An itinerary will be posted as we get closer to graduation, but I wanted to make sure that you understood that this is an evening commitment for our band students.

Upcoming Dates

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Please refer to http://www.chstrojanband.com/calendar for a full list of upcoming events/activities:

• 2.16.22 Disney Trip MB Rehearsal
• 2.17.22 Disney Trip MB Rehearsal
• 2.19.22 Winter Guard Competition at River Ridge HS
• 2.21.22 – 2.25.22 WINTER BREAK
• 2.23.22 – 2.26.22 DISNEY TRIP
• 3.1.22 Pre-Festival Concert
• 3.3.22 – 3.5.22 All-State Band
• 3.5.22 Winter Guard Competition at Kell HS
• 3.15.22 – 3.18.22 LGPE Concerts are TBD
• 3.19.22 Trojan Band March 5K
• 3.19.22 Varsity Winter Guard Camp
• 3.26.22 – 3.27.22 Winter Guard at WGI Atlanta
• 3.26.22 Band Prom
• 4.2.22 – 4.3.22 Winter Guard SAPA Championships
• 4.4.22 – 4.8.22 SPRING BREAK