I hope that you have acclimated your body a little bit to being outside. We begin our work together tomorrow! The Machine is going to be a great season! See you tomorrow morning at 8:00AM in the band room.

Thank you!

We had a great turnout of volunteers on Tuesday and Saturday this past week to help straighten up the garage area. Our band program continues to be blessed by your generosity. It takes a village and we are so thankful for your willingness to be a leader in our village. You continue to make a difference, Thank you!!

2022 Band Camp

Band Camp begins tomorrow at 8:00AM in the band room. Both weeks are Mandatory for all students. Here are some important things to consider to help you survive band camp more comfortably.

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. The information below was created by former Trojan Booster President, Michael Post.  The information is still very helpful!

• Be prepared. Make sure to have water, instrument, pencil, 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. (We will start at 8:00AM tomorrow morning in the band room).
• 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 on Monday and Tuesday, 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 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.

July 18 -22 • 8:00AM – 5:00PM • Week 1

During this first week of band camp we will work on marching fundamentals and learning drill in the mornings from 8:00AM – 11:00AM, Lunch until 12:00PM, then work on the show music/choreography in sectionals until 3:00PM. From 3:00PM – 5:00PM we will work on musical ensemble. On Friday of the first week of band camp it always seems to rain! Be sure to bring a change of clothes to rehearsal on Friday in case it rains. We will be outside on the band field for a portion of our morning block to help us acclimate to the heat a little better. Start the day with clothes/shoes that you do not mind getting wet in case it rains.

Breakfast and lunch will be available this week through the school, free of charge, but you have to sign up for the meals here. Students may choose to eat breakfast at home and bring their own lunch if they decide not to each the school lunch. Students are not permitted to leave campus until after camp each day.

Each day we will get out at 5:00 but have 2 days this week that have extra activities after 5:00PM.

• Tuesday, July 19 • Band Photos • 5:30PM – 8:00PM
  • Full Band photo, section photos, senior head shots for banner
• Friday, July 22 • Band Pool Party • Midtown Water Park • 5:30PM – 7:00PM
  • Free of charge, pizza included • Students will need their own transportation to the pool party • RSVP HERE so that we know how much pizza to order. Please RSVP by Wednesday afternoon.

Ways that you can help

We ask that each family either donates 4 cases of water or makes a $10 donation so that we can buy water. We use bottled water for our students when we feed them dinners throughout the season and to travel with us to competitions and away games. Band camp is a great week to bring your water. We store the water in the castle (house behind the band room), but you can drop them off in the lobby. Thursday evenings during the season, before our 6:00pm – 9:00pm is also a great time to drop off water. Thank you very much for your assistance in keeping our students hydrated.

We would like to supplement our lunches during week 1 and week 2 of band camp with the following items. If you are willing to donate any of the following items, they can be dropped off any morning of band camp. We will be sure to share them with the students: Here is a sign-up genius link to volunteer to donate any of these items.

• Sunscreen
• Grapes
• Oranges
• Bananas
• Yellow Cake Mix/Chocolate cake mix
• Little Debbie Cakes
• Drink Mix (Powder can – Gatorade, Lemonade, etc)
• Prepackaged cookies
• Variety Bags of Chips
• Paper Plates for 200
• Paper Bowls for 200
• Plastic Forks
• Plastic Spoons
• Serving Gloves
• Freeze Pops

Volunteer in Person

During band camp we need volunteers to help us set-up, serve, and clean-up during meals. If you are available to assist, we would be very grateful for your assistance!

• Week 1 – Volunteer Here
  • Breakfast • 7:00AM – 9:00AM
  • Lunch • 9:30AM – 12:30PM
• Week 2 – Volunteer Here
  • Breakfast • 7:00AM – 9:00AM
  • Lunch • 9:30AM – 12:30PM
  • Dinner • 3:00PM – 7:00 PM

July 25 -29 • 8:00AM – 9:00PM • Week 2

Both weeks of camp are mandatory and important, but this is an extra special week because we will be joined by specialists to assist with instrument specific sectionals to assist our students in learning and memorizing our music a little faster this week as we finalize preparations for our first performance, Trojan Family Night on July 29.

The section leaders have designated the following spirit days for band camp. We encourage our students to participate in the spirit days to increase relationship building and create memories together during this important week of our season.

• Movie Monday
• Tiki Tuesday
• Section Wednesday
• Throwback Thursday
• Spirit Friday

MEALS • Sign-up Now

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (follow link to sign up) will be provided for our students this week or students may pack their own food, but again students will not be permitted to leave campus for meals. These will be meals prepared by our booster club that were donated for our students. Parents, we need your assistance with preparation, serving, and clean up. There is a link to volunteer listed above, and also listed here for your convenience.

Trojan Business Day • Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Trojan Business Day is scheduled for Tuesday of Band Camp in the Cafeteria. This is a day for students to get their schedules (which will be available to them via Infinite Campus at 8:00AM on Tuesday morning), and pay fees owed to the school. If a student needs a schedule change, a request can be made at Trojan Business Day – as well as the first couple days of school. These are business items that can be handled by our parents and we prefer for it to be handled that way. Because touring the school, especially for our upcoming 9th graders is also an important part of Trojan Business Day, we will start sectionals 30 minutes later on Tuesday to allow section leaders to lead the students in a campus tour and assist them with finding their classes for the first day of school. Minimizing absences during times that we are learning drill is imperative for our students to be properly prepared for the first game, which is the Friday of the first week of school.

Preview Performance • Trojan Night

We will have our first public performance at Trojan Night on July 29, 2022. This is a free event and open to the public. The booster club is preparing a BBQ dinner for all who would like to attend. Please RSVP by July 22 so that we know how much food to prepare.

Senior Family Photos for the Program

Seniors take photos with their families for the football program. The first day to take these photos was today, but if you missed it no worries! The make-up day is next Sunday, July 24. Mr. Carmichael will be set up in the SAC Gym and taking photos between 2:00PM – 5:00PM. Seniors will be served on a first come, first served basis. The band room will be opened at 1:45PM each of the days for our seniors to access their band uniforms. Please email Ms. Dothard (barbara.dothard@carrolltoncityschools.net) to let us know which date and approximate time that you plan on attending. This will help us know how long to keep the band room unlocked each day for you.

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Health Class

9th Grade students enrolled in marching band or new band members (guard included) who haven’t taken Health and PE yet should complete this online health class. All of the information is below and can be accessed using the “Health in Band” link at the top of this page. Students have access to the info now and should have already started working on it. All of the health coursework is due by October, but I highly recommend you completing it before band camp.

Mark Your Calendars

The following events we need all hands on deck and are requesting your involvement.