Dear band member, alum, and parent,
The purpose of this letter is to provide information concerning our GRADUATION performance on Thursday, June 10th as well as other end-of-year details. MR. MARES IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE TODAY THAT THERE WILL ONLY BE 1 GRADUATION ON JUNE 10TH IN OUR STADIUM, BEGINNING AT 9:00AM. [A few weeks ago, 2 graduation ceremonies were being planned (at 8:00am and 10:00am).]
Because our seniors will not be permitted to play, and our in-class numbers are low, we are in SERIOUS NEED OF MUSICIANS to perform for graduation. All “in-person” students in Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band are required to participate. I am inviting students that were enrolled in virtual academy in these courses to participate as well. I will also take band students who only play in our marching band. I AM ALSO REQUESTING THAT ANY ATHENS DRIVE ALUMNI THAT ARE IN TOWN CONSIDER PLAYING!! I’LL EVEN TAKE PARENTS WHO CAN PLAY! WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF MUSICIANS!!! HELP!!!
ATHENS DRIVE H.S. GRADUATION
Jaguar Stadium
Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 9:00am
Report to Athens Drive to warm-up 6:45am
*Morning rehearsal in band room 7:00am
(We’ll have coffee, doughnuts, etc.)
Transport chairs/stands/instruments 8:00am
to stadium
Prelude music begins 8:30am
Graduation ceremony begins 9:00am
Graduation concludes 10:00am
Return chairs/stands/instruments to band room
Expected finish time 10:45am
*We will NOT be rehearsing on Tuesday, June 8th as noted earlier.
Dress is “business casual”: nice sun dress, nice dress shirt, pants, sandals, shoes, etc. I expect it to be sunny and pleasant, but it will most likely be warm and sticky. As this is a formal event, please do not wear tennis shoes, jeans, tee shirts, etc. You’ve got to represent well!
OTHER NEWS
1) All school-owned instruments, mouthpieces, and other equipment must be returned to ADHS after graduation unless previous arrangements have been made with me or the new marching band section leaders.
2) All students intending to participate in the 2021 Marching Band must sign-up on our website by Friday, June 11th.
3) We will have an important meeting for our new marching band section leaders and captains on Tuesday, June 1st from 3:00-3:40 when we will elect a BAND CAPTAIN. We will conduct this meeting in person only due to the election.
4) We are awaiting approval from WCPSS for having band camp at N.C. Wesleyan College. If we do not receive approval, we will have band camp at Athens Drive during that week (July 25-30). We will keep you posted. All summer/fall dates listed on the schedule are good.
It is encouraging to be getting closer and closer to normal over the past weeks. I am so appreciative to all our wonderful students and families for making this very difficult year work. From enrolling in class band where I was able to interact with you daily and provide a solid indoctrination of the greatest music ever written, to playing in small class bands, to participating in our unique “Spring Marching Band,” I couldn’t be prouder of all of you! As we cannot go back in time (nor probably want to), we must continue to press ahead with optimism. Hopefully, next year will be much closer to “normal.”
To our graduating seniors—best wishes and “y’all come back and see us soon!” To everyone else—have fun, get some rest, and don’t forget how to toot that horn, hit that drum, or twirl that flag! See most of you July 19th!
“Doc”
