Dear marching band member and parent,
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information concerning the Ledford H.S. Competition in High Point, NC this Saturday.
LEDFORD H.S. COMPETITION
Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018
Report to Athens * 10:45am
Rehearsal in new stadium 11:00am
Return to bandroom; eat; change; load equipment 1:00pm
Inspection in senior lot (in ½ uniform) 2:25pm
Travel to Ledford H.S. via activity busses 2:45-5:00pm
Eat dinner (provided by boosters) 5:15pm
Warm up begins 6:25pm
PERFORMANCE 7:10pm
Awards Ceremony 8:30pm
Depart LHS 9:45pm
Arrive Athens Drive Midnight
* Field crew/prop parents, etc. please report earlier (10:30am) to help set up.
Important Competition Day Logistics
WE NEED PARENTS TO ASSIST WITH SETTING UP PROPS! In fact, every parent who serves on the field crew will get in FREE to the competition. (Usual cost is about $10 per person.)
If you can assist with FIELD CREW/PROPS, please email/text Richard Swirski at richard.swirski@gmail.com. You will need to come to the beginning of the Saturday rehearsal to be assigned a prop and understand where to set it and how to handle it. If you can stay through the transitions (loading the semi, etc.) that would be wonderful as well.
This is the PRICE of being big, entertaining, and GOOD! We are literally moving a CIRCUS to Thomasville. The good news is that we have BIG BLUE, we’ve got a terrific show with GREAT KIDS! Let’s not let them down! Be a sport! Get involved!
Other important information concerning Saturday logistics:
1) Students must remain on campus between our rehearsal and inspection; there will not be enough time for students to safely leave campus. Make certain they bring a lunch/snack for after rehearsal.
2) The students will be wearing their uniform shoes, black socks, bibs and “Be a Sport” show shirt for the bus ride to Ledford H.S. By wearing the bibs, we do not have to rely on the changing facilities before we perform. [Changing facilities often operate on strict schedules that can cause warm-ups to be rushed…] See note #4 below about wearing a lightweight type of shorts under the uniform bibs.
3) The boosters will provide a meal for the students when they arrive on the campus of Ledford H.S.
4) Before we leave Ledford H.S., students may change into more comfortable clothes for the bus ride home. If possible, students are encouraged to wear a lightweight type of shorts under the uniform so they may change out of the uniform outside near our semi trailer (“big blue”).
5) Our boosters will provide a light snack for the students’ ride back to Raleigh.
6) The arrival time (midnight) is our best guess. We are usually accurate (within the ½ hour); however, due to the multitude of variables that surround events such as this and the number of students involved, adjustments may have to be made. The safety/well-being of the students is our primary concern. We’ll get word to you (via REMIND, cell-phone) if we run ahead or behind schedule more than ½ hour.
7) We enthusiastically invite all parents, family, and friends to travel to Thomasville to enjoy our performance and root on our band! YOUR PRESENCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE! And remember, we need HELP with all this equipment…but you must contact one of the parents listed above so that we can get things organized!
8) If you are planning to attend the show and would like to drive your child home, please submit a written request. In general, I like to keep the students together throughout the entire event; however, I will trust your judgment if you feel it absolutely necessary for your child to be home earlier.
9) You will find the show schedule attached!
I truly prefer to think of these events as “Band Shows” rather than competitions. As you can imagine, judging art is very subjective—so subjective that the very act of doing it is highly questionable. I always encourage our students to do their best every day in order for them to perform at their highest potential. They will always be winners if they do this! It is vital to remember that we compete against ourselves, not against others. That said, we do use the feedback that we receive and the adrenaline rush that comes naturally with performance and competition to GROW!
That said, let’s win! And remember, we can only win if EVERYONE gets involved! No one sits on the bench! Come on! Be a sport!
Thank you for all that you have done to make this season so wonderful. Despite some very difficult weather, we have created a masterpiece—and more importantly, have bettered the lives of our wonderful kids!
Hope to see you in Thomasville “sport fans”
