Author: Edward Ferris

Our Marching Band wears many hats and has a few different looks:

•     As a “Pep Band” at home football games + Thanksgiving away and home.

•     As a “Parade Band” at four hometown parades.

•     As an “Outdoor Performance Ensemble” for evaluation and competition.

We learn one show for the entire season, unlike many college bands that learn multiple shows per fall season.

The Woodwinds and Brass are all marching members and play melodic, and or counter melodic parts.

The Battery – (Marching Percussion) carry their instrument and march.

The Front Ensemble is the section composed of keyboard percussion, too large to carry percussion, and any electronic instruments if used.(These students march parades.)

The Color Guard is the section that visually represents the music and emotions created by the music. Sometimes it is with a flag, a sabre, or a rifle. Sometimes it is based on dance depending upon the mood and or style of the program.

Our goals for the students are:

•     A higher level of individual skill development: Instrumental or Color Guard

•     Improved musicianship.

•     Awareness of the individual’s role in a large group activity.

•     Team work and collaboration (Everyone is an active participant, no bench.)

•     Improved physical fitness.

•     Student awareness on how to manage their time.

Expectations for student membership:

•     To be on time, is to be early. Students should plan on being at events and rehearsals 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. This allows them to stretch out, take cafe of any equipment needs, and be prepared to start rehearsal on time in order to maximize our potential as a performance group.

•     Attendance at rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Unlike many activities everyone is an integral part in the rehearsal process and the performance. One member missing makes it difficult for anyone near them in a marching formation, in the overall balance of the sound, or sequential maneuver in the Color Guard. The expectation is that you will be here because you want to be here. Do not ask to miss rehearsal or performance for the following reasons:

1.    A professional sporting event.

2.    A concert.

3.    A family birthday celebration.

4.    Homework/School Project.

*Students that choose to participate in a fall sport will be given leeway in order to get to rehearsal after a game or team practice as long as every effort to get there quickly is made.

Rehearsals

May 31^st (T), June 2nd (R) 6-8 P.M.

June 7th (T) 9* (R) 6-8:30 P.M.

July 12^th, 19^th, 26th (T) 5:30-8:30 P.M.

August 2^nd (T) 5:30-8:30

August 14^th-20th – Music Camp Week (Sun-Sat)

August 23rd (T), 24^th, (W), 25^th (R) 5:30-9 P.M.

August 30^th (T), August 31^st (W), September 1st (R) 5:30 – 9:00 P.M.

September: Tuesdays 6,13, 20, 27 – 5:30-8:30

Thursdays: 8,15, 22, 29 – 5:30-8:30

Saturdays 10,17, 24-9 AM to 3 PM/AsScheduled.

October: Tuesdays 4,11,18, 25 – 5:30-8:30

Thursdays 6,13, 20, 27 – 5:30m-8:30

Saturdays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 As scheduled due to performances.

Performance Schedule (As of Today)

Saturday, September 10^th Norwood Day Parade, Football vs Framingham 1 PM Sunday, September 24^th, NESBA Competition at Melrose H.S.

Saturday, October 1st, Football vs. Walpole 1 PM, USBANDS Competition at K.P. SAT Test

Saturday, October 8^th, NESBA Competition at Wakefield

Saturday, October 15^th Football vs Wellesley 2 PM

Sunday, October 16^th MICCA Evaluation at Norwood

Saturday, October 22^nd, NESBA Competition at Somerset Berkley

Sunday, October 23^rd, MICCA State Finals at Lawrence Veterans Stadium

Saturday, October 29^th Football vs. TBA

Sunday,October 30^th NESBA Finals at Lawrence Veterans Stadium Saturday, November 5^th Football vs. TBA, SAT Test – “Grade 7+8 Band Day”

Friday, November 11^th, Veteran’s Day 10 A.M. Parade Saturday, November 12^th Football vs. TBA

Thursday, November 26^th, Thanksgiving Day Game Home 10 A.M. – “Alumni Day”

Sunday, November 27^th, Holiday Parade in the Afternoon.

Monday, May 29^th, Memorial Day Parade 10 A.M.

A detailed schedule will be made available before the new school year.

Weekly updates will happen via email and Facebook.

For many decades, the Norwood Music Program has travelled to Sweden Maine for the annual music camp at Camp Tapawingo where we are the only school on site. At this camp we hope to gain a leg up on our competition by maximizing our time to learn while still having opportunities for the students to play organized sporting games, swimming, social time, eating and sleeping.

Camp Tapawingo is a rustic camp in Maine near Shawnee Peak and Bridgeton, ME. Students will have daily schedule beginning with Revile, Breakfast, Morning Rehearsal, Rest Period, Lunch, Activity (swimming or sports), Dinner, Evening Rehearsal, and Social time. (Lets just say the students’ sleep well after a long day!) How do we insure this? We are fortunate to have a staff of alumni that serve as councilors for our week away. They help us take great care of the students in the Marching Band, Color Guard, Madrigal Choir and the Second Choir and or Theater students from Norwood. As many of the returning students know, camp is a special opportunity, and it is hard work but includes some very fun memories that last a lifetime.

Equipment/Uniform/Outfits

Marching Mid Brass and Low brass instruments are supplied by the school: Tuba, Mellophone, and Baritone.

All percussion instruments are provided.

Colorguard equipment is provided but members will need to purchase an equipment bag.

A Norwood High School band uniform will be issued to each member of the band. You will be responsible for any needed alterations, typically a hem of the pants or cuff.

Students will be asked to Dry Clean it at Lustra Cleansers and return it before December Vacation. If the band is caught in bad weather/mud, students may be asked to clean their uniform an extra time. Band members will need to purchase gloves and shoes. This will be coordinated by a parent volunteer.

The Color Guard will be issued an “Outfit” that will match with the theme of our show.

Students will need to purchase a bodysuit to wear underneath this outfit as directed.

Financial Requirements

•     There is a $150.00 Activity Fee which is a flat fee for the entire school year Fine Arts Participation. This payment is due BEFORE October 1^st, 2016

•     Music Camp is $400. This includes transportation to and from on a coach bus as well as all meals. (Camp forms are available.)

•     Shoes, gloves, bodysuit (guard) $45-75 per member (Band-Guard)

•     Spending money at evaluations and competitions, as needed.

Parent/Guardian Help Is Needed, and fun is to be had….

Please consider taking an active role in your child’s extra curricular activity! This group needs help in so many ways just to get the kids to their first performance: Chaperoning, Uniform Help, Pit Crew Volunteers, Truck Loaders, Prop Design, Fundraising etc….You can also volunteer by attending a monthly PMA meeting every 2^nd Wednesday of the month. Everyone is a member and your voice counts at these meetings. We also host a marching band show and need lots of help to make it a great success.

Please consider the following when making your decision to participate:

•     A decision to participate should be reached prior to the first rehearsal.

•     When payment and registration is received for camp, you will have a spot written for you in the marching drill and or percussion writing. If you decide to pull out after that it makes life very difficult for the writers and remaining band and guard personnel. If you are concerned about any aspect of the program before or after you join, do not hesitate to speak to a member of the staff or

Mr. Conant immediately so we can help you become a highly successful and dedicated ensemble member.

Mr. Conant – sconant@norwood.kl2.ma.us W: 781-352-3549 Cell: 508-369-4015 Fall Staff 2016

Winds Staff: Tim MacDonald, Sean Lee Percussion Staff: Matt Cavanaugh, Nate MacMillen,

Visual Staff: Sean Lee, Katherine Dimitriou Guard Staff: Michael Lombo, Jamie O’Brien

More staff will be announced as the season gets closer.