Everyone-

We are now a week away from the start of Rookie Camp!  I am really excited to get everything going this year, and hope everyone is ready to get started on what is going to be a great season!  Let’s get some details out of the way first:

Leadership workdays are this week, July 20 and 21st, from 8:00-4:00 each day.  This time is for leadership to get all music, equipment, and the rooms ready for band camp and the season.  Due to the amount of work that needs to be done, and the fact that we will be using most of the facilities, I would not suggest this as a good time for sectionals or individual practice, except if we have all 5 basses there as a section.  Every other section will benefit more from individual practice at home, without distractions.  And mallet players, you will have plenty of time to work on music next week.

This brings us to the rookie camp schedule, linked below.  Please note that the percussion schedule is different from the band schedule that week.

Rookie Camp Schedule

There are a few things you should all plan on having going into rookie and band camp, and the rest of the season.

1. 3 ring binder(the $3 ones work just as good as the $20 canvas wrapped ones)
   1. Plastic Sheet Protectors for all music (music order will be made available soon)
      1. All Exercises
      2. Show Music
      3. Other music
   2. Pencils
2. Water bottle (1/2 gallon jug, something like this.  Fill with water and ice in the morning, refill throughout the day)
3. Hat (wider brimmed the better, keep sun off of your face and neck, baseball cap is ok, but think shade over fashion)
4. Sunglasses (Again, not a great time to make a fashion statement, I hate hearing the phrase, “Do you think my Costas are in the lost and found?”)
5. Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Some things to consider before camp(s):

1. To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is un acceptable.
2. No shirt no shoes no service (always wear close-toed shoes, and a shirt, even if you have been on the beach all summer in just you bathing suit).
3. It is going to be HOT
4. Wear light, loose fitting clothes.  It is a good idea to bring a change of clothes in case you get too sweaty.
5. Be considerate of you friends and bathe.  Either the night before, in the morning, or both.
6. Sunscreen is your friend.  Reapply.  Your 50 y/o self will thank your 14 y/o self.
7. You are going to work hard.
8. Eat a good hearty breakfast, try and stay away from milk, since it has a tendency to “resurface” after exercise.
9. Drink more water that you think you need, before, during, and after rehearsal.
10. This is going to be the hardest thing that many of you have ever done.  Keep focused on the end goal, and don’t let the daily activities drag you down.  Kids have been doing this activity for a century, and everyone has gone through the same process.

A lot of information, looking forward to seeing EVERYBODY next Monday night, the 24th!

Handel