May 2014
Dear Member of the Huskie Marching Band,
Welcome! Here are just a few reminders as you prepare for the coming year. The following information applies only to members of the woodwind and brass section. Drumline and colorguard will have a different schedule for this weekend.
1. We will have exactly ONE rehearsal this summer, on Sunday, July 13 from 1 – 5 PM. Make plans to be in Room 155 of the NIU Music Building in Dekalb for this important event. Please visit our web site at www.niu.edu/band to print your music from the “pdf part library” under the “current members” tab. Please print the following materials and bring them to rehearsal that day:
National Anthem Flexibility for Band
Scale Fluency in Bb Natural Lip Slurs
Huskie Fight Song
2. We will have TWO performances this summer. The first will be on Sunday, July 13. We have the distinct honor of performing the National Anthem at the Tournament of Champions Show from Drum Corps International. We will feed the entire band after our rehearsal, then travel to the stadium to perform at roughly 7:00 PM. The Huskie Marching Band will buy your ticket to the show, so prepare for a GREAT night! The show runs until about 10:00 PM, so make plans to travel safely home that night.
The second performance will be on Thursday, August 14. We will perform some rock tunes with choreography and the National Anthem at a baseball game for the Kane County Cougars, as part of their “NIU Day” festivities. We will rehearse from 4:30 – 5:30 at the Cougars home stadium, which is named “Fifth Third Bank BallPark”, located at 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva, Illinois, 60134. We will rehearse in the picnic area behind center field. Please arrive early to travel from the parking lot to our rehearsal site. Park in the main lot, and simply identify yourself as a member of the Huskie Marching Band for free parking. Tickets will be provided at no cost for all members who perform. Family and friends can purchase tickets online via the Kane County Cougars web site at www.kccougars.com.
3. Wear your summer uniform for both performances. HMB will provide a t-shirt, YOU provide a pair of khaki, tan or light brown shorts. This summer uniform will be used for performances during band camp as well, so please obtain the appropriate garments.
4. If you need to check out a mellophone, marching baritone, sousaphone or tenor saxophone, please contact Ben Helton in the NIU Band office via email at or 815-753-1042 to make an appointment to get an instrument. Please make plans to do this before the Drum Corps Show, so you can get your chops back in shape!
5. If you have questions, please contact the Huskie Band office at or at 815-753-1042.
6. Make sure you register for band camp before the July 11 deadline. There are TWO parts to the registration process; one part is on-line, the other part requires you to print and submit the forms. Visit our web site at www.niu.edu to complete the registration process.
Yours,
Dr. Thomas Bough
Director, Huskie Marching Band