TO:ALL-DISTRICT STUDENTS AND PARENTS

RE:DISTRICT BAND WEEKEND

Congratulations on making the 2017 District VIII All District Band! This year’s event will take place atWoodsideHigh School in Newport News. It will be the students and parentsresponsibility to get toand from Woodside on Thursday night and Saturday. We will provide a bus to and from Grafton HS on Friday. Carpooling is encouraged. The schedule for the weekend is included in this letter. Please note that lunch on Friday may be brought by the student or purchased atWoodside HS for $3.00. Lunch on Saturday is being provided in the student’s registration fee that has been taken care of by the Grafton HS Band Parents.

The students will need to wear their Grafton HS concert uniform for the All-District concert on Saturday. Please note the strict rules about being on time listed in the student guidelines page. Being late can result in the loss of an All-Virginia chair, and even dismissal from the weekend event. Students need to bring everything that they need for the concert with them on Saturday morning. There will be no time to go home to get dressed.

Students will be called out of class at 8:30 am on Friday and should be picked up at Grafton HS at 5:30 pm. We may be going tobreakfast on Friday morning prior to going to Woodside at Golden Corral. Students will need to bring in $9.00 in cash or write a check to: GHBPA. The fee covers the cost of the buffet, drink, tax and tip. Their lunch will be later on Friday afternoon, and many of our students each lunch at 10:00am. The concert will be at either 2:00pm (Concert Band) or 3:00pm (Symphonic Band) on Saturday Feb. 4 in the Woodside HS auditorium. CD orders will be available for purchase at the concert.

It is an honor to be a part of the District Band. We hope all of you will recognize this event as a huge honor and respect the rules. Parents please try and attend the concert if at all possible. It is amazing what these students can do with such little time and preparation.

Sincerely,

Darren Kirsch and Gabe Stone

Schedule for District Band Weekend

Thursday, Feb. 26:00pm-8:30pm @ Woodside HS (transportation not provided)

Friday, Feb. 38:30am-5:00pm @ Woodside HS (student pick up is at 5:30 @ GHS)

Students will need $ for lunch or bring their own

Saturday,Feb.49:00am in your seat @Woodside HS (transportation not provided)

Lunch is included

Middle School Concert 1:00pm @ Woodside HS Auditorium

Concert Band Concert 2:00pm @Woodside HS Auditorium

Symphonic Band Concert 3:00pm @ WoodsideHS Auditorium

*Transportation not provided after the concert. Students should drive or ride home with their parents

403 Grafton Drive ~ Yorktown, Virginia 23692

STUDENT GUIDELINES

  1. Students are to report prior to your scheduled time. One tardy will result in being moved to the end of your section. Two tardies will result in dismissal from the band.
  2. Name badges must be worn at all times.
  3. No food, drink, or candy is permitted in the rehearsal areas
  4. Use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs is prohibited.
  5. Students are only permitted in the rehearsal areas and the cafeteria.
  6. Students will purchase their lunch on Friday. The cost of lunch is $3.00.
  7. The Saturday lunch is included in the student’s registration fee of $20.00 each that has been paid by the Grafton HS Band Parents.
  8. Students MAY NOT LEAVE the campus for lunch. Any students leaving campus will be DISMISSED from the band.
  9. Students should mark the music in pencil and erase it at the conclusion of the event.
  10. All equipment is the student’s responsibility. Students should bring a pencil to rehearsal. Reed players should have at least 3 good reeds. Brass players should have valve oil and mutes available.
  11. Concert Dress for Saturday’s performance is your Grafton HS concert uniform.
  12. You represent your family, school and your band directors. Please act responsibly.
  13. If a student fails to attend, without a doctor verified illness or death in the family, he or she will not be allowed to audition for the District Band in 2018 or All-Va Band this year (if eligible).

DIRECTIONS

  • Take Rt. 17 N to Ft. Eustis Blvd.
  • Turn Left onto Ft. Eustis Blvd.
  • Turn left onto Woodside Lane (at Deer Run Golf Course light)
  • Woodside HS will be on your left after you pass Greenwood Elementary school

Woodside High School

13450 Woodside Lane.

Newport News, Va. 23608