LAKE TRAVIS BAND | The Latest News

Don't miss out on important Band news! If you're not receiving Band emails, CLICK HERE!

BAND PARENTS NEWS - October 5, 2008

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Cavalier Band Parents, Many thanks to all of you who came out to support our Cavalier Band at Saturday's Capital City Marching Festival. Our kids were very encouraged by our large group of parents and supporters in the stands. It was great to see you there in numbers and to feel your enthusiasm and support. Help me offer a huge "THANK YOU!!" to all our parent volunteers who worked so hard to contribute to our students' success. Without the efforts of these folks we simply could not function at this level.

Our kids had a tremendous run at the show yesterday, with many elements of performance finally coming together. We placed 3rd in a highly competitive class of bands, with our Color Guard taking 2^nd place, and our band members felt great about their performance. We are growing and improving every day and looking forward very much to next week's competition. Hope to see you at Westlake Saturday!

Kenny Vise

HOMECOMING ITINERARY

Wednesday, October 8 - Homecoming Parade

6:30p - Drumline/Cymbal line will lead the parade to upper (track) stadium. All others meet in the stands at the track stadium.

Pep Rally will last from approximately 7p until 8p

ITINERARY FOR LT FOOTBALL VS LAMPASAS

Friday, October 10 - Homecoming Game

5:00p - Call Time in Band Hall I, Dress Out, Members of the Week

5:30 - Rehearsal on Band Practice Field
6:15 - Drum/Cymbal march down with team

6:45 - All move to stadium

7:05 - PREGAME PERFORMANCE of Contest Show

*at half-time we will perform only Cavalette music

Following Game we will return to Band Hall, set uniforms on chairs, dismiss

ITINERARY FOR WESTLAKE MARCHING FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 11

8:30a - Call Time in Band Hall I, Dress Out

9:00 - Warm-Ups
10:00 - Load and finish dress-out
10:30 - Depart LTHS

11:00 - Arrive Westlake
11:35 - Official Contest Warm-Up

12:15 - Contest Preliminary Performance, Lunch, Observe other bands
5:45 - Awards, announcement of Finalists, Dinner
7:00 - 10:00p - Finals

10:30 - Depart Westlake
11:00 - Arrive LTHS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BAND FOR CAPITAL CITY MARCHING FESTIVAL SUCCESS

As Mr. Vise mentioned, last Saturday, the band placed third in their division at the Capital City Marching Festival. The Color Guard finished in second place. Thanks to all the parents and volunteers who worked and/or attended the contest. Hope to see everyone this Saturday at Westlake.

MEMBERS OF THE WEEK

Erin Fanning – Percussion

Amy Stewart - Color Guard

Callie Breedlove - Veteran Girl

Lindsey Gilbert - Rookie Girl

T.J. Goins - Rookie Boy

Julia Looney - Veteran Girl

Chris Lawrence - Veteran Boy

Section of the Week - Battery

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SPONSOR

We are happy to announce that we have a new Gold Level Sponsor, State Farm Insurance-Ben Archer. Thank you Mr. Archer. Band Parents, if you have any insurance needs, please give Mr. Archer a try and let him know that you heard of him through his sponsorship.

BLAST-A-THON

Blast-A-Thon is being advertised all around the community, from store fronts, to PTA newsletters, to Tuesday folders and the LT View, so it should be easy for our band students to get pledges for the event. Also, please remember to include any company matching contribution forms, so we can make the most of those donations.

Students can already turn in their envelopes with pledge money to the Band Parent Box in Band Hall 2. (Remember to use the envelope with your name and section on it so we can count it in the Section Contest - prizes for the section with the most participation.) Money must be turned in by Oct. 21st to be counted for prizes. Final pledge / donation turn in date is Oct. 28th.

Blast-A-Thon will be a great evening of musical entertainment...invite everyone to come out and get a taste of our great LT Cavalier Band!!

See the Blast-A-Thon link (http://www.laketravisband.com/blastathon.htm) our our band website for more information. Any event questions or to volunteer to help at Blast-A-Thon, contact Patti Cunningham @ 263-0240.

VOLUNTEER CONFIDENTIALITY FORM

At the last Band Parent meeting, the District’s Volunteer Confidentiality Pledge forms were passed out and explained. If you didn’t get one, and you spend time volunteering at the school or with our students in any way, please print the form from our website, http://www.laketravisband.com/Volunteer_Confidentiality_Pledge.pdf, sign it and turn it in. You or your student may drop it in the Band Parent mailbox or turn it in to the HS front office. Thanks.

BAND STORE

The Band Store carries so many items but did you know that we carry shorts too! Yes, we have Champion brand athletic shorts for boys or girls and Soffe shorts for girls. The Soffe shorts are a discontinued item so we will only sell what we have and will not order them again. Both shorts are great for wearing under your band student's uniform or just to wear for practices. The athletic shorts sell for $35 and the Soffe shorts sell for $18. If you are interested in these or any Band Store item, contact Kristi Sisk at ksisk@austin.rr.com or 266-3039 to place your order.

ANNUAL HUDSON BEND BAND PECAN FUNDRAISER

It is that time of year that the Hudson Bend MS Band sells their pecans in their only fundraiser of the year. Help support our future Cavalier band students and Mr. McElroy by order your holiday pecans for gifts or baking. There are a variety of pecans available which come from Berdoll's Pecan Farm outside of Austin. The Pecan Fundraiser starts October 6th through October 17th. Delivery of the pecans will be the week of November 17th. If you are interested in placing an order, find any HBMS band student or contact Kristi Sisk at ksisk@austin.rr.com / 266-3039. Thank you for your support.

SENIOR BABY PICTURES

The last football program of the year will feature senior baby pictures from the groups that participate in footballs season. We need a baby picture of each senior so the band will be fully represented. If possible, please scan your picture and send it to Connie electronically (ckader@austintech.net). If that doesn’t work for you, put the picture in an envelope with your child’s name and ‘Baby Pic’ and place in the Band Parent mail box. It will be returned to you. Deadline is Oct. 13. Thanks

NOTE FROM CONNIE

The Week Before Marching Contest

(after C.C. Moore)

"Twas the week before contest and in the band hall,
The tension was building amongst one and all.
The soloist strived very hard to find ways,
To play in one breath that long difficult phase.
Each night the directors viewed video clips,
To spot every problem and find every slip.
The BPO met late one night to set up,
For the trip and the food and the drinks and the cups.
Band members met early by section each day,
And the Flags practiced late once the band went away.
At the practice that Monday, I could be on hand,
So I climbed up and watched them from high in the stands.
The sun was bright hot, not a breath stirred the leaves,
The air temperature topped nearly ninety degrees.
They did their routine and they did it once more,
Five clinicians watched like they were keeping score,
At the set where the brass make a shape like a dome,
Heaven help anyone whose horn didn't point home.
Then they did it again, polished it 'til it shone,
All the while using only their best "All-State tone".
Ten thousand details were reviewed there that day,
About how they should march, about how they should play.
They practiced an hour and then stopped to take,
A leisurely two minute long water break,
Then they did it in parts and then once again whole,
They did it with heart and an eye on their goal.
They headed home weary about at night fall,
I felt tired myself though I'd moved not at all.
But this was just Monday, they'd five days to go,
There's a lot of hard work in a marching band show.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 pm, LT Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally

Thursday, October 9, 6:30-9 pm, Band Rehearsal

Friday, October 10, 7:00 Band, 7:30 Kick off, LT Homecoming Game vs. Lampasas

Saturday, October 11, 12:15 pm, Westlake Marching Festival Preliminary Performance

Stay up to date with Lake Travis Band news by joining our email list.