2018-19 Pirate Band Info

I hope everyone is having a great summer! I am very excited about our halftime show and our snazzy new uniforms. JV Majorettes have already had a camp, Majorettes are at camp now, and Color Guard is going tomorrow. We've got a great group of people this year and I'm looking forward to doing band with all of you. I have a good feeling about this year. The vibe is just...different.... 

Your 2018-19 Band Council is planning an outing to go bowling in a few weeks as a social/band family activity before band camp gets underway. I will send you details about that when they have something finalized. Hope you can come!

All of the events and deadlines below are listed on the calendar on the band website. This is a long email with a LOT of important info, so please read carefully.​ Save this email so that you can come back to it when you think about sending me a message asking, "When is band camp?", you already have the answer. Everyone wins. 

1. Money
Students with any unpaid fees will not perform. Please do not send cash.
-Band fee = $150 per child​, ​$135 for 2nd child (includes charter bus)​. $75 due by Sept. 1st & $75 due by Oct. 1st. 
-School Instrument Usage Fee = $35 per semester for students using school-owned instruments. A check-out form will be signed by the student, parent, and myself. Fee for 1st semester is due by July 30th.
-Shoes = $26 if you need them. I have a few hand-me-downs in my office. Shoes must be paid for before I can order them. 
-Bibbers (pants) = $78. You must pay for these before you get them. You cannot be in the group picture on picture day or perform without them.
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2. Paperwork
Students with missing paperwork will not perform. It is very important that I have ALL ​of these items by the first day of camp, July 30th, in case of an emergency. Returning members, if there are no changes to your emergency info or insurance from last year, you do not have to submit a new emergency form or bring a copy of your insurance card. EVERYONE needs to fill out the field trip release and the band handbook agreement.
All forms are in the Google Drive (link in your email):
-Field Trip Release
-Band Handbook Agreement (last page of Band Handbook)
-Emergency For​m 
-Copy of health insurance card
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3. Uniforms
If you still have a uniform that you have not cleaned or returned, please return them ASAP. I am at the school most Tuesday afternoons. Our new jackets and bibbers should be here in time for the new season! I'm hoping to get an update on them next week.
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4. ***School Rehearsal Schedule*** Please Read!
Scheduling at Pickens Academy is hectic on a slow day. After school rehearsals will be every Wednesday and Thursday until 5:00 beginning Aug. 8th. Parents, please remember this schedule when you are making plans. If you have to make doctors' appointments, etc. during school/band hours, Tuesday is the best day of the week for that.
Wednesdays are our sacred band days. Do not miss band on Wednesdays! Any student involved in other curricular or extra-curricular activities 7th period must come to band every Wednesday – no exceptions. We don't have the convenience of having our full band together every day like most schools. It is up to the student to stay current with the things we are learning and practice at home to catch up for the time lost when he/she is not at band. There is no such thing as a make-up rehearsal. With a band our size, it is extremely difficult to be productive, even when just one person is missing. We do not have a bench and there are no subs. Everyone is important. Everyone plays/performs at all times. Exhaust every resource to be at ALL rehearsals!
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5. Health
-Keep yourself in shape! Upper body and core exercises, running/cardio, and eating healthy foods are all good things to do to get ready for band camp. Begin acclimating your body to the heat as well. Spend time outside each day. Band is more fun when your body is able to perform the things band requires it to do!
-Remember to practice your instrument! We will hit the ground running the first day, so be ready. Drill and music will be posted to Google Drive as it is completed (link in your email). If your instrument needs a checkup or repair, please tend to that BEFORE band camp. Cole Band is open M-F 10-5:00. 
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6. Camp Schedule Reminder
July 30-August 3rd 8:00-5:30 (end at 5:00 Wednesday)
August 6th 3:00-6:00
August 7th 3:00-5:00
-Daily band camp attendance is mandatory! Be on time (read: 15 minutes early) every day. The band room will be open around 7:30. 
-Band Booster​s will​ meet Thurs., Aug. 2nd at 5:30 after band camp​. We will sign up for concession stand duties and distribute fundraiser info. This is often our only meeting of the year, so please attend or send someone to represent your family.
-Picture Day is Friday, August 3rd. We go first at 8:00.

I will send you another email in a couple of weeks with a list of things to bring to band camp. 
See you for bowling later on!
--Mr. Jackson

P.S. If you haven't, please join our Remind text message list. It's free and you don't have to download anything (unless you want the app, but that's not necessary). I send regular announcements through this.
-To be added to the Parent list, send a text message to 81010 with the message: @201314band
-To be added to the Student list, send a text message to 81010 with the message: @201314ban