Westside High School Seminole Band

I hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy. Due to the moving of the start of the school year, we are going to have to alter plans for band camp. Please disregard the previous schedule. However, when we rehearse the same guidelines will be in place. My primary goal is to ensure that each student has an instrument to practice. Therefore, when we rehearse and have class in person, less contact will occur as students can simply bring their personal or sig...ned out school instruments with them. Moving forward, I will contact students and parents individually or by sections to notify them of any rehearsals until a more consistent schedule in August. Please understand all Bibb County Band Directors are taking measures to ensure we remain as safe as possible for small rehearsals. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions. Please let me reiterate BAND IS NOT CANCELLED but REHEARSALS ARE PAUSED UNTIL I CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY IN SMALL GROUPS. Please download Remind and join @whssemband

Important Information (please note this is subject to change pending further direction from BCSD)!! - All Summer activity is voluntary for students and will have no impact on future participation and leadership designation. - All students and staff will be screened via an infrared thermometer at the entrance and exit. Any student or staff member exhibiting a temperature above 100 degrees will be isolated and sent home immediately. - Adequate hand sanitizing must occur upon... arrival. - Face coverings (as provided by the student or staff member) must be used inside by students and staff, except when playing a wind instrument, until further notice. - Six feet of social distancing must be enforced at all times. - Every rehearsal area will be properly sanitized before the groups arrive and after group rehearsals. - Each student must have their own personal and sealable water bottle. Use of water fountains or other water dispensing or refilling devices will not be allowed on campus. - Visitors are not allowed at any rehearsal. Parents are to remain in their vehicles when dropping off or picking up students. - Students should report to the campus dressed to rehearse. There is no required dress code as far as colors. Please wear a t-shirt, athletic shorts and shoes. The use of any athletic area is also prohibited. - No equipment can be shared, including, but not limited to, musical instruments, harnesses, mouthpieces, reeds, mallets, flags, pompoms, props, accessories, stands, chairs, and music. - Buzzing on mouthpieces is not permitted. If the flute and piccolo are to be played, they must be played softly. Clearing open holes must be completed gently. - Students should arrive and leave in a timely manner. A ride should wait until a student’s temperature is taken before leaving prior to rehearsals. - Band dues will be $100 this year for returning members and $130 (shoes included) for first year members and freshmen.

Marching Band Dance and Flag Lines 2020-2021 >> As of now, there will be no dance/flag tryouts for the 2020-2021 marching band season. Only current members from the 2019-2020 season will be accepted pending the academic, behavioral, and attendance requirements. If there is a need for auditions for new members, we will relay that information at a later date. Members from the 2019-2020 season may register using the link below. Please email Mr. Martin for questions and more information. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx

The Westside High School Band is opening registration for next year (2020-2021)!!! Please complete if you are a returning member or incoming member. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx

On August 1, 2016 we began a new journey together. The first year at a new school. Over the course of the past four years, I led you on a quest to create something new and different, something we could call our own. We learned the new traditions of a new band together and added some of our own traditions. We had ups and downs and together we pushed for the same goal. On March 13, 2020, we met our goal and earned an overall Superior on stage at LGPE. On the way back to t...he school, you learned that prom had been cancelled. We were devastated together. On March 16, 2020 you were in my class for what would become the final time. We were heartbroken together. I am thankful and grateful we reached our goal, but we missed the final spring concert, awards night, and honors night. These are the things that I look forward to so I can show my appreciation to you. In spite of those moments that were ripped from us, I am here now to show you that appreciation you so deserve. Four years. Together. It wasn't easy, but you were worth it. Class of 2020, thanks for the memories. Musically yours, A proud band director **I do not own the rights to the music in this video**