May 19, 2017

 

2017 Marching Band Information

 

By:  Dr. Kiene

 

I am writing to make sure that you have all of the information you need to transition to the high school band program. We are super excited to welcome you to our high school band family! There are many things to know and consider and I hope to address as many of them as possible in this email, but let me begin by saying that I am available to answer your questions and look forward to getting to know each of you. So…here we go:

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Band classes are available and should be registered for both semesters for all band students. They are brass, woodwind and percussion and they are divided as listed, brass players sign up for brass etc. If you are not signed up, this CAN be corrected. Please contact the high school (459-5151) and ask how to request a schedule change. It is a simple process and can be done.

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We ask, and highly recommend, all rising student participate in the marching band. There are so many misconceptions about the amount of time required, experience required and other issues that I will address throughout this email, but please begin by understanding that the default mode is that students will march.

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The reason behind the default marching situation is that it is a fantastic, successful high quality organization that gives the students the most likelihood of success not only in band, but in high school. The students will make friends of all ages before school even starts, they will learn discipline, self-reliance, gain physical strength and control of their movement, associate with the best of the best students that attend RHHS, gain awareness of the high school environment and physical layout of the school, meet faculty early, and gain a support system that is not matched by anything in the school. Additionally, they will gain tremendous skill on their instrument in a very short amount of time, and learn to work within an organization with fantastic, supportive peer leadership. There is no negative side to marching band. But….

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Let’s deal with the “but”s. Marching band does have a practice schedule. The misconception is that it takes too much time. The truth is that we rehearse three days a week right after school until 5:30. We do not go past 5:30. Ever. It is my philosophy that students need time to do homework, have family time and not over do any activity. Games are Friday nights and competitions are Saturdays (likely 3 in October or early November). Band takes less time than many sports teams, but has incredible success because we utilize our time professionally and economically.

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“Band is too expensive”. Our fees are among the lowest in the state and about 1/3 of the fees of comparable bands. They are a total of $345 payable in multiple payments. Our boosters will work with you to set up payments as needed, and no child will be denied marching band due to an inability to pay. We can work out extended payments and have some scholarships available. The only other expense is shoes ($30) and any additional band t shirts you wish to buy (two are included with your fees). The fees cover world class instructors for sections and guard, food for some of the away games, and assists in covering the band banquet and supporting the day to day running of the organization. We are excellent stewards of the limited funds and we make miracles happen with the money we take in. You will get much more than $345 worth of value from marching band.

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“My child doesn’t know how to march or is a weak player”. The expectation is that they DO NOT come in knowing how to march. We teach them everything they need to know and prefer to start with a clean slate. We want them to come in ready to learn with no previous knowledge of marching. We also utilize peer leadership in section leaders to work with the students on their playing skills, so your child will improve on their instrument.

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The main reasons students don’t march are fear of the unknown, bad peer advice (parents suffer from this one sometimes as well) , and misinformation. Once students begin marching band, they generally love it and we lose very few once they start. We will be marching more than 200 students this year most of which are AP, HONORS, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, BETA and all other successful students. Band breeds this success. The band has won 16 GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS in the last 10 years. This is unheard of, but it speaks to the awesomeness of the kids in the program and their desire to succeed and yes, it spills over into all of their classes and life. I can’t count the number of students that have gained scholarships from band , or wrote their college entrance essays about how band and band leadership helped them to succeed outside of the classroom! Do your child a favor and help them have this experience. Peers will tell students (and some parents) that band is not for the smart kids, or again it takes too much time, or its not cool, etc. Again, we have nearly all of the AP students in the school in our marching band. We have over 200 of the best and brightest. If band wasn’t a key to high school success, why would so many smart parents put their kids in the program and work so hard to volunteer and support the organization. It is the winningest, largest, and one of the most successful programs on the high school campus.

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From here, I would ask you to go to www.richmondhillhighschoolband.org and check us out. Register there for your child to become a part of this amazing group and I look forward to your questions and comments. Band camp starts July 17th and runs for two weeks from 8:00-4:30 on the high school campus. Please register right away so that we know to hold your spot in the drill.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this long, but extremely important email!

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Musically,

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Dr. Danny Kiene