UPDATED REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Hello,
 
We are always looking for ways to improve the experience for our students - especially as we continue to navigate the return to school in a post-Covid world. We talked today with the students in class about the possibility of editing our rehearsal schedule, due to a few ongoing challenges this year. We are having considerable schedule conflicts after school, as well as concerns around tutoring and the increasing need for many of our students to hold a part time job. After talking to the students and leadership team, it looks like the vast majority of students are in favor of switching from afternoon to morning rehearsals. We understand that this is a considerable change to parent's schedules, so we will not start this change until AFTER the Homecoming Game on 9/24.
 
Here is the updated rehearsal schedule, to begin the week of 9/27:
 
Woodwind, Brass and Percussion
Monday - 4:45 pm to 7:00 pm at Munson Stadium (SAME AS BEFORE) Tuesday - 7:00 am to 8:00 am Wednesday - 7:00 am to 8:00 am Thursday - 7:00 am to 8:00 am Friday - 7:30 am to 8:15 am (SAME AS BEFORE)
 
Color Guard
Monday - 4:45 pm to 7:00 pm at Munson Stadium (SAME AS BEFORE) Tuesday - 4:25 pm to 6:25 pm (SAME AS BEFORE) Thursday - 7:00 am to 8:00 am
 
This change is a compromise - both on the part of the staff and the students. We are decreasing our overall amount of rehearsal time from 7.5 hours to only 6 hours. However, the staff is hoping that with students committing to being on time (which means early!) to morning rehearsals, we can get more accomplished in LESS time! Students will compromise to get to school earlier for these rehearsals, but they will also get considerable time back in the afternoon! Woodwind, brass and percussion students will be done with school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by 4 pm. Color Guard students will be done at 4 pm on Wednesday and Thursday.
 
As I mentioned, I know this is a big change for parents and students. The band hall will open each day by 6:30 am, so that parents can drop off their students for these morning rehearsals. We ask that students arrive by 6:45 am, so that they are ready to start on the marching pad by 7:00 am. If you have a concern about getting a ride for your student before school, please let me know, as I can help arrange a carpool! The band hall will stay open to 7 pm on Monday and 7:30 pm on Tuesday. We will also stay open until 5:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday for those parents who need to pick up their students after work.
 
The Charms calendar has been fully updated with these rehearsal times - and I will continue to provide the weekly email and schedule!
 
At the end of this season, I will get feedback from students and parents on if we prefer this schedule. If yes, we will likely keep it going into next school year. I am very hopeful that this schedule will prove to be beneficial for our students!
 
Regarding All Region sectionals, we will continue to offer the Percussion and Euphonium sectionals as scheduled on Mondays. Other sectionals will continue during class periods, until marching season is over in mid-October. After marching season, we will go back to our before school schedule for All Region preparation. Directors will also be available for individual help after school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for students who need help with objectives and All Region music.
 
Please let us know if you have any questions! If your student has another school related activity in the morning, please reach out to me directly via Schoology, so I can work out the sharing schedule with your coach/director.