Here is an update to the above announcement: 1.Summer activities - Marching Band - NONE :(
***NEW*** As of now, we are planning on having some form of marching band in the spring! The schedule for fall sports has been shifted to occur after the start of the new year, sometime in February-March. This means that the marching band will not meet until closer to that date. Right now the school division has said that all extra/co-curricular activities are not to occur until further notice. Once we are given the OK to proceed and start meeting, we will determine the best way forward.
2.Status of marching band during the school year
****Updated Marching band is an odd hybrid: we follow the fall sports schedule (dictated by VHSL) but it is also part of our Band curriculum. All rehearsals, games, parades, competitions, and community performances are being reviewed, and plans will be made in accordance to state/SCPS guidelines. Right now it looks like it will be happening in late-winter/spring.
3.Status of concert band
****Updated Concert/Jazz bands will continue to be offered as a standard course selection for next school year. Wind and Percussion players must enroll in the regular course in order to be in marching band. Placement in these ensembles is/has been done through audition/interview in consultation with Mr. Gillette and the CFHS Guidance department. There have been rumors floating around about the schedule changing to a different format. With everything going on, things have been VERY fluid this summer. I know, as of this writing, (8/12/20) that band will be meeting on an X/Y schedule. The guidance counselors have been VERY busy working on schedules and they should be released soon. SRO is cancelled, however, they are still doing auditions. If you make the group, you will be entitled to an All-State audition like before. The material for the auditions has not changed. Last year's All-State etude will be used and the same scales and ranges. There will not be a sight-reading component this year. I am still waiting for final word on All-County/All-District auditions and events. Right now we are looking at the beginning of February for All-District auditions. This is dependent on state approval and what the current situation will be.
4.Band fees/Paperwork
We are only asking for a deposit of $100 right now. The rest will not be until the first day of in-person training. We do not want financial strain to be a reason for a student not to participate in band. We will be evaluating our current fees/deposits in order to reduce as much of the fees as possible. Please make sure to get all paperwork in to us as soon as possible. Anything that has to be physician signed, i.e. Physical/Overnight Health Form, can be brought in on the first day of rehearsal. We have to have the paperwork on file before a student can participate. Please contact Mr. Gillette (gilletterj@staffordschools.net) if you have any questions/concerns about the paperwork/fees. The file for the paperwork can be found on the main page of www.forgepride.com ****Nothing here has changed. We are still encouraging you to sign up for marching band. This will be a perfect year to "try it out" if you are on the fence about it. It will be a lighter schedule and a good way to get a general idea of what it is.
5.Fundraising events- Tag Day
Our fundraisers happening is dependent on social distancing requirements. If we’re not able to solicit in person for donations (Tag Day), we will find creative and responsible ways to continue to raise funds for our programs. ****Nothing new here
6.Band Parent Orientation
A meeting for 2020-21 Band Families will be held virtually in the coming weeks, and will be advertised on our website as well as email communication. ****Nothing new. we will post a date for a virtual meeting soon. Please stay tuned! You can also sign up for emails on the main page of this website.
Please know that we are being very deliberate and thorough in our preparations for next year. As more questions arise and/or are answered, we will continue to update this page and our website to reflect those changes.