Gator Band - October Newsletter!

Happy October!! The first quarter is almost over! I can't believe it. Our band students have been working hard and all grade levels are progressing each and every day! 7th and 8th graders have been working on scales, advanced skills and Halloween music. 6th Graders have been working to master their first 5 notes with great tone and technique. We are just beginning to work on learning some short songs. Ask them to play Hot Cross Buns, We Will Rock You, or Seven Nation Army for you!

Fundraiser Update: I am in complete disbelief. Our band students and families raised over 38 THOUSAND dollars on our Instaraise fundraiser! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for allowing your child to participate and for many of you who donated to our wonderful students. You all are amazing!

***7th/8th Grade Parents ONLY: If your child needs a new black band polo shirt for any reason, please fill out this google form and then send in $15 cash or check made payable to Rudolph Gordon School by Friday, Oct. 17th. If last year's still fits, there is no need to purchase a new one.

Band Polo Order Form: https://forms.gle/wiJK6U3audhFAwHc6

Upcoming Events:

8th Grade After-School Rehearsal - Monday, October 26th (Pickup at 4:30 in MS Car Loop)

- FIHS 8th grade Marching band students should plan to stay until 3:30, if at all possible.

7th Grade Halloween Concert - Tuesday, October 27th @ 6pm (RGS Gym) *Wear Costumes!*

- 7th grade students will stay after school on this day for a rehearsal and pizza party. Please send their costume in a bag with them to school so they can change into their costume after we eat dinner. Doors open for parents at 5:45pm.

- 8th Grade students should be in the gym ready to warm up by 7:00pm. Students can wear a Halloween costume instead of their normal concert attire. Marching band students - I know you have practice right before this concert. Just plan to get over to RGS as quickly as possible! If you are a little late to warm-up... no worries!

The following dates and times are available to any 7th or 8th grader who would like extra help on their audition material!

- Tuesdays and Thursdays after school (Pickup at 3:30 in middle school car loop)

- Wednesdays and Thursdays during morning practice (7am-7:30am in band room)

Link to Audition Information Handout: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13baH6sdtxJVjROpX7ESGbHbi2qTCqpU1ICcID1tE2tc/edit?usp=sharing

8th Grade Disney Trip - Payment Plan

(You must pay by cash or check given to Mrs. Gunter or brought to front office)

Deposit: $200 (Due Sept. 18th) *First 50 students and chaperones to pay deposit will have a spot reserved. After the first 50, we will start a waitlist.*

2nd Payment: $150 (Due Oct. 30th)

3rd Payment: $150 (Due Dec. 4th)

4th Payment: $150 (Due Feb. 5th)

5th Payment: $250 minus Fundraiser Profit (Due March 5th)

Disney Trip Informational Handout Link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1edDEt3KGXpUc2rbGXknjDpXtpRkS0KKC4U35gslcwJQ/edit?usp=sharing

(Please go ahead and add these dates to your calendar! Directors will communicate any changes.)

• Monday, October 26th: 8th Grade After School Concert Prep Rehearsal (Pickup at 4:30pm)

• Tuesday, October 27th: 7th and 8th Grade Halloween Concert (7th Graders will stay after school to practice before the concert - bring Halloween costume in a separate bag to change into!) 6:00pm - 7th Grade (RGS Gym) 7:15pm - 8th Grade (RGS Gym) This concert is required. Concert Performance will count as two major grades.

• Thursday, December 17th: 6th Grade Winter Band Concert - 6:00pm (RGS Gym) Students will stay after school for this concert. Please send their concert clothes in a separate bag for them to change into. Doors will open for parents at 5:40pm. This concert is required for 6th graders. It will count as 2 major grades. Attire will be black band polo, solid black dress pants or skirt, and solid black dress shoes. (If socks are worn with shoes, please choose black socks!) *Please also try to send in a Santa hat or Christmas themed hat with your child for this special holiday concert!

• Saturday, January 9th: SC Region Band Auditions (7th and 8th grade teacher recommendation only)
• Thursday, January 14th: Greenville County Honor Band Auditions (7th and 8th Grade teacher recommendation only)

• 8th Grade Only - Concert Performance Assessment Rehearsals (Required for High School Credit) After school until 4:30pm. Attendance will be graded for each rehearsal! Please make plans for your child to attend! Concert Performance Assessment is our most important event of the year.
• Tuesday, Feb. 23th
• Tuesday, March 2nd
• Tuesday, March 9th
• Tuesday, March 16th
• Wednesday, March 17th - Concert Performance Assessment Trip - exact time TBA but this trip is usually only during school hours. Sometimes a slightly later pickup will be required on this day. Parents do not need to attend this performance. It is for judges only.

• 8th Grade Disney Trip! April 7th - 10th: We are only taking one bus so the first 50 students and chaperones only will be guaranteed a spot. After the first 50 spots are reserved, we will move to a waitlist. More information posted in the Disney section at the beginning of the newsletter.

• Solo and Ensemble: Saturday, April 17th at Fountain Inn High School - This event is required for High School Credit 8th graders and highly encouraged for 6th and 7th graders. Students will prepare a solo or ensemble with friends and perform for judges. Last year, Rudolph Gordon students were ranked 2nd in the entire state of SC for the number of Superior and Excellent ratings earned!! We hope to continue to improve this year!

• Saturday, May 1st - Carowinds Trip (End of Year Celebration Trip) - To be eligible to attend, students must earn an 85 or above in band class by the end of Q3. Additionally, if they have received 2 or more referrals in band class throughout the year, they will not be able to attend. The trip is optional but highly encouraged! The fee for students and chaperones will be approximately $135. Exact pricing and details for our 2027 Carowinds will be sent out after Christmas break.

• Tuesday, May 11th - Spring Band Concert (All grades)
• 6th Grade: 5:30pm
• 7th Grade: 6:15pm
• 8th Grade: 7:00pm

Parent Backpack: Make sure your email is correct in the parent backpack system!

Google Classroom: Make sure you have a working email associated with your child's google classroom account!

• Step 1: Open your text message app.
• Step 2. In the phone number spot, type 81010.
• Step 3: In the message section, type the code that corresponds with your child's grade level.
• 6th grade: @2627rgband
• 7th grade: @rgsband256
• 8th grade: @rgsband257

6th Grade Band Handbook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BIpkG7lRZu3FMuUyukmlIY8vckyNlcKsjiMgcwB2Rd8/edit?usp=sharing

7th Grade Band Handbook:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fgWw-elNlYkNRBKDDv-ghxPJUO9P4gKqRiHa1IzygF4/edit?usp=sharing

8th Grade Band Handbook:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q-uMNvdJv593ti5AENqgcpKOxKLQrhimTcH5as5bgy0/edit?usp=sharing

Concert Attire

For all concerts throughout the year, students will be required to wear their black band polo, black dress pants or skirt, and solid black shoes. Also, please make sure your child wears black socks if their socks are visible.

Practice Expectations

Reminder, all band members, no matter the grade level, need to be practicing for at least 15 minutes, 4 days a week outside of normal class time. Please try to encourage your sure child to bring home their instrument enough to make this happen! (Especially on the weekends) I will do my best to remind them as well! Morning "open practice" counts as practicing outside of class as well. Starting next week, the band room is open from 7:00am-7:40am every morning except for Friday. Students must sign up through the "SignUpGenius" link on their google classroom to attend morning practice!

Private Lessons

A good many of our band students participate in private lessons from professionals on their specific instrument around our area. These students tend to progress at a faster rate than their peers since they benefit from regular one on one instruction. Please let Mrs. Gunter or Mr. Wylie know if you would like us to recommend some private teachers for your child outside of school.

Kelsey Gunter: kgunter@greenville.k12.sc.us

Carl Wylie: cwylie@greenville.k12.sc.us