Contest 1 - This Saturday

Our band students have been working so hard this season, and now they get to perform! We are going to the Olive Branch High School Conquistador Classic to kick off our competitive season. Our first two Saturdays are extremely competitive fields, and I can't wait for our students to see what other great high school bands are doing. The OBHS Conquistador Classic is the largest regional competition of the year and features the very best bands in Mississippi. The Collierville Tournament of Champions features all of the very best bands in West TN, including BOA regional finalists and Grand National semifinalists.

I said this a lot last season, and I want to be clear: The only "competition" that is healthy in school music programs is a growth-mindset, self-improvement, internalized one--not a competition with other students' programs. Our students last year worked incredibly hard and were exceptionally successful, and this year's band is in an even better spot than them at the moment. I'm so proud of our VERY young band for the work and progress they've made this year.

See you all tomorrow! Read carefully. The itinerary's call time has changed due to bad weather this week.

I am happy to answer any questions you have. That said, please ask them as early as you can! It is my anniversary today, and I will not be checking my email after about 4pm.

9:00am - Facilities open

9:30am - Call time, divisional rehearsals and attendance

10:30am - Full ensemble rehearsal

12:30pm - Eat lunch, load trailer & buses, get in uniform

1:30pm - Depart HHS (WE WILL LEAVE ASAP after loading. We will not wait for 1:30pm unless we absolutely have to. This is our hard latest departure time, no exceptions.)

2:15pm - Arrive at Olive Branch High School, unload, set up

2:45pm - Stretch and visual warmup

3:10pm - Staging

3:15pm - Warmup

3:45pm - Transit to stadium

3:50pm - Staging

4:00pm - Perform!! - Do not be late if you want to watch us. It takes time to find a park, purchase tickets, and find a seat.

4:12pm - Exit, travel

4:20pm - Change out of uniforms, post-performance chat

4:45pm - Loading crew tears down and loads, all others watch bands while staying in groups of 3+ HHS band members.

9:00pm - Awards. ALL HHS students TOGETHER in visitor stands except drum majors, on field. Parents stay on the home side if they wish to stay for awards–not required.

9:45pm - Load buses, depart

10:15pm - Arrive at HHS, rough unpack (get everything inside, hang uniforms on racks to air out)

10:45pm - Directors leave HHS

• White member shirt (to wear during rehearsal AND to have under your uniform that night)
• Athletic shorts (no neon)
• Long black socks AND ideally a change of socks
• Any sticks, reeds, mouthpieces, etc. needed to perform
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle

• Drink a LOT of water today to get hydrated.
• Get a great night's sleep this evening!
• Do not overplay your instrument this evening. A bit of work is highly encouraged., but do not play until the point of muscle breakdown.
• Eat a filling, not-too-heavy breakfast Saturday morning.
• Take a thorough shower Saturday morning, and generously apply deodorant.

Dropoff: Call time will be at at 9:30, meaning 100% ready to go with instrument at the call location. Do not pull into the school at call time--get here a bit earlier.

Pickup: Band staff will leave at 10:45pm. Please plan on being ready for pickup. Parents of students not picked up by 10:45pm will be called. If we don't hear back or anticipate it taking longer than 15 additional minutes, we will call nonemergency services and all staff other than Mr. Carpenter will leave after 30 total minutes. Mr. Carpenter will leave after nonemergency arrives. Please be respectful of folks' time with their families and my amazing staff's time to rest after a very hard day. Thank you!