The WGHS Weekly Band Update

Auditions are just a couple of weeks away. They will take place Oct. 25 - 30th during school. Everyone has receive music and should be practicing it at home regularly. Here are a few quick tips are reminders to help you or your band student perform the best audition.

1. Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats must be memorized. We will not listen to every scale but will pick a few from this list. We will play both major and melodic minors.

2. Each person will have a 5 minute audition time slot. Be outside your audition room 5 minutes before your audition.

3. Everyone must audition. You will receive a 100 point grade on this assignment. It is pass/fail. You must play ALL the audition material to pass.

4. The auditions will be blind. Do not talk to the judge. If you have a question, go outside the room and ask the room monitor and they will ask for you.

5. They are many videos on YouTube you can watch for help. Just search Missouri All State Band Audition Music 2026. Here is a link to the YouTube videos that University of Missouri, Columbia has put out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDyq4MdYNg5s&si=vSq6NM3Vkceq8V5V

6. Practice slowly with a metronome.

7. A little practice everyday beats a lot of practice one day.

8. Take your time and play with musical style over speed.

9. The auditions judge want to hear you play well. They are not out to get you.

10. Practice recording yourself and listen to what you sound like.

We have been a little lax on enforcement of this rule, but we really need EVERYONE to wear the correct footwear from this next performance on. Here are some pics and links to purchase shoes if needed for the next football game. If anyone has a gently used pair they would like to donate for students that do not have the means to purchase these shoes, please send them to school with your child. We are starting a Concert Black Community Closet for such items. Also, you do NOT have to purchase name brand. I got my daughter’s on Amazon for $21 with tax. The shoes do need to be BLACK WITH WHITE TRIM. PEASE NO PLATFORMS! These are dangerous to march in.

• 10/10 Fall Flicks and Fun - Come join your fellow band students in the courtyard at WGHS for an outdoor movie, games, popcorn and snacks! Band students only! 7 - 10 pm
  
• 10/16 - 7:30 pm Live Music Sing-Along at MayPop - See the flyer below for more information.

• 10/23 - Home Football Game and Senior Night at Moss! Arrive by 5:45 pm

• 10/24 - City Museum Performance - 2 pm performance

• 10/25 - Jazz Band Performance at the Old Orchard Fall Festival.

• 10/25 - 10/30 - Band Audition Week

• 10/30 - Possible Play-off Games TBA
  
• 11/8 - WW Ensemble performs at the Old Webster Holiday Open House
  
• 11/12 - WW Ensemble performs at the History Mueseum’s Storytelling Event arrive at 4:30 pm, perform from 5 - 6 pm. Come watch us perform and enjoy food drink from local vendors. FREE and all are welcome.
• 11/14 - Steve and Jazz 1 Concert - 7;30 pm at The Key - See flyer below.
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• 11/25 - Turkey Day Community Open House - arrive at 6:15 pm
• 11/26 - Turkey Day - arrive at 11 am.

Due to some district scheduling conflicts and guest artist schedules, we have changed the date for our December Concert Band Concert to Thursday, 12/10/26 and the Jazz Band Concert to Monday, 12/14/26. Both concerts will be held in the auditorium at 7 pm.

It’s official - the Band loves Chipotle! Thank you for the tremendous support for our Dine Out Night. We raised $424 to support the needs of the Band. Watch for updates on our next Dine Out night!

Looking for a fun night out? Join us for the Live Sign Along featuring the music of Billy Joel and Elton John on October 16 at 7:30 pm. The event takes place at Maypop & Marshall House (803 Marshall Ave.). Our very own Kevin Cole will be at the piano to lead the singing (or listening) and Farmtruk will be there for food purchases. Enjoy a night of music, food, & friends! Donations will be accepted to support our many band programs.

Have you visited the Band Spirit Wear store yet? Just click this link, Band Spirit Store shop from home, and pick-up your order at Zoey’s Attic in Webster Groves. It’s a great way to show your support for the Band. Share the link with family & friends!

You all have been absolutely amazing with supporting our Concession Stand this year! We are looking to the future knowing that our long term coordinator, Virginia Smith, will have her youngest child graduate in ‘28. We are forming a committee to start learning the ropes of how to lead the Concession Stand. Do you like to organize, food shop, coordinate with the school, feed people, or bring people together? All of those skills are needed on our Concession Stand Committee. Virginia would love to share all her knowledge over the next season - starting with Turkey Day 2026. It’s also a great way to support the band during football season while staying in a temperature controlled space. If you are willing to share the responsibility with a team of volunteers, reach out to me.

Upcoming Events:

Oct. 16 - Live Sing Along at Maypop & The Marshall House

Oct. 21 - Band Aides Meeting

Oct. 23 - Varsity Football Game

Cathy Pettibone

cathypettibone@gmail.com

This is a link to our trip website. It is also a good source of information and where you will go to register for the trip. You can access it HERE. When you're ready to register, the passcode is WGHS (all caps).

Are you great at menu and meal planning, an expert grocery shopper or a grill master? You nave just the skills we are looking for to help run the concession stand. We have some BIG shoes to fill as long-time concession stand leader, Virginia Smith, we be retiring from many years of service after next year when her youngest child graduates. Please let a director, Cathy Pettibone (Band Aides President), or Virginia know if you would be interested in learning more.

We must have a high percentage of our students in attendance to have a successful rehearsal or performance. While there are always legitimate reasons people have to miss scheduled events, we cannot excuse all absences from performances during the school year. Communicating is also important. I appreciate email and verbal reminders, but it is hard to keep all that organized. Please complete the link below if you need to miss a rehearsal or performance. The sooner we know, the better.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4R2I0yzOVYln53FZH-lkWDb22-0E5EwK4R2L4_Do6kyvqmw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

ALL performances once school starts are for a grade. An evergreen makeup assignment is on Canvas. Students may choose an option from the list of choices on this assignment to complete for the missed points. Make-up assignments are due 14 days after the missed performance. Assignments turned in later than this will not be given points.

Want to earn money for your individual band account to use for Band Camp , New Orleans or Spain trips by simply purchasing items you already buy, eating at your favorite restaurants or shopping online? Raise Right is your answer. Download the app to your phone and purchase gift cards to places you know you will shop or dine. You will easily earn 2.5 percent to 17 percent back on your purchases. This money adds up quickly and easily. Click this link to get started: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aGuOpkvtxyYH3VZymjffUbNoSYHopMwS/view?usp=sharing