Quarter 1 - Week 3

Its a busy week for the RH Band! Some rehearsal times are different this week due to Open House on Tuesday and a guest clinician later in the week. Please make rehearsal attendance a priority!

Monday - After School Sections 4pm-5:30pm (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion Only)

Tuesday - Rehearsal - 4pm-6pm

Wednesday - Color Guard Sectionals 5pm-7:30pm

Thursday - Rehearsal - 4pm-6pm**

Friday - After School Rehearsal 4pm-7pm

Saturday - Camp Day 9am-5pm (Bring Lunch)

*Students are permitted to stay after school on Tuesdays. They may not leave campus with another student and they cannot DoorDash to campus.

** Middle School students joining should be on campus by 3:45pm and ready to begin rehearsal at 4:00pm.

Success in marching band is built one rehearsal at a time. Every rehearsal introduces new music, drill, and choreography that become the foundation for everything that follows. When students are present, on time, and fully engaged, they improve more quickly, strengthen the entire band, and help create the level of excellence we are striving for together. Every member has an important role, and when someone is absent or arrives late, the entire group feels the impact.

We know that appointments and conflicts are sometimes unavoidable, but we ask families to make rehearsal attendance a priority whenever possible. By protecting rehearsal time and arriving on time, students not only set themselves up for success, but they also demonstrate commitment to their teammates and help the band reach its full potential. Every rehearsal is an opportunity to move one step closer to our goals.

Small choices made consistently lead to big results!

Be prepared to go outside during class any day this week except for Wednesday. We have lost a significant amount of drill learning time due to weather. We will need to be flexible to make use of any outside time we can get this week

Students should be prepared with: Change of clothes, Tennis shoes (No Crocs!), Water jug, and Sunscreen!

Student safety is a top priority for the band directors. With the hot temperatures and frequent summer storms, we closely monitor weather conditions throughout every rehearsal.

The district provides us with real-time weather data, including the Wet Bulb index, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind, and other environmental factors. These readings help determine when we can safely rehearse outside, how often breaks should occur, and when conditions require us to move indoors.

During thunderstorms, we also receive real-time lightning alerts, and an audible weather siren is located near our band field. If lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, students are brought inside and remain indoors until the area has been lightning-free for 30 consecutive minutes.

Students MUST have the appropriate attire for outdoor athletic activity. Students will not be able to attend rehearsals not dressed properly. This is for their safety. Any student not dressed appropriately will be sent home or will need a parent to being appropriate clothes.

Parents can help by making sure students bring:

• A full water jug
• A hat for sun protection
• Sunscreen
• Lightweight, appropriate clothing for outdoor athletic activity

Thank you for helping us keep our students prepared, hydrated, and safe while we continue working toward a great marching season!

Thank you to Alane Salazar, Libbie Driggers, Stephanie Gruber, Brice Mitchell, and Hilda Melendez for their help on getting students fitted into uniforms last week! There is a little more work to be done this week. If you can help, reach out to rhbandpresident@gmail.com.

Our next BIG volunteer needs are:

August 28th - First Football Game vs. Ashley Ridge

September 5th - Car Wash

September 11th - Football vs. South Pointe

September 19th - Preview Day!

CLICK BELOW TO SIGN UP!!!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CAFAB2EAAF8C34-64699535-volunteer

Thank you to everyone who got someone to the mattress sale fundraiser! We sold a total of 18 mattresses, beating Northwestern by one and only being one mattress behind South Pointe!

For those who had mattresses sold under their names, those credits will be applied to band fees within the next two weeks.

If you find yourself looking at mattresses anytime in the next 12 months, remember that will have this sale again in August 2027 and you can support the band!

Make sure you have bookmarked the RHHS Band Google Calendar!

This is a live calendar that is updated frequently throughout the season. We recommend checking it at the beginning of each week!

https://rockhillbod.com/rhhs-band-calendar/

This is a reminder that our first marching band fee payment date is coming up on August 25. At that time, the initial $100 deposit is due.

Band Fee General Information

Band fees are an important source of funding for our program and help cover many of the expenses necessary to provide our students with a high-quality marching band experience. These costs include music and drill design, uniforms and costuming, transportation for our fleet of buses and equipment trucks, instruments, electronics, flags, equipment, and much more.

While many band programs in our area have continued to increase their participation fees, we are working hard to be fiscally responsible with our budget and keep RHHS band fees at the same level they have been for more than 20 years. To continue providing the band experience we want for our students, it is important that each band family make every effort to stay current with band fees.

At the same time, we want every student to have the opportunity to perform regardless of their family's financial circumstances.

To help make band fees more manageable for families, payments are spread across five months:

• August 25 – $100
• September 25 – $100
• October 25 – $100
• November 25 – $100
• December 18 – $100 or the remaining balance

Families are always welcome to pay fees earlier or pay a larger amount at any time. This schedule is simply provided to help distribute the cost throughout the fall.

School Policies on Band Fees

• Band fees are required for participation in marching band each year. All required fees must be paid in order for a student to participate.

  
  

• This is a new school policy and expectation outlined directly by our principal, Mr. King: Students with an outstanding band fee balance will not be permitted to participate in any additional band activities or events until their fees have been paid in full. This includes, but is not limited to, indoor percussion, winter guard, trips, and other program opportunities.

  
  

• All outstanding band fees must be paid in full prior to graduation. Students will not be cleared for graduation until all financial obligations to the band program have been satisfied.

How to Pay

The easiest way to make a payment is to visit www.rockhillbod.com, click Pay Fees, and then select Band Fees to School.

Payments may also be made directly to the RHHS bookkeeper by cash or check.

Students who have available credit in CutTime may also use those funds toward their band fees. To transfer CutTime credit, complete the Transfer Request Form, which can also be found at www.rockhillbod.com.

We also have several fundraisers planned throughout the fall that will allow students to earn money toward their band fees. Our Mattress Sale is the first of these opportunities, and additional information about future fundraisers will be shared as they approach.

Band Fee Waiver

The Rock Hill School District also recognizes that, even with fundraising opportunities, some families may need consideration for a reduction or waiver of marching band fees. Families who would like to request consideration may complete the online form here:

https://rock-hill.jotform.com/261644986755070

After the form is submitted, the request will be reviewed by the principal, and a determination will be sent to the email address provided on the application. Please note: Any reduction or waiver applies only to marching band fees and does not apply to Winter Guard or Indoor Percussion fees for the second semester.

Thank you for helping us continue to provide our students with an outstanding band experience while keeping participation as affordable and accessible as possible.

If you have any questions about band fees, fundraising, or the fee consideration process, please contact us at tholliday@rhmail.org or pguzewic@rhmail.org.

Any questions or concerns regarding a student’s fees, account balance, payments, or other financial obligations should be directed to Ms. Cook (RHHS Bookkeeper) at MLCook@rhmail.org.

Each year we co-host a marching band competition with the Northwestern HS Band called the Olde English Festival of Bands. This is one of our largest fundraisers of the year, bringing in close to $15k for the band program!

This year Olde English will be on October 17th at District 3 Stadium!

We need ALL parents to please keep this date open to be available to fill a volunteer shift! Our parent volunteer force is critical to making this a successful day!

Our Rock Hill High School Band Boosters play a vital role in making our program successful, and we'd love to have every band family involved!

Membership is completely FREE and is a great way to support our incredible students, connect with other band families, and help create an outstanding experience for everyone in our program. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there's a place for you.

Join today by completing our quick membership form: https://rock-hill.jotform.com/261164930750152.

Thank you for helping make the RHHS Band the best it can be!

Need to get in touch?

Mr. Holliday - Director of Bands - tholliday@rhmail.org

Mr. Guzewicz - Associate Band Director - pguzewic@rhmail.org

RHHS Band Office - 803-981-1179

Brice Mitchell - Booster President - rhbandpresident@gmail.com

TBD - Booster Vice President - rhbandvicepresident@gmail.com

Hilda Melendez - Senior Treasurer - rhbandtar@gmail.com

Alane Salazar - Junior Treasurer - rhbandtap@gmail.com

Stephanie Gruber - Secretary - rhbandsecretary@gmail.com

TBD - Ways and Means - rhbandwaysandmeans@gmail.com