The WGHS Band Weekly Update
August 16th, 2026
What Makes Band Different from Other Classes?
In the January 2023 issue of Edutopia magazine an article entitled Strengthening Peer Relationships in the Classroom states, "In a positive learning environment, students lift one another up and create an atmosphere where it is the norm to take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, and learn collaboratively. In order to set the stage for this type of environment, students not only need a good relationship with their teacher, they need to feel connected to their peers."
You don't have to look very far to find evidence that music education provides this type of community for our students. Not only are students asked to work collaboratively on a daily basis, but they are also encouraged to help one another, build relationships and work together for a common goal.
According to an article by the American Psychological Association, music can also serve as an impetus for social connection and support, breaking down barriers and bridging factions. New evidence indicates that music has the potential to enhance prosocial behavior, promote social connectedness, and develop emotional competence. Communities can utilize music’s innate ability to connect people and foster a sense of belonging through music programs. These activities can create inclusive spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together, collaborate, and build relationships based on shared musical interests. These experiences encourage social unity, ward off loneliness, and provide a support network that can positively impact overall well-being.
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that students who were more involved in music education tended to report better mental health. This included feeling less stressed, anxious, or depressed and having a stronger sense of well-being. The researchers also found that emotional intelligence makes this positive effect stronger. Students who were better at recognizing and managing their emotions benefited even more from music education.
Importantly, the researchers suggested that music activities such as listening, practicing an instrument, singing, or making music with others can help students relax, express feelings, build confidence, and feel socially connected.
Although music is certainly not the answer to the world's problems, it does go a long way toward helping our youth combat the mental health epidemic that is growing rapidly amongst young people. It also provides a much needed home away from home for students who need to feel seen and heard and have difficulty finding that acceptance in other classrooms and activities. Finally, brings together a wide cross-section of our student body and unites them in a singular goal: to create something beautiful and powerful!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS WEEK
This Monday, we have our annual Opening Day performance for the district in Roberts Gyms.
- Students should be at school between 8:00 am and 8:15 am.
- They should wear their band t-shirt and khaki shorts.
- We will perform Spain, Fight Song, and possibly Rhythm of the Night. Make sure these are in your flip folder.
- Students will be ready for parent pick-up at 9 am.
- Donuts will be provided after the performance
Thursday, we have our Open Rehearsal/Parent Preview Night, again the location is changed to Selma Field due to construction. Please see details below.
Upcoming Events and Calendar Link
Here are the upcoming events for the month of August
- August 17th, Opening Day Performance @ WGHS, 8 am - 9 am, wear your summer uniform! Donuts provided.*
- August 18th, MB rehearsal at SELMA FIELD 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm^
- August 20th, Open Rehearsal and Marching Band Preview Night at SELMA FIELD, 7 pm - 8:30 pm. Wear your summer uniform.^
- August 28th, First Home Football Game at Moss Field. arrive by 5:45 pm, meet behind the stadium. Wear your summer uniform.*
- Sept. 12th, Back-to-School BBQ @ Ivory Crockett Park 11 am - 1 pm.
- Sept. 25th, Home Football Game @ Moss Field
^ You must attend at least 3 of the 4 August rehearsals to perform at our first home game on August 28th. If you were not at Band Camp, you must attend ALL 4 rehearsals to be eligible to perform half-time on the Aug. 28th game. You will still be required to attend the performance on August 28th and play pre-game and stands music!
*Required performance.
Want to have this information at your fingertips? Download our WGHS Band Calendar and add it to your device with this link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y2FiOTljYzNjZDQzZjk1MWUzZTc2MDYxNjcwMjMxZTNmZDllNjI3YWQ3MWEwYjJmMTliMTQ4YmM3MDFhMzg1MUBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t
Head Uniform Organizer
We are in need of a parent to be in charge of uniform distribution, collection and organizing the uniforms to go to and be picked up from the cleaners. You would work with other parent and student helpers to fit students for uniforms in the fall and make sure all uniforms are collected after graduation in the spring. Please let Ms. Young know if you are interested.
Do you like these pictures?
See all of the wonderful pictures that pro photographer, Sara Wilson took while she helped chaperone band camp in this link: https://gallery.sarawilsonphoto.com/j4T6RW6FUfCwJ We are SO grateful for her talents!
Missing a rehearsal or performance? Excused vs. Unexcused Absences
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.
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.
A Note from our Band Aides
On behalf of the Band Aides Board - Welcome to the new school year! For new families, and those curious about the Band Aides, let me share just a bit about our organization. We serve as a booster club (or a very specialized PTO of sorts) for the Band. If you are a parent or caregiver of a band student - you are a Band Aide! We are a 501(c)3 organization in the state of Missouri. Our purpose is to support the Webster High School Band program and students.
What does that look like? We provide support to the Directors by helping with band events (parade, fitting uniforms, organizing snacks, awards banquet, ect). We also do a lot of fundraising. Some of our fundraising supports the entire program, while other fundraisers are student specific and raise money specific to your student for expenses like band camp or trips.
As the new year starts, it might feel like the band has a never ending list of events & fundraisers. That’s because Fall is very busy for the band and the Band Aides. It might feel like being shot out of a cannon, but hang in there and ask questions as we go. Parent Square is the best place to find Band Aides updates along with posts on our social media (Facebook & Instagram) and our band website https://wghsbands.com/ (updates in progress).
Join us on Thursday evening for the Marching Show Preview! Families can get a glimpse of this year’s marching show, enjoy some Ted Drewes, mingle with fellow Band families, and get information about upcoming Band Aides events.
Please take a minute to sign-up for a shift in the Concession Stand this Fall. This is the largest fundraiser for the Band Aides and it takes many volunteers to cover all the shifts. Our expectation is that each family has at least one adult volunteer during the Fall. The funds raised from the stand benefit all students.
In the next few weeks, we will be launching our new band specific Spiritwear store. Keep an eye out for that announcement.
Our hope is that the band is a welcoming and accessible activity for both students and their families. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns throughout the year.
Cathy Pettibone (President) cathypettibone@gmail.com
Elissa Johnson (Vice President) johnsonelissaj@gmail.com
Tom Byers (Treasurer) tbyersjr@gmail.com
Laura Robb (Secretary) lrobbbirsch@gmail.com
Christa Kuhn (Financial Overseer/Member at Large) christamkuhn@yahoo.com
Fundraising Corner
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