RHS Band Newsletter

• It's Band-tober! Students in marching band are busy each weekend with competitions. Check the website for itinerary updates and check out social media for competition results.

• Huge thanks to Neil Chaney and Riderpix for capturing such great moments throughout the season!

• The directors are working hard on the future trip in 2027-2028. You can start fundraising now and the destination will be revealed soon. Learn more about fundraising further down in this newsletter.

• The next BPA meeting will be October 5th @ 6:00 pm in the Band Room. Please check your email for any updates regarding this meeting.

These schedules will sent via CutTime the week of the compeition. Changes MIGHT happen, please read those messages quickly.

Do you owe money for marching band fees? If so, your final payment is due on Oct. 31st. This charge will be applied to your student's infinite campus account after this date. Please bring in money to Mrs. Decker or use CutTime to pay off this fee.

Do you need financial assistance? Please talk with the directors or a BPA member.

Limited scholarship money is available. Fill out this form and email to Nicole.Decker@k12.sd.us to be considered for a scholarship.

Festival of Bands is happening Oct. 3rd and we need volunteers! We will march in the parade in the morning and then perform on the field in the afternoon. Our volunteer times are between these, please use CutTime to sign up and for more information to see what is available for help. This event can be for ANYONE in the program, not just marching band families.

Students will begin receiving music and information about All-State band in each class. Take time to check in with your student to see if they are interested and that they received materials. We highly suggest private lessons to help through this process! For more information, you can click here.

This is a very prestigous event that many students from Roosevelt who audition are selected. Students are encouraged to seek outside help from private lesson teachers, but both directors are available to help before and after school to any student interested. Students who chose to commit will sign a contract on CutTime during this month.

If you want to stay up-to-date with all of the amazing accomplishments of the students, follow the band on social media.

Facebook: Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School Band

Band Parent Only Facebook Page: RHS Band Parents and Friends

Instagram: @rider_bands

And if you want to follow our unofficial mascot, Phil, his instagram page @phil.the.skelli

If you want to keep up with the band throughout the year, make sure you follow us on our social media pages.

If you would like to connect with other RHS band parents, use the button below to find our parent facebook group. This will allow anyone to keep up to date with any information that is needed, for students to carpool and many other needs you may not know you had!

Band is a family commitment. Consider volunteering throughout the year to share these moments with your students and to provide help to the program in any way possible.

Looking for a new instrument? Wanting to upgrade? Needing any supplies for your student in band? Check out Sweetwater. They have a great rental program and many options for supplies. They ship quickly and are fantastic to work with. Limited supplies are available for each student to purchase in an emergency, but please read this list of needs for each instrument group before they enter high school.

Any Instrument:

Foldable Music Stand

Metronome & Tuner App for a device or chromebook

Bandmate - Free pitch matching app for iPhone, Android & chromebook

Flutes:

Flute Cleaning Swab

Flute Stand (to use at home when practicing or between practices)

Clarinets:

Clarinet Cleaning Swab

Clarinet Reeds for Intermediate Players (Strength 3)

Clarinet Thumb Saver

Clarinet Stand (to use at home when practicing or between practices)

Reed Case (stores up to 4 reeds)

Saxophones:

Saxophone Cleaning Swab

Saxophone Reeds for Intermediate Players (Strength 3)

Saxophone Cushioned Neck Strap

Saxophone Stand (to use at home when practicing or between practices)

Reed Case (stores up to 4 reeds)

Trumpets:

Valve Oil

Trumpet Stand (to use at home when practicing or between practices)

Pencil Clip

French Horns:

Rotary Oil

Pencil Clip

Trombones:

Slide Cream

Slide-O-Mix Cream

Trombone Stand (to use at home when practicing or between practices)

Baritones:

Valve Oil

Baritone Transport Expandable Cart

Tubas:

Valve Oil

Tuba Transport Expandable Cart

Percussionists:

Percussion stick bag

Practice Pad

A pair of drumsticks

Yarn mallets

Plastic mallets

All schedules have been updated for the 2026/2027 seasons.

The current fundraisers will be updated each month. Be on the lookout for the more complete list on the website shortly.

Remember that students can begin fundraising NOW for the next trip in 2027-2028. Be on the lookout for more upcoming fundraisers through CutTime.

For further information about how and why we fundraise, check out the slides below.

Do you eat food? Great! You can go eat food at these resturants and a percentage of the money will come right back to our band program. Check out the dates below:

• Sept. 28th - Smoothie King
• Oct. 5th - Texas Roadhouse

For just $35, RHS Band Parent volunteers will add one of the images shown to your driveway. If you

need a refresher, the cost is $25. Fill out the form by clicking the picture to the left to receive your

stencil. If you have questions, contact Todd Steever at 605-310-5564.

Turn grocery shopping and gas purchasing into money for your

band student's account. For every $100 in Hy-Vee Gift Cards

purchased get $4.75 deposited into your band student's account.

Here's how it works:

1. Order your cards through Andrea Straus.

2. Use your cards at Hy-Vee as if they were cash.

3. A monthly deposit if made into your band student's account

equal to 4.75% of your purchased cards.

It's THAT easy!

This is a great way for grandparents, family and friends who want to help enhance your student's

music education. Gift cards can be used at any Hy-Vee store and Dollar Fresh Market in Tea, SD.

Scooters

Scooters gift cards are also available for purchase. Send a text to

Andrea Straus at 206-459-8126 or an email

andrea.straus@k12.sd.us and we will get your gift cards to you.

They come in many denominations and earn you money back into

your students' account. Hyvee gift cards give you 4.75% and

Scooters get you 20%. These are amazing fundraising ways to

boost your account without any additional hassle and only

spending money you were already spending.

For more information about Scooter's and Hy-vee cards, please contact Andrea Straus

206-459-8126

andrea.straus@k12.sd.us

Raiseright is the most convenient way to fundraise. No more

selling goods, knocking on doors, or planning events. You earn

money for spending money. Click on the link below or scan the QR

code and start earning money. Purchase a gift card to pay and get a

percentage back into your students' account.

https://www.raiseright.com/enroll/RJHNPNXM544G

If you haven't yet participated in Thrivent Choice but would like to learn more about participating, visit this link, or contact your Thrivent Financial representative.

• If you are interested in any of the open positions, please come to the BPA meeting to express your interest and get more information on the role. If you are unable to make the next meeting your interest can be emailed to the sfrhsband@gmail.com account

Email: Nicole.Decker@k12.sd.us & John.Laughlin@k12.sd.us
Website: rhsband.org
Location: 6600 West 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-362-2860
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063473536075
Instagram: @rider_bands