The wait is finally over :)

BAND CAMP... THIS WEDNESDAY! YES!!! :D


Oh, band memories... :)

Squad/Section/Captain leader people: we had a meeting today that went over some VERY important information... please make sure you're taking all of what was said to heart, contacting your squadlings, and making sure that EVERYTHING is taken care of before we get to camp on the very first day. We have some serious dedication in this band, which will make our upcoming season basically awesome. I CAN'T WAIT !

Things to Bring to the First Day of Band Camp:
1. a 1/2 gallon water jug (minimum... it may be larger if you like) you can buy these at target or at any sporting goods store... but it is a MUST.
2. Tennis Shoes: we will be running, marching, walking, moving equipment, and doing other physical activity that requires athletic footwear. PLEASE do not wear flip flops or anything of the sort... I promise it will not be fun.
3. Sunscreen: WE WILL BE OUTSIDE... so please take care of yourselves! Sunburn is not only painful, but dangerous, and we want band camp to be FUN in the sun :)
(baseball caps, sunglasses, sun visors, or other protective sun-wear is also encouraged.)
4. Your instruments. I know this is probably a given, but still. Don't be that guy :)
5. WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES! I learned a long time ago that band is not a beauty contest. Athletic shorts, ponytails, and light colored t-shirts/ tank tops are not only recommended, but the preferred band camp style.
6. Squad Leaders should have taken care of dot books and drill books for your squads. These are so so important not only for band camp, but later on in the season as well. Take good care of these things!
7. PLEASE eat a good breakfast before you come to camp! I promise, you will need your energy even in the first 15 minutes of being outside. It's just really really hot! (Also, pack a healthy lunch!!)

What to Expect on the First Day of Band Camp:
1. Arrive at school between 7:30 and 8 am. (If you're driving, please park in the STUDENT parking lot. I know I miscommunicated that to some of you earlier, that was my fault.) If you're being dropped off, go through the normal carpool loop until you see the big long line of band kids standing outside. You can't miss it... there's 168 of us. :)
2. Stand in line for registration. This is prime socializing time! Get to know the person standing in front of you... could turn out to be your best friend!
3. Once you're all checked-in with our lovely band parents, you'll head into the school and go to the auditorium (second door on your left). There, you'll meet up with your squad leader, who will give you your dot/drill books and answer any questions.
4. After that, Mr. Robinson will talk for awhile, then we'll go outside for some intro to visual, then lunch, then music... then it's time to go home! (The exact schedule is posted on the Band website under DOCUMENTS AND FORMS). In any case, expect to go outside, expect to go over the music, and expect to have a GREAT time. I love band camp. :)

In other news, we are THRILLED to announce that we now have a new full-time assistant band director, Mr. Jon Swofford. He has been a leading force in this band program since my freshman year, and it's SO exciting to have him on staff full time. YAY!!

We also have a new staff member that will be working exclusively with the woodwinds! His name is Taylor Savage, he's a saxophone/ mello player, and I know he is going to do a WONDERFUL job making our section the best it can be. Now's our time to shine, woodwinds! :)

Finally, as a reminder, our WOODWIND PASTA PARTY is tomorrow (Tuesday) night!!!! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone there. :)

See you very very soon!
Love, Sarah

Get Pumped...

because BAND CAMP IS IN ONE WEEK YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



(If you're not as excited as Harry looks in this picture, you should be.) :)

You should also be excited if you are a CLARINET PLAYER. Your next section meeting is at Buffalo Lanes on July 20th from 5-8 pm. That's right, ya'll are going bowling. I'm actually really jealous.

annnnd WHOOOHOOO! You should STILL be excited if you're a Section/Squad Leader! We have a "set up the band room and get marching band ready to move" meeting on MONDAY, JULY 25!!!! It's at PCHS in the band room at 9 am... I'll see you there! :)

But moving on...
Really, there's not much to report on because we've basically covered everything already! (that's a win for the woodwinds).
But, here's a basic overview of what we know up to this point:
-Woodwind Party is July 26th!!
(again, at Olivia Boorom's house, look on our facebook page for details!)
-Band Camp starts July 27th :)
(make sure you have at LEAST a 1/2 gallon water jug, tennis shoes, and your instruments!)
-DCI is on July 30th!
(be prepared for a loonnnggg day filled with wonderful marching bands and memories.)
-BE DRINKING WATER!
-START GETTING IN SHAPE!
-PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

Other than that, we're all set! I'm looking forward to seeing all of your bright and shining faces very very soon. <3

annnnndddddd last but not least....

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ MEET GEN!! ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫



Name: Genevieve E. Levert
Section: Low WW!!
Favorite Color: it changes
Least Favorite Food: it changes
Favorite Harry Potter Character (or item I guess...): Harry's glasses
Interesting Fact: I have no friends...
(she's kidding. everyone loves her. and she REALLY REALLY REALLY likes BAND!)

Alright everyone! See you in a week <3
Love, Sarah

Countdowns, Countdowns

Whatup Woodwinds?
Hope you're all doing well this evening... or this afternoon, or morning, or whenever you happen to be reading this.
For this week, there's not really that much to report on... just kidding! GUESS WHAT?!?! IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR BAND !


yeah.. I really like cheesy pictures :)

But just for your excitement, enthusiasm, and enjoyment:
COUNTDOWN TO BAND CAMP: 16 DAYS
COUNTDOWN TO DCI: 19 DAYS
and, for your enlightenment (yes... another e word):
WE'RE HAVING A WOODWIND PAR-TAY. hey hey hey hey. The party will be hosted by our lovely and beautiful piccolo section leader, Olivia Boorom (whom you met in earlier posts), and will include, if I'm not mistaken, a very very very large amount of pasta. So,
COUNTDOWN TO PUMP-UP PARTY: 15 DAYS (and I better see all of you there.)
[check the woodwinds facebook page for details, and ask Olivia, your section/squad leader, or myself if you have questions!]

Now, moving on. As I was wandering around Staples today, it occurred to me that we need quite a lot of office supplies for band. Yes, office supplies. Vets know what I'm talking about... the drill books, the dot books, the page protectors, the highlighters... the list goes on and on. Rookies, if you don't know what I'm talking about, you will learn! :) :) :) Traditionally, it has been the SQUAD LEADER'S responsibility to provide these items for their squadlings, but I know some sections like to do it a little differently, which is perfectly fine. Just check in with your sections and section leaders to make sure that everyone is on the same page with this, and that all members of the section are covered. I'm not saying you need these items IMMEDIATELY, but, like I said, it was something I hadn't thought about until today and I thought might be helpful reminder for you all (shout-out to Paige Shaffer for making me think about all this logistical business while I was in Staples).

Other than that, here comes the typical DRINK WATER, GET MOVING, AND KEEP PRACTICING announcement!
By now, you could probably recite this little speech for me! But, nevertheless, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE start drinking water NOW! As Jon Swofford will tell you, your hydration during band camp depends on what you drink before you even show up to the school on July 27th! So please do yourself a favor and lay off the sugary drinks. :) Also, it's a super good idea to start getting used to the heat. I know I'm outside everyday at work, and even at 9 am (prime technique block time!) it's still really really hot!!! Get moving guys! You're hard working athletes now, ;) and, you're hard working musicians! So work on that CHAOS, and practice your scales, and just play some random stuff to get reacquainted with your instruments (they've missed you since school let out and you stopped playing them everyday ;).

Alrighty! Well I guess that's all... WAIT! Hah, you thought I forgot...

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ MEET MARY! ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫



Name: Mary Mai Kasper
Section: Alto Saxes!
Favorite color: Depends on the day
Least favorite food: Chili:(
Favorite Harry Potter Character: Tom Felton (NOT Draco Malfoy)
Interesting fact: My clothes always have to match; that includes my jammies and slippers.

Okay, bye woodwinds! Enjoy the Harry Potter Premiere this week! :D
Love, Sarah

A Midsummer Night's Blog Post

Happy Fourth of July, Woodwinds!
I hope you're all at the beach or somewhere else lovely watching wonderful fireworks right now. YAY!


If you're not... here's a firework shaped like a music note. Bet you don't see that everyday :)
...and speaking of BAND:

MUSIC IS POSTED! WHOHOOO!
I know you all already know this (shout-out to Fariha for being the first one to find it... that's what I'm talking about) and I hope that you've all printed it out and have started working on it! (If you have not done so, it's posted on the band website under MUSIC). It is FAST... and will probably be the most challenging part of our show as far as marching and playing technique is concerned. With that being said, let's memorize this thing!!! :D
Also, continue work on your basic scales... just a helpful little hint: you'll be playing them a lot :)

DCI IS ALMOST HERE! The start of July means we're even CLOSER to this awesome experience I've been going on and on about for several posts now. It's not too late to sign up though! Get your tickets, get your tickets! It's going to be ridiculous, I pinky promise. :)

T-SHIRT RUMORS:
Alright... so I know that the brass section has been talking about making an overall brass section t-shirt, and I wanted to just let everyone know that this does not make them better than us. Yes, we do have a little healthy competition between the brass and the woodwinds, but, as we all know, woodwinds kick brass, every time. SO, for t-shirts, we have decided to make INDIVIDUAL section shirts, which will be headed by SECTION LEADERS, instead of an overall woodwind shirt. This will give us the opportunity to promote more section pride as well as overall woodwind spirit, and will be better than the brass' lame shirts. (Just kidding, theirs will be pretty cool too. :) Anyways, talk it up amongst your sections, bounce some ideas around, and let's get this thing going! Just remember that everything you chose to go on this shirt must be SCHOOL APPROPRIATE... and nice.
HAVE FUN!

OTHER REMINDERS:
Don't forget to start conditioning for band camp! Get outside and get used to the heat, and especially get used to moving in it. Drink LOTS of water, too! We don't want anyone on the sidelines this year!!
Also, enjoy a few freeze-pops if you'd like. Taste every flavor and find your favorite one (mine's yellow). It's crucial to band camp enjoyment :)

Oh, and I almost forgot...

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ MEET CHRISTIAN! ♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫



Name: Christian Thomas Sutherland
Section: Clarinets!
Favorite Color: Carolina Blue
Least Favorite Food: probably pork chops. gross.
Favorite Harry Potter Character: none of the above....i dont really like harry potter. Don't hate.
Interesting Fact: I'm always hungry.

Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone! See you here next week :)
Love, Sarah

Belated Update!

Hi everyone!
I'm so sorry about the lack of updating recently, I started work last week and suddenly my summer became a whole lot crazier. To make up for it, here's an adorable picture of a turtle mailing a card. He's pretty cute right? Yeah... I tried. HOWEVER, I will get back on the weekly posts, because I know you all just love band blogs so much<3.

So, first order of business:
We're about a month away from the DCI TRIP!! It's on July 30th, we're taking a bus down to Atlanta, and I want to see ALL of my lovely woodwind players there. That would make it even more fabulous! :) Get excited whoop whoop!!

Also, I've received a TON of emails and texts lately concerning the music. I promise, I'm doing everything I can to see if we can get it posted, but at this point, we're just waiting on parts to be finalized! Keep checking the blog, and the website, to see if anything's gone up yet, but when I know for sure I'll send a message down through section leaders/squad leaders etc. so that everyone can get it! When this does happen, PLEASE start practicing! It'll be really helpful when band camp comes around if we all have a head start on the music.
For now though, PRACTICE YOUR SCALES! Muscle memory is your friend!! :)
COUNTDOWN TO BAND CAMP: 30 DAYS (YAY!)

Other than that, PLEASE be sure you're getting outside (it is HOT!) and walking around! Take your ipod, pick a song, and try to walk to the beat around your neighborhood! It's cool, I promise. :) When you get back from your walk, DRINK LOTS OF WATER! Those roo cups are nice, I know, but really, sugary slurpees won't help you much in two hour technique blocks.

and nowwww..... (drumroll please).

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪ MEET PAIGE! ♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪



Name: Paige Elizabeth Shaffer
Section: FLUTES!
Favorite Color: PURPLE
Least Favorite Food: hahahh uhhhh...anything slimy or stinky i don't really know. i don't like jello! ew gross.
Favorite Harry Potter Character: Luna Lovegood.
Interesting Fact: ummmmm gosh i have no clue! im not interesting.
(yes she is! Paige loves anything that sparkles. Like Ke$ha, but with more class.)

Alright guys! That's all for today :) Tune in next week for more fun woodwind updates! :)
Love,
Sarah

Meet Your Section Leaders!

Hey everyone! I hope you're all settled into summer mode by now and having a wonderful time! :)
Just a few quick announcements for today, and then we'll get to the fun stuff!

CLARINETS:
Your AMAZING section leader has arranged for you guys to have your first section meeting! YAY!
It will be on June 30th, 5-8 pm at Christian Sutherland's house (he'll be sending out directions to you all personally). Everyone PLEASE try to be there! I know it's summer and you're all really busy, but section bonding is so so important! Plus, knowing Christian, there will be lots of food, so there's some motivation. ;)
***NOTE: Christian has also asked for everyone to please bring $2 for pizza!!***

DCI DCI DCI!
I know I've mentioned it in every post, but if you haven't already signed up, you should! It really benefits our band by providing a standard for marching and playing technique, and helps so much with motivation for band camp! Plus, I've heard some of the show concepts for this year, and they are AWESOME. I promise you will not regret going, so please sign up!
(July 30th, mark your calendars!)

SQUAD LEADERS:
You all should have your contact information by now (and if you don't, your section leaders do) so start making your phone calls and making connections! You all are our most direct line of communication, which basically makes you awesome! Keep up the good work guys! :D

MUSIC:
Keep checking the website for marching band music! It should be going up pretty soon, and it would be really impressive if we could show up on the first day of band camp and already be familiar with it! I'll let you know for sure when it comes out, but be on the lookout!

And finally, we get to the fun part. This is a little running segment I like to call:
"MEET THE MOST AMAZING SECTION LEADERS IN PANTHER CREEK HISTORY"
...catchy, right? But in all honesty, these guys are cream of the crop. Top notch. A+. Ridiculous. Best of the best... you get the picture. We are so lucky this year to have such fantastic leaders, so I figured you guys might want to learn a little bit more about them! First up, we have our piccolos. So, without further ado...

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ MEET OLIVIA! ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫



Name: Olivia Ann Boorom
Favorite Color: Blue
Least Favorite Food: Onions (icky)
Favorite Harry Potter Character: A tie between Dobby and George
Interesting Fact: I'm allergic to many things. That little sea horse from Finding Nemo that's H2O intolerant? He basically describes my life. Oh, and I'm in love with my stuffed elephant named Elephant.

Well, that's all for today! Keep checking the blog guys! :)
Love, Sarah

Summer!

Pool-time, sleeping late, and lovely summer fun!
[...with lots of woodwind friends of course.] :)

Hey woodwinds!
I know, you're all having amazing summer breaks right now, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't forget to check the woodwind blog on at least a weekly basis! All the cool kids are doing it, I promise.

BREAKING NEWS!

DCI IS FAST APPROACHING! Most corps only have a couple weeks until their first shows, which means TOUR IS ABOUT TO START! WHOHOOOO!!!!!
If you don't know what Drum Corps is, watch this enlightening video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX_DlPQd9Os
Basically, it's marching band at its best, and you DON'T want to miss out on the chance to see it, no wait, experience it, first hand.
(Helpful hint, PCHSMB is GOING to a DCI show in ATLANTA! on JULY 30th! YAY! here's the link to sign up:
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1105463465849-10/Band+Letter+DCI+show+2011.pdf
you should really really think about going! we want to see YOU there! :)

In other news, this week we said goodbye to our seniors :(
Playing at graduation was fun, but saying goodbye was sad for the band!
WE'LL MISS YOU SENIORS!

Also, COUNTDOWN TO BAND CAMP: 44 DAYS!
Everyone, PLEASE be sure you're staying hydrated!!! It is HOT HOT HOT outside, and Jon will be the first to tell you that drinking lots of water is KEY to band camp success. Get outside, get moving, and get gulping!

Final news: stay connected! Everyone should be getting a call/email/facebook message from their squad leader very soon! If you're not receiving any of these things, there's a problem! These squad leaders should be able to answer any questions you may have, but if not, section leaders surely will be able to! Just to re-cap, your section leaders are:
Piccolos- Olivia Boorom
Flutes- Paige Shaffer
Clarinets- Christian Sutherland
Alto Saxes- Mary Kasper
Low WW- Genevieve Levert
You'll learn more about them in upcoming posts, so stay tuned! ;)

Have a great week everyone!
Love, Sarah