APPENDIX I - GENERAL INFORMATION
PARENT INVOLVEMENT: We need you! Even if your time is limited, there are numerous ways in which you can make the Cherokee Bluff bands even better. Your talents and abilities are needed in areas such as: Equipment Team, uniform fitting, carpentry, typing, sewing, ticket sales, fundraising, social media, photography, field maintenance, chaperoning, etc. and the list goes on and on. There are always plenty of projects to go around. The more you get involved, the more you get to see the benefits that your child enjoys as a part of the band.
REHEARSALS: In order to give the student the maximum benefits of the program, it is necessary to hold some after-school rehearsals. Marching band requires the most time since it is totally extracurricular and since it involves not only playing but moving in intricate formations as well. The Concert Bands rehearse periodically during the winter months. Jazz Band, as well as all other ensembles (also all extracurricular), rehearses in the afternoons after school. Schedules are published well in advance, and the director and sponsors are very willing to work out any conflicts that might arise periodically. Rest assured that we will get by with the minimum amount of after-school time necessary in order to produce the quality of performance that the students deserve.
PRACTICE: As with any activity, the individual gets back in direct proportion to what he or she puts in. Individual practice is necessary and should be viewed and encouraged with the same enthusiasm as with homework in other subjects. There are many values in the study of music as a discipline that transfer to other areas of learning. Some of our parents have “music rooms” at home to encourage practice. In order for a student to realize his or her full potential and to move to the top of our bands, private instruction is becoming necessary. Please help your student understand the importance of organized practice time.
TRAVEL: Future travel plans for our band program include parades, music conventions, and other related events. Remember, however, that trips must have some educational value and should not be considered as the main objective of our band program. It is difficult to try and justify a trip that will cost each band member several hundred dollars if there is no sound musical basis for going. First priority goes to providing for the instructional needs of our program.
AWARDS AND HONORS: In addition to the many trophies, plaques, and banners awarded to the marching, concert, jazz bands, and ensembles, there are opportunities for each student to participate in the following: Solo and Ensemble Festival, District Honor Band, All-State Band and Orchestra, Governor’s Honors Program, University Honor Bands, All-American Band, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and countless other community groups. In addition, all students are eligible for a Varsity Letter for their participation in the band program. We are one of the only activities in which a student can easily letter all four years of participation. Letter point details and procedures are published in this handbook and on cherokeebluffband.com.
SCHOLARSHIP: There are a wide variety of scholarships available to band students. You do not have to major in music in college in order to receive financial assistance. Many universities grant partial scholarships or one-time grants to non-music majors who agree to play in a college ensemble as elective credit, or waive out-of-state fees in exchange for their participation in the music programs. Information varies with each school, and is usually available through the band office at Cherokee Bluff.
CHEROKEEBLUFFBAND.COM, NEWSLETTERS, AND E-BLASTS: Our best means of communication is our website. It is extensive in its coverage of current program, middle school information, and alumni updates. Cherokeebluffband.com is constantly updated with the most current information with regards to ALL aspects of our program. Our weekly newsletter (“This Week in Band”) is a high-quality publication filled with information and links to additional information on our website. The CBBA Secretaries will send out e-blasts with notices, reminders, and updates as they are necessary. Make sure that the secretaries have your most recent email addresses so that we can send you all forms of communication.
SOCIAL MEDIA: The Cherokee Bluff Band will have accounts on Facebook (Cherokee Bluff High School Band), Twitter (@cherokeebluffband), and Instagram (@cherokeebluffband). We encourage you to follow us on all of these social media platforms. Not only do we post reminders and information on these platforms, but it is a fun way to link with the Cherokee Bluff community.
REMIND UPDATING SYSTEM: Our director has found this FREE texting platform and asks you to subscribe to “Remind” in order to receive departure and arrival times, urgent information, and important reminders in an instant messaging format.
To receive messages, text __________
If you have trouble texting to 81010, try texting @_______ to (678) 335-5211 instead. You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying ‘unsubscribe@_________’.
REHEARSALS: In order to give the student the maximum benefits of the program, it is necessary to hold some after-school rehearsals. Marching band requires the most time since it is totally extracurricular and since it involves not only playing but moving in intricate formations as well. The Concert Bands rehearse periodically during the winter months. Jazz Band, as well as all other ensembles (also all extracurricular), rehearses in the afternoons after school. Schedules are published well in advance, and the director and sponsors are very willing to work out any conflicts that might arise periodically. Rest assured that we will get by with the minimum amount of after-school time necessary in order to produce the quality of performance that the students deserve.
PRACTICE: As with any activity, the individual gets back in direct proportion to what he or she puts in. Individual practice is necessary and should be viewed and encouraged with the same enthusiasm as with homework in other subjects. There are many values in the study of music as a discipline that transfer to other areas of learning. Some of our parents have “music rooms” at home to encourage practice. In order for a student to realize his or her full potential and to move to the top of our bands, private instruction is becoming necessary. Please help your student understand the importance of organized practice time.
TRAVEL: Future travel plans for our band program include parades, music conventions, and other related events. Remember, however, that trips must have some educational value and should not be considered as the main objective of our band program. It is difficult to try and justify a trip that will cost each band member several hundred dollars if there is no sound musical basis for going. First priority goes to providing for the instructional needs of our program.
AWARDS AND HONORS: In addition to the many trophies, plaques, and banners awarded to the marching, concert, jazz bands, and ensembles, there are opportunities for each student to participate in the following: Solo and Ensemble Festival, District Honor Band, All-State Band and Orchestra, Governor’s Honors Program, University Honor Bands, All-American Band, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and countless other community groups. In addition, all students are eligible for a Varsity Letter for their participation in the band program. We are one of the only activities in which a student can easily letter all four years of participation. Letter point details and procedures are published in this handbook and on cherokeebluffband.com.
SCHOLARSHIP: There are a wide variety of scholarships available to band students. You do not have to major in music in college in order to receive financial assistance. Many universities grant partial scholarships or one-time grants to non-music majors who agree to play in a college ensemble as elective credit, or waive out-of-state fees in exchange for their participation in the music programs. Information varies with each school, and is usually available through the band office at Cherokee Bluff.
CHEROKEEBLUFFBAND.COM, NEWSLETTERS, AND E-BLASTS: Our best means of communication is our website. It is extensive in its coverage of current program, middle school information, and alumni updates. Cherokeebluffband.com is constantly updated with the most current information with regards to ALL aspects of our program. Our weekly newsletter (“This Week in Band”) is a high-quality publication filled with information and links to additional information on our website. The CBBA Secretaries will send out e-blasts with notices, reminders, and updates as they are necessary. Make sure that the secretaries have your most recent email addresses so that we can send you all forms of communication.
SOCIAL MEDIA: The Cherokee Bluff Band will have accounts on Facebook (Cherokee Bluff High School Band), Twitter (@cherokeebluffband), and Instagram (@cherokeebluffband). We encourage you to follow us on all of these social media platforms. Not only do we post reminders and information on these platforms, but it is a fun way to link with the Cherokee Bluff community.
REMIND UPDATING SYSTEM: Our director has found this FREE texting platform and asks you to subscribe to “Remind” in order to receive departure and arrival times, urgent information, and important reminders in an instant messaging format.
To receive messages, text __________
If you have trouble texting to 81010, try texting @_______ to (678) 335-5211 instead. You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying ‘unsubscribe@_________’.