BA Bands eNews

November 1, 2015

Directors Notes



OBA State Champions!
Congratulations to the NEW 2015 OBA State Marching Band Champions, the Pride of Broken Arrow!! The Pride competed in the OBA Championships this past weekend and earned awards including Outstanding Visual Performance, and Outstanding General Effect in the preliminary contest and swept all awards in the finals competition including Outstanding Musical Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect. This marks the 23rd OBA State Championship for the Pride and their 14th Consecutive title. What an amazing accomplishment for these outstanding student performers, staff and parent volunteers! ...next stop.... Indianapolis and the Bands of America Grand National Championships!


A Special Note of Gratitude
Have you ever stepped back to really watch how the Pride organization operates like a MACHINE at any event? While the students are, without question, the center of all activity and focus (as well they should be!), the volunteer operations that go on “behind the scenes” is nothing short of spectacular! Just take a moment to think about all of the gears that must operate, and operate efficiently to make our BA Band Program function so well.

From each of our organizational teams, you have no doubt seen the passion that each of these volunteers exhibit as they work for the good of our students! The list of volunteer positions is extremely extensive and each are vital to the continued support of our organization. I marvel at the willingness to SERVE of each of our volunteers. From the chaperones, to the uniform and ‘washer parents’, to the concession workers and the fundraising workers, to the Special Events team, to the Marketing and Communications teams, to the Functions efforts of the all the chaperones that serve and help feed our kids there is no end to the list of recognition the we should all honor and show our appreciation to these selfless volunteers!

However, there are is one additional group that I would like to recognize today. The efforts of our Operations team have been exceptional this season. The logistical challenges that this team faces to fix and repair equipment, build and construct equipment and prop needs (that’s an understatement this season!), load and unload all equipment and props, assemble and disassemble props, push the equipment in the front percussion ensemble at performances… this list is never ending! The props in this year’s Pride program “Wild Blue Orchid” are exceptional and it takes HOURS and HOURS to just assemble them prior to a performance and to take them apart following a contest. I can’t begin to thank the operations team for their commitment to our students and to our band program. AND, this crew seems to be ALWAYS having fun while they’re working! Well Done Operations Team!! Please join me in applauding their efforts this season!


Pride Schedule for this week


Horn Line, Percussion, Drum Major & Crew Schedule
Mon 11/2 - (3:20-6:00)
Tues 11/3 - (3:20-6:30)
Wed 11/4 - (3:20-5:30)
Thurs 11/5 - (5:00-9:00)
Fri 11/6 - (3:20- End of Game) - Senior Night!
Sat 11/7 - (5:00-9:00)

Color Guard Schedule
Mon 11/2 - (4:00-6:00)
Tues 11/3 - (4:00-9:00)
Wed 11/4 - (3:20-5:30)
Thurs 11/5 - (5:00-9:00)
Fri 11/6 - (3:20- End of Game) - Senior Night!
Sat 11/7 - TBA


Student Account Payments - Due by TUESDAY
The final payments for this season's Pride members is due on November 3 at our next Band Parent Meeting. Please refer to your Charms account and/or Mrs. Good for any info to finalize your remaining payment for this year’s Pride season. The Pride will, once again, sign up for the charter bus seat based on the status of their financial account.


Band Parent Meeting This Week!
The next Band Parent meeting will be this Tuesday at 7:00pm. This will be the final band parent meeting prior to the BOA Grand Nationals trip to Indianapolis. Final student account payments are also due at this meeting.


Indianapolis Trip to BOA Grand Nationals
Broken Arrow's trip to Grand Nationals will be here soon. To prepare for this trip, here are a few deadlines of note:

• Tuesday (11/3) - Final Payment due for the Indianapolis trip.
• Monday (11/9) - Send Off Dress Rehearsal Performance! All medications logged into the band office. Band Office hours are from 7:30am - 4:00pm
• Tuesday (11/10) - Expo Square Private Rehearsal - All Day
• Wednesday (11/11) - Rehearsal and Depart for Indianapolis (11:00pm report time)
• Thursday (11/12) - Arrive in Indianapolis / Rehearsal Day
• Friday (11/13) - Pride Performs in Grand National Prelims (6:15pm)
• Saturday (11/14) - Grand National Semi Finals and Finals (should we advance)
• Sunday (11/15) - Return to Broken Arrow (8:00pm approximate arrival time)
  

BOA Grand Nationals Preliminary Performance Time Confirmed
The Grand National Preliminary Schedule has now been released to the competing Bands and their supporters. The Broken Arrow Pride will perform in the BOA Grand National Preliminary contest on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 AT 6:15PM EST.


Expo Square Rehearsal
The Pride will hold a special rehearsal in the Tulsa Expo Square River Spirit Center on Tuesday, November 10. At 9:30, buses will pick up the Freshman Academy students at their campus and will then meet up at the High School where we will then depart as one full bus convoy to the Expo Square. The Pride will have an extended rehearsal (indoors) until 6:30pm. Lunch will be provided upon the students' arrival at Expo Square. At the conclusion of the rehearsal, the Pride will load up the buses and return to to BAHS. We expect to arrive at BAHS by 7:30pm. This will be an amazing opportunity for the Pride to put the finishing touches on their show in a controlled “dome” environment. As is previous years, this entire event is a closed rehearsal.


All District and All State Auditions at BAHS on 11/7
10th - 12th Grade Students who are auditioning for these Honor Bands will audition at BAHS this coming Saturday.  Detailed itineraries will be distributed to students in their band classes.


Pride Send Off Dress Rehearsal for Grand Nationals
The Pride's Send-Off Dress Rehearsal is almost here!  The Pride Send Off Dress Rehearsal will be on Monday, November 9. This will be an excellent opportunity to see the final version of the Pride’s show “ Wild Blue Orchid“ before they depart for the BOA Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, IN.  The Pride will, once again, sponsor this even as a benefit to BA Neighbors.  Admission fee for the events is a canned food or non-perishable food item.  This is an excellent opportunity to give back to our Broken Arrow Community.  The gates to the Grand Stand seating will open at 8:30pm and the program will begin at approximately 8:45pm.  Bring a canned food item and come out to watch the Pride!  Invite your friends!


BAHS Wind Ensemble - Midwest Clinic Trip
It’s hard to believe that the HS Wind Ensemble’s trip to Chicago for their historic performance at the Midwest Clinic is only 6 weeks away! The total student cost for this amazing experience is as reported in June at $1500 per member. Each member should have $500 in their accounts to apply toward this trip. The balance is due no later than November 27. The Wind Ensemble basic itinerary is as follows (a much more detailed itinerary will be available soon):

• December 14 - Send Off Concert in Broken Arrow (BAPAC7:00pm)
  
• December 15 - Fly to Chicago, rehearse, check in to hotel
  
• December 16 - Midwest Clinic Concert at McCormick Place (1:15pm), after concert Banquet, attend US Army Band Concert
  
• December 17 - Museums (Choice of Field Museum, Planetarium, or Aquarium), Midwest Clinic Conference, Blue Man Group
  
• December 18 - Midwest Clinic, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  
• December 19 - Fly to Tulsa

FUNCTIONS
Students with prescription medicine need to turn in the medication in the original container with dosage instructions to Ms Good by Friday, November 6. PLEASE ONLY SEND THE EXACT AMOUNT NEEDED FOR THE TRIP.

Thank you washer parents for being so flexible with us this past week! We are on the home stretch and we appreciate everything you have done!  Please return all uniforms by Tuesday evening. 

SENIORS AND IMMEDIATE FAMILY:  You are invited to a brief reception to be held in the cafeteria this Friday night directly following the football game.  Come celebrate a great senior year!!

FUNDRAISING
Cori Aschkenas - BABandFundraising@gmail.com

I am taking Wreath orders on Monday. You can place these in the red locker outside of the Orchestra room or give them to Ms. Good in the band office. If you turn in your order after Monday the profit will get credited next season.

OTIS SPUNKMEYER COOKIE DOUGH- delivery date should be this week. I will be sending out an e-mail once the date and time has been arranged.

FLAG YOUR YARD FUNDRAISER!- Support Indoor Percussion by having your yard FLAGGED four times a year! This is a great way to show your patriotism and support our kids! For more information please CLICK HERE for the order form!


PRIDE STORE
Store Hours This Week - Tuesday at 6:30 until one hour after the band parent meeting.

Cori Aschkenas - BAPrideStore@gmail.com

We are taking orders for Wild Blue Orchid Ornaments, Street Signs and Decals! Get your order forms at the meeting Tuesday evening. These need to be turned in by the end of November.

Additional pre-ordered show shirts should be in by the end of this week. You should be able to get yours before we leave for Indy next week

!THOUSANDS of new pictures available Tuesday evening for 99 cents! come check us out outside of the orchestra room at 6:30!


OPERATIONS
Thanks to all the operations crew and all the band parents that helped make OSSAA and OBA a success! Standard work nights this week starting @ 6pm at the stadium. The prop semi needs to be unloaded and all the props need to be reassembled as soon as possible..

Email baprideoperations@gmail.com anytime.

CONCESSIONS
This Friday is Senior night! We still need many more volunteers for this game. We would also request for non Senior parents, alumni parents and members to help at this game so the Senior parents may enjoy their last home varsity game as a band parent.

The first round playoff game will be held at Broken Arrow on Friday November 13th. A full volunteer group will be needed. The Pride will be in Indy so, many of our regular volunteers will be out of town. Anyone that is going to be in BA that evening are asked to volunteer for this game. Playoff games bring in a lot of fans and an opportunity to earn a lot of funds to the BA band programs.

Email baconcessions@gmail.com to volunteer for either of these games.  Thank you!


SPECIAL EVENTS
We need help with the the Pride send-off performance Nov 9th with ushering and collecting canned food items collected that night. Anyone that can help, please send an email to baspecialevents@gmail.com.


MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Ky and Michiele Vargas - development.bapride@gmail.com


Thank you to Chick-Fil-A for feeding the Pride this past week! Go by and tell them thank you for supporting our kids!


Middle School Outreach

We are looking for someone to head up a new middle school outreach program. We are also looking for volunteers to be available to help man an information table at middle school band concerts. Let us know if you would like to hear more about these exciting opportunities!


Sponsors Needed

We are also looking for other companies to partner with us through sponsorships.



Upcoming Dates and Events
Nov 3 - Band Parent Meeting - 7:00pm
Nov 4 - Pride Rehearsal (3:20-5:30)
Nov 6 - Game: BA vs. Edmond Memorial (Pride Senior Night)
Nov 7 - All State / District Auditions at BAHS
    Pride Rehearsal (5:00-9:00)
Nov 9 - Pride Send Off Dress Rehearsal - 9:00PM
Nov 10 - Pride Rehearsal at Expo Center - All Day
Nov 11 - Depart for BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis (11:30pm Approx Departure time)
Nov 13 - BOA Grand Nationals Prelim Performance in Lucas Oil Stadium (6:15pm tentative performance time)
Nov 14 - BOA Grand Nationals Semi-Finals & Finals Competition (should we advance)
Nov 23 - Indoor Percussion Auditions (7:00-9:00pm)
Nov 24 - Indoor Percussion Auditions (3:15-5:00pm)

Note: All Playoff football games are required for all Pride members are are scheduled based on the BA Football team's progress through the OSSAA HS Playoffs.

Volunteer With BA Bands!

Broken Arrow Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities.