Letter to Winter Percussion and Winter Guard Participants

Welcome! You’ve made the awesome decision to join Winter Percussion and Winter Guard for the 2012-13 season. For musicians, you'll either play in the battery (snare, tenor, bass, cymbals) or the pit (mallet, keyboard, general percussion, guitar/bass).
The instructors are Mr. Matthew Kwong - battery (mjkwong@ucdavis.edu) and Ms. Micaela Rayray - pit (micrayray@gmail.com).

The MD (Music Director, like Athletic Director) is Mrs. Robin Wilmer. (rosemontmusic@gmail.com).

The music and drill are written especially for our group, by Mr. Chris McCoy, our drum instructor last year, with staff collaboration.

Weekly rehearsals: Mondays 3:00 – 6 pm, Wednesdays 3 – 5 pm and Fridays 5 – 9pm in respect for the time of all students including athletes. It is expected that non-athletes go home on Fridays and do homework. Extra lunch sectional rehearsals can be called by the section leaders, or instructors. As we approach each competition, extra rehearsals are called in advance and posted.

Each Friday rehearsal is vital. To fully learn their parts and how they fit into the whole, everyone must be present. Students needing to miss a rehearsal or portion thereof need to submit a signed note from their parent a minimum of one week prior to rehearsal.

Our competition schedule is:

• Friday – Saturday, Jan. 11-12: Drum-a-thon (our camp). Information on separate sheet.
• Saturday, February 16th -- Enochs in Modesto (all day). Saturday, March 9th – Woodcreek, the second day of the Science fair in the evening.
• Friday, March 15th – Del Oro – evening competition.
• Saturday, March 23rd – Elk Grove (all day). This is the first day of Spring break.
• Friday, April 5th - NCBA or locally sponsored show, probably hosted by US!!

Absences for rehearsals during competition week will only be excused for serious and compelling reasons (i. e. extreme illness, death in the family). Absences will not be excused for competitions. If you know you cannot make one or more of the above competitions, do everyone, including yourself, a favor and withdraw now from the winter percussion squad.

Fees: Unlike other schools, there are no fees for entrance into winter percussion. ASB paid our entry fees. Students will be dressing in a costume appropriate to the theme determined by the music. All students must have the black marching band shoes to wear. If you need to buy a pair, please see Mrs. Wilmer for details. Students are asked to pay $25.00 to cover food for the five competitions served by the boosters.
Students are also asked to participate in the drum-a-thon fund raiser to help offset the cost of writing and producing the drill for the show. The drum-a-thon takes place Jan. 11 - 12 and will be our “winter percussion camp. ”

Drum / Spin-A-Thon is set for January 11th – 12th 2013

Rosemont HS Drum / Spin-A-Thon is set for January 11th – 12th 2013. All proceeds will help fund Rosemont HS Winter Activities, such as competition expenses or equipment purchases. Pledges can be made per hour or through a flat amount. Ex. $1.00 X 10 hour Drum / Spin-A-thon total due: $10.00 or any flat amount. Rosemont High School will be filled with music as the Rosemont High School Winter Percussion drums and mallets strike while the Winter Guard spins at the Rosemont Drum/Spin-A-Thon. The goal is to raise at least $2500. Please plan to donate and participate! Thank you!

Friday Hours -- 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday Hours -- 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Late November Marching Band News: Life After Marching Season

Fall marching season came to a close with the TOC at Fairfield. We improved our score each competition and placed at TOC, something we had not done before. We did a great job with those dedicated students interested in marching. All groups, the block, guard and percussion took more risks this competition and, as a result, can take pride in our accomplishments. The guard kept SMILING through the rain! I am SO proud!

We have “banked” extra class minutes for 7th period due to the additional rehearsals and performances. Each student needs a minimum of 90 “seat hours” for class credit per semester. To finish the semester, our 7th period schedule is Mondays from 3 – 4:30pm only for those not in winter activities. Roll for students in winter activities will be taken every Monday too. Winter percussion meets Mondays from 3 – 6pm, Wednesdays from 3 - 5pm and Fridays from 5:00 – 9pm with their first meeting November 26th at 3pm. Winter guard will meet Mondays & Thursdays from 5 – 9pm with their first meeting November 26th from 5 - 8pm.

We have a minimum of 6 more performances for everyone this semester. They are:

• Tues. Jan. 8th – basketball game v. Valley
• Wed. Jan. 16th – Winter Concert. Call time 6:30pm.
• Mon. Jan. 21st -- MLK 365 Marade (march & parade) – this is currently tentative
• Tues. Jan. 22nd –basketball game v. Johnson
• Wed. Jan. 30th -- basketball game v. McClatchy
• Tues. Feb. 5th – basketball game v. Burbank
• A women’s game to be determined (TBD) -- this is currently tentative

Call time for the games is 6pm wearing black RHS music shirt and jeans. On the 8th, we will turn in marching uniforms, and then go to the game.

We need all students to double-check with me to insure all their fees are paid. Unlike other marching programs, we do not charge a separate fee just to march. The school fronted our bills for the shoes and gloves. The boosters cooked and served all our meals. Please check your equipment fee forms given out in October. Pay Mrs. Burt for any equipment and pay the food fees to Mrs. Wilmer. Both will give you a receipt.

We are very grateful to our parents who supported us with their presence and help on competition days. We need MORE PARENTS to get involved so our program can continue to grow! Thanks again for all your support of the RHS Wolverine Marching Band & Color Guard.

Mrs. Wilmer, staff and the entire student leadership team.

Music Boosters can now take PayPal contributions!

Now when you visit this site, you'll see a donate button like the one below. Anyone with a credit card or a PayPal account will now be able to donate to the Music Boosters just by clicking on the button. If you know someone who would like to help us make our music program the best it can be, please ask them to consider making a donation!

RHS Music Boosters, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

Early November Marching Band & Color Guard Notes

We are in the heart of marching competition season! Our last two competitions come later this month. These last two weeks were fun-packed as we did our field show for the Sacramento City College Panther football game and for our last home game versus Florin. In both cases the home team won big. Coincidence? I think not! 

Students have practice charts due every Friday as the homework for class. Students should expect to practice at least 20-30 minutes PER DAY. Since all testing going forward is with the memorized march while marching or marking time in place, so students should practice accordingly. For a student also in an additional music class, their one practice chart counts for both classes.

October 31st we are in intense rehearsal until 4:30 pm. Students are picking apart the march while marching. Be ready for an intense workout! Percussion and guard go until 5:30.

November 2nd is a shortened day because it’s the end of the quarter. Students are released from 6th period at 12:15. We ask that students either bring their lunch or eat in the cafeteria so we can start our 7th period class promptly at 1 pm. Class time will go until 3:30 pm with the percussion and guard going until 5:30 pm. This allows us extra time to hone our marching skills.

November 10th is our next competition in Napa and TOC in Fairfield is on November 17th. In both cases transportation is by district school bus. We need someone to tow our trailer. We also request we have some parents ride the bus as chaperons and help with feeding our students. The competitions are a fun way to volunteer and get to know our marching band and color guard family.

Since those two weeks are competition weeks, I want to remind all students and parents the importance of attendance. During these weeks we must have everyone attend for the FULL rehearsal. There will be no excused absences, tardiness or early dismissals. Please do NOT make any appointments that will pull your student out of class during these times. Please understand that being there for the FULL rehearsal may mean missing/being late to a sports event or being late to a church event. We MUST have everyone there for the full time! The bulk of our “seat hours” occur during the time between the beginning of school and the Thanksgiving break, which begins after TOC.

Thanks for your continued support!
Mrs. Wilmer and staff

Marching Band News Blast!

This is our first email News Blast for our Marching Band parents and students. A big thanks to Nathan Pillow's mom for inspiring me to get going on this endeavor. Please read the important information to follow.
 
Please remember that all students need crew-length black dress socks to complete their uniform. Target, Kohl's, Wal-Mart and the 99-cent store all carry what you need. Several students may want to get together to buy a pack and save even more money.
 
As stated in the handbook, personal equipment and food fees are due this week. The receipts for students who have already paid are available. I keep a spreadsheet of all sizes and payments, with receipt numbers. I collect the food money for the Boosters and give the student a receipt. When students pay the school bookkeeper for their equipment, shirt, shoes and gloves, they bring me their receipt for entry into the spreadsheet then I return the receipt to them for you.
 
The marching season is now in full swing and we need more parents to join the fun!
 
Our marching uniforms came back from the cleaners Thursday. Thanks go out to Kiersten Brown's mom and Seth Marks' grandparents for sorting the uniforms and getting them organized on the racks.
 
Now we need parents this next week to help size students for their uniforms during class (Monday 3-4:30, Wednesday 3-5:30). It involves pinning the pant legs and sleeves to prepare them for slip-stitching down. I also have marching students throughout the day if an earlier time is more convenient.
Anyone handy with a needle and thread can come in anytime to help with the final step. Each part of the uniform only needs stitching down in four places.
The uniforms will first be worn at the first competition because of the heat. Color guard will probably wear their uniforms for Homecoming.
 
Homecoming is this Friday. We are the leaders of the parade down Kiefer Blvd. We can use help getting students transported from the school down to Southport. I suggest parents make several trips down starting at 2:30 pm and finish at the school before 3:30 so you can watch the parade as it concludes. Please have your student sign up on the clipboard and tell us how many fit in your car.
Between the parade and the game the students are fed dinner about 5pm. Parents are welcome to come set-up, serve and clean up. There will also be a sign-up. Come meet fellow parents and the Booster board.
 
Our first competition is Saturday, October 13th at Franklin HS in Elk Grove. This is the only competition where we carpool. We will leave the school late morning and return early evening. The district requests parents who carpool have volunteer clearance. If you are cleared for another school in the district, you're fine for us. This week I will have the transportation packet available for parents interested in driving. The good news is that it is good all year! The set itinerary goes out Monday the 8th. Students can drive to the event, but cannot take any passengers.
 
On that note, we are REALLY searching for a parent with a truck to tow our trailer to the three competitions. They are the one to Elk Grove, Napa Nov. 10th and Fairfield Nov. 17th. The Boosters budgeted the government rate of 51 cents a mile to pay for gas. If you can help us, please email me: rosemontmusic@gmail.com
 
That's all for now. Expect shorter, more frequent News Blasts throughout the marching season. Thanks for your support!

Striving for student success by keeping music alive!

Marching Band Camp

Do you like having fun? Meeting new friends?
Do you love feeling the pride that comes from true accomplishment?
Then come join us for band camp!

Band camp is for anyone who plays a band instrument or wants to learn to toss a flag and maybe a rifle. The band learns pep music for the football games / field show and works on our competition march, the percussion learns cadences, the guard learns flag basics and everyone learns to march. It's one of the rare places on campus where every grade level works together for a common goal.

One of the best parts of marching band is that it receives 5 PE credits during the fall semester!!

Our band camp schedule is:

August 20 - 24th

• Percussion and Guard -- 9am to noon
• Music Block and Guard -- 1 to 4pm.

August 27-31

• Everyone -- 9am to 4 pm.

Wear athletic shoes, socks and shorts! NO jeans!
Bring water, hat, sunglasses, lunch, plus your instrument and music once they are passed out.

Throughout the fall there is the homecoming parade, football games including one at Hughes Stadium, marching competitions and everyone loves those bus rides, especially to Napa!!!

If you're not sure if you signed up for marching band, or you just want to try it out, come!!! We are also always looking for more guard members, male & female.

See you on the 24th and bring all of your music friends!!!

May Notes - The Events Keep Blooming!

Major scales are the building blocks of our music, so it’s critical that students know them and can play them. Students are realizing the music we play in class is easier because of their knowledge of scales. The last students are recording their 12 major scales and arpeggios. Scores will be posted in Zangle once all students are finished. Students will receive a printout of their results so they can properly prepare for a retest of those scales that require additional work.

Saturday, May 5th was a multi-cultural fair at McClatchy park, part of William Land park. Several of our orchestra student represented Rosemont, along with students from the Blues Society. The wind made it a tough day, but it was a good learning experience regardless.

Our trip is set for May 21-23. Please remember the second deposit of $51.75 is now due. Students received a printout of their account last Friday. After this second deposit, the amount due should be $51.75. Students wanting to continue selling chocolate bars must see me to reserve boxes. I must return boxes or pay for them. I only get one return. Our instructor, Ms. Rayray, had to decline chaperoning due to a change at her work. We are looking for a female chaperon who is at least 21 years old. If interested, see Mrs. Wilmer immediately for a district volunteer packet.

We are already in the planning stages for next fall, setting the wheels in motion for marching band, the drum line and color guard. Our first clinic was last Thursday. They continue every Thursday from 3:30 – 6 until the end of May. Our organizational meeting for the fall season is Friday, May 25th at 3:30pm. Our pre-camp & potluck is June 1st from 3 – 7pm.

Our spring concert is May 30th starting at 7 pm in the large theater, including a stand-still performance by the winter percussion and winter guard. They are followed by our awards, presented to all grades. Voting for the booster board, plus sign-ups for the fireworks booth, our biggest fundraiser, occurs throughout the concert. Come see our performance final; admission is free and family & friends are encouraged to attend!

In these budget times, our music students need all the support available. Thank you for supporting your child’s music education!

Mid - April Notes and News

A myriad of events, but none are taxing ....

Essence of Rosemont is this Friday. The Winter Percussion and Winter Guard close the evening’s festivities in the large gym. Come and see their award-winning shows. Call time is 6:45 pm. If it is not raining, we can set up in the large gym & leave everything. If it is raining, we’ll need to work it like a show where we bring it right in, perform & right out. The orchestra performs during the garden tours at 6:30.

We have a music booth selling water, and so much more! The booster board will be there to answer questions about the future fund raisers and there will be bells and drums available for the little ones to dip their feet into the music water! We're looking forward to seeing the 8th grade students join our groups next fall.

This Saturday is the “Waffles for Wilmer” senior project fundraiser. Students received flyers and more are available. Proceeds benefit the RHS Music program. The venue is the La Riviera Pizza in the Big Lots shopping center from 8 to 11am. Tickets are $5.00 each with entry into the raffles. See you there!

Our e-waste booster fundraiser is Saturday, April 21st from 8 am to 1pm in the front parking lot. If you need a pick-up of large electronics, please call 228-5844 ext. 1820 and leave a message. We can take just about any electronic but not appliances. Monitors, TVs and items with screens most desirable because that’s where we make our money. We also need student help. They receive community service hours & the shifts are 7:30 to 10:30 and 10:30 to 1:30. We have loads of fun & goodies are available. Sign-ups are below & in the music room.

We are already planning marching band for next year. Ms. Rayray, Samuel & I have set dates for drum major clinics and auditions, pre-camp drum camps and full band camp. We’ve decided on the march & planned a field show for one game. New pep music and songs are on tap too. We’re excited about next fall, so join us!

Parent support is critical for the continued success of the music program with the budget crisis looming over us. Many of the booster board members have students graduating this year, so we need parents to consider filling spots on the board. Please think about joining the booster board. We need parents from ALL classes to join our board. The commitment is one 1 ½ hour meeting per month. Booster board parents can tell you that the rewards are many, watching our students grow musically. Without the volunteer help of ALL our parents in some capacity next year, the program will struggle to maintain its standing as a premier music program in the Sacramento area. We will have a meeting in May with elections for next year's board and information about our fireworks booth, our biggest money-maker.

Students need to return their trip form as soon as possible for planning. The hotel rooming list and payment is due April 20th. Money raised from the various fundraisers, the Two Rotary events, and the Science Fair and candy sales goes into individual accounts. After the Spring Concert, each group will prepare music to tape for our Disneyland audition tape sent in over the summer for next year.

As the third quarter comes to a close, each student performed for the class as part of their mid-term. Each is also recording over the next couple of weeks all 12 major scales. This process is done in a practice room with a proctor attending. These scales are the foundation of music and help each play ALL music more accurately. Students also got credit for a practice chart during spring break.  

Thank you again for your support of music education and recognizing, like university admissions officers, its importance in a well-rounded student's education.    

Mrs. Wilmer

February Notes….A new semester begins!

Most high school music programs have a music booster program to support the music students. All music parents here at RHS are automatically members. One booster group in our district supports only SOME of their music students, but our Music Booster board has been busy finding ways to support our ENTIRE music program. Last year they paid to clean tuxedo jackets and made sure our instruments got safely down to Disneyland. This year they have already paid for marching band competition entry fees and our wonderful percussion and guard instructors. They also maintain our trailer, which supports all classes when we travel.

February 9th is our next Music booster fundraiser at Family Pizza on La Riviera Drive. It is on Thursday, February 9th from 5 – 9 pm. The music boosters get a percentage of all sales during that time. Bring your family for a fun night out, enjoy delicious food and support our music program!

One of our color/winter guard students, Kayla Converse, is planning a pancake breakfast to benefit the RHS music department as her senior project. The date is February 25th at Rosemont. I hope to have flyers available from her soon.

The student-led music council is deciding on our reward trip for this year. Since we got testing dates late, they are looking at a scaled-backed trip this year to allow plenty of time to fundraise for a full Disney trip in spring 2013. All students can bank money for trips within their portion of the school’s music club account.

Next month our students have a chance to earn serious trip money. It’s time for our annual Festa di Vino on March 31st from 4 to 11pm at Scottish Rite Temple. It is an event sponsored by Rotary where our students can earn $10.00 an hour for up to 7 hours of service. Our veteran students can vouch for the fun time they have earning money while helping the community. The sign-up form is on the chalk tray in the music room. Spots will go fast. Please make sure you can attend before signing up. We must fill all spots.

The music boosters are also sponsoring an e-waste collection on April 21st. The times are 8am to 1pm. We are looking to add a pick-up service with a U-Haul truck. If you are over 25 and can drive the truck for a short time Friday evening or that Saturday morning, please let us know. We can use your help!

Our students have the opportunity to retake their scales test. For some, it was a new experience and they were not prepared. As before, the order is random. Taping begins February 16th. Each student can receive a list of necessary scales and/or arpeggios to replay. Students should continue working on ALL major scales. The third quarter playing final will be playing all 12 major scales, memorization receiving extra credit.

It is crucial that all juniors that signed up to take AP Music Theory next year sign up when filling out next year’s courses. We need each and every one of you to make it possible!

Spring is a busy music season. Look for quick information on our website: www.rhsmusic.net. Thank you for your support!    Mrs. Wilmer