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

Fairfield Trip information for Nov.19th

Since this is the Tournament of Champions, our last competition, we have longer practices this week. Make sure you have paid for your food and equipment!

Permission slips are due on Wednesday!
Twenty percent (20%) of student’s performance grade for this competition is deducted each day after Wednesday the form is late (20% Thursday, another 20% Friday).

Schedule for week of Nov. 14-18

Tuesday and Thursday – practice for EVERYONE from 3:00 – 5:30 pm. BE ON TIME!!!! Dress warmly if the weather dictates.
Friday --- practice from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. BE ON TIME!!!! Dress warmly if the weather dictates. After practice, follow the same loading procedure. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure your instrument is taken to the trailer.

Saturday – Competition Day!!

Students will have one hour on the bus when they can sleep. It’s important to use the restroom at home before coming to RHS.

Parents who are going to support the group – you will need to park in Kmart parking lot across the street from the school. Only the bus and trailer may park in the school parking lot.

5:55am --- NOTE EARLIER TIME!!! Call time. Come dressed in your bibbers, black socks and shoes. Your gauntlets & gloves are in your shako box, and baldrick is in your garment bag, which goes on the trailer. Put your name on your garment bag.
Guard – come in your uniform with hair and make-up done.
6:05am --- load bus. You can bring a pillow if you want. No one enters the bus until the trailer is completely loaded.
6:15am --- Leave RHS parking lot. We CANNOT wait for anyone because we are on a tight schedule.
7:10am (approx.) --- arrive at the bus parking lot. Inside trailer crew exits bus first. Unload trailer. Mrs. Wilmer will go to registration so follow the direction of the crews and instructors.
Percussion set up stands for warm-up. Students follow warm-up procedures.
You will get your plumes in the block.
Guard – get flags from crew& follow Mr. Moreno for warm-up.
8:25am – in block, plumes distributed.
8:35am – Formation area. It is on the street next to the school.
9:05am – Proceed to final warm-up zone, then quiet zone where we will do final block up for competition. In class D we are the third of 6 six schools.
9:15am – WE ARE ON!! Street competition! Let’s do it!
9:25am -- Percussion competition zone. Competition ends. Proceed to pictures.
9:45am -- Put away instruments, change and return your garment bag, shoe and shako boxes to the crews. Changing rooms are in the gym locker rooms on the west side of the quad.
Back at the trailer for breakfast burritos! Make sure to pick up your trash, first guard cleanup crew work with parents and EVERYONE thank the parent volunteers.

2:30pm -- Taco and burrito bar for lunch with goodies provided by Zaira's parents. After lunch, second guard cleanup crew helps parents. Load trailer.
3:45pm -- Proceed to the stadium for the awards ceremony. The group sits together. Mariyah, Sam and Derrick go to the south end of the stadium in your uniforms. You must be there by 4:05. I go to the north east corner. Parent chaperons stay with students.
4:30pm – Awards ceremony.
5:30pm (approximately) – End of awards ceremony. Proceed to bus for return trip. Make sure to use the restroom on your way back. We will leave as soon after the ceremony as possible.
6:45pm (approximately) – Return to RHS. Unload trailer. Take home instruments, garment bag and shoe box. Shakos and percussion equipment go into the room.

Thanks for a great day! Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving break. We will have a 7th period practice Monday, Nov. 28th from 3 – about 4:30 to go over scores, winter schedule to end of the semester and get basketball game information.

Lodi competition, Saturday, Nov. 5th

The next three weeks are the meat of the marching season. As stated in the syllabus, our three competitions are the next three Saturdays. The first is this Saturday at Lodi. It is critical we have ALL students at every practice. Please do not schedule any appointments on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday afternoons to Thanksgiving week.

Schedule for 10/31 to 11/4

All week at lunch - eat and then attend your sectional. Schedule is on the board.
Guard - bring your uniform on Tuesday. All guard members' uniforms must be the same. We are graded on uniformity. Ask Mariyah any questions.
Tuesday and Thursday afternoonsALL 6th period students need to attend the after school class from 3-5pm. Most 6th period students need the credit going into the 1st quarter grade. Dress appropriately for marching.
Friday --- practice from 1:00 – 5 pm. Bring your lunch, refrigerator & microwave available. BE ON TIME!!!! Dress appropriately for marching.
After rehearsal - Put instrument in case; pick up shako box from ensemble room. Take both to the main room and follow the directions of the shako and instrument crew trailer. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure these items are in the proper place for the crew to load.
Percussion & Guard – make sure your harness, stand, flag, ID plus drum get onto the trailer.

Students need to pay their $20.00 for food. A receipt is given. The boosters serve the students a snack pre-performance and hot lunch post-performance. To make it work EVERY student must contribute. It is part of being in the group. If you plan to use your Brewfest funds for this fee, please let Mrs. Wilmer know, otherwise, please pay Mrs. Wilmer ASAP! Checks made payable to RHS Music Boosters.

Each student is assigned a job inside or outside the trailer helping get the equipment and group ready, putting items away correctly afterwards, or helping the boosters with food. The procedure should be efficient and quiet. Please check the schedule carefully for departure time and clothing information.

Saturday – Competition Day!!

All --Bring a change of clothes including DEODORANT, socks & shoes, and extra black socks in a separate bag AND bring a place to put your marching shoes that is NOT your garment bag. I suggest your shoe box. Come dressed in your bibbers, black socks and marching shoes. Your gauntlets are in your shako box. Your gloves & baldrick are in your garment bag. Put your name on your garment bag.
Guard – come in uniform with hair done.
6:25am --- Call time. We DO NOT have access to the music room. Give your garment bag/shoe box to the garment crew. Take your change of clothes onto the bus.
6:45am --- load bus. You can bring a pillow if you want. Seniors go on first. No one enters the bus until the trailer is completely loaded.
6:55am --- Leave RHS parking lot. We are on a tight schedule & will not wait.
8am (approx.) --- arrive at the bus parking lot. Seniors & inside trailer crew exit bus first & go to their job positions. Remaining students get in line to pick up garment bag, instrument and then shako box. Students must follow directions of crews once you receive your garment bag, instrument and shako box.
Get out instrument, put garment bag, and case where crew says and go to warm-up area. You will be called to get your plumes.
Guard – there are no changing rooms at the parade site to this point. Follow Mr. Moreno's directions. Get flags from crew when instructed.
9:00am --- go to staging area & block up.
9:05am --- staging.
9:35am --- warm-up.
9:45am --- it’s competition time!
9:53am --- percussion competition. Be flexible.
About 10:20am --- Pictures. I do not know the price or who a check is made to for payment.
Once done with pictures walk back to the bus.
Stand in line to return plumes, then get instrument case and shako box. Once instruments and shakos are in boxes, give to crew to place in trailer. Garment bags will be issued. Gentlemen stay at the trailer while the ladies go back to the bus to change unless I hear otherwise from the school. Once they are back, the men go to the bus to change. Crews that help set up the pop ups, tables, water and the boosters do that job first before changing.
About noon --- Lunch --- at the trailer. Be sure to thank the boosters!
About 1:30pm – proceed to Bear Creek HS for awards ceremony.
2:00pm --- proceed to stadium for awards ceremony.
2:30pm --- awards ceremony.
About 3:30pm --- return to bus for trip home. Make sure to stop at the restroom first.
About 4:45pm --- return to RHS. We may be able to get into the school. If not, please take home your instrument (except percussion) and your garment bag. We’ll then have to unload the shakos and percussion equipment sometime Monday.
Thanks for a great day!

Marching Band Schedule

The schedule for 7th period marching band is:

• Tuesdays - 3:00 to 4:45 p.m.
• Thursdays - 3:00 to 4:45 p.m.
• Fridays - 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Required Sectional rehearsals:

• Percussion - Tuesdays and Thursdays - 4:45 to 6:45 p.m.
• Color Guard - Thursdays - 3:00 to 4:45 p.m.
• Marching Block - Winds - Fridays - 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.