Thank you for your patience as discussions are being held and decisions are being made on what the 2020 Marching Season is going to look like this coming Fall. I do not have all of the answers right now as this is an evolving situation that we are in, but I do have some information to pass along to give you an idea of what to expect.
No Competitive Field Show or Competitions This Year
We will not be putting together a competitive field show this Fall for the following reasons:
Non-Competitive Band that Performs at Home Football Games
The current plan is to put together a non-competitive marching band that would perform at all home football games. The focus would be on preparing music and dance/flag work to perform in the stands before, during, and after the games. This of course is all dependent on whether or not we will be having a football season this coming Fall and if we can develop a plan and protocols that will ensure everyone's safety.
Revisions to Band Camp
All of the band directors in DPS met with members of the Central Office yesterday to discuss our options for Band Camp. A decision has not been finalized, but it looks like the District is leaning towards making Band Camp a virtual experience instead of face-to-face. The door has not yet been closed on allowing a blended model where small groups of students could rehearse at the school while following strict protocols of social distancing, hand-washing, pre-screening, sanitation of equipment, and more.
Because the start of the school year was moved up a week, we need to revise the dates for Band Camp (see below). Band Camp will now be held during the weeks of July 27th-31st (Mon-Fri) and Aug 3rd-Aug 7th. I do not have specific times yet, but it will NOT be the normal 9am-4pm. We will have shorter rehearsals because they will either be online or in brief sessions in-person in small groups.
I will continue to provide you with updates over the summer as plans and decisions are made. Please feel free to express any questions or concerns that you have! The number one priority is the health and safety or our students. The educational field is really wrestling right now with how to keep our students safe and meet their social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mann
No Competitive Field Show or Competitions This Year
We will not be putting together a competitive field show this Fall for the following reasons:
- Travel Restrictions - I anticipate that travel outside of school will be restricted or not allowed which would prohibit us from participating in competitions.
- Costs - I am concerned with anticipated restrictions on school budgets and economic hardships on families that this will put a strain on our already tight budget for RPBA (Band Boosters).
- Shortage of Preparation Time - With the earlier start to the school year and anticipated restrictions on use of facilities, we will have significantly fewer rehearsal hours to set drill and memorize music for a competitive field show.
- Safety - It will be even more difficult to ensure the safety of students, parent volunteers, and instructors if we are regularly rehearsing in close proximity to each other as well as participating in events outside of our community.
Non-Competitive Band that Performs at Home Football Games
The current plan is to put together a non-competitive marching band that would perform at all home football games. The focus would be on preparing music and dance/flag work to perform in the stands before, during, and after the games. This of course is all dependent on whether or not we will be having a football season this coming Fall and if we can develop a plan and protocols that will ensure everyone's safety.
Revisions to Band Camp
All of the band directors in DPS met with members of the Central Office yesterday to discuss our options for Band Camp. A decision has not been finalized, but it looks like the District is leaning towards making Band Camp a virtual experience instead of face-to-face. The door has not yet been closed on allowing a blended model where small groups of students could rehearse at the school while following strict protocols of social distancing, hand-washing, pre-screening, sanitation of equipment, and more.
Because the start of the school year was moved up a week, we need to revise the dates for Band Camp (see below). Band Camp will now be held during the weeks of July 27th-31st (Mon-Fri) and Aug 3rd-Aug 7th. I do not have specific times yet, but it will NOT be the normal 9am-4pm. We will have shorter rehearsals because they will either be online or in brief sessions in-person in small groups.
I will continue to provide you with updates over the summer as plans and decisions are made. Please feel free to express any questions or concerns that you have! The number one priority is the health and safety or our students. The educational field is really wrestling right now with how to keep our students safe and meet their social, emotional, and intellectual needs.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mann