Golden Hawks Band: musical notes from mr b

Congratulations to the Holly Springs HS Golden Hawks Regiment who won the AA Class Championship at the 20th Annual Fuquay Varina Festival of Bands on Saturday. In addition to this they also brought home the Pride of Fuquay Award of the entire show. This award goes to the band who showcases the most discipline of the entire competition as observed by the Fuquay Varina Band Boosters and the Fuquay Varina community at the show.

Thank you to our Band Boosters who were on duty for this show and are turning into a powerful machine. We could not enjoy the ride we are on without your patience, guidance, support, man/woman power, and lots of help.

Thank you to our band parents who continue to support us and believe in our vision and your child's commitment. Your support and sacrifice are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to our marching band staff who share my vision and commitment to excellence. You are great role models for our students and exemplify what hard work and dedication is all about. I look forward to many years of continued partnership. We have a great thing going here, and it's only going to get better.

Thank you to our transportation department for providing excellent band supportive drivers to move our group across the area.

Special thanks to Mr. Burleson, Mr. Willis, and Ms. Helvie who attended the show and supported our students. I am most appreciative when fellow colleagues and administration give up a part of their weekend to support something that is beneficial and rewarding to our students. I hope we gave you a performance to be proud of.

Lastly, continued thanks to our band members. You have sweated and sometimes pushed thru injuries to reach where you now are. We (marching band staff) realize that we expect and demand a lot from you. Our number one goal always is to be better than we were before. This includes every rehearsal, every run-thru, and every performance. Always continue to raise what you expect from yourself, and push to achieve your absolute best. In only our 2nd year of competition and 3rd year as a school, you have much to be proud of. The band program is forming traditions and reputations that will last for a very long time. Our vision is to develop a complete program that will be respected not only locally, but regionally and nationally. Each time you represent Holly Springs High School and our fabulous community, you are developing that vision.

Continue to work hard and enjoy the ride. I believe our "best" performances are yet to come.

September 29th Rehearsal

I think most of you know me enough by now to know I do not give out compliments lightly....

By far, one of the best if not the best rehearsal you have given us since band camp.

I'm starting to feel something turning since Saturday....keep it up all week..., we still have a lot of work to do, but this was a fantastic first step on the road to where we want to be (when I say we, I mean all of us)

Now, as Caitlin said, keep this up for Wednesday and Thursday of this week...there are still plenty of places for improvement...Come in during lunch tomorrow and/ Wednesday and work on your music. Sit down w/ the metronome, and make sure you can play your part in time..., check intonation, check notes..

Anything you have to do, to know that on Saturday night, you will have nailed every note, every rhythm, every drill move.

If you do that.....you will be rewarded (doesn't necessarily mean trophies)....you will know that you gave it your all all week, and left nothing on the field...

2008 Band Camp Letter

Mr B has written a letter on the 2008 Band Camp, including the schedule and notarized health forms and payments all of which are required. The letter is available here: 2008-band-camp-letter.pdf.

As a reminder, Band Camp is held entirely on Holly Springs HS campus and is a closed camp for students (meaning they are not allowed to go off campus for lunch or dinner). Given the recent tragedy at Pine Forest HS earlier this week, I'm sure you understand my reasoning for this. Our Band Booster Volunteers are ready to feed them for lunch and dinner.

PARENTS:

It is VERY IMPORTANT if you plan to serve as a volunteer or chaperone this season or at any time this year that you are registered with Wake County Public Schools. If you have not done this, you can do it Monday while your children or at camp or Monday night during the Band Booster Meeting in the Band Room. This is a requirement of the school system. Everyone must renew each year. If you are new to the high school, but volunteered last year, you must also renew and link Holly Springs HS as an additional school.

March 17, 2008

A huge thank you goes out to all of the band boosters and students who worked to make our first ever hosting of the Central District Band Festival a rousing success. Many director's commented that this was the BEST run festival they had been to, and they have been coming for years. So kudos to all of you. I knew we could do it, and everyone proved me right.

Also, congratulations, to our Concert Band who earned a SUPERIOR rating, and our Wind Ensemble who earned an Excellent Rating. Both groups earned a Superior in Sight Reading. Out of 42 bands that attended this year, 14 received Superior's. I'm very proud that one of our groups was amongst them. This was the first year that we entered in two different levels, and the older students performed a level higher than last year. They did well also. Both our groups represented Holly Springs HS very well in only our 2nd year of existence.

Among all the work and excitement of festival, I forgot to mention that Brian Johnston was selected 2nd chair to the North Carolina All- State Honor's Band, and 1st chair to the NC All-State Jazz Ensemble.

Great things are happening in Golden Hawks country, and it's because of all of you. Everyone has earned some well-deserved rest. At least for a few days :)