From the Director
Hello McNeil Band and Guard Family,
Please read this entire email carefully as it covers a lot of information. I apologize in advance for its length. You can also refer to these documents: McNeil Band FAQ Summer Band Info Sheet
URGENT: We still have several students who have not registered with the Band Boosters (Everything Day). It is absolutely mandatory we have every single student registered NOW. We need your medical information, shoe sizes, glove sizes, meal choices, payments, etc. If you have not yet registered then please do so IMMEDIATELY. McNeil Band and Colorguard Registration
Marching Leadership: We will see you next week for Leadership Camp! Wear rehearsal attire and bring materials to take notes. We will meet Monday through Thursday from 9:00 - 3:00.
Logistical Leadership: Please plan on being at the band hall from 1:00 - 3:00 during Leadership Camp.
We begin the marching band season on Monday, July 24th and it is important everyone arrives prepared. Our typical schedule during summer band is below, but please check www.mcneilband.org for specifics.
8:00 - 12:00 marching/ visual rehearsal
12:00 - 1:00 lunch (bring from home; no one leaves campus)
1:00 - 4:30 music rehearsal (Guard indoors)
*4:30 - 6:30 (dinner on extended days; you can go home to eat/rest/wash up)
*6:30 - 9:00 (rehearsal on extended days)
We can only control what happens when the students are with us, but there are things that must be done by students and parents too.
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
All students should bring their FILLED Mav Band water jugs to every rehearsal. New members will receive theirs at Incoming Student Logistics Day on July 19th.
Students must bring their own lunch every day. We want everyone to stay on campus for lunch.
Wear athletic clothing (shorts, t-shirt, athletic shoes (recommended list), and socks).
Bring a COOLING TOWEL! I can’t express how beneficial these are in the heat.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. We recently discovered these COOLING HATS that seem great.
EAT REAL FOOD! And drink more water. The quality of your food impacts your health and endurance in a major way.
Okay, I say this one every year and someone still does it and gets sick. AVOID DRINKING MILK IN THE MORNING (even in your cereal). Someone will puke! Watch. No, really.
Submit your physical form to Mr. Dimiceli (they are good for two years, so only if you did not submit one last year). Here is a blank form to be filled out.
REHEARSAL MATERIALS:
Marching instruments, flag bags, sticks/ mallets, etc.
Drill kits (new members will be given theirs)
Yoga mat or beach towel for outdoor exercises
Printed show music in BLACK binder with plastic sheet protectors
Flip folders with at least 10 pages. NEW: ALL WIND PLAYERS WILL NEED A LYRE. You can find these at Music and Arts, Better Than New Band Repair, Strait Music, or any other music store. Get yours today!
ITEMS NEEDED SOON (by 8/11):
Black athletic shorts (NEW SUMMER UNIFORM). BOYS GIRLS (Girls can also choose to purchase the boys' 7-inch inseam shorts)
Socks (black low-cut ankle for summer uniform; tall black socks for full uniform)
Compression shorts to wear underneath your marching uniform. I recommend having at least 2 pairs for when we have Friday and Saturday performances.
ATTENDANCE:
Every student is expected to attend 100% of every rehearsal and performance. Our time is only utilized well when every member is present. Therefore, we expect you to plan all appointments around our schedule. Students and parents are expected to familiarize themselves with our calendar at www.mcneilband.org. We have it filled with dates for the entire marching season. WE DO NOT PROVIDE A PHYSICAL COPY OF THE CALENDAR. It is always available online and we will hold students accountable for knowing about every event.
All requests for missing any time must be submitted via our Absence Request Form. NOTE: Filling out the form does not guarantee approval. Plan to submit documentation from your doctor's office.
Please submit any paperwork, especially those physical forms so you can participate with us. We’ll see you on the 24th!
PRIVATE LESSONS:
We cannot state strongly enough the importance of private lessons for every single musician in the program. This is the biggest factor in a student's growth in playing ability. We have had a high participation rate for several years and we expect to have even more this year. We hire the best teachers available and they have done an outstanding job. Everyone taking lessons from one of our teachers must enroll in the lesson program every year. Fill out the enrollment now if you have not done it for this upcoming school year.
IMPORTANT: Incoming 9th graders will take from our lesson teachers. These are the only people we allow on campus to teach our students.
Your payments are made directly to the teachers on a monthly basis, and our Band Boosters also commit a significant portion of their annual budget to assist families who need financial assistance for private lessons. Simply fill out the Online Lesson Enrollment form and submit your request for assistance and the Boosters will process your request.
REQUIRED: JOINING THE BAND APP
We will use this new app for immediate communication, so it is vital we have everyone in the program enrolled in our groups. All students must join the full band group and parents should join the parent group. If students do not have a cell phone, then their parents should join the full band group in their place. IMPORTANT: TURN ON YOUR NOTIFICATIONS FOR THIS APP! The app only works for us if you receive our communications when we send them. ONLY THOSE WITH TWO FULL NAMES IN THEIR PROFILE WILL BE ADMITTED.
Sincerely,
Jason Dimiceli
Director of Bands
McNeil High School
Round Rock ISD