We want to take a moment and provide some further information about the Titan Marching Band, their rehearsals and planned performances for this abbreviated football season.
We know that some area marching bands have been practicing at full strength with little regard to spacing and the aerosols produced by blowing into musical instruments. Other bands were not meeting at all. Neither of these extremes were acceptable in planning the 2020 marching season yet they did form a framework for incorporating recommended health guidelines by which we could gather students in a safe environment.
The band rehearsals began in small groups while schedules, health guidelines and information continued shift. Today, we want to share the planned performance and rehearsal schedule (click here) as well as some expectations and guidelines as we head into this unprecedented year of performance for the Titan Marching Band. Please note that the band will only perform at home games this season.
Even under the best of conditions it takes an entire summer of music review, individual practice, drum line rehearsals and an intense 2 ½ weeks of band camp. Over those 2 ½ weeks the entire band meets in rehearsal along with individual section rehearsals. In this covid environment the band will meet for the first time as one unit this Wednesday … just 48 hours before their performance.
We are sharing this with you because as parents and fans of the Titan Band there will be some changes in our performances this season, most notably, the lack of uniforms. Uniforms were packed away at the end of last marching season in preparation for the move to the new high school. Normally students would be measured and each uniform fitted for the student. Due to covid restrictions, measurements were unable to be taken and therefore uniforms were not altered. So they were left in their packed state for the move to the new high school.
The focus at rehearsals has been on the music. Covid or not, the music always comes first when preparing for the season. With the concentration on music over physical performance there will be some on-field movements that will be missing from the band’s performance.
Students are still required to turn in all necessary forms. These forms can be found on the band’s website (click here). It is especially important that students turn in the Emergency Medical form and the Conduct Insurance Waiver / Co-Curricular Code in order to participate in this Friday’s performance. Please print, sign and turn the forms in at rehearsal.
Also included is recently released information on attending the band’s performance and the Titan Football home games. Please read these guidelines for important information and note that parking in the west lot is still tentative and may change. (Click Here)
We are certainly facing unprecedented times with no blue print or road map to guide decisions other than the health and safety of the students and staff. The school board and administration have been a tremendous help in providing support for the marching band while the directors and staff have worked hard to prepare the students for their first performance and beyond. Your patience and understanding is GREATLY appreciated today and in the future as we navigate through these challenging times. Circumstances can and will change so we urge you to stay up-to-date by signing up for alerts through the band website located at the bottom of the home page and having your student check “Google Classroom” daily.
There are many other factors that have challenged the band … everything from fundraising to a new high school. But even in the face of these challenges the students are doing their very best to prepare and present a Friday night performance in the best spirit of “The Pride of the Titans.”
Thank you.