Dear BVW Band Families,

WELOME to the newest members of our Blue Valley West Band Family! We are excited to have you join us! Know that you are in for a fantastic experience!

We begin our 2021-2022 band year with our Kickoff Rehearsal and Info Meeting on Thursday, June 3. A reminder that this event is for ALL 2021-2022 Blue Valley West Band and Color Guard Members! See additional information about that event HERE.

Parents - we need you! High school band is unique in that parents have opportunities to share in their student's experience from a front row seat! You can learn more on June 3!

Summer Conditioning - A reminder that ALL BVW Band students participate in our marching program and get to experience something that makes high school band such a special and unique opportunity! With the restrictions in place on our music programs for the past 14 months, it is important that we "stretch out" our musical muscles as we prepare for a more "normal" school year. Students should attend any and all conditioning sessions and sectionals when in town, HOWEVER, If you are on a trip or scout camp, etc. just let us know - no worries! We have plenty of ways to ensure everyone feels confident before band camp in August! For additional details, click HERE. If you know someone who wasn't sure about joining high school band, please encourage them to come check it out - we're going to have a great time!

This Week:
Thursday, June 3: Marching Band Kickoff and Parent Info Meeting for ALL Band Students In Grades 9-12.
Please see additional information HERE.

In the Future:
Thursday, June 10: Summer Conditioning Session #1

Thursday, June 24: Summer Conditioning Session #2

See the CALENDAR page for more!
​

At the end of last week, the Blue Valley Schools sent out an updated set of protocols related to COVID mitigation based on current CDC and Johnson County Health recommendations. Additional specific guidance was provided to all activity and athletic sponsors.  Beginning June 1, 2021 the following protocols apply to all of our rehearsals and performances:

• Students who display cold or flu-like symptoms MUST stay home until fully recovered and / or cleared by a medical professional. This is ALWAYS good practice!
  
• Masks are not required for students or staff, however individuals are welcome to wear a mask at any time.
  
• Masks are highly encouraged for individuals who have not been fully vaccinated when inside Blue Valley facilities.
• Bell coverings are no longer required outside, we are awaiting further guidance on indoor activities. If needed, these will be provided to students.
  
• Students must provide their own water bottle, food, towels, etc.
  
• Continue to practice good hygiene including frequent hand washing and cleaning equipment and clothing after use. 
  

We acknowledge that our return to a more "normal" rehearsal environment may cause feelings of anxiety or apprehension for some students. Part of that stems from the fact that our band students did a phenomenal job following  all required mitigation strategies for the past year, and it may seem "strange" to no longer have these strict rules in place. In addition to the guidelines provided by our local officials, we continue to learn about and follow guidance provided by the NFHS Aerosol study and other professional music organizations. If students or parents have any questions, please visit with one of our directors so we can discuss your concerns. Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for ALL of our Band FAMILY Is our first priority!

 Dear BVW Band Families,

Congratulations to our outstanding senior band and color guard members in the Class of 2021! We look forward to celebrating you walking across the stage as we perform at the BVW Graduation Ceremony later this evening! We sincerely appreciate your dedication and leadership to the BV West Bands, especially over the past 14 months. Wishing all of you success wherever life's journey takes you next!

With that said, a little housekeeping - this will be the final UPDATE  that our senior families will receive. We will move you to our alumni list beginning next week. If you would still like to receive BVW Band news, subscribing is as simple as adding your email to the form at the bottom right corner of this page! If you did not receive all of your letters / pins / awards, etc. we will contact you as soon as those are available this summer. We do hope you will continue to follow the BVW Band on social media! That said, alumni are always welcome back and we look forward to hearing from you from time to time!

Graduation
A reminder that Sunday, May 23 We have one more performance for our 9th - 11th grade students. Please refer to those details in the Graduation performance announcement. Click HERE for additional information.

Finals
For Final "Exams," all students will need to ensure that they have returned any school-owned instruments, music, folders, and uniform parts. Lockers must be cleaned and inspected, and all financial obligations to the BVW Boosters should be cleared. Students will take care of these items during classes this week and next. Seniors need to finish their "Exam" before their scheduled final time this week.

Thank you!
We would like to thank all of our band students and family members for welcoming us here to West this year! While there have been many unique obstacles this year, we appreciate the kindness and enthusiasm we have seen on display, especially this last quarter as we finally had the opportunity to play together again! While we think all of us are ready to shut the door on this school-year, we are extremely excited about what lies ahead for the BV West Bands in 2021-2022!

This Week:
Monday, May 24
LKMS Band Concert

Wednesday, May 26
Band Booster Meeting - 6:30 PM

Next Week:
Thursday, June 3: Marching Band Kickoff and Parent Info Meeting for ALL Band Students In Grades 9-12.
Please see additional information HERE.

Who: ALL band members in grades 9 - 11. We will perform for the BVW graduation ceremonies. See details below.

IF you forgot your instrument at school, the band room at BV West will be open from 5 - 5:30 PM this afternoon before the ceremony.

Report Time: 6:00 PM  As there will be a large audience present, and limited parking, it is essential that students arrive early to ensure they can be inside the stadium and seated with their instrument and equipment well before our performance begins. Graduation begins at 7:00 PM, and we perform before, during, and after the ceremony. Students will be ready to pick-up after 8:30 PM (TENTATIVE.)

Concert Uniform: Nice dress clothes. Examples: Dress pants with a collared shirt (no jeans or leggings,) skirt / blouse, dress, etc. 

Performance Location: SWIDAC (Dist​rict Stadium located at 135th and Switzer. See map below.) 

FAQ:

What if it rains? In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be rescheduled for Wednesday, May 26 at 6:00 PM at SWIDAC. The band will play.

I have a cousin graduating at another school / out of town? No worries! We will certainly excuse students to attend family graduations at other schools. Make sure to communicate with Mr. Love via email BEFORE May 20 so that we can provide an accurate seating chart to the SWIDAC staff. 

My sibling is graduating from West? Do I still play in the band? YES! Because you will be seated with the band, this means that another family member can sit in the stands, and YOU will have a front row seat to watch your sibling graduate!
How do our instruments and music get there? Students are responsible for bringing their instrument to SWIDAC EXCEPT for tuba, bari sax, and percussion students. Music folders will be collected in class and delivered to SWIDAC.

 Dear BVW Band Families,

Congratulations to all of our ensembles on their performances last week! In spite of all the obstacles that we have faced this year, we are so pleased to have finally been able to share an in person concert! If you have family that was unable to attend, you can view the concert video here: https://youtu.be/2_LdH41Bb8Q

The Jazz Concert should be available early next week as well. Thank you to all who helped support our program by also patronizing Bryce's Food Truck!

We have one more performance for our 9th - 11th grade students with Graduation this coming Sunday. Please see those details in the Graduation performance announcement. Click HERE for additional information.

For Final "Exams," all students will need to ensure that they have returned any school-owned instruments, music, folders, and uniform parts. Lockers must be cleaned and inspected, and all financial obligations to the BVW Boosters should be cleared. Students will take care of these items during classes this week and next. Seniors need to finish their "Exam" before their scheduled final time this week.

This Week:
Tuesday, May 18
Color Guard Clinic: 7-9 PM

Wednesday, May 19
2021 Marching Show Reveal @12:30 PM (during AST) in the Band Room

Sunday, May 23
Graduation Performance

Next Week:
Wednesday, May 26
Band Booster Meeting 

Long Term Reminders
June 3 - Marching Band Kickoff and Parent Info Meeting for ALL Band Students In Grades 9-12. Please see additional information HERE.

Dear BVW Band Families,

We are 1 week out from our Spring Band Concerts! Please refer to additional posts in the newsletter and on Canvas regarding details for our Concert and Jazz Band performances! 

While we are approaching the end of the school year, we are also busily preparing for a return to a more normal summer and fall season for our band program. Please be on the lookout for additional communication and schedule information over the next two weeks to help us finish this year on a high note, and to set ourselves off on the correct foot for 2021-2022! Additional upcoming announcements include:

• Senior Spotlights on social media
• End-of year check-out forms and returning school instruments & music
  
• Check-out of instruments for summer & fall for returning and incoming members
  
• Final financial statements for the BVW Band Boosters
• Final "exam" procedures for all band classes
• Updated schedules for summer and fall marching band activities
• Parent informational meetings and opportunities for our newest families to get involved
• Announcement of our 2021 Marching Band show

  
We appreciate the excellent work all of our students and ensembles have put forth over the past couple of weeks in preparation for our performances. We are so very excited to finally be able to share music in person again! We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming performances!


This Week:

Thursday, May 6
Color Guard Clinic and Parent Info Meeting: 7-9 PM
​
Next Week:

Tuesday, May 11
Spring band Concert, 6:30 PM - Oestreicher Forum

Wednesday, May 12
PRMS Spring Band Concerts - BVW PAC

Thursday, May 13
Color Guard Clinics, 7-9 PM

Friday, May 14
Jazz Ensemble Concert: 7:00 PM - Oestreicher Forum

Long Term Reminders

May 23 - Band performance at BVW Graduation

June - TBA - Marching Band Kickoff

​The Blue Valley West Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert will be on Friday, May 14 at 7:00 PM in the Oestreicher Forum. There are no limits on audience size, so come enjoy an evening of jazz!

Jazz Ensemble members should report by 6:15 PM for warm-up. Attire is the Jazz Polo and black pants with black shoes.

The Jazz Ensemble is extremely excited to finally perform and we look forward to sharing a wide range of music and special performances with you throughout the evening!