Great job band this week at our first pep assembly! Just one more week till our first full marching show! 

With Back to School Night / Open House this week, please take a moment to view our Band Handbook. This outlines some of the general details about our program including Grading, Lettering, Course Descriptions, and Special policies.

Varsity Letters - 2020 / 2021
Each year students have the opportunity to earn Varsity Letters in addition to earning academic credit in band. Letters are awarded to students who participate in activities above and beyond general classroom expectations, and details can be found in the band handbook. During the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school year COVID shutdowns led to a shortage and delay in receiving letters, pins, and bars for students who earned them. All materials are now in stock. If you earned a Varsity Letter in the previous 2 years, please contact Ms. Anna Sweeney, Administrative Assistant in the Main Office and you can arrange a time to pick up any missing award items. 

This Week:

Tuesday, August 31:
6-9 PM - Full Band & Color Guard Rehearsal

Thursday, September 2:
6-9 PM - Full Band & Color Guard Rehearsal ​

Next Week

Tuesday, September 7:
6-9 PM - Full Band & Color Guard Rehearsal

Thursday, September 9:
6-9 PM - Full Band & Color Guard Rehearsal 

Friday, September 10:
Home Football Game #1 - See SCHEDULE for details.

Looking Ahead

Thursday, September 16 - BVW Performing Arts Showcase Performance, 6-8 PM

Friday, September 17 - Home Football Game #2 - HOMECOMING!

Saturday, September 25 - Parent Preview Show & Rehearsal - Time TBD

Monday, September 27 - Blue Valley District Marching Band Showcase

Saturday, October 2 - Blue Springs Marching Festival

Band students who did not get their individual photos taken last week will have a make-up opportunity this Tuesday 8/31 from 5:00pm-6:00pm. If this applies to you, please mark your calendar for this important date!

Non-senior color guard members will have their individual photos taken on Tuesday, September 7. Stay tuned for details.

Due to a change in EKL football schedules, our home football game originally scheduled for Friday, October 8 has been moved to Thursday, October 7. 

Due to that game now overlapping with our regularly scheduled rehearsal, and as the following Saturday, October 9 is the Olathe Marching Invitational, we are looking to hold a short rehearsal Wednesday evening, October 6. As soon as facilities have been secured we will finalize the date.

Week 1 down, ready for a "normal" full week of school! We cap off the week this coming Friday with our first performance at the Welcome back Pep Assembly. It is supposed to be HOT this week - so drink plenty of water each day!

This Week:

Tuesday, August 24:
6-9 PM - Full Marching Band & Color Guard Rehearsal - we will start with pictures. See post for Individual Photos for details. Rehearsal will be on the Lot.

Thursday, August 26:
6-9 PM - Full Marching Band Rehearsal - normal report time for rehearsal

Friday, August 27:
Pep Assembly - students dismissed from class at 1:30 PM. Wear your grey band shirt (distributed in class for those that do not yet have one.)

Next Week

Tuesday, August 31:
6-9 PM - Full Band & Color Guard Rehearsal

Thursday, September 2:
6-9 PM - Full Band & Color Guard Rehearsal 

Looking Ahead

Friday, September 10 - First Home Football Game and Performance!

We are taking individual photos of all band members on Tuesday 8/24 during the evening rehearsal.

What to Bring: Please arrive wearing your modesty layer - a close-fitting shirt and shorts that won't be too bunched under the uniform, that you feel comfortable wearing in front of others. Your under-uniform layer should be all black. If you do not have specific all-black items yet, please wear as dark a color as you have. You will need those items before our first performance on September 10.
We will be changing in the band and choir rooms. Remember to bring your band shoes if you did not order new ones. You do NOT need to bring your shako. Since you will only be holding the shako for the photo, we will just use some of the extras we have on hand. 

Make sure to also bring an additional pair of shorts and / or shirt to change into for the remainder of practice.

New Item Distribution: New gloves, socks and shoes(for those who ordered new shoes) will be available

On Tuesday 8/24, we will also take individual photos of the senior color guard members so we have them for their banners*. Color guard underclassmen individual photos will be taken next month once their jackets arrive. 

*Senior parents: if you wish to order a banner, please complete this form! docs.google.com/forms/d/1uDMgHxJpc9M2RVfNcxPEYq4CMNaVXUg-2IUqQGf-_B4/viewform?edit_requested=true

Our Spirit Wear shop is open for a very limited time. Order BVW Band merch for your student, yourself -- or anyone who wants to show BVW band pride. Hurry! The store closes on August 27. Items will be delivered in time for the September 17 homecoming football game.
https://bvwband2021.itemorder.com/

Congratulations Band and Guard on a successful band camp! We are excited by the possibilities that lie ahead for the band program and look forward to what we can accomplish together this fall! Each week one of our Blog Posts will contain a Weekly Update with reminders about upcoming events and specific schedule details. 

Evening Rehearsals: We rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 - 9 PM, unless otherwise noted In the band schedule. Students are to be on the field ready to play at 6 PM. Make sure to wear a white shirt (band) or black shirt (guard) and close-toed athletic shoes. Bring water! You will need your instrument, music, and UDB app every rehearsal as well. Attendance is required and conflicts should be reported and cleared well in advance.

Fall Sport Athletes / Activities in Band: We are excited to support our students In band and who participate in additional fall sports or activities! This week in class Mr. Love and Mr. Ramsey will be visiting with you to help proactively balance your schedule of practices / rehearsals / games / and performances to ensure an enjoyable and successful experience in ALL of your fall activities. A reminder that if you turned in your KSHSAA Physical and Forms Packet to the band office, we will also hand that over to athletics. You only need to turn in 1 Physical form. 

Band Handbook: A revised band handbook will be posted this week both on the website and in each student's Canvas Class. The handbook serves as the course syllabus for ALL band courses, and is where students and parents can find information on grading and other important topics.

Jazz Ensemble:  Still have openings for jazz ensemble for Interested students - see Mr. Love if you think you have room in your schedule and want to play!
​
Uniform Items: Uniform Items purchased during sizing / check-out will be delivered later this week or early next in time for photos. Students do need to purchase or wear a modesty layer under their uniforms. All-Black compression gear or snug-fitting black athletic clothing is needed. For examples see HERE.

This Week:

Monday, August 16:
5-9 PM - Guard Rehearsal

Tuesday, August 17:
7:00 AM - Drumline performance for 9th Grade Orientation
9:30 AM - Leadership + Volunteer Pep Band for 9th Grade orientation (Sign-up in Band App)
6-9 PM - Full Marching Band Rehearsal (Guard reports at 5)

Wednesday, August 18:
5-9 PM - Guard Rehearsal

Thursday, August 19:
6-9 PM - Full Marching Band Rehearsal (Guard reports at 5)

Friday, August 20:
5-9 PM - Guard Rehearsal

Next Week

Tuesday, August 24:
6-9 PM - Full Band Rehearsal and Full Uniform Pictures - All Members

Thursday, August 26:
5-8 PM - Full Band Rehearsal - NOTICE TIME CHANGE. Dress rehearsal for pre-game with Band, Dance, Cheer, Football, JPCO

 We've made a lot of progress building and painting show props (pics below), but need to work at least one more weekend to get it all done. Builders and painters are needed next Saturday 8/21 from 9am-3pm at Blue Valley West. Sign up HERE if you can help!