Audition results will be arriving via e-mail sometime this week.
Parents, I need your help in three areas:
First, some of your sons, although accepted into the band, may decide that they are no longer interested in playing in the band. This may be a difficult idea for you to accept, but it has to be your son's choice. If HE doesn't want to play, please respect that choice.
Second, some of your sons may have been accepted into the Pep Band when they really wanted to be in a concert band. There were many trumpet and alto sax players who auditioned, making it impossible to accept all of them into the concert bands. Here are answers to some common questions:
"Can my son play on a Chaminade sports team and also play in the Pep Band?"
Yes, he can. We have many Pep Band members who do both. Whenever your son has a game, he is excused from Pep Band. There are fewer conflicts than you might imagine.
"Will my son make a concert band sophomore year?"
It is possible. The best way is to use the year in Pep Band to improve, including doing well on a level 5/6 NYSSMA solo next year. Another way is to use the year in Pep Band to learn another instrument. For alto sax players, learning the baritone sax is an excellent choice. For trumpet players, the baritone horn is an option. Good baritone players have a greater chance of making the concert band next year.
“Can my son play in band and do well in school?”
Of course he can! Band takes place during the school day, replacing your son’s study hall. Lessons also take him out of a class for 30 minutes once a week. Time management and study skills will require a bit of adjusting, as it will for all freshmen. Band students have an excellent history of doing well in both school and band, and in learning how to adjust the balance between them.
Third, we need to know NOW, not September, if your son does not want to be in the band. Please inform me by June 6th if your son is not interested. Band will be on your son's schedule this September and he is committed for the year to stay in the band. Your help in this area is greatly appreciated.
