Welcome to the 8th grade families that have now been added to the mailing list!
HELP NEEDED FOR TRAILER PURCHASE: If you or someone you know has any experience with purchasing vehicles such as trailers, please reach out to Amanda Reed (abreed@earthlink.net). The Boosters have approved the purchase of a much-needed new trailer, but we are in need of someone to assist with this.
OMEA SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONCERT: If your student is participating in solo and ensemble contest on Saturday, please note the following guidelines:
1. The audience is limited to the performer, the performer’s parents/guardians, teachers, and accompanist.
2. Masks are required for audience members.
3. Performers are required to mask except when performing.
4. Follow any additional protocols that are required by the host schools and/or the local health department.
SPRING FUNDRAISER: Watch for information to come regarding our spring fundraiser, the flower sale. These flowers are always beautiful, so you and your family/friends/neighbors will want to include them in your sprint planting!
ACTIVITIES RELATED TO FIFTH GRADE BAND RECRUITING: On Feb 17 and 18, several volunteer students will be traveling to the elementary schools to help recruit young band members. If your student is involved, please remind them to bring any uniform items they have at home: suspenders, plume, spats, gloves, black socks, and black shoes. The following week, Feb 28, the fifth graders will have the chance to have more hands-on activities with band instruments. If you are a parent of a fifth-grader, please encourage them to try this. Instrument fittings will occur in the spring.
MARCH BOOSTERS MEETING: The March Boosters meeting is Tuesday, Mar 8, at 7 pm!! The location of the meeting (band room or Zoom) is TBD. Please plan to join us!
OSU JAZZ BAND DAY: On Mar 26, the jazz band will travel to Ohio State for a workshop with OSU faculty.
PEP BAND: Dates for pep band (optional performances during winter sports) are on UA Bands This Week if your students are interested.
SPIRITWEAR: Spiritwear can be purchased here. Our new marching band logo is featured prominently, and there are many items to choose from!!
CEDAR POINT TRIP: Mr. Fessler is planning to take the band to Cedar Point May 6 and 7 (leaving after school May 6). This is part of a program called Music in the Parks; various student ensembles perform, and the kids can have some time in the park to just have fun. The jazz band is tentatively scheduled to perform at 8:10 pm Friday night (warm-up at 7:45 pm), and the marching band will perform at 8:50 am Saturday morning (warm-up at 8:30 am). There are still a lot of details to work out, so please stay tuned for more information on this.
SAVE THE DATE: Below are some important dates to keep in mind for the rest of the year.
HS Solo and Ensemble February 12
Fifth Grade Recruiting Feb 17 and 18
District Large Group March 4 (out of district, Granville)
Winter Concert 7:30 pm March 10 (note this is date change!)
OSU Jazz Band Day March 26
Information Night for Fifth Grade Families March 26
State Contest – Large Group April 22/23
Spring Concert April 28
Cedar Point May 6 and 7
Continue to check Mr. Fessler’s Bands This Week for student report time details each week.
HELP ALWAYS NEEDED: It is a new calendar year and time to start planning for next school year! The Boosters need volunteers for executive board positions, committee chairs, and committee members! Current parents of 8th graders are especially welcome! Some jobs that are needed include help with the 8th grade committee (parents of newer marching band students are especially helpful for this), candy bar sales, uniform help, help with spreads, etc. Please reach out to Amanda Reed (abreed@earthlink.net) if you would like to play a bigger role next year. If you aren’t sure exactly where your talents would be most useful, please reach out to Amanda or any of the executive board members who can help suggest opportunities. The Upper Arlington High School band is a huge organization, and lots of hands are needed to make sure the kids are safe, productive, and happy. Without parent help, many activities that make the band special such as spreads and travel to away games would not be possible. This year has been full of last-minute changes due to the pandemic, but we are hoping next year will have fewer question marks and even more fun for the students.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2022-2023: Mr. Fessler has also put together the dates for the summer and next fall so that we can all plan ahead. You can see these dates on the monthly calendar he has put together
The dates will also be put on the website at some point, but here is what you need to know so you can start to plan:
June 6: Percussion sectionals start. These will be in the evenings every Monday and Wednesday through July 20.
June 28, 29, 30, 6:00-8:30: Rehearsals for July 4 parade
July 3, 6:00-8:30: Parade preview/family picnic
July 4, report time TBD: Parade
July 25: Leadership Day (leaders only)
July 26, 8:00-12:00: Pre-band-camp new member day
July 27 and 28, 8:00-12:00: Pre-band-camp practices for everyone
July 29, 8:00: Picture day
Aug 1-6: Band camp at Camp Swoneky (near Kings Island/Cincinnati), with preview show prior to pick-up on Aug 6.
Aug 12: Possible convocation performance (TBD)
Aug 19: Away game at Reynoldsburg
Aug 26: Home game vs St. Francis de Sales
Sep 2: Home game vs Pickerington North
Sep 4, 5:00 report time: Golden Bear Bash (K row, section leaders, and helpers only)
Sep 5, 9:00 report time, 11:00 performance: Labor Day Arts Festival
Sep 9: Away game at Westerville Central
Sep 16: Home game vs Groveport Madison (Homecoming)
Sep 23: Away game at Hilliard Bradley
Sep 30: Home game vs Olentangy Liberty (Senior night for the band!)
Oct 7: Away game at Olentangy Orange
Oct 14: Home game vs Dublin Coffman
Oct 21: Away game at Hilliard Davidson
Oct 29, Nov 4, Nov 11: Possible playoff games
Nov 3, 7:30: Indoor concert
EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: If you hear from anyone who did not get this email but needs these communications, please direct them here.
OTHER REMINDERS: In June, new families should get the Remind app downloaded to get real-time updates from Mr. Fessler. (New families should not sign up for this until the summer.) Text @uamb4 to 81010. Please do not sign up for these messages prior to the summer before marching band season, as there is a limit to the number of people who can receive the messages. Around the same time, new band members will also be added to the GroupMe chats coordinated by the squad leaders.