2004 Cougar Band Dates
August 2 Load trailer at BHSN 6-8pm
August 3,4,5 Freshman, New Marchers, Section Leaders 3-5pm
(Winds ONLY)(bring dinner)
Full Band (Winds, Percussion, Color Guard) 6-9pm
(at Bloomington SOUTH)
August 9-13 BAND CAMP WEEK! (at Bloomington SOUTH) 9am-9:30pm
August 13 Friday Evening Family Pitch In Dinner/Cougar Band Display
August 16-19 Evening Rehearsal Week (location TBA) 5-9:30pm
Winds, Percussion, Color Guard
August 25 First Day of School
*regular rehearsal schedule starts this week
FULL Band Tuesday/Thursday 6-9pm
Color Guard Wednesdays 6-9pm
August 28 Mini-Camp at BHSN 9am-5pm
September 10 Home Football Game
September 11 AM Rehearsal/PM Westfield HS Invitational TBA
September 18 AM Rehearsal/PM Concord HS Invitational TBA
September 24 Home Football Game
September 25 AM Rehearsal/PM Brownsburg HS Invitational TBA
October 2 ISSMA District Competition at Columbus East HS TBA
October 8 Home Football Game
October 9 Center Grove/Greenfield-Central Invitationals TBA
October 15 Tri-North MS Performance (during school day)
October 16 ISSMA Regional Competition (site TBA) TBA
October 22 Home Football Game?
October 23 ISSMA State Finals at RCA Dome Indianapolis TBA
Important Contacts
Thomas Wilson, W: 330-7724 x3488, H: 333-8398
Janis Stockhouse, W: 330-7724 x3492, H: 824-8498
Christy Wilson, H: 333-8398
Sabrina Taylor, Cell: 322-4648
Joel Brainard, Cell: 765-366-9662
Cougar Band Notes
Thomas Wilson and Janis Stockhouse, Directors
July 2004
Welcome Parents and Students!
Welcome to the award winning Cougar Marching Band Family and congratulations on your decision to part of one of the finest organizations in the state of Indiana. There are few organizations of any kind so rich in tradition and success that also include so many real-world experiences for students. The 2004-2005 school year gives us all the opportunity to carry on this outstanding tradition of excellence. With over 125 members, the Cougar Band is one of the largest student organizations to represent our school and the Bloomington community. I am very proud of the kind of kid that the Bloomington High School North Band attracts. You will find this coming season to be one of fun, excitement, friendship, organization, loyalty and learning. You will develop a sense of pride in yourself and our band “family.” Each member is integral to the success of the entire band. The Cougar Band has a proud history and YOU are now a part of its exciting future.
During the 2003 marching season, the BHSN Cougar Band earned straight Division I ratings at the Indiana State School Music Association competitions for the eleventh year in a row. The band traveled to New York City to participate in the prestigious Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performing for literally millions of people on national television. An experience none of us will soon forget. On five occasions, North has qualified for the ISSMA State Finals, held in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The band has consistently placed in the top ten at Regional competitions and has won numerous caption awards at the District level.
Hard working students, dedicated staff, involved and active parents, and a supportive administration and community all combine to make it possible for the Bloomington High School North Cougar Band to offer an outstanding marching band program. Our students are expected to set and reach high goals for themselves and their program, and the rewards of meeting these expectations are immeasurable. Members of the Cougar Band develop musically, emotionally, academically, mentally, and socially.
For these reasons, and many more, I am confident the 2004 Cougar Band will be the best ever! Again, Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Thomas Wilson
Bloomington High School North Cougar Band Director
Description of the Marching Band Organization
The Bloomington North Cougar Band is made up of students in grades 9-12 and consists of the following 4 elements:
1. The Wind Section: made up of both brass and woodwind players
2. The Percussion Section: made up of both drums and melodic percussion instruments with electric keyboard/synthesizer
3. The Color Guard: made up of flags, rifles, sabers, and dancers which when combined add visual support to the music
4. The Drum Major: This student conducts the band during shows and assists the directors wherever possible.
All of the above named sections perform and practice together under one name:
“The Bloomington High School North Cougar Band”
Fall 2004 Show
~ Fragments of Glass ~
Our show this year is based on the works of American composer Phillip Glass. Born in 1937 in Baltimore Maryland, Glass discovered music in his father’s radio repair shop. While studying in Paris, he was exposed to Indian music. He returned to America and began to apply these techniques to his own compositions. Instead of long developmental sections, which had been normal in “serious” music, there were increasingly complex rhythmic repetitions and overlapping of lines. The constant beat and subtly shirting rhythms take place over a static harmonic structure. This tends to hypnotize and make the listener lose track of time. There is something haunting, even mystical sounding in Glass’ complex simplicity. Along with its abilities to thrill and inspire, his music displays the ability to annoy, and even infuriate. Our show will be as follows:
Opener The Canyon
Ballad Morning Passages from the movie “The Hours”
Closer Movement IV from Symphony No. 3
Glass himself was a member of his high school marching band performing on the piccolo. He participated in marching band not only because he loved the activity, but also because he wanted to get into football games for free! The production promises to be full of exciting rhythms and beautiful dark melodies, harkening back a bit towards our roots.
Welcome Marching Band Staff
Joel Brainard, will be returning to our marching band staff as drumline instructor and percussion coordinator. Joel student taught at Bloomington North during the fall of 2002 and is currently pursuing a masters at IU with a concentration in Jazz Studies. He will also be in his third year of instructing the Marching Hundred Drumline. Joel is currently on tour with the Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps as percussion caption head. We look forward to his return.
Christy Wilson (formerly Clayton) will be spending her first season with the Bloomington North color guard as head instructor and designer. Christy marched with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard for three seasons. She has taught tap, ballet, and jazz to various age levels while living in Elkhart. Her color guard teaching experience includes such schools as Mater Dei, Castle, NorthWood, Clay City, and now Bloomington North.
Sabrina Taylor will be returning for her 3rd season as rifle instructor. Sabrina is a graduate of Bloomington North and spent two summers marching with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. We are excited to still have a “Taylor” involved with the Cougar Band!
Taneya Jefferies will be joining our guard staff this summer. Taneya is a graduate of Northview High School and is a student at Indiana State University. Her performing experiences include the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps and the Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard. Taneya has taught guard at Indian Creek and Clay City respectively.
Christen Schaar will be returning this fall as field staff. Christen is a graduate of Evansville Central High School and is currently pursuing her bachelors in Music Education at Indiana University as a bassoon major
Welcome Color Guard Members
Christy Wilson and Sabrina Taylor are excited to announce our color guard members for the 2004 season. Members include: Megan Allswede, Dana Boruff, Carmen Ernest, Miyako Fuqua, Flavianna Gaggiato, Monique Goodwin, Katie Hayden, Bettina Kinzer, Brittany Landrum, Sandra Patlon, Katie Popplewell, Abby Rhodes, Shelby Ann Rodriguez, Katie Schmidt, and Christine Sturrock. Congratulations to our Guard!
Drum Majors
Senior Sarah Kidd will be our head drum major for the 2004 season, with assistance from sophomore Annie Walters. Sarah recently attended the Indiana State University Drum Major Clinic where she received the Outstanding Conductor Award out of 165 drum majors attending the camp. Congratulations to Sarah!
Bloomington High School South as graciously agreed to host our first two weeks of rehearsal. There a few small changes to our schedule. We will not be rehearsing Monday night August 2nd. The plan for that evening has changed. Directors will be at Bloomington North from 6-8pm so that students will be able check out school owned instruments and load them on to the trailer for transportation to Bloomington South. It is important that if you are planning to play a school owned instrument (baritones, mellophones, sousaphones, etc.) that you come to North sometime between 6 and 8pm to get an instrument assigned to you. Additionally, all drumline members should arrive at North at 6:30pm to load all percussion equipment needed for rehearsing and band camp onto the trailer, as we will not have much access to North after this date. Guard members should also make sure that they have a flag with them. All section leaders should plan on being at North from 6-9pm to offer assistance in any way possible. We will have a section leader meeting at 8pm. If you do not need a school owned instrument, you do not need to be at North at all the evening of the 2nd. August 3rd will be our first rehearsal at Bloomington South with freshmen winds, new marchers and section leaders from 3-5pm and FULL ensemble from 6-9pm. Rookie guard and rookie drumline members do not need to attend the 3-5pm rehearsal, only the evening block. Students should enter South on the south side of the building near the football field. Location for rehearsals during the week of the 16th will (hopefully) be at Bloomington North.
Band Camp
Band camp is August 9-13 (Monday through Friday) 9am to 9:30pm. It is held at Bloomington High School SOUTH. This is the time when we learn our competitive show for the season. Many additional staff members are brought in to help the band rehearse. Band members are to bring a lunch and the band boosters provide dinner. Students should wear light colored clothing, comfortable athletic shoes, (NO sandals!) socks, and sunblock. Each band member should also bring their own water cooler for water breaks. On the Friday of band camp week we have a parent pitch-in dinner and we perform what we have learned of the show. Attendance at every day, all day is MANDATORY!!! Each band member needs to have a small three ring binder and windows for ready for rehearsal on August 3rd. They should also have a string attached to the binder so that it may comfortably hang over their shoulder and across their body for marching rehearsal. Band members will receive show music at the August 3rd rehearsal.
Rehearsals/Competitions
Please take a moment to look over the attached rehearsal/competition schedule. A few of the times may have changed from recent mailings. Attendance is MANDATORY at all rehearsals and competitions. Time management is crucial to our success. It is possible by setting your schedule up in a wise manner to have a successful band season and still maintain a high scholastic standing. Many band members get their best grades of the year during marching band season. The success of the organization will lead to success in the individual and vice versa. Marching band is a co-curricular class. Students receive .5 credits for participating. Make sure it appears on their schedule. The guidance department at North can help with this issue.
Final Band Payment/Additional Costs
Please have your son or daughter bring the final $140.00 to the first rehearsal on August 3rd. Please write their name on the memo line. Every Cougar Band member is required to purchase marching band (or guard) shoes and gloves. The cost is around $25.00 and $2.00. Guard members may also have to purchase additional undergarments to be worn under their uniform. Any additional costs for sweatshirts, hats, etc. are optional. Students will receive a show t-shirt on the Friday of band camp week.
Responsibilities of a Cougar Band Member
Responsibility to Yourself:
You owe yourself the benefit of TRYING.
TRYING to play your best, TRYING to march your BEST, TRYING to perform your guard work the BEST you can.
Your job is always to help contribute to the success of the group and NEVER take away from that success.
Responsibility to Each Other:
Getting along with each other in our complex society is indeed a difficult task itself. You have the obligation and responsibility to respect the rights of others. Antisocial behavior will only breed that same thing in others and bring unwanted trouble into the band. Excessive talking, rumors, bad manners, etc. are all examples of antisocial behavior.
Please respect the rights of other both in and out of rehearsal, and treat them as you wish you be treated.
Attitude
Those students who have a positive mental attitude, regardless of their individual skills, will always have a place in the Bloomington North Band. Regardless of your ability, if your attitude is not positive and you are not doing your personal best to make the group successful, you should not be a part of this organization. In fact, students who do not project an attitude that is positive and cooperative will be given the opportunity to change their personal perspective or else leave the organization. Those who have pride in themselves will generally project a positive mental attitude. Characteristics of a positive mental attitude include a generally cheerful outlook toward rehearsals and performances, cooperation in the preparation and maintenance and facilities, and an eagerness to do what is necessary to be successful. In short, the total band member is someone who is always willing to give his or her best for the good of the organization.