After some discussion with Mr. Ward, Mr. Baker (Band Director at CCHS) and the band boosters, we've made some decisions on how we want to proceed this fall:
Band Camp
As of right now, with cases increasing and our masks we bought the student not arriving in time, we are cancelling band camp next week (July 27-31) We plan to continue as scheduled beginning August 3rd with the 4-8PM practices. Students, please practice the two songs and stand tunes on the website. The password is bulldogband
You can access the music here:
SHOW MUSIC: https://www.rhsbulldogband.org/401/login.php?redirect=/rhs-marching-band-fall-2020-music.html
STAND TUNES: https://www.rhsbulldogband.org/401/login.php?redirect=/stand-tune-sheet-music.html
I will be in the area Friday for bus stuff and plan to scan and upload the opener then. Thank you all for being patient, its been crazy at the Melton house.
Below is from a document I send Mr. Ward and discussed with the band boosters late last week. I know there are some difficult decisions made and that this entire situation has everyone scrambled. Please know that I am doing my very best to keep the students safe, while trying to maintain a sense or normalcy.
PLEASE NOTE: The info below can or may change based on the the situation changing!
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Guidelines for the RHS Marching Band - Fall 2020
Dear RHS Band Parents and Students,
Our time for returning to school and beginning band is coming quickly. I wanted to give the parents and students updates on what we are doing to ensure your student is in a safe place with the RHS Band this fall.
Instruments
Students will not share instruments. They will be responsible for their own equipment (sticks, mouthpieces, etc.). Percussion players will be required to have their own set of mallets for the instruments they play. We will no longer share sticks, mallets and larger instruments. For tubas and baritones, they will follow the same method as percussion. High school tuba players will be given a sousaphone to use for the year. Please note that you will sign this instrument out as yours for the year, which means its care and maintenance is your responsibility.
Uniforms
The RHS Band will not be wearing traditional uniforms this fall for games. Since uniforms are a petri dish for bacteria, we are using the first payment of $50 to cover the cost of the student’s t-shirt and shorts. Students will also receive a mask with the RHS Band logo on it. The band will wear dark tennis shoes on the football field this year with low cut socks.
Masks
As said previously, students will be given a mask. This will be a part of the uniform. Students will be required to wear these masks when they cannot maintain a 6ft distance between themselves and another person. Please understand that this is to protect you, your student, your family and myself from possible exposure.
Travel
The RHS Band will not be traveling to away games, the Cleburne County Fair or band competitions this year. The reason for doing so is I do not wish to put a student on a bus and in an environment I cannot directly control. The band is more exposed at away games due to smaller stand area for the band, having to use the community restrooms, and the confined environment of a school bus if we encounter rain or cold weather. I would hate to place us at an unnecessary risk.
I know this facilitates big changes for the year, but I do want you to know these decisions were not made easily. I have been in discussion with many band directors in our local area and in our state about this and they are doing much of the same. We all agree that student safety comes first and we want to help students have some normality this fall. I have informed Mr. Ward of these changes and we hope one day soon we can return to normal.
Please help us help you by staying informed and signing up for Remind101 by texting @chfc68a to 81010 and checking for updates on our website at https://www.rhsbulldogband.org/
I try to keep everyone updated as much as I can at least once a week when school begins. If you have already done remind101, please sign up for the new class above (2020-21).
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The band boosters and I want to assure we are trying to think of ways the students can have fun this fall in place of competitions. We are brain-storming some fun things to do at school and I'd love any suggestions (email me these please).
Please, if you know of a parent or student who doesn't know about this website, please share this website with them. We try to get the word out as best as we can so no one is left in the dark. Please sign up for the new Remind 101 class so I don't have to pester the parents who have had students graduate. lol
All you have to do is text @chfc68a to 81010 and you're done. If the situation changes, and it may, we want you to be informed asap.
If you have questions, feel free to email me. I will try to respond as fast as I can. Will see you all soon!
Sincerely,
Mr. Melton