BA Bands eNews

October 4, 2015

Directors Notes



What a great weekend we had for the BAI!
This past Saturday's Broken Arrow Invitational was huge success. The volunteer efforts of our parents and students are truly what made this event so successful. The overwhelming feedback that we have received from the competing band directors has shown their excitement for how professional the event is run and how kind and friendly our parent and student volunteers are to our visitors. That is FANTASTIC! Thank you to all that were involved in producing this first class event. A special note of thanks needs to be given to all for their tireless efforts to coordinate the 2015 BAI.


Dress Rehearsal Performance on Saturday
The Pride will, once again, present a Uniform performance on Saturday evening at BA Memorial Stadium at the conclusion of our rehearsal. The performance is scheduled to begin at 9:00pm.


Broken Arrow Indoor Percussion 2016
There will be an informational meeting for interested parents and students for the 2016 BA Indoor Percussion on Monday, October 19thin the Band Hall.


Section Gifts
As we approach our two big trips of the Pride season, I know many sections and their parents are already planning for special gifts for the members to help celebrate. We know that the Pride activity requires a significant commitment from members and their families. To help ensure that section gifts do not add to the financial burden, we ask that you limit the cost of any section gifts for the entire season to $25 or less. (That limit can be over and above the cost of section shirts, if necessary). Concerning section shirts, we would like to remind all section leaders and their parents that all section shirts should be short-sleeved T's ONLY and all artwork must be approved by the directors in advance of any orders being placed.


A Special note from Scott Lang
To my dear friends of The Pride:

I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to invade your lives last week. I know that my presence was a hindrance and imposed on your already demanding schedules. Through it all you smiled and treated me like one of your own. Truly, I felt as if I belonged.

Please know that I choose The Pride for a reason. Your grace, elegance, work ethic and character comes across on film more than you know. Beyond that, you find joy in the journey of hard work and celebrate commitment in a way that few organizations do. I chose you because you are role models. I chose you because you are an inspiration. I chose you not just because of what you do, but the way you go about doing it. You are raising the bar for everyone else in this country and through your performances and this product, I wanted the world to see what I have seen for years, which is that you are ordinary kids, achieving extraordinary results.

Thank you for allowing me to be a bystander and fan for all these years and know that I cherish the relationship we have.

With the greatest sincerity,
Scott Lang



Pride Schedule for this week

Horn Line, Percussion, Drum Major & Crew Schedule
Mon 10/5 - (3:20-6:00)
Tues 10/6 - (3:20-6:30)
Wed 10/7 - OFF
Thurs 10/8 - (4:00-12:00) - Report for Pep Band to Norman
                   (3:30-7:30) - Report for Front Ensemble
Fri 10/9 - (3:30-8:00)
Sat 10/10 - (1:00-9:00) (dinner provided)
      9:00pm - Dress Rehearsal Performance

Color Guard Schedule
Mon 9/28 - (3:20-6:00)
Tues 9/29 - (5:00-9:00)
Wed 9/30 - OFF
Thurs 10/1 - (5:00-9:00)
Fri 10/2 - (3:30-8:00)
Sat 10/3 - (1:00-9:00) (dinner provided)
      9:00pm - Dress Rehearsal Performance


Upcoming HS Wind Band Concert - October 13
The 5 wind bands at BAHS will present their first band concert of the school year on Tuesday, October 13. This concert is free to the public at will be held at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center beginning at 7:00pm.


St. Louis Trip Itinerary Information
Plans are still being finalized for the Pride's trip to St. Louis for the Bands of America Super Regional. Itineraries will be released as soon as they are finalized. Some itinerary notes:

• The Pride will report to BAHS with all luggage items by9:00am on Friday, October 16
  
• Approximate departure time is noon on Friday, October 16 after rehearsal is completed
• Broken Arrow's preliminary performance time is at 4:00pm on Saturday, October 17
  
• The finals competition begins at 7:15pm
• The Pride will depart St. Louis on Sunday morning and arrive in Broken Arrow at approximately 6:00pm
• The band Hotel in St. Louis is the Holiday Inn - Downtown Convention Center St. Louis (formerly the Ramada Plaza Hotel)

Student Account Payments - Due THIS WEEK
We are less than 3 weeks away from the Pride's trip to St. Louis for the BOA Super Regional! The payment amounts for Pride members to be allowed to travel on this trip are: $1435 for Horn Line, Percussion and Drum Majors (with a balance of $500 due for Indianapolis) & $1910 for Color Guard (with a balance of $500 due for Indianapolis). As a reminder, payments may be made at the band office OR online via Charms (go to BrokenArrowPride.com for more details).

Payment DEADLINE is on Tuesday, October 6 at our next band parent meeting. Students will begin selecting their seats on the charter buses on Oct 7. Students must be paid in full to select their bus seat location.


Band Parent Meeting on October 6
The next Band Parent meeting will be at 7:00pm on Tuesday, October 6 at the BAHS Band Hall.


OBA Finals Reserved Tickets
Ticket reservations may be made by sending payment to the band office to Lisa Good. Tickets are $10 each, payable by check or cash. No student account transfers will be accepted for payment. Paid tickets will be placed on the reservation list on an as received basis. All seats are in the reserved section and no particular row can be requested. Tickets may also be purchased at the stadium on contest day, but can't be guaranteed to be placed in the "BA Section." Tickets will be ready for pick up once we receive them from OBA (typically 2 weeks prior to the contest)


2015 Pride Letter Policy
To be eligible for a letter with the Pride of Broken Arrow, a student must complete the following criteria:

1) Be selected by directors to participate in the Pride; and
2) Compete in a contest with the Pride, either by participating on field or by traveling with the band as a shadow (a shadow being defined as a student who may travel to a competition as a substitute but may not take part in an on-field performance at each event).

In addition, Pride directors may, at their discretion, choose to award a letter to a student who is named to the Pride but is unable to participate in competitions because of various circumstances.

Students who meet these criteria will be provided a letter after the first competition in which they participate or after the directors award them a letter. Until such time, a Pride jacket may be worn without a letter.

TAILGATE PARTY!
Before this Saturday night’s dress rehearsal, you’re invited to bring your tailgate gear, best tailgate goodies and spend some quality time visiting with fellow band parents in the parking lot out in front of the stadium. We’ll plan to gather around 6 pm. Gates will open for the dress rehearsal at 9 pm. See you there!


FUNCTIONS
In order to prepare for our trip to St Louis, all prescription medicine MUST be checked in to Ms. Good in the band office by Monday, October 12. Please only send the quantity needed for those 3 days, and it must be in it's original container showing the dosage instructions.

Thank you for those washing uniforms!  Please return them to the uniform room no later than Tuesday.

Senior night is Friday night November 6.

• JUNIOR PARENTS: Thank you for all those who attended the planning meeting last week.  There will be a follow-up meeting immediately following the band parent meeting on October 6.  If you have questions, send us an email at bafunctions@gmail.com.
  

• SENIOR PARENTS: One baby picture and up to four other band related pictures of your senior must be submitted by Monday, October 12 in order to be included in the senior night video. Email them to bafunctions@gmail.com Or hard copies with your name on them can be left in an envelope in the band office.
  
  

BAI Volunteer Room: If you would like to bring food or contribute money to the volunteer hospitality room for BAI, send an email to bafunctions@gmail.com. Also, there will be ladies at the stadium during open time of rehearsal Thursday evening, if you would like to give them money or sign-up to bring something!


FUNDRAISING
Cori Aschkenas - BABandFundraising@gmail.com

Last Fundraiser of the season begins October 6th- Holiday Wreath Fundraiser!

If a fundraising credit has not been posted to your child’s Charms account, please contact Cori Aschkenas @BAbandfundraising@gmail.com so we can work through the details!


PRIDE STORE
Store Hours This Week - Band Parent Meeting Tuesday, 6:15 to one hour after meeting.

Cori Aschkenas - BAPrideStore@gmail.com

Show Buttons- for those of you that ordered additional buttons of your child, please be aware that these will be distributed AFTER each Pride Member receives their free button. We do not know when these will be distributed. Watch e-News for more details.

Additional pictures have been uploaded to the dotphoto web-site. If you can’t find pictures of your child, don’t fret!!! Please keep in mind that there are several albums that cannot be viewed until after the Pride has competed. http://pridepictures.dotphoto.com


OPERATIONS
Meetings are MONDAY - FRIDAY @ 6:00pm and SATURDAYs @ 9:00am at the stadium. We are making great progress on the props, only a few weeks to go! We will be using the same shirts as last year so stop by Yvonne’s and purchase one if your are a part of the operations team.

Email baprideoperations@gmail.com anytime.

CONCESSIONS
What an awesome weekend! Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time with us Friday and Saturday.

We still have lots of football ahead. Most Monday and Tuesday evenings in addition to the home varsity games. There are very few signed up for the upcoming games. Please check the public calendar in charms and either sign up through charms to volunteer or email baconcessions@gmail.com.  Thank you!


SPECIAL EVENTS

BAI 2015 is in the books!  We had a spectacular day with amazing weather, and even more amazing volunteers!  A super huge thank you from both of us for all your help and hard work!

OSSAA State Marching Contest - Wednesday, October 28 - During the school day. 8am-3pm

If you can be available to help during the day, if you don’t work during the week or if you can take off that day, Please email me at baspecialevents@gmail.com and put OSSAA in the subject line.

Thank you volunteers!


MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Ky and Michiele Vargas - development.bapride@gmail.com


Thank you to Santa Fe Cattle Company and Olive Garden for feeding this Pride this last week!  Say thank you to them the next time you eat there!

Road trip Inspection

Hercules Tires, at 805 W Kenosha ((918) 251-1987), is offering a free vehicle inspection for all Pride families. With the driving season upon us, Hercules wants to make sure your family cars are road ready. Stop by anytime, mention you are with the BA Pride, and they will take care of you!

Sponsors Needed

Speaking of feeding the Pride, we are still looking for a few more restaurants who can help us with food. If you have contacts at a restaurant, please let us know!

We are also looking for other companies to partner with us through sponsorships.


OTHER INFORMATION
CHARTER BUS TO EDMOND FOR OBA -  A bus is being chartered for those attending OBA. Cost is $30 and includes transportation and dinner. Money will be due to Javon Sixsmith at the Oct. 6 band parent meeting. Email Javon at pridefanbus@gmail.com or text 918-814-0100 for more information or to reserve a spot. This is not sponsored by the school or parent association so please direct all questions to Javon.



Upcoming Dates and Events
Oct 6 - Band Parent Meeting - 7:00pm
Oct 8 - Game: BA at Norman (Pep Band as assigned)
Oct 9 - Pride Rehearsal - 3:30-8:00pm
Oct 10 - Pride Rehearsal / Dress Rehearsal Performance - 1:00-9:00pm (9:00 Performance)
Oct 13 - High School Band Concert @ BAPAC - 7:00pm
Oct 14 - No School - Pride Rehearsal (12:30-5:30 AND Choreography Rehearsals)
Oct 15 - No School - Pride Rehearsal (12:30-5:30 AND Choreography Rehearsals)
Oct 15 - Game: BA vs. Westmoore
Oct 16 - St. Louis BOA Trip - report at 9:00am
Oct 17 - St. Louis BOA Super Regional Contest (4:00 Prelims performance time)
Oct 18 - Return to BA from St. Louis - Approx. Arrival @ 6:00pm
Oct 19 - Indoor Percussion Info Meeting - 6:30pm @ BAHS Band Hall
Oct 23 - Game: BA at Jenks (All Pride)
Oct 24 - Pride Rehearsal (3:00-9:00pm)
Oct 27 - Pride Rehearsal (5:00-9:00pm)
Oct 28 - OSSAA Band Contest at BA - All Day
Oct 29 - Homecoming Parade - Time TBA
Oct 30 - Game: BA vs. Edmond Santa Fe
Oct 31 - OBA State Marching Championship @ UCO - All Day
Nov 3 - Band Parent Meeting - 7:00pm
Nov 4 - Pride Rehearsal (3:20-5:30)
Nov 6 - Game: BA vs. Edmond Memorial (Pride Senior Night)
Nov 7 - All State / District Auditions at BAHS
    Pride Rehearsal (5:00-9:00)
Nov 9 - Pride Send Off Dress Rehearsal - Tenative
Nov 10 - Pride Rehearsal at Expo Center - All Day
Nov 11 - Depart for BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis (11:30pm Approx Departure time)
Nov 13 - BOA Grand Nationals Prelim Performance in Lucas Oil Stadium (6:30pmtentative performance time)
Nov 14 - BOA Grand Nationals Semi-Finals & Finals Competition (should we advance)
Nov 23 - Indoor Percussion Auditions (7:00-9:00pm)
Nov 24 - Indoor Percussion Auditions (3:15-5:00pm)

Note: All Playoff football games are required for all Pride members are are scheduled based on the BA Football team's progress through the OSSAA HS Playoffs.

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Broken Arrow Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities.