BA Bands eNews

November 13, 2017

-Directors Notes-


An Open Letter from Mr. Davis
As I sit and reflect about the amazing accomplishments by the Pride for this season, several thoughts come to mind.

First, the History and Legacy of this incredible band program is impressive, to say the least. In this day and age it is unthinkable that many programs (in any activity) are able to lay claim to the lofty pedigree of the Pride of Broken Arrow. 3 Grand National Championships, 2 Class AAAA National Championships, 25 OBA State Championships and 16 Consecutive Titles are worthy of achieving Legacy status. And, did you notice the countless numbers of BA Pride Alumni in attendance at the OBA and BOA Contests? It is truly impressive to witness the lasting effect the Pride has on our Alumni Students and Alumni Parents! (I still laugh out the "babies" that literally rain down on our Pride members at the OBA Championship --- definitely an "inside" meaning here!)

Second, a band program of this magnitude couldn't possibly function without the tireless dedication of our Parent Volunteers! An org chart of the Broken Arrow Band Parent Association compares, by many, to that of a Fortune 500 corporation. Quite simply, it would be impossible for our Pride members (and staff) to function without the selfless generosity of the BA Band Parents. Just think for a moment of this non inclusive list: Uniform fittings and alterations, Washing the Uniforms following each performance, Sewing for the Color Guard needs and the Uniforms, Feeding the kids, Parent Chaperones on all band events, Construction and Maintenance of all props and equipment, Loading and maintaining the Semi Trailer, Organizing and staffing the Concession stands at all BA Memorial Stadium events, Planning and Organizing our Special Events (DCI, BAI, OBA, Send Off, etc), Communications, Outreach to our Corporate Partners and Sponsors, and on, and on, and on.... I think you will quickly agree, our BA Band Parents are deeply committed to providing the means necessary for our children and students to succeed. Wow!

Third, with all due respect to other band programs, I believe that the BA Bands have the finest Music Educators and Designers in the business. The staff and designers that I get to work with on a daily basis are truly committed to the pursuit of excellence, while providing not only state of the art instruction, but a conscious effort to teach life lessons that will most certainly follow our students through their adult lives. It is a privilege to work with these amazing people that freely give of themselves and their personal lives for the advancement of the band students and band program, as a whole. ...And, we have a GREAT time teaching and working together!

Fourth, the Community of Broken Arrow and the Administrative Support we receive is a special combination that we must never take lightly. It should be our attitude to continually show our sincere gratitude to our community leaders, school administration and our local business owners with every opportunity. Without this kind of support, it wouldn’t be possible for our BA Bands to experience so much!

And lastly, but certainly not least, our Broken Arrow Band Students have committed themselves to greatness while learning valuable life lessons along the journey. Quite simply, the BA Students were amazing in last week's BOA Grand National performances. It is impressive to experience the sense of Pride and Honor that our students demonstrate; the act of sacrificing your personal needs for the needs of the entire organization can be simply described as - Selfless. Our BA students are a special breed of "kids" that are inspired to make themselves a better performer and person each and every day. That is a lesson we can ALL learn from these amazing kids.

It is easy to "take for granted" many things with our Broken Arrow Band Program. I hope you get an opportunity to reflect, as I have, on the limitless potential we have to show our appreciation to our Students, Community, Parents, Band Staff, Administrators.

... The Legacy Continues... Go Pride!
Darrin Davis
Director of Bands

BOA Grand National Championship - Incredible and Memorable Performances
The Pride of Broken Arrow was simply AMAZING at last week's BOA Grand National Championship. Each and every performance was spectacular and we couldn't be more proud of our band. We have received dozens and dozens of congratulatory notes about the FIRST CLASS attitude of our students and for their performances that literally moved spectators to tears. While we certainly offer our congratulations to the Carmel HS Marching Band for winning the BOA Grand National Championship, the Broken Arrow band has MUCH to CELEBRATE!!

The Broken Arrow HS band won the Outstanding Music Performance award for Class AAAA (for the first time ever at Grand Nationals) and placed 2nd in Class AAAA in the Semi Final Competition. In the Grand National Finals, the Pride tied for the Outstanding Music Performance award and placed 2nd Place in the National Finals contest with a score of 96.925. Congratulations to our Pride members for yet ANOTHER historic season!

What was undeniable, was the honest and enthusiastic reactions of the fans in the stands and all around the country. The complete show of “Age of Discovery: Return to Xeno” captivated fans in Lucas Oil Stadium AND from fans watching online around the country! Our Pride members performed their show 3 times at the BOA Grand National Championships and were so compelling and convincing in bringing THEIR show to life. Congratulations to the Pride of Broken Arrow!


Sounds of the Stadium - Pride PAC Concert
Join us in for a truly unique experience — Sounds of the Stadium on Nov. 16 at 7:00pm! This concert will feature the full Pride of Broken Arrow performing all your favorites that they perform at football games, only this time in the confines of the The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center! It’s going to be loud and it’s going to be a blast! This is a FREE concert!!


Pride Schedule THIS Week (for All members & sections)
    Mon 11/13 - OFF
    Tues 11/14 - OFF
    Wed 11/15 - 3:20-5:00 (Grand Nationals Wrap up)
    Thurs 11/16 - 3:30-5:00 (Rehearsal at PAC for "Sounds of the Stadium"
                          7:00 (Sounds of the Stadium Performance - Report at 6:30 in uniform)
    Fri 11/17 - OFF
    Sat 11/18 - 9:00-2:30 (Playoff Football Game for ALL Pride)


Upcoming Wind Band Concerts

• November 28 - HS Chamber Concert - 7:00pm - BAPAC Lobby
  
• December 3 - Jazz Concert
  
• December 7 - Freshman Fine Arts Concert - 7:00pm - BAPAC
  
• December 14 - Freshman Academy Band Concerts - 7:00pm - BAPAC
  
• December 15 - HS Band Concert - 7:00pm - BAPAC

Broken Arrow Christmas Parade & Rehearsals for ALL Pride and Tradition

• Wednesday, November 29 - 3:30-5:30 at BAHS
• Thursday, November 30 - 3:30-5:30pm at BAHS
• Friday, December 1 - 3:30-5:30 at BAHS
• Saturday, December 2 - 9:15am report time at the Summit Academy Parking Lot (1st and College - 1 block east of Main)

BA Football Playoff Game # 2
The BA Tiger Football team for their win in the first round of the playoffs by beating Norman North 31-28. The Tigers now move on to play Union on SATURDAY at TU’s CHAPMAN STADIUM at 11:00am. The ENTIRE Pride will meet at BAHS on Saturday at 9:00am to load and depart for TU to support our football team throughout the OSSAA Playoffs. Pride members will wear jeans and their “Pride / Tradition T shirt” and any jackets, as needed. We expect to return to BAHS after the game by approximately 2:30pm. As a reminder attendance at ALL playoff football games are required


Indoor Percussion Auditions / Meeting
It’s time for Indoor Percussion Auditions! Audition Packets will be available on Tuesday, November 14 at the HS and Freshman Academy Band Halls. Auditions will be held at BAHS next week on Monday (11/20) and Tuesday (11/21) from 3:30-6:00pm. There will be an informational on Tuesday (11/21) for parents and members of 2018 Indoor Percussion at the HS Band Hall.


All State Jazz Auditions THIS Saturday
Auditions for the All State Jazz Ensemble will be this Saturday (11/18) at Midwest City HS. Tentative report time is 6:00am. Students will arrive back BA at approx. 1:00pm


All District and All State Auditions
The following are dates of note relating to All District (NBDA) and All State (OMEA) Band.

• December 2 - Final Round Auditions for All State at Westmoore HS (CLICK HERE FOR 2ND ROUND AUDITION MATERIAL)
  
• January 12 & 13 - NBDA All District Band Clinic and Concert at Bartlesville HS
• January 18-20 - OMEA All State Band Clinic and Concert at Tulsa PAC
  

-From the Finance Office-

Band Finance Office - Charms
Charms accounts are ready for all Pride members. Login is "brokenarrowband" and your password is your student's ID# (unless you have already changed it). Payments can be made via PayPal through Charms, PayPal charges a small service fee. Cash and Check payments can be made to the Fine Arts Finance Office during regular business hours, mailed to the school, or dropped into the payment box in the hallway near the orchestra room. Please BE SURE to note where you want your payment applied. Please take the time to update your personal information where it is lacking. This will keep us in touch with you. For more information on using Charms, see the attached sheet.

Mailing address for payments:
   BA Bands
   Broken Arrow High School
   ATTN: LISA GOOD
   1901 E. Albany
   Broken Arrow, OK 74012



-BA Bands Parent Association-

FUNCTIONS

Washer Parents: Please return all cleaned uniforms by Wednesday so that they are ready for Thursdays Sounds of the Stadium concert.


SPECIAL EVENTS

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at baspecialevents@gmail.com.



OPERATIONS

A huge thank you to all of the traveling ops crew and also to our alumni dads, who no longer have kids in the program, for helping throughout the season! We could not have pulled it off without you!

Indoor Percussion will be starting shortly and we will need help. Stay tuned for further details.



CONCESSIONS

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped at the Friday Playoff game.  It was a great success!

If you have any questions about concessions email Baconcessions@gmail.com

To get your food handler card for this season CLICK HERE.



MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Carrie Crane -- development.bapride@gmail.com

Volunteer Grants: Did you know that some companies pay volunteer grants for their employees who volunteer hours for organizations. Is your company one of those? Do you work for Walmart, DirecTV, IBM or State Farm? Those are 4 companies of the many who offer volunteer grants. Check with your HR department! This is a great opportunity that allows your hard work to benefit BA Bands! Most of these grants are around $500. Turn your volunteer hours into money!

If you have a contact at a company that might be interested in sponsoring the Pride, let us know ! We have several levels of sponsorship, we have general sponsorships and special event sponsors.  Email: development.bapride@gmail.com for more information



COMMUNICATIONS
CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL FOR BA BANDS E-MAILS! Please check your Spam or Junk mail folder for emails from any BA Bands email addresses. These include but are not limited to: BAConcessions@gmail.com; bapridework@hotmail.com; BABandFundraising@gmail.com;; BASpecialEvents@gmail.com; and BAStadiumCleanup@gmail.com.

If you see any of these emails in your Junk or Spam folder, add the email address for those emails to your contact list. That should ensure you receive future emails correctly. If you wish to be removed from any of these mailing lists, send a message to the appropriate address and ask to be removed.

If you continue to have problems, email James Royal at babandcommunications@gmail.com for help.



FUNDRAISING
Sheri Sharp - BABandFundraising@gmail.com

PANDA EXPRESS DINE OUT NIGHT IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14!! After technical issues a couple of weeks ago, Panda Express has graciously rescheduled Dine Out Night for us to November 14. Panda Express is at 1314 E. Hillside Dr from 3-10PM. 20% of sales will go to band program. Participants must present a flyer (paper or on phone) on the day of our fundraiser to get credit for the band. CLICK HERE for the most recent flyer. You can also show the flyer electronically on your phone! Spread the word!

FUNDRAISER UPDATES - Currently we have no new fundraisers scheduled until after the first of the year, however, if there are any changes to our schedule, we will keep you posted by email, on enews and social media. Current fundraisers that have been ordered and are waiting for delivery are soaps, wreaths, and candles. All are expected to arrive the first half of December. There will be a limited supply of extras from the wreath fundraiser available on a first come basis once the order arrives. Stay tuned to eNews and fundraising emails for updates and delivery dates.

BEEF JERKY STICKS - Jerky sticks are available by pre-order and pre-purchase through the band only; the turnaround time to get them is quick - usually about a week once we place an order (orders will be placed at the beginning of each month; the next order will be placed around the first of December.) We can also email you an order form if you need one or CLICK HERE to print one. Please contact Debbie at BABandFundraising@gmail.com with questions. This is the ONLY fundraiser we offer that you will pay ONLY the cost upfront, not the profit as well, due to the cost of the sticks. You will still be responsible for turning the profit into the band office for this fundraiser.

CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER - We have the $1 variety bar boxes, $1 caramel bar boxes, and $2 almond boxes available. Also, important to remember - if you turn in money from selling chocolate, please mark it as a band payment so that it gets posted to Charms that way; you will have already paid the profit upfront. CLICK HERE for the chocolate fundraiser guidelines.


IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING FUNDRAISERS!!! - You MUST include your contact information (email address and phone number) on ALL fundraiser order forms before turning them in (even if the form doesn't ask for that info).

For more information on ANY of the fundraisers listed above, please contact Debbie Gowriluk at BABandFundraising@gmail.com.


Earn Money For Your Band Trip Account - If you would like to work certain events (like Drillers, Expo, etc) and earn money for your band trip account throughout the year, please CLICK HERE to sign up to receive Pride Work emails. Also, during certain times of the year, you can work stadium cleanup! CLICK HERE or email them to get on the sign up list for notification of opportunities.

Latest Opportunity:
Expo Wrestling this weekend:  CLICK HERE



PRIDE STORE
Sheri Sharp - BAPrideStore@gmail.com


2017 SEASON PRE-ORDERS HAVE ENDED. We are no longer accepting any pre-orders for the 2017 season. Most pre-orders are completed and can be picked up with the exception of the following. We will let you know when these are available for pick-up:

• *Car Decals - Design A & B
• *Street Signs
  
• *Ornaments
  

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS SEASON'S PRIDE PHOTOS OF BAND CAMP, COMPETITIONS, REHEARSAL AND MORE? - These pictures can be purchased online only.  Ordering online is easy and you can see ALL of the photos you wish to see.   CLICK HERE to see the photos and purchase. All profits go to our band booster account!



Upcoming Dates and Events
Nov 16 - Sounds of the Stadium Concert - BAPAC 7:00pm
Nov 18 - Pride to Football Playoff Game - 9:20am Report to BAHS
Nov 18 - All State Jazz Auditions
Nov 20 - Indoor Percussion Auditions 3:30-6:00
Nov 21 - Indoor Percussion Auditions - 3:30-6:00 - Information Meeting at 6:30
Nov 28 - HS Chamber Concert - 7:00pm - BAPAC
Nov 29 - Christmas Parade Rehearsal for Pride and Tradition - 3:30-5:30
Nov 30 - Christmas Parade Rehearsal for Pride and Tradition - 3:30-5:30
Dec 1 - Christmas Parade Rehearsal for Pride and Tradition - 3:30-5:30
Dec 2 - BA Christmas Parade - 9:15am Report Time
             All State Final Round Auditions in Westmoore
Dec 3 - Jazz Concert
Dec 7 - Freshmen Academy Fine Arts Concert
Dec 14 - Freshmen Academy Band Concert
Dec 15 - HS Band Concert

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

Volunteer With BA Bands!

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