Posted on

Titan Pride Update

Thursday, April 2nd is our Pre-Contest Concert and Mattress Fundraiser Parent Meeting! Here is the schedule of events for that evening:

6:40 Call time for Concert Band in the Choir Room and Symphonic Band in Band Room
7:00 Band Concert begins
7:35 Band Concert ends/Parent meeting for ALL students/parents begins
7:55 All are dismissed

NOTE: Attendance by students and parents at the fundraiser meeting is CRUCIAL to the success of the fundraiser. This is why I scheduled it on a night where we are all already at school for the concert. For every parent in attendance, the band will be given $5 (up to $500), so thank you in advance for making this evening a priority.

Wednesday, April 8th is State Large Ensemble Contest for the Concert Band. Performance time is 3:00pm. This means students MUST bring their concert uniform to school with them on Wednesday, April 8th. They can hang it up in the band room before school.

Friday, April 11th is State Large Ensemble Contest for the Symphonic Band. Performance time is 3:30pm. This means students MUST bring their concert uniform to school with them on Friday, April 11th. They can hang it up in the band room before school.

Have a great week!

Drumline Clinic Schedule.docx

Posted on

Titan Pride Update, Turkey edition 2014

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. I hope this email finds you well and looking forward to a relaxing long weekend. Here are some bits of information and updates for the band world:

All State Band Auditions
There are several students involved in All-State Band auditions on Saturday, December 6th. If you have one of these students, you will need to transport your son/daughter to/from Columbia, MO. The auditions will take place at Columbia-Hickman High School. There are no scheduled times for these auditions. Mr. Thurmond and Mr. Harrel will be on-site with registration forms. You will need to find us upon arriving at the high school and get your audition number. At this point, students will go to their audition room and sign up for an audition spot (no times). More information (including maps and transportation release) will come home next week.

Winter Concert – December 8th
All bands will be performing at our Winter Concert. Please make sure all uniform parts are purchased and in order before the concert.

Concert #1 will start at 6pm and will include the Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band
Concert #2 will start at 7:30pm and will include the Symphonic Band and Titan Jazz Band
We hope all family and friends can attend this concert at such a wonderful time of year.

Are you going to Washington DC with us?
If so, you need to be at the MANDATORY trip meeting in between the two concerts on December 8th at 7pm in the PAC.
At this meeting you will be given lots of information that will take some immediate action on your part, so don’t miss it.
PLEASE make sure you have caught up on payments by THIS SUNDAY!

Cinderella Pit Orchestra
If your son/daughter made it into the pit orchestra for the winter musical, Cinderella, please print off the attached schedule and get the dates into your calendar now to prevent conflict.

Pep Band
ALL band students will participate in TWO pep band performances this winter. Please add these two dates to your calendar as well.
Friday, January 9th
Tuesday, February 24th
Call times TBD. We will be wearing our blue pep band tee shirts (from the marching season) and our ball caps. Please locate these now.

Again, I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.

Cinderella Pit Orchestra Schedule.docx

Posted on

Band Update

Wow! What a banquet. Thank you to all the parents and students who made an evening to remember. It was a great ending to an awesome marching season and tribute to our outgoing seniors.

Here are some bits of information for you:

All-District Auditions
Tomorrow, several of our students will be auditioning for a spot in the All-District Band, Honorable Mention Band, and Jazz Band. Good luck to all!
Here is the information I sent home with the kids last week and a schedule:
(See attached file: All District Logistics.docx)(See attached file: Copy of LEE’S SUMMIT WEST FINAL.xlsx)

Pep Band
We will be having a pep band this year for the basketball games. Here is how it will work:

  • 2 games will include the whole band, please put these dates in your calendar now so conflicts can be avoided. Friday, January 9th AND Tuesday, February 24th. (Call time and such will be announced at a later time)
  • 5 games will be with an auditioned pep band. Auditions will take place the first week of December. Stay tuned for more information and dates

Pit Orchestra
Students interested in auditioning for the pit orchestra for our school musical, Cinderella, will sign up next week for an audition that will take place the week of November 17th. The musical takes place in February and is a time committment, so please make sure you can commit before auditioning.

Percussion students
Percussion students have received the equipment that they have purchased for the year to keep their stick bags complete and repaired. An invoice for this equipment is being sent home today (some have already paid for it). Please submit payment by next Friday, November 14th. Thank you.

Winter Concert
The Winter Concert for ALL band members is on Monday, December 8th.
6:00pm – Concert 1 begins (Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble)
7:00pm – Mandatory meeting for ALL Washington DC participants
7:30pm – Concert 2 begins (Symphonic Band, Jazz Band)
Note: All girls should have their concert dress at this time and will need to take care of alterations before the concert. Also, they will need black hose and black shoes to wear.
Note: All boys should have received their tuxedo by now and will need to purchase their tuxedo shirt and bow tie before this time. Also, they will need black dress socks (NOT ATHLETIC SOCKS) and black dress shoes.

All-State Auditions
If your son/daughter makes it into the All-District Band or All-District Jazz Band (or as an alternate to either group), he/she will be eligible to audition for All-State Band and Jazz Band. These auditions will take place on Saturday, December 8th. As in District Auditions, we will not be providing transportation to/from Columbia, MO for this event. Please plan accordingly. Audition times will be handed out before Thanksgiving, I hope.

Have a GREAT day!

Clifton D. Thurmond

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and any attachments may be confidential and may contain privileged or copyright information. If you are not the intended recipient, please call (816) 986-1444 and inform us that you have received this message in error. Please do not copy, distribute or use this e-mail or the information contained in it for any purpose.

All District Logistics.docx

Copy of LEE’S SUMMIT WEST FINAL.xlsx

Posted on

Titan Pride Update, End of Marching Season edition

Well……we’ve almost made it. The kids did a marvelous job at Odessa last week and came home on cloud nine. This week we are hungrier than ever and excited to end our season with a bang.

Saturday – small change of plans
Due to some scheduling conflicts with some students, we will be unable to participate in the Indoor Percussion Competition this weekend, so the itinerary has changed to reflect ALL band members arriving at school around 8:45am to be ready in the stadium for a 9am rehearsal.
Here is the updated itinerary:

RSVP for the Banquet
The banquet is rapidly approaching and we need to turn in numbers to the caterer. Please RSVP for the banquet THIS weekend.
It is Monday, November 3rd beginning at 6:30pm at the Bordner (more details to follow next week)
Seniors!!!!! Please send a baby picture and a recent photo to Michelle Krause ASAP for the slide show
Please click on this link to RSVP for the banquet:
Band Banquet RSVP

Band Fees
There are still 20 students with outstanding balances for their band fees. Last week I sent home an invoice in an attempt to wrap this up by yesterday (Wednesday). Please take care of this ASAP so that we may close the books on this marching season.

Concert Season
Begins MONDAY! Have your concert instrument in good shape and ready to play Monday during class. All students should come ready with their instrument (and all necessary supplies) and a PENCIL for every rehearsal.

Symphonic Band Chair Test
All members of the Symphonic Band will be taking a seating test the week of November 3rd. The music for the test is hanging on the windows in front of the Ensemble Room. Please prepare for this test.

Concert Band Chair Test
All members of the Concert Band (3rd Hour) will be taking a seating test the week of November 3rd. The music for the test will be handed out next week. Please prepare for this test.

Percussion Class
Beginning Monday, it is expected that all percussionists in 2nd Hour will have the following in class every day: complete stick/mallet bag, black music binder, and stick pad

All District Band
Participants auditioning for All District Band will have a "screening" audition with Mr. Thurmond or Mr. Harrel during the week of November 3rd that they must pass in order to continue on to the actual audition.
The auditions themselves will take place on Saturday, November 8th at Liberty High School. Times are different for each student and will be posted sometime next week.
Transportation to the auditions is NOT provided, therefore, parents will need to transport their student to/from the audition. If a student needs to drive him/herself (students cannot ride with other students), there will need to be administrative approval through the office.

Concert Uniforms
All females at this time should have their uniform skirt and blouse. If alterations are needed, please see to it that this occurs before our winter concert
All males at this time should have taken home a tuxedo coat, pants, and cummerbund. Boys will need to purchase their own tuxedo shirt and bow tie at a local department store or online. Please make sure this is done before our winter concert.

Winter Concert
Our Winter Band Concert will be on Monday, December 8th in the PAC at LSWHS. Attendance and participation in this concert is required, please block out this date on your calendar at this time to prevent conflicts.
6pm Concert – Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble
7:30pm Concert – Symphonic Band and Titan Jazz Band

Jazz Band
Titan Jazz Band will begin on Tuesday, November 11. Rehearsals will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30-3:15.
For the first session (winter concert), anyone interested in participating in jazz band is welcome.
In January, there will be an audition for the contest jazz band. This select band will compete throughout the spring at several area jazz festivals.
For more information, please contact the Titan Jazz director, Shawn Harrel, at shawn.harrel@leesummit.k12.mo.us

Clifton D. Thurmond

UCM Festival of Champions.doc

Posted on

New Uniforms Unveiled Last Night

With lots of help from a great group of parent and student volunteers, we were able to get our new uniforms off a UPS truck and onto the field in a few hours! We weren’t even slowed down by a little rain.IMG_4524

IMG_4526Band members put in a few extra hours “on the clock” to get fitted for the new uniforms. Irons and ironing boards circled the band room so we could get the pants and sleeves creased and looking sharp.

Thanks to the support of the LSW administration, LSW Music Parents and the LSR7 school district, we’re excited to start the next chapter in the Titan Pride Bands with our new uniforms from FJM!

FullSizeRender

10710424_798575696866227_1139264537771844327_o

Posted on

Titan Pride Update Week of October 13th and TONIGHT!

Yea for Friday!

TONIGHT/TOMORROW REMINDERS

  • All Senior/Junior uniform fitting starts at 2:30. Should be in light shorts/blue tee shirt/black socks/marching shoes
  • All Freshmen/Sophomore uniform fitting starts at 4:00pm. Should come ready for game in light shorts/blue tee shirt/black socks/marching shoes (I am feeding them pizza at 4:45 after they have gone through the uniform process)
  • All Senior/Junior report back to the building to get dressed at 5:30pm (students will want a jacket to wear on the OUTSIDE of their uniform in the stands as the weather will be chilly)
  • All Seniors and Family will meet under the NORTH scoreboard at 6:10 for a 6:15 presentation
  • All band members should be on campus by 11am (10:45 preferably). Please note it is Race for the Future day on our campus, so it COULD be quite busy around that time. Please plan accordingly.
  • Band members should arrive in grey shirt and whatever they will be wearing underneath their uniform for the day

NEXT WEEK
Tuesday morning sectionals – 6:45am
NO rehearsal Tuesday night (Choir Concert)

Thursday, Oct 16
5pm Drumline rehearsal begins
6pm Full band rehearsal begins (students to come in marching shoes and BLUE tee shirt)
9pm Full band rehearsal ends

Saturday, October 18
Odessa Marching Festival
11am call for drumline
12pm call for brass and woodwinds
All students arrive in grey performance shirt
Itinerary attached below

Future information

  • Possible playoff games are looming (Oct 24, 31 and Nov 7, 14)
  • Concert season is upon us, please get the concert instrument up and running. We begin on Monday, October 27
  • Band Banquet Monday, November 3
  • THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE THE UNIFORM CHAOS WORK AND GO!!!! YOU ARE A BLESSING TO THIS PROGRAM!

Have a great Friday!

Clifton D. Thurmond

Odessa Marching Invitational.doc

Posted on

Titan Pride Update, week of September 15th

Competition season is quickly approaching (1st one is next week!). This coming week is super busy, so make sure to read through this carefully. Feel free to respond with questions as needed.

Tuesday
Sectionals (brass and woodwinds only)
6:45am
Drumline Sectional
5:00pm
Full Band Rehearsal
6:30-8:30pm

Wednesday
Dig for the Cure Volleyball Match
6:00pm call time in band room.
Game will be outside in the stadium, weather permitting
We will be wearing, once again, our khaki shorts/tee shirt outfit weather permitting
Students SHOULD be finished around 8:00pm
Parents are encouraged to attend this WONDERFUL event honoring those who have been afflicted with, are recovering from, have survived, or have passed away due to cancer.

Thursday
Full Band Rehearsal
6:30-8:30pm

Saturday – Preview of Champions Marching Festival (ALL DAY)
Attached you will find a more detailed itinerary for the day. With this being our first competition, we will send home some useful information early next week so each student is prepared for the day.
All band members must report to LSWHS before 10:30am, as that is when the bus should depart.
The band will return to LSWHS around 10:00pm.
We will be performing twice that day. The PRELIMS performance will be at 1:15pm. The FINALS performance will be sometime between 6 and 9pm. Our performance time will be selected after PRELIMS awards.

(See attached file: Preview of Champions.doc)

Some Items on the horizon for you to keep in mind:

  • Boys have been sized for their tuxedo at this point. We will be taking a picture in the near future in our concert outfits (once the girls’ dresses arrive). This picture will be for the marketing of the Washington DC performance. This means boys will soon need to have their tuxedo shirt and bowtie secured. More info on that later. Stay tuned
  • The homecoming parade is Thursday, October 1st. This is an after-school parade. We will bus the kids downtown LS, march the parade, and then bus them back to the high school
  • If your child is a member of the Symphony Orchestra (your child will know the answer to this), he/she has an orchestra concert on Thursday, October 9th. Be looking for communication from Mr. Mosier on this.

Have a GREAT weekend and we will see you TONIGHT at the ballgame!

Go Titans!

Clifton D. Thurmond

Preview of Champions.doc

Posted on

Titan Pride Update, Week of September 1st

Hello there! You are receiving this week’s update a day early, mostly because a couple of items would be too late if I waited until tomorrow.

Rehearsal TONIGHT and Music Parents meeting TONIGHT
All marching band members are to be on the parking lot, ready to rehearse at 6:30pm. Several students have been showing up late recently and we’d like to eliminate that. My favorite quote to them about this is "On time is late!"
The first Music Parents meeting is TONIGHT from 7 to 8pm in the band room. This is a meeting for ANY/ALL parents of a student in the music program at LSWHS (not just officers). Please consider attending and getting involved in this wonderful support organization. There are several needs and opportunities for you available this year, and tonight is the night to get acquainted. Hope to see you all there!

Concert Season Uniform
ALL male members of the band (Percussion Class, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band) will be renting a tuxedo from us. This will be worn at every performance outside of marching band this year. Boys were given the tuxedo sizing form (attached to this email) and were told to have it back (completed) by tomorrow, Friday, with a check made payable to LSWHS for $22 or cash.
All female members of the band that are new to the program (Percussion Class, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band) will be purchasing a dress in hopes that is will fit for the duration of high school. These girls were given the dress information form (attached to this email) and were told to bring a check made payable to LSWHS for $80 or cash tomorrow, Friday. During class, some mothers will be here at school to help your daughter try on a dress so we can order the right size.

Marching Band Scheduling Update
We had a schedule swap occur for a rehearsal in October. We now have a rehearsal on Tuesday, October 7th, NOT Thursday, October 9th.
Here is an updated schedule, just in case.

Additional Performance
I apologize for the added event. I fully understand that some conflicts may be unavoidable and that is fine, please just communicate them to me via email.
The band has been asked to participate and perform in the annual Dig for the Cure volleyball match, which will be played OUTSIDE in Titan Stadium this year (interesting, huh?).
We will play at this game in a pep band format on Wednesday, September 17th. More details to follow as we grow closer.

NEXT WEEK

Sectionals
Brass and Woodwinds will meet again on Tuesday morning at 6:45AM.
Drumline will meet again on Tuesday evening at 5pm

Rehearsals
Again, we have a rehearsal at 6:30 on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

ALL students should have ice cream social tickets in their possession at this time. We encourage them to sell all 10 tickets before next Friday. They are responsible for turning in the money AND any unsold tickets by this time.

Since we don’t have school Monday, please make note of having your son/daughter at school for sectionals Tuesday morning.

Have a great weekend!

Clifton D. Thurmond

LSW Dress Info.doc

LSW Tuxedo Sizing Form.doc

2014 MB Sched Aug 28.docx

Posted on

Titan Pride Update, Week of August 18

Greetings and welcome to the 2014-15 school year!

You will be receiving an email like this from me every week (generally on Friday) throughout the marching season to help keep things running smoothly as it pertains to band here at LSW and in your home. Please make sure you read all bullet points as there will be scheduling information, handouts, deadlines, etc……

Wednesday, August 20th
First day of school
All band members will need to have their instrument with them. We will be playing, as well as learning to use our instrument lockers. Since we don’t have band right away, they can drop their instruments off before school in the band room.
Students will also receive information on how to access the online band handbook at www.titanmusic.org, as well as how to sign the online contract. On this contract, there will be an opportunityCompleting this will be due by Friday!

Thursday, August 21st
Evening Rehearsal
5:00pm Drumline rehearsal begins (I know I said this would be on Tuesdays, but when we only have a Thursday rehearsal, it is necessary to do it then)
6:30pm Full band ready to rehearse on the parking lot.
8:30pm Dismissal

Friday, August 22nd
GAME DAY!!!!!
Band Handbook Contract should be completed online by this day
Football Game
Students should be ready to warm up in the PAC by 6pm
All winds and percussion should be wearing khaki shorts and the provided pep band shirt (handed out this thursday). Khaki shorts are a necessity for our first two football games, our first competition, AND all of the basketball games at which we will play. I understand some students may not currently own khaki shorts, but you can probably get some at Kohl’s for a very reasonable price. Again, THIS IS OUR UNIFORM FOR THE FIRST TWO BALL GAMES AND FIRST COMPETITION (as our new band uniforms will not be in until late September).
For parents, the football game starts at 7pm. Many of our parents sit together, so look out for each other upon entering the seating area.
We are generally done, and students are ready to be picked up, by 9:15 or 9:30pm. Please make sure your child is picked up on time.
As a rule, we do not allow the kids to use their cell phones DURING the game, so please be aware. Continue reading “Titan Pride Update, Week of August 18”

Posted on

Titan Pride Update, End of Camp Version

WOW! What a week. This band has so shown up to work. We have been blessed with great weather and a great opportunity to kick this season off in the right way. Your kids have done a marvelous job and I am so proud of the work they accomplished. Here’s to a great season!

TOMORROW MORNING
All students must be on the parking lot WITH instrument in hand ready to warm up at 9am.

All parents are having a general meeting in the choir room at 9am as well. All parents are encouraged to attend.

All SENIORS are to be in the courtyard at 8:30am for their poster picture to be taken.

Performance Preview begins at 9:30 on the parking lot. All families are invited to attend.

Clash of the Titans eligibility meeting (required for participation in the program) is at 10:15 in the PAC. Prior to entering the auditorium, you MUST sign in on the chrome books in the commons/fieldhouse (this is not the commitment form, just proving you were there)

AFTER the meeting, you will be given a pen and a form to sign (both parent and student) on the way out of the PAC. After you sign it and drop it in the appropriate indicated spot, you will be free to leave for the day. (This should be 11:30am)

If you do NOT attend this meeting, you will need to call and set up a private screening prior to our first performance (August 22nd), or your student cannot perform with the band that evening.

NEXT THURSDAY, AUGUST 14th
We have our first evening rehearsal for the year. 6:30-8:30pm at school. All members of the band are to be in attendance.

SCHEDULE
Here, again, is the schedule for the fall. Attendance at each date on this calendar is a part of the grade for our class. Please make sure they are in your calendar now to prevent conflicts. I fully realize there are unavoidable conflicts with sports and I work those out with parents and students when needed. It is crucial students are at these rehearsals/performances for us to achieve the best product with our show.

(See attached file: 2014 MB Sched May 29.docx)

Have a GREAT weekend and see you tomorrow morning!

Clifton D. Thurmond

2014 MB Sched May 29.docx