First Pep Band, lesson sign up, calendar info.

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

1. Pep band tonight, pizza and pop at 6:00 p.m., playing in the stands at 6:30 p.m.! 

    -we will play before the game, at the quarter, when we score, and at half time

    -after halftime we will pack up and put stuff away

    -after halftime the band/orchestra room will be locked so be sure you don't leave personal belongings that you will need for the weekend.

2. Now is a great time to start taking lessons on your instrument. I am starting weekly lessons after school next week and many local teachers are as well. You can get help if the music is overwhelming, you can prepare for auditions, scholarships, solo and ensemble festival, and/or all state auditions. I will be available for lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays after school or I can connect you with many wonderful local instructors/specialists on your instrument. Connect with me via email soon to be sure you get the time slot that works best for your schedule. svandenberg@hollandchristian.org

3. Parents and students, please be sure that the dates from the August 24 blog post are added to your family calendars. Please fill out the form linked below to verify that you have signed off on the dates and also use this form to communicate any calendar conflicts for this year. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

This form is due by Monday, September 10:

https://goo.gl/forms/oojj57ZfJRX8RQH22

4. Just a reminder, it would be good for everyone save a link to this calendar. It is the instrumental music calendar from the HCS website and it is the place that you can get the most up to date information through out the year on concert start times, student call times, and concert locations. (You do have to scroll down a little.) You can now subscribe to this calendar to have it added to your own calendar.

--

Scott Vanden Berg
svandenberg@hollandchristian.org
Director of Instrumental Music
Holland Christian High School
Director of the Holland American Legion Band

616-212-8867

Everything (or almost everything) you need to know for 2018-19!

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

Congratulations on completion of your first week! I hope your weekend is restful.

This blog has a lot of important information. Think of this blog post as the instrumental music handbook. I will also go over the schedules and the retreat next week in class to help clarify any questions that you might have. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. 

1. Links to concert dates and other important event dates:

Concert Band

Symphonic Band

Orchestra

All Groups - (except pep band)

Pep Band

2. Please save this link to the band and orchestra page and calendar on the HCS website. It contains the most up-to-date information about upcoming events.

Next week we will begin some of our early morning groups. Our first event is pep band next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at HCHS.

3. This document is a description of the many opportunities for instrumental musicians at HCHS. It includes descriptions of pep band, marching band, symphonic orchestra, solo and ensemble festival, jazz band, pit orchestra and more. There are so many opportunities for our music students to encounter through the year. Take a minute to check them out.

4. Next week we begin our some of our early morning groups. See the schedule for morning rehearsals below.

Monday: Jazz Orchestra 7:15 a.m.

Tuesday: Jazz Band - 7:15 a.m, begins on Sept. 11

Wednesday: Folk Music Ensemble 7:15 a.m.

Wednesday: Percussion Ensemble/Drumline 7:30 a.m. (only symphonic band percussion)

Thursday: Jazz Orchestra - 7:15 a.m.

Friday: Symphonic Orchestra - 7:00 a.m., begins on Sept. 7

5. Sign up here if you are interested in being part of the pit orchestra! (see description in #3 above)

6. Chaperons are needed for the retreat on September 27 and 28. Email me if you are available and interested.

svandenberg@hollandchristian.org

--

Scott Vanden Berg
svandenberg@hollandchristian.org
Director of Instrumental Music
Holland Christian High School
Director of the Holland American Legion Band

616-212-8867

Welcome to a New Year!

Welcome, HCHS band and orchestra students and parents!

I hope you are enjoying your summer. I am looking forward to soon seeing familiar faces, getting to know new students, and making great music. Last year was a wonderful year, and we are looking forward to more laughs and fun this coming year. We are especially looking forward to having Freshman and other new students join us!

Here are a few dates for you to put on your calendar:

1. RETREAT: The HCHS bands and orchestra are looking forward to a retreat at Camp Geneva this year. We'll have a weekend of eating good food, playing games, getting to know each other, and making music together. This retreat is always a great time. You won't want to miss it. Please mark your calendars now for this special weekend event, from Thursday, September 27 at 5:00 p.m. to Friday, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. Logistical and other details to come soon.

2. PEP BAND: For all concert band and symphonic band members, there will be a combined pep band practice on Monday, August 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the band/orchestra room. We will have a few new fun pep band tunes and ice cream. We play for the Thursday, Aug. 31, home football game. 

3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Thursday, August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (or any portion of this time) we are in need of some student volunteers to help fill folders with music and prepare the band/orchestra room for the new year. Email me know if you are interested and available. Lunch and ice cream are on Mr. Vanden Berg!
svandenberg@hollandchristian.org 

I will have a new blog entry soon with this year's concert dates to put on your calendar. 

Thank you!

--

Scott Vanden Berg
svandenberg@hollandchristian.org
Director of Instrumental Music
Holland Christian High School
Director of the Holland American Legion Band

616-212-8867