Pit Crew Hard at work

Marching Band has not officially begun until props are being built.

Thank You to the Smith family and all of the parents, students and company employees that helped in building our props.

I especially love the attention to detail and artistic approach! And the red eyes...more red eyes.

Message for all from Jon

You should be drinking a 1/2 to 1 gallon of water a day. You should try to eliminate caffeinated drinks and soda for the next week and a half.

You should also start stretching their muscles every morning. Vets should know our routine. Rookies need to do arm and leg stretches (Common ones from gym class). If they don't bother hydrating or stretching now, then they will be HURTING come that first day. We are hitting the ground running with technique...-Jon

Band Camp is coming 13 days and counting!

I hope everyone is rested and ready to get going. It's not to soon to start walking and drinking water.

We are having a PCI meeting tonight making plans for another great competition.



Please pass the word that we will be updating the directors blog and website changes more frequently to get the ball rolling. We are in need of parent chaperones for band camp. Please let us know if you can take a day off and help us during camp. You can send me an email if you are interested.

Let the summer vacation begin!

We had a great day of cleaning and inventory. I want to thank the excellent crew that came in today and worked very hard. We got everything done on my list! I really appreciate the time.

Sarah, Nick, Olivia, Evyn, Katie, Nick, Sarah...not pictured: Layton, Nick S., Scott R., Christian, Harris, Greg, and Eric! sorry if I left anyone out so many had to come and go. I hope everyone has a great summer and comes back with tons of energy. Remember it's not too late to start drinking your water!

Music Performance Assessment 2010

MPA (formerly known as State Festival, previously known as State Contest) was this week. Both Panther Creek Bands performed well.

The Symphonic Band (97 members) played literature from the Grade V list: Allied Honor, King; The Witch and the Saint, Reineke; and Sun Dance, Ticheli. They received an overall superior rating (I, I, II). They also received a superior in sight-reading.

The Wind Symphony (64 memebrs) played from the Grade VI list: Mercury, Van Der Roost; Symphony #2, Chance; and Mannin Veen, Wood. They received straight superior ratings (I, I, I). They also received a superior in sight-reading.

I am very proud of the work the kids put into the preparations for these performances. Thank you to all of the parent chaperones that took off work and helped us out.

Indoor

We have had an outstanding indoor season with both our indoor color guard and percussion. Both groups will be attend AIA championships this weekend. They have put in countless hours preparing these top level shows. We are very proud of them and our Staff. We'll get some pictures up soon.

Clinicians

We have had a very busy season getting ready for State Festival (MPA). Both our Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony performed at a Pre-Festival Concert at Green Hope High School. We received expert clinics from Tom Jenner and Tony Granados. The Wind Symphony has also benefitted from clinics from Dr. Evan Feldman - UNC Chapel Hill and Dr. Paul Garcia - NC State University.

Swing Dance

Yes, Band students can dance (or at least most of them). Regardles of the talent level we had a great time! We were lucky to get Debbie Ramsey from the Music and Dance Studios (http://www.musicanddance.com/) come and teach us the basics of swing dance )(rock step, step step...). Then we enjoyed practicing our new moves to the Panther Creek Jazz Band and the Durham Jazz Orchestra! We gave away prises for Best Dancing and Best Costumes. Too much fun.

Jazz Ensemble

Congratulations to our Jazz Ensemble and our Jazz Combo for their outstanding performances at the UNC Jazz Festival. Our Groups performed for several clinicians including: Jason Foureman, Jason Marsalis and Ivan Renta. We had several students selected as Outstanding performers of the day: Xavier Daughtry - tenor sax; Nic Servideo - bass; Nick Murphy - guitar; Josh Studdard - trumpet. Next up for the Jazz Band will be State Festival in May.

All-State Band

Congratulations to Cameron Cobb (Tuba, 4th chair 11/12), Jack Hu (Clarinet, 18th chair 11/12) and Julia Shen (Clarinet, 17th chair 9/10) for making the 2010 North Carolina Honors Band!