This Week (9/9/19-9/13/19)

Good Evening A.I. Band Family!

Here is some information regarding the marching band for this week.

Monday, 9/9/19 – The following items are due today:

Sub Dinner Forms Due

Mum Fundraiser Due

Band Apparel Orders (Online ordering for band apparel has been extended until Saturday 9/14/19. This will allow anyone attending the sub dinner or home football game to place an order. If we have enough demand we can do another in late October.)

Marching Band Practice  – Monday, 9/9/19 from 7:00-9:00 pm. The band room will be open at 6:00 pm for any sections who have planned sectionals.

Football Game – Friday, 9/13/19:

Sub Dinner 4:30 pm in cafeteria (for any students/families who purchased a sub.)

Report to Band Room 5:00 pm (ALL Band Members – In Complete Uniform)

We will march to the stadium around 5:15-5:30 pm. It is senior night for the football team and that will take place before the game. It sounds as though Christiana High School will not be bringing their band on Friday evening.

The A.I. Band will perform the national anthem at 5:55 pm.

Kick-off is at 6:00 pm

The A.I. Band will perform on the field at halftime.

The game will last approximately 2-2.5 hours. Band members are expected to stay until the very end of the game unless prior arrangements (with a valid reason) have been made with Mr. Weaver.

*We will have water coolers for band members to use during the game. Students may also bring a small amount of money to purchase items from the concession stand. Mr. Weaver will let them know when they can go to the concession stand.

 

 

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E-mail from Mr. Hewlett

Below is a copy of an e-mail that Mr. Hewlett, Band Booster President, sent last week. It contains a lot of good information so I thought I’d post it here for anyone who missed it.

“Greetings A.I. duPont H.S. Band Families,

I hope this email finds you well. If your student is no longer active in the band, please reply to let me know and I will remove you from my list.

There are several items with a due date for this Monday, September 9 that I wanted to make sure everyone is aware of:

–        DUE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9:

1)     MUM FUNDRAISER: Order forms are DUE SEPTEMBER 9. I want to recognize the efforts of Stephanie Simpson and Chrissy Cesario for their work in organizing this fund raiser. The proceeds of this sale go to your student’s account to be used for their band trips, or, if unused, goes to the general band boosters fund. Please find the form attached to this email or on Mr. Weaver’s blog: https://www.aibands.com/directors-blog/

2)     SUB DINNER – BEFORE HOME OPENER: Order forms are DUE SEPTEMBER 9.  The dinner is before the home opener football game on Friday, September 13. It is our custom to have a dinner with the band and parents prior to the first home game. Order forms were sent out to your student for you to purchase either an Italian or Turkey Sub. They are huge, so consider splitting them. This is not a fund raiser, so your price is pretty close to the cost we will pay for the large subs. The boosters kick in for chips and drinks, and we ask for donations of desserts by the families that are participating. If the order form did not find its way home to you please find the form attached to this email or on Mr. Weaver’s blog: https://www.aibands.com/directors-blog/

3)     AI DUPONT BAND GEAR: The shop is open – GO ONLINE AND ORDER BY SEPTEMBER 9!!! A big “Thank you!” to Jess Burton for getting the band swag shop ready. If you want a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or other item this is your time to order it. Jess has made it easy. Follow the link below, select the items and sizes you want, make your payment for the items you purchased right online, and it will all be sent to the school, ready for delivery to you (through your student) a few weeks after the shop closes. Don’t miss this chance to get band gear. THE SHOP CLOSES SEPTEMBER 9!!  Here is the link: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/Mm0MCdysog

OTHER INFORMATION:

–        DIRECTOR’S BLOG – Please make sure you check Mr. Weaver’s blog often for important information. The link is as follows:

https://www.aibands.com/directors-blog/

–        CHAPERONES: If you are interested in chaperoning ANY of the events the band is going on, please let Tracie Principe, our chaperone coordinator, know so she can add you to the Sign-up Genius list. You can reach her at ptracie222@gmail.com. She requests that you put “AIHS BAND” in the subject line to help her give your email the appropriate priority.

–        FUNDRAISING: The second fundraiser going on right now is the raffle ticket sales for the 2018 Camaro through the Horsey Family Youth Foundation. Please contact Mick for details and to arrange to pick up tickets to sell. You do not need to buy the tickets in advance, but you do need to bring back any unsold tickets when you drop off the money for the sales of the tickets. When you sell any tickets, please have them make out the check to you and bring in one of your own checks for the entire amount. Please contact Mick at JamesMiko78@gmail.com for more information.

–        SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Here are links to the band’s page on the various social media sites:

–        Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AIDuPontBands/

–        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aitigerbands/

–        Twitter: https://twitter.com/AI_duPont_Band

–        Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AITigerBands

–        Flickr (this is a photo sharing platform): https://www.flickr.com/photos/aidupontband/albums

Please go to these sites and Follow/Like or whatever connects you to them. The more activity the posts get the more they are circulated to friends and family!!

–        FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER: Saturday, September 7, 2:00PM kickoff at Wilmington Friends School. We will need chaperones for this away game. Usually the away team’s band plays BEFORE the game (be there early if you want to see it), if there  is a home team band. If not, we would play at half-time. This is subject to change on any given game and sometimes with little notice. Stay up on the football schedule at this website:  https://www.tigerssports.com/page5657

–        FOOTBALL HOME OPENER: Friday, September 13, 6:00PM kickoff at A.I. duPont TIGER STADIUM! The atmosphere is awesome at Tiger Stadium! If this is your first year with the band, you are in for a real treat! We have our sub dinner before-hand, for those who sign up (look for information soon). If you plan to come to all the home games, the season pass is the best deal. Ask for it when you buy your tickets at the booth the first game. I think the football team is even planning to entertain us before and after the band’s half-time show (I crack myself up).

–        BAND BOOSTERS’ MEETING: Attached you will find the Band Boosters Membership Form. Though all band parents/guardians are welcome to help the band and the boosters, only members can vote on decisions made by the boosters. Please fill out the form and send it in as soon as possible via mail, or to Mr. Weaver through your student.

The next meeting will be Thursday, September 19 @ 7:00PM – in the Library (Enter the main entrance, turn to the right, look for double doors on the left for the stairs to the second floor, follow the hallway and find the library on the left).

The band boosters support the band in all the events and fund-raising activities. As a parent or guardian, being part of the boosters is the best way to stay up on what is going on with the band. There are plenty of opportunities to help, whether it is chaperoning an away football game, helping out our Homecoming decorating committee, or unloading a box truck full of flowers on a Saturday morning in our fundraising efforts, you can volunteer as little or as much as you want. Many hands make light lifting. So, if you are a parent or guardian, please come out to our next meeting (we meet, generally, on the third Thursday of the month) to see all that is going on this fall! We would love to meet you!

That was a lot. Hopefully you found the information useful. The best way to stay up on things is to COME TO THE BAND BOOSTER MEETINGS.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to seeing you soon.”

Sincerely,

Chris Hewlett, President

A.I. duPont H.S. Band Boosters

(302) 229-0061

hewlettcr@aol.com

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Football Game Saturday 9/7/19

Important update for tomorrow’s football game at Wilmington Friends School. Coach Barr (Athletic Director) and I drove over to scout out their facilities. They don’t really have a stadium. There is very minimal bleacher seating at their football field. Also, there is no concession stand. There is no room for the band to sit in the stands. We are asking students to bring a “bag chair” tomorrow if they have one (camping chairs, tailgating chairs, etc. that fold and can be carried in a bag…see picture below). We need this type of chair because it will fit on the bus with the students. It does not matter what color the chair is. Make sure that your family’s name is written somewhere on the chair so it does not get mixed up with someone else’s chair. If you have more than one, please bring an extra for someone who may not have one.

Parents who will attend the game: You may want to bring a chair in your trunk too because I am guessing that the bleachers will get filled.

Students: Make sure that you EAT and drink water BEFORE you report to school!

Shoes, boots, and gloves have arrived and students can get them in the morning.

Report Time: 12:00 noon

Performance: 1:40 pm

Kickoff: 2:00 pm (Games usually last about 2 or 2.5 hours)

We will return to school around 4:30-5:00 pm. Students should call or text for their rides before we board the busses to head back to AIHS. Wilmington Friends School is about 10 minutes away from A.I. duPont High School.

Chair Picture.png

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2019 Band Sub Dinner!

Good Afternoon!

Please join us at 4:30 pm on Friday, 9/13/19, for our annual sub dinner! Afterwards, head out to the football stadium to cheer on the Tigers! This is not a fundraising event. It is a chance for families to bond with other band families over dinner! The subs are large – so they are easily sharable between two people. Let Mr. Weaver or Ms. Smith know if you have any questions! Students can also turn the form in to Mr. Weaver at band practice on Monday night (September 9th).

SUB DINNER FORM 2019

 

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2019 Mum Sale Fundraiser

Good Morning!

Please find the 2019 Mum Fundraiser Form attached to this post. Credits from this sale will go directly to the student’s individual travel account.

Mum Form 2019_001

 

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Labor Day Parade 2019

Wilmington Labor Day Parade 9/2/19

Students report to A.I. duPont High School at 8:30 am in full uniform. We will take busses to the parade. It starts at 10:00 am.  It should be about an hour in length. It starts at 4th and King Streets, heads up King Street, and ends at Rodney Square. I am guessing that students will be back to AIHS around 11:15-11:30 am. Students needing a ride should call or text their parents when we load the bus to head back to school.

*If a student rides the bus with the band, they will need to ride the bus back to the high school unless a parent/guardian signs them out at the bus with Mr. Weaver. The busses will depart once all students and equipment is loaded. So please plan accordingly as we cannot wait.

**If a student lives near the parade route and wishes to meet us there they are responsible for bringing (or making arrangements for another student to help) any equipment they may need. Those students should meet us at 9:15 am around 2nd and King Street. Any student wishing to do this needs to have their parent/guardian email Mr. Weaver for permission by Thursday 8/28/19.

***Due to the Labor Day Parade, marching band practice will occur on Wednesday, 9/4/19 from 7:00-9:00 pm for that week.

2019 Labor Day Parada Flyer

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AIMB Sheet Music for Fall 2019

*Please Note: These files contain ALL parts. Please ONLY print the pages for your instrument using your printer settings. Otherwise, you will print A LOT of extra music. Generally, if there are 2 split parts, 9th & 10th grade students would play part 2 and 11th & 12th would play part 1 (i.e. Alto Sax 1 and Alto Sax 2). If there are 3 split parts, then 12th grade students would play 1st, 11th would play 1st or 2nd, 10th would play 2nd or 3rd, 9th would play 3rd (i.e. Trumpets 1, 2, & 3). Final part assignment will be determined during band camp and at the start of the school year.

Warm-Ups:

Comprehensive Warm-Ups (All Winds – aka Brass and Woodwinds – and Percussion)

Percussion Check Patterns (Winds should be able to clap the rhythmic patterns. Percussion should play on drums or pads)

Drum Rudiments (Percussion only)

ALL Winds and Percussion (Mallets) should also continually work to learn and memorize their major scales in Concert Pitch. Start with Concert F, Bb, Eb, & Ab, then add from there. (Winds should be able to play at least 1 of those scales to be in band, although 2 is preferred).

 

Pregame Music:

Olympic Spirit (We do not play measures 50-86. Cut those out when practicing.)

Fight Song

*National anthem music will be added during band camp.

 

Field Show Music:

1 – Holiday

1 – Audio from publisher

2 – Spirit In The Sky

2 – Audio from publisher

3 – Tainted Love

3 – Audio from publisher

4 – JC Superstar

4 – JC Superstar Drum Parts

4 – Audio from publisher

 

 

 

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Band Camp 2019

A.I. duPont Marching Band Camp 2019

Band Camp is for all students who wish to participate in the marching band. Practice takes place Monday-Thursday, from 6:00-9:00 pm for 2 weeks. The first night is Monday, August 12, 2019. We encourage ALL band students in grades 9-12 to participate. If you aren’t sure that you want to do marching band, at least come out for a few days and try it! You will LOVE IT!

Once school begins, we rehearse only one evening per week and perform at football games and local parades. It doesn’t take up too much of your time AND many band members also play fall sports!

Woodwind and brass musicians should be able to perform 2 of the following scales one octave – Concert F, Bb, Eb, Ab. Percussionists should have a knowledge of basic rudiments, rolls, etc. Students will be auditioned for placement over the course of band camp.

Dates for Band Camp:

8/12, 8/13, 8/14, 8/15 – 6:00-9:00 pm @ AIHS

8/19, 8/20, 8/21, 8/22 – 6:00-9:00 pm @ AIHS

Take time to inspect your instrument now. If it needs to be repaired, get it to the shop so that it will be in good working order for band camp.

Please arrive before 6:00 pm so that we can begin on time. Also, students being picked up should have their rides in the front parking lot by 8:55 pm. We never run past 9 pm.

There will be a brief parent/guardian meeting at 6:00 pm Thursday, 8/15/19.

We will rehearse both inside and outside (weather permitting). Please wear comfortable clothes and sneakers: no flip-flops or sandals! Be sure to eat dinner and drink plenty of fluids before practice (especially if you are participating in a fall sport).

For more information, please visit www.aibands.com and read the Director’s Blog (under “Media”). Sheet music is also available there.

Questions? Contact Mr. Weaver at richard.weaver@redclay.k12.de.us or 302-598-4114.

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4th of July Parade

Good Evening,

Just some reminders about the Hockessin 4th of July Parade tomorrow. I will be at school from 12:30-1:30 pm if anyone needs to pick up an instrument. If larger drums don’t fit in your car you can put them in my truck as long as there is room. We are NOT taking a bus to this event.

Dress in your Summer Uniforms (khaki shorts or pant, gold marching band t-shirt, and sneakers – NO Flip Flops. Sunglasses are ok to wear). If you don’t have a gold marching band t-shirt and need to buy one they are $8. I will not have any at the parade, so stop by the band room between 12:30-1:30 pm to get one.

Report time is 2:00 pm at Sycamore Hill Church (505 Schoolhouse Road, Hockessin, DE 19707). The Parade steps off from there at 3:00 pm and travels down Old Lancaster Pike and ends at Valley Road. The parade should only take about 30 minutes.

The band room will NOT be open after the parade. Please take your instruments home and practice music for the new field show. I can take large drums in my truck after the parade. If you don’t have the music, please stop by the band room to get it. I should also have it available to print online sometime next week.

Parents should pick up their students at the end of the parade route (park by Wawa, Two Cousins, etc.).

For parents and family members watching the parade: Park either by the beginning or end of the route, then walk down (or up) the road a bit to find a spot to view the parade. The review stand is usually by George and Sons Seafood.

Only band members and staff are permitted to be on the road with the band during the parade. Parents sometimes walk along the sidewalks during parades, but there are no sidewalks for most of this parade. Please find a place to watch, take pictures, videos, etc.  and do not attempt to walk along with the band.

Rich Weaver

 

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Summer Band Events 2019

2019 Summer Band Events

Good Afternoon!

Traditionally, the Tiger Marching Band participates in 2 parades over the summer. The St. Anthony’s Parade takes place this Sunday (6/16/19). Dress in summer uniforms and report to the band room by 12:30 pm. We will take a bus to the event, and will return to AIHS following the parade (around 3:15 p.m.). Please click on the attached document for more information.

The Hockessin 4th of July Parade takes place on Thursday, July 4th, at 3:00 p.m. There is not a bus for this event. Students report directly to Sycamore Hill Church in Hockessin. Report time is 2:00 pm. Please read the attached document for more details.

Band Camp take place at A.I. duPont High School for 2 weeks, Monday-Thursday, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The dates for this year are August 12, 13, 14, 15 & August 19, 20, 21, 22.

*PLEASE NOTE: Summer Parade are for students who were in band last year. Students should play the instrument that they played this past year. If you cannot make an event contact Mr. Weaver NOW by E-MAIL only! Missed events with less than 72 hours notice can negatively effect a student’s position in the band and they may be penalized and/or removed from the band at the discretion of the band director.

Contact me know if you have any questions and have a great summer break!

Richard F. Weaver

richard.weaver@redclay.k12.de.us

 

 

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