Updated Marching Band Rough Outline & Schedule through October 17th (HERE. WE. GO - IT'S BUSY TIME!!!)

We will provide updates and more specific timing as each of these activities get closer. We ask that you set aside time blocks with the understanding that they will need adjusting based on the needs of the band.

• Tuesday 9/26: Rehearsal 6 - 9 PM (call time 5:45 PM); Parent Show will take place towards the end of the rehearsal at about 8:40 PM. The stadium gates will open for spectators at about 8:30 PM. We will still wrap up at about 9 PM; all marching band parents welcome to see this preview of the show!

• Friday 9/29:Snaking the halls during Stevenson's 5th Hour; Outdoor pep rally during 6th Hour (timing details TBA). Homecoming Parade (band assembles at Great Lakes Church on the NW corner of 17 Mile & Dodge Park) - parade steps off at 4:30 PM. Exact Band call time TBA. Hot dog dinner for band members between parade & game. Homecoming football game kicks off at 7 PM. Band plays an abbreviated halftime at homecoming.

• Sunday 10/1: Mini Home Camp 1, call time 9:45 AM. Rehearsal lasts from 10 AM until approximately 4 PM.

• Tuesday 10/3: Rehearsal 6 - 9 PM (call time 5:45 PM); Band Booster Parent Meeting @ 7 PM inside the school.

• Sunday 10/8: Mini Home Camp 2, call time 11:45 AM. Rehearsal lasts from 12 PM until approximately 4 PM. Students wear full uniforms to school so we can take a full-band photo first.

• Sunday 10/8: UCS Band-a-Rama @ Utica High School / Swinehart Field. Students will be bused to UHS following a dinner break at SHS. Admission is $5 cash at the gate (no advance tickets are sold). Event begins just before 7 PM with the band parading in to the stadium.

• Tuesday 10/10: Rehearsal 5 - 7 PM (call time 4:45 PM); The start and end times are different for this rehearsal due to Powerduff Football.

• Wednesday 10/11: Pre-festival after-school walk-through of show at SHS. Marching Band Festival at Troy High School; call time at SHS to ride buses to and from Troy. Exact times TBA; Expect to be at Stevenson from roughly 2:30 - 3:15 PM and then back to school by about 5:30 PM.

• Friday 10/13: Snaking halls during SHS 6th Hour; Call time back at SHS 5 PM for Soup Night dinner. Senior Night game kicks off at 7 PM.

• Tuesday 10/17: Tuesday Night Lights with junior high bands at Davis Junior High School (note location change). Call time TBA (anticipate around 5:30 / 6 PM).

NEXT Friday (Sept 29th) is the Homecoming Parade and Game!

The Band Booster parents would like to feed the kids in between the conclusion of the parade and the start of the game and are requesting donations to help complete the menu. In addition to food donations, volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve (you'll still be able to catch the parade from outside of SHS).

If you'd like to donate and/or help - visit www.stevensonbands.org/volunteer to signup!

Thanks so much for your assistance!!

• Please signup by next Tue evening (9/26) so the Boosters have a good idea of what (if anything) is needed for Friday
• Non-perishable donations can be dropped off at Stevenson anytime the school / band room is open
• Hot dog buns should be purchased no sooner than next Wed then delivered to school on Thu 9/28 or Fri 9/29 by 2 PM.

Here is our plan and timeline for this week's home football game – go Titans, beat Dakota!!

Different this week: dinner is on your own prior to arriving back at Stevenson

• Marchers will be in full uniform for the game (percussion and guard follow your adult instructors’ directions). Full uniform includes: white marching shoes, white socks and marching helmet. The band will provide plumes. We will not be using gloves. Uniforms may be brought to the Stevenson band room and hung on garment racks starting Thursday morning.
• The Stevenson Band Boosters will be selling cookies and other treats during the game. CASH SALES ONLY!
• Parents – extra hands are requested for these activities: Hanging senior banners on the fence in the stadium (4:30 PM) and helping with crowd control / getting the band in & out of the bleachers (just before kickoff and before/after halftime). If you can help, report to the appropriate spot at the above times. Thank you!
• Junior High / UAIS Marchers – don’t forget your instruments!
• Reminder: Students cannot leave the game early. We are on duty as a full band for the entire evening.
• Game tickets are required for spectators - and cash is not accepted at the gate for tickets (they will have a credit card reader). It is MUCH easier and faster to buy tickets online prior to arriving at SHS: gofan.co/app/school/MI10111

1:15 PM: Students from Davis, Heritage/UAIS, Jeannette, and the IRC may arrange for early dismissal to get to Stevenson to snake the halls. All marchers, including guard, are invited – this is not mandatory. Transportation to SHS is on your own. Parents should confirm an early dismissal with the attendance line at their school. Enter SHS through the main office.

1:30 PM: Stevenson marchers dismissed from their classes (at their teacher’s discretion) to report to the band room.

1:40 PM: Assemble in the band room, put instruments together, etc.

1:50 PM: Step off / snaking the halls. Wear a Stevenson Band shirt to school that day to snake the halls (we do not wear our full uniforms for snaking the halls).

2:14 PM: Stevenson dismissal. The band room will remain open after school (there will be an adult present). If you are planning on staying at SHS, you must plan for dinner on your own. There will be no food available this evening.

5:45 PM: Call time for all marching band members.

5:55 PM: Marchers must be fully dressed for the game.

6:00 PM: Full band lines up in the circle drive next to the auditorium.

6:05 PM: Warm-up.

Approx. 6:25 PM: Parade into stadium.

Approx. 6:40 PM: Stevenson Band Pregame on track.

Approx: 6:55 PM: Stevenson Band plays Star-Spangled Banner.

7:00 PM: Kickoff – Stevenson vs. Dakota.

Approx 8:15 PM: Stevenson Band performs as part of halftime. We will playing playing about 1/2 of our show (the first 2 songs).

Approx 9:45 PM: Postgame activities

Approx 10:00 PM: Dismissal. ALL MARCHING BAND UNIFORMS MUST GO HOME. DO NOT LEAVE THEM AT SCHOOL! Tip: Shoes and marching helmet can be carried in the garment bag.

As always, we do not control the length/timing of football games. All game-related times are best guesses based on an average game.

Here is our plan and timeline for our first home game on Friday – go Titans, beat Romeo!!

• Marchers will be in full uniform for the game (percussion and guard follow your adult instructors’ directions). Full uniform includes: white marching shoes, white socks and marching helmet. The band will provide plumes after dinner (weather permitting). We will not be using gloves. Uniforms may be brought to the Stevenson band room and hung on garment racks starting today.
• The Stevenson Band Boosters will be selling cookies and other treats during the game this evening. CASH SALES ONLY!
• Parents – extra hands are requested for these activities: Hanging senior banners on the fence in the stadium (4:30 PM), serving pizza (5:15 PM), helping with crowd control / getting the band in & out of the bleachers (just before kickoff and before/after halftime). If you can help, report to the appropriate spot at the above times. Thank you!
• Junior High / UAIS Marchers – don’t forget your instruments!
• Reminder: Students cannot leave early. We are on duty as a full band for the entire game.
• Game tickets are required for spectators - and cash is not accepted at the gate for tickets (they will have a credit card reader). It is MUCH easier and faster to buy tickets online prior to arriving at SHS: gofan.co/app/school/MI10111

1:15 PM: Students from Davis, Heritage/UAIS, Jeannette, and the IRC may arrange for early dismissal to get to Stevenson to snake the halls. All marchers, including guard, are invited – this is not mandatory. Transportation to SHS is on your own. Parents should confirm an early dismissal with the attendance line at their school. Enter SHS through the main office.

1:30 PM: Stevenson marchers dismissed from their classes (at their teacher’s discretion) to report to the band room.

1:40 PM: Assemble in the band room, put instruments together, etc.

1:50 PM: Step off / snaking the halls. Wear a Stevenson Band shirt to school that day to snake the halls (we do not wear our full uniforms for snaking the halls).

2:14 PM: Stevenson dismissal. The band room will remain open after school (there will be an adult present).

5:15 PM: Call time for all marching band members.

5:30 PM: Band Boosters will be serving pizza for dinner to marching band members. Marchers – do not eat with your uniform jackets on!

5:55 PM: Finish getting dressed (jackets on, etc)

6:05 PM: Full band lines up in the circle drive next to the auditorium

6:10 PM: Warm-up

Approx. 6:30 PM: Parade into stadium

Approx. 6:45 PM: Stevenson Band Pregame on track

Approx: 6:55 PM: Stevenson Band plays Star-Spangled Banner

7:00 PM: Kickoff – Stevenson vs. Romeo

Approx 8:15 PM: Stevenson Band performs as part of halftime. We will playing playing about 1/2 of our show (the last 2 songs).

Approx 9:45 PM: Postgame activities

Approx 10:00 PM: Dismissal. ALL MARCHING BAND UNIFORMS MUST GO HOME. DO NOT LEAVE THEM AT SCHOOL! Tip: Shoes and marching helmet can be carried in the garment bag.

Romeo parade info!

• Call time on Monday morning at Stevenson- 10:30 AM (drumline and guard, follow instructions from your adult instructors).
• Summer uniforms- White shoes, white socks (as instructed on Tuesday), navy blue Titan shirt (with the muscle Titan on the back). Guard, follow the instructions from your coaches.
• Eat a good breakfast & hydrate, hydrate, hydrate starting on Sunday! Bring a disposable water bottle with you to drink on the bus ride to Romeo.
• Strongly recommended- bring a sack lunch to eat in the staging area. If time allows, and if there are vendors set up, students MAY be able to walk to the downtown area and purchase a quick lunch - but we are never 100% certain if we will have time (we don't know where we are in the parade lineup until we arrive in Romeo). The Band Boosters do not bring food.
• Junior High & UAIS band members MUST take their instruments home with them at the end of the parade for their band class on Tuesday.
• Students MAY go home with a parent instead of riding the bus, with these restrictions:
  1. The student MUST provide a note from their parent to their bus chaperone at departure from SHS stating they will be not riding the bus home.
  2. Parents driving their kids home MUST walk to our pickup area (last year the buses were parked at the 5/3 Bank at the corner of Van Dyke and Durham St.) to retrieve their student. You will have to walk along the sidewalk following the band after we pass your location. If the buses are ready to leave and you are not there, you will have to pick up your student at SHS. We cannot hold the buses or leave students behind.

Parade steps off at 1:30 PM

Peach Festival Info: www.romeopeachfestival.com

Band Camp - Done! Time to think about pumpkin spice!!

Okay ... maybe not... but how about a MUM SALE?

The Band Boosters will be taking orders for 9" potted mums through August 29th for delivery/pickup on Sept 19th at SHS.

Order and pay online only at www.stevensonbands.org/mum-sale

click to download the image above as a printable pdf

Today was launch day for our Vertical Raise Fundraiser

Marching band parents, if you received a text from your student today about this fundraiser (you should have) - it was completely legit!

This fundraiser has been successful for not only the Stevenson Band, but also at Davis and Jeannette during the 2022-23 school year.

When this fundraiser was first launched in the midst of Covid limitations in 2021, it helped us tremendously with the loss Tag Day - of one of our biggest fundraisers.

Instead of sending kids out on the streets over a weekend, this online-only initiative is much safer for our students.

Participation in this fundraiser only requires the sharing of e-mail addresses and text numbers of the people that you think would like to support the Stevenson Band program without having to buy "stuff".

There is also a way to share your student's personalized link via social media.

We TOTALLY understand that band is an expensive endeavor for you personally! That's why the hope is that you can reach out to your network of supporters to help - people that would like to support your student but aren't interested in buying things like pizza kits, wrapping paper, or candy.

Proceeds help offset the costs of the Instrumental Program that are passed on to parents.

Please know that Vertical Raise does not sell or use the contact information you provide for anything other than requesting participation in the fundraiser for your student.

Thank you for your participation!

Good Sunday afternoon!

As we continue our preparations for away camp, we are sharing Michindoh's food allergy and special dietary needs policy.

For those with food concerns, please visit the Michindoh web site to view their policy at: www.michindoh.com/_files/ugd/f8d373_b28e7b72dd474f62b2d5400ed7090f60.pdf.

It's important to understand that in a camp setting special accommodations can't be made for picky eaters and that there are always alternatives to the buffet-style offerings at each meal.

Michindoh can serve a wide variety of guests with allergies and special dietary needs. However, when allergies/needs are compounded, it may limit Michindoh’s ability to plan and prepare menus. In these cases, guests may be asked to bring their own meal items. PB&Js and cereal are available as alternatives at every meal. Very picky eaters are encouraged to bring supplementary items.

A list of food allergies and foods that students cannot eat for various reasons has been shared with Michindoh so that they can prepare options to accommodate our students. This list was compiled from the information that was provided when students were registered for Marching Band.

The published menu from Michindoh will be provided to us later this week and shared with everyone.

Thanks!

Dear parents / potential band volunteers,

It is the policy of Stevenson High School principal Mr. Cucchi and myself that our band volunteers complete and submit a fresh background check every school year. You must submit the form a least two weeks before you anticipate taking on a volunteer assignment.

Background checks that were submitted prior July 1, 2023 are no longer valid for the upcoming school year, including for our band camps next month.

Click to download the 2023-24 Band Background Check Form

Blank forms (on paper) are available in the Band Room which is open during Guard (10am - noon) & Percussion (6pm - 8:30pm) sectionals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Forms are in a plastic tub on the desk in the front of the room.

Return completed forms to the Band Room; place them in the Blue Box in the front of the room (located underneath the American flag).

This policy is in place for the protection of your children. Completing the background check form only takes a few minutes of your time and is extremely helpful to me to know that anyone age 18 and older that has access to our band members has been cleared by the school district to volunteer.

Employees of Utica Community Schools or EduStaff may present their valid school ID (or proof of employement) instead of completing a background check.

So that we can maintain an internal list of cleared volunteers, we do ask that a separate background check be submitted through the band - even if you anticipate volunteering in another Stevenson program or in another UCS school.

Thank you,
Mr. Sekich

All Summer Sectionals are being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Beginning tonight, June 13:

• Percussion (drumline & frontline): 6p - 8:30pm
• no rehearsals on July 4 and July 6

Beginning Tuesday, June 20:

• Color Guard: 10a - 12p
• no rehearsals on July 4 and July 6

Beginning Tuesday, July 11:

• Flutes: 10a - 12p
• Trumpets: 10a - 12p
• Clarinets: 10:30a - 12p
• Alto Saxes & Mellophones: 12p - 2p
• Low Brass: 6p - 8p

Note: Stevenson cannot be used for sectionals unless there is a staff member with building access present - even if there are other activities taking place inside. Parents - this is for your students' safety - please help us enforce this policy.

Marching Band Section Reminds

These student-organized and student-led Remind lists are for students and parents to stay on top of section-specific activities through the summer (such as sectional locations, fundraisers, etc).

• Clarinets: @202324clar
• Flutes: @6286kb8
• Saxes & Horns: @saxesho
• Trumpets: @8389bk7
• Low Brass: @lbka23
• Percussion: @8c732h
• Guard: does not use Remind

Text the above code to 81010 to join, or use the code in the Remind app.