Marching Experience

We are happy to present an opportunity for our 8th grade students to mix and mingle with our high school marching band! The following is the schedule for the night.

Thursday, September 18th, 7:00 pm

Eagle Stadium @ BMS

• Please have your student to the BMS Band Room to grab their materials at least 10 minutes prior to the event. Since this is a combined RMS/BMS/HHS event, we cannot start until ALL students are present.

• Students who are involved with a fall sport should contact their coaches concerning any conflicts! Any conflicts can be worked with. This night is fun and we look forward to giving your student their best first impression of high school!

• Students should wear lace up athletic shoes to march in and bring a sweatshirt or jacket to wear as the sun and temperature drops. 

• In case of inclement weather, we will hold the event inside BMS. We hold this event rain or shine!

Schedule

• 7:00pm - Welcome by Mr. VanderWall

• 7:15pm - Performance of show by the marching band (come watch!)

• 7:40pm - Students will rotate through different stations involving marching and music aspects.

• 8:20 - Sectional/Social Time

• 8:30pm - Full ensemble performance (come watch!)

• 8:45pm - Band juice and cookies! Students are free to leave.

Please reach out to Mrs. Koella with any questions.

Solo and Ensemble

Registration and Payment Due by Wednesday, September 24.

Solo and Ensemble is an excellent opportunity for students to take their playing to the next level, play with friends, build confidence, and receive individualized attention and feedback! Students have enjoyed this opportunity each year and have done very well!

Time Commitment

Students can sign-up for for a performance during the following time slots: 

Early (8am-11am) Middle  (11am-2pm) Late (2pm-4:30pm)

• The total time commitment for the day is about 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

• Students will check in, warm up, perform, and get their rating and medal then are free to enjoy the rest of their day.

• Students will prepare their music ahead of time and perform for a friendly and encouraging judge who will give them positive, constructive feedback to help them improve their overall playing.

Groups

• Students can sign-up for a solo (with piano accompaniment), duet (2 students), trio (3 students). It is highly recommended that groups are not over 4 people to support the greatest level of success and ease scheduling.

• Students may participate in multiple events (ie solo and duet/trio)

Solos

• If a student is performing a solo, they are required to have piano accompaniment. Mrs. Koella will help with finding a piano accompanist. The typical charge for an accompanist is $30-40 for the rehearsal time they spend with the student and for the performance. This may be more or less depending on the accompanist and number of rehearsals. 

Ensembles

• All students in an ensemble must attend in order to receive a rating. Students should choose a group they know they can rely on to work hard, rehearse numerous times together, and show up on the performance day.

Music

• Mrs. Koella will help students select music. Students should plan on beginning to practice this music regularly as soon as they get it so they have a better chance of success. 

• If your student has a piece in mind they would like to play please check with Mrs. Koella that it is an appropriate selection for the event. 

• Students will need to sign up for 2 coaching sessions with Mrs. Koella before their performance: 1 in the initial rehearsing stage, and 1 in the final touches stage. Students will be able to sign up for times before school, during lunch, or select days after school. This schedule will come out at a later date.

Registration and Cost

• Registration, the signed form below,  and payment is due by Friday, January 31. 

• $15 per solo, plus accompanist cost

• $10 per member of an ensemble

• Please make checks out to Hudsonville Public Schools or pay with cash. 

• If the cost is prohibitive please talk with Mrs. Koella so we can work out a solution!

Rewards!

• Students who participate will receive:

  • A pizza party at lunch!

  • 3 coupons that exempt the student from an assignment that they can redeem at any time.