To our Marching Wildcat Students and Parents - WELCOME! Marching Band is one of the most visible groups at GBHS, performing at football games, community events, and of course competitions. The coming days and weeks will be incredibly busy, putting together our 2021 show COLOR VISION and getting ready for the season. It is a lot of hard work but the end result is a fantastic show, great memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime!

While this is my seventh year at GBHS, 15th year as a high school teacher, and 27th marching band season (33rd if you count drum corps) :-), it feels a lot like my first year in many, many ways (especially with a little one at home!) We have not had a "normal" marching season since 2019, which means we have two groups of new members this year! In fact, approximately 39% of the Marching Wildcats will be new members this year. Personally, I am excited to bring so many new students into this activity that I've spent most of my life doing, and I know the returning members are excited to march with a ton of new students along with their friends from previous school years.

Please take a moment to make sure you have all of the materials needed to have a great rehearsal every time. There is a list of things to bring to camp in this newsletter and your section leaders/captains/drum majors are a great resource. 

One piece of advice I have for everyone is to trust the process that is involved in marching band. So many things we do now can be quit quickly, and just like learning an instrument, learning how to march and play is not a place where you find instant success. Marching Band is a process over product activity. The show you learn now will look NOTHING like it will at the end of the season. By October you will be performing at a VERY high level - just be patient, trust the process, work as hard as you can, and ask lots questions! 

Parents, the biggest advice I can give you is to be as supportive as possible! Cheer as loudly as you can and GET INVOLVED! There are numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the season and school year and frankly, the students and I cannot do this without your help. Check the volunteer opportunity page frequently, check your emails and get involved! You will have a great time helping our students, I promise!

Thank you all, and I look forward to a successful 2021 season and school year!

-Mr. Ross

Our 2021 GBMW season is finally here and I am so excited to be a part of this talented and dedicated group. Our children, parents, and staff have overcome quite a bit over the last year and we all look forward to the opportunity for the kids to display their talents and engage in a full season of marching band. It is so rewarding to see how hard these kids work and how far they come throughout the season. 

Our season will kickoff with band camp starting August 16th for all members and continue full speed ahead. We have a busy season planned and will need your help to make it all happen. There are many opportunities to become involved and contribute to the band. Whether it’s your time, your talents, gifts, ideas or financial support, it takes a village to pull off a successful season. I look forward to meeting each of you and hearing from you with your ideas and ways we can all pull together and give our kids an exciting marching season.

Please feel free to text me at (757) 572-1975 or email at president@gbhsband.org

See you around band camp! 

Angie Moulton

GBBPA President

Freshmen and Sophomore Bridge (orientation) is happening on August 19th. If the schedule holds, that means freshmen will be finished with it around 11:30 AM. Band camp starts at 12:30, so you can either plan on bringing lunch to eat at GBHS before practice, or make arrangements to eat and be back on time for practice.

Sophomore Bridge happens during band camp, so you will miss a part of practice on 8/19. Plan on coming to rehearsal as soon as you can so we can get you caught up on what we work on!

Drumline, we were asked to perform at both bridge events in front of the school. I will share more info about that, but you might have to come to school early on the 19th to play for the freshmen as they come in, then come back for 12:30 practice and head back over to play for sophomores. I'll share more info at drumline camp.

Hello everyone!!! I cannot believe it is almost time for band camp to commence!! Band Camp starts on August 16th from 12:30-9pm. Please click here and be sure to bring the completed medical card with you on the first day!!!!! It is super important, and I need to have one from everyone participating.

Thank you very much to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer for camp so far. We cannot do it without you all! I will meet the 12-3P volunteers on the first day (8/16) in the band room.  

Thank you also to those of you who donated Gatorade. We are very appreciative of your donations! Please log on to the membership toolkit and sign up to volunteer for camp if you are able to help out. We need 3 volunteers per time slot; 3 time slots per day. My cell is 757-287-2653, or email at jamiechellew@gmail.com if you need to reach me.

Thank you,

Jamie Chellew

Band Camp Coordinator

Please be aware that all final marching dues payments are due no later than 8/16 (the first day of band camp). If you have made payments according to the proposed schedule, it leaves $225 for returning students or $250 for new students & color guard.

Checks, made payable to GBBPA, can be brought to the GBBPA meeting 8/10 or to the first day of band camp 8/16. Students can also drop payments in the band room green mailbox. 

If using PayPal with your checking account, please be mindful that the transaction fee should be added to the amount of your payment. Use PayPal to treasurer@gbhsband.org. Your marching dues account will be credited with the amount PayPal sends to GBBPA, which is net of the PayPal service fee (GBBPA does not bear the cost of the service fee.)

For example:

If your balance is $225, your PayPal transaction should equal $230.07.

If your balance is $250, your PayPal transaction should equal $255.58

(fee schedule is 1.99% + $.49 per transaction)

*However, when paying by credit card on PayPal, you will absorb the fee on your credit card.  There is no additional service fee passed on to GBBPA.

If you are unsure of your remaining balance or have any dues related questions, please reach out to Katie Nolan at treasurer@gbhsband.org. 

Any parent/guardian that plans on volunteering with the band program this year needs to complete a background check by our security staff. If you intend on volunteering in any capacity, please take a moment to complete this form! Mr. Ross would like to get it to security by 8/30/21, so if you can complete it before then that would be great. Thank you!

GBHS Band Volunteer Background Information Form

Here is a list of things to make sure you have at rehearsals!

Also, here's a printable list.

Working Instrument/Equipment (and accessories!)

Athletic Clothing (sneakers, shorts, hat, sunglasses, etc)

INSULATED Water Bottle (I prefer that you get a 1/2 gallon insulated bottle)

1.5 Inch 3 Ring Binder w/Plastic Sheet Protectors ORGANIZED!

Pencil (or two)

Sunscreen/Chap Stick (esp for our brass/woodwind players)

A backpack to put your stuff in

Rain Jacket (we will get rained on at some point)

Food for meal breaks (dinner is 5-6 most days of camp)

Smart Device for learning drill (your phone works)

A hip bag/fanny pack or some kind of way to hold your smart device while marching and playing/spinning equipment

There are other items too, but this is the most important stuff. Be prepared!

Report Dates for the different sections are below. Here are the first days and times you need to be at school for band camp:

Drumline/Guard - 8/9 at 6:00 PM is your first rehearsal

Brass/Woodwinds - 8/16 at 12:30 PM is your first rehearsal (yes, drums and guard will be there too!)

Click here for a printable document with important band camp report times and dates

1. Click here and complete your emergency medical card. Parents must complete the emergency medical card. Your student will not be allowed to participate without a completed card.
2. Be on time. Early is on time. Arrive at least 15 minutes before start time to get your instrument ready, get organized and walk to the field.
3. Hydrate and bring your own jug of water. Every day you must bring an insulated 1 gallon jug filled with cold water and label with your name. You may go inside the school and refill during your dinner break. Gatorade and water will be served during the 2 breaks. Drink plenty of water before and after camp and be sure to eat too. Drinking milk is not advised.
4. Apply sunscreen and bug spray!   Apply sunscreen before the camp start time and reapply during break times.
5. Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses and a hat/visor. 
6. Lace-up athletic shoes are required. No flip flops, sandals, or slip-ons.
7. You will be very, very sweaty. Bring extra socks/t-shirt to change during break times. Wear comfortable, moveable clothing.
8. Dinner break is 1 hour.  Students may leave or stay, but food is not provided. Please pack a meal or be back and ready to go on time.
9. Have fun! Keep your sense of humor and make new friends!
10. Follow directions. Listen to your band directors, drum majors, section leaders and squad leaders!

The specific dates and times are not yet available, but final uniform fittings will occur during band camp. Please be sure your student is ready with a close fitting t-shirt and compression shorts (black in color for for most students) that will be worn under the uniform. Also, band members will need to bring a pair of heavy black socks on the day that they are being fitted. They need to bring them, not wear them, because they will come in to try on Dinkles (shoes) in wet socks from the field.   

The uniform chair will also be looking for a team of volunteers that are able to serve on the uniform washing committee. These individuals will be asked to wash uniforms at their home after performances throughout the season. 

If you are willing to help with either the fitting of uniforms during camp or on the washing committee, please email Leigh Dunbar at leigh_dunbar@yahoo.com.

There are several chair positions that need filling to fully support the band and its normal activities. Many hands make the work lighter and the band experience better, so please consider serving in one of these capacities:

Business Sponsorships - Reaching out to local businesses to create relationships which foster community support of the band and request sponsorship at multiple levels. 

50/50 Raffle - Organize our 50/50 raffle at home football games.

Hospitality Chair - This is a great way to boost the morale of the band! The Hospitality Chair coordinates events throughout the year that add fun for the students and staff.  Want to help, but only have the ability to do one or two events?  This is a chair position that can be shared.

Dinner Nights Chair - This person schedules a few profit-sharing nights with local restaurants during the year and helps spread the word with submissions to the newsletter and coordination with our social media chair.

If volunteering in the spring is better for you, we are also looking for chairs for our chili cook off event and the spring craft show.

Please contact Angie Moulton at president@gbhsband.org with any questions or if you’re interested in serving in any of these roles.

Spirit Wear Coordinator - Are you eager to start volunteering with the band?  Do you want to start with a very time limited, easy commitment?  Jan Nelson is the current coordinator and is looking for somebody who wants to learn how to take on this role.  She will be coordinating Spirit Wear for this last year but would like to teach somebody the process, so you would be included on everything this year.  Prep for the Spirit Wear sale starts each year in June, with a sale in August, and delivery in September. If you're interested, please call or text Jan Nelson at 757-679-3870.   

There will also be opportunities to volunteer with our concession stands during home football games. We are looking for grillers, food wrappers, runners and people to sell items. Look for the volunteer opportunities in membership toolkit site soon.

The Spirit Wear Sale is your opportunity to purchase some Marching Wildcats swag for you and your band member.  As Jan Nelson said, "as a parent of a freshman, I wasn't quite sure what to order. I ordered a t-shirt and hoodie for my son and those were excellent choices, as he wore them throughout the years. I only ordered a t-shirt for myself, and I regretted not having something warmer to wear on the first cool evening at a football game. Now, as a parent of a Senior, I have continued to purchase items for myself and my son throughout the years and they have been worn or used frequently." 

If you plan on attending games, competitions, and volunteering throughout the school year, make sure you have something to show your Great Bridge Marching Wildcat spirit. There is an excellent selection of Spirit Wear this year, including items that are perfect for warm and cool weather, as well as great holiday gifts. All marching band members receive a tech shirt and a show shirt as part of their marching band fees, but all other items can be purchased from the Spirit Wear flyer.  

Come and check out some samples at the GBBPA meeting on August 10th. Spirit Wear will be on sale via online orders from August 10th through August 24th. The link to the sale will be posted on the Band App on August 10th and in the next newsletter. This is your one and only chance to order Spirit Wear for this school year. Don't miss out! 

If you have any questions, please contact Jan Nelson at docjan15@hotmail.com or 757-679-3870.  

There has never been a better time to start (or continue) buying Scrip cards to help raise funds for the marching band.  From August 10-31 the highest total rebate from one online order (physical, ecards or reloads) will be 100% Wildcat Dollar (WCD). This is good only on one order during these weeks (if you have multiple orders, we'll take the highest). If your August Incentive order is over $200 it does not count towards your running total of 5 orders for the 6th 100% WCD Incentive. (sorry - no double dipping... *grin*)  BUT it is a great opportunity for EVERYONE to earn 100% WCD no matter where you are in your counter!!

If you have never made an online order before you will still earn the 100% WCD incentive for your FIRST order!! And a second order placed during the bonus period will then be counted towards to the August Incentive.

So that means that EVERYONE who makes an online order between August 10 and August 31 will earn 100% WCD on at least one of their orders!!  

If this whole "Scrip talk" still sounds like a foreign language make sure to attend the GBBPA Meeting on Tuesday, August 10 to learn more and ask our Scrip Coordinator, Phaedra Link, any and all questions related to Scrip so you too can start Scrip-ing!  It really is FREE money.

For anyone wishing to place an order for physical cards, the next order deadlines are August 7th and August 20th at midnight.

You can reach our Scrip Coordinator, Phaedra Link, at Phaedra.Link@gmail.com or 757-759-5347.

Mr. Ross has been busy making preparations for the upcoming marching season and that, of course, means the need of new items. For those that might not realize, Mr. Ross updates an Amazon Wish List with items that are needed for the band program. The Great Bridge HS Band Wish List can be accessed on Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/genericItemsPage/3P6Y4DUU0YVKD

 Any donations are greatly appreciated!

Parents, if you have a question and you are not sure who to ask, please feel free to reach out the parent mentor listed below that corresponds to your student’s instrument for help. These parents are a wealth of knowledge and are ready to help you navigate being a band parent!

301 W. Hanbury Road

Chespeake VA 23322