Purple Regiment Family:
It is hard to believe it is already October and we still haven’t had a public performance! It has been almost 50 years since I’ve gone through the month of September without doing some type of performance. It is different but fortunately, we will get a chance to perform next week which is why I am contacting you today. Some of you may have seen on our calendar that NHS is playing South Pointe in football tonight. Since that calendar was sent out, the football schedule has changed, and we will NOT be performing tonight. You can find an updated calendar here.
Next Tuesday, October 6, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm is our first after school rehearsal at the band practice field. This is a mandatory rehearsal. Additionally, I have asked that all available students to attend a rehearsal on Monday, October 5th during 4th block so we can start reviewing all of the information we need to cover before our first performance. I know there are many students with transportation concerns, which is perfectly understandable. Monday is an A/Purple attendance day, so only those students can attend school all day. B/Gold students, if you can make arrangements to be in attendance for the rehearsal please do so, if not, there will be an assignment for you to complete from home.
Our first game is Friday, October 9, at District 3 Stadium on Cherry Road and it will be Homecoming. Students should be dropped off on Stadium Street across from the field house by 6 pm. After the game, you will be able to pick students up in the same area.
Students will be able to contact you when the game is nearing an end so you know when to pick them up. Due to COVID-19 protocols, the band will be seated on the visitor’s side of the stadium, and a block of seats next to the band will be reserved for band parents. If you would like to purchase tickets for the game please click here and select “Away General Admission.”
Another change is that administration has decided to move Senior Night to October 23, when NHS plays Rock Hill High. I will get additional information out to the seniors next week regarding escort information and any changes we might need to make due to COVID-19 protocols. That same weekend we will also host the Olde English Festival of Bands Exhibition at District 3 Stadium. A final schedule hasn’t been set yet, but it looks like it will be about two hours long and we should be finished early enough for everyone to enjoy dinner at home that evening.
Lastly, we will have a Band Booster Meeting on Zoom Monday evening at 7:00. Please plan to attend the meeting as I will discuss in more detail all the events mentioned above as well as additional information regarding opportunities for the students. We will also wrap up the mattress sale and start our annual fruit sale. As with all our meetings, it should be less than an hour and will include booster information as well as specific information regarding future events, performances, and opportunities involving the students. The link for the meeting will be sent over the weekend, and I hope to see you on the screen Monday evening.
I hope you have a great weekend,
Mark Yost
Director of Bands
Northwestern High School
