Band Camp Email #2 – July 19th
Hello 2024 Marching Thunder!
I hope that you all are staying cool during this very warm summer. I hope that this break from the 90º+ weather lasts.
As I mentioned in my previous email, there is much more information for you about band camp and the year to come. Please read through all of this thoroughly AND check with your friends that are marching to be sure they received this email as well. Some students have provided email addresses that are not checked very often.
Where is the Band Room?
Camp will begin Aug. 8th in the band room at 2pm. You can enter the Henderson Center from any entrance, but the best way to get to the band room is through the door across from the tennis courts (the south side of the building).
Band Camp Dates & Itinerary
The band camp itinerary is attached and should be fairly accurate. You can also find the basic camp schedule here on our website. There may be a few adjustments as camp progresses, but for the most part this is what it should be. As you look at the long band camp days, keep in mind that we have multiple shows to learn, Week of Welcome events to participate in, and substantial meal breaks throughout.
Move-in & Official Camp Check-in
If you are living on campus, you need to register with campus housing to move into your dorm early. You can register with housing by using this link here. Move-in for us is on Aug. 8th from 9am-12pm. Again, the extra cost for moving in early is covered by us. After move-in, you will have some time to get settled, get lunch, and officially check-in for band camp. Camp check-in can be done in person, in the band room, from 12pm-2pm in the band room office (signs provided). However, you can get that out of the way early if you like. The Official Camp Check-in Link is now active and available, BUT please finish reading this email first. You’ll want to read the handbook and learn about the camp fees first.
Band Camp Fee
There is a band camp fee for all students, but considering everything, this is a minimal fee. Camp fees for all woodwind, brass, and percussion students is $135. The camp fee for color guard, majorettes, and feature twirlers is $95. These fees help to cover several meals, member apparel, equipment, activities, and more. The difference in the amount is because the visual ensemble doesn’t get all the same apparel as the rest of the band. They have some additional fees for their specific items.
Like the camp check-in, you can take care of the camp fees ahead of time by clicking one of the following links.
I’m a woodwind, brass, or percussion performer.
I’m a color guard, majorette, or feature twirler.
Additional Fees (New)
Starting this year, there is an equipment/instrument rental fee paid to the School of Music. This fee helps with the upkeep of our equipment, instrument inventory, and repairs. This fee must be paid before the end of the first week of classes (Aug. 23rd). A link to pay this fee will be provided.
Band Camp Meals
Dinners for the first 8 days of camp will be provided for all members. This will either be provided by catering food from a local restaurant or covering the cost of a meal at Harless dining hall.
Breakfast – This is on your own and we urge you to eat something before you come to rehearsal. Please stock up your housing with some breakfast meal items if you don’t want to go out to eat every morning. Below is a list of restaurants in walking distance.
Lunch – This is also on your own. You are more than welcome to, again, stock up your fridge with lunch items. We have worked out a few additional options at local establishments for a reduced cost for select items on their menu.
Fall meal plans do not activate until Aug. 15th. At which point, you are welcome to use that meal plan where you want on campus (all on-campus food establishments will be open starting the 15th).
Home Game Meal Option (New)
Last year, we provided meals for everyone before every home game. We often had a lot of left overs as some didn’t take part in the provide meal. So, this cost is being passed on to those who would like to participate in the game-day meal option for an additional $60. This is only $10 a meal. You can pay for this when band camp begins, or you can click on the link below:
I would like to opt in to the game-day meal plan for $60.
2024 Performance Schedule
We try to lock in our performance schedule as much as possible prior to the start of the academic year, but sometimes an event or request comes up for which we are requested to perform. The performances provided here are locked in and must be added to your schedule, as all performances are for a grade (see handbook for more on this).
- 16th – Herd Rally (Downtown)
- 31st – Home vs. Stony Brooke (Band Day)
- 7th – Away game VT (Travel)
- 21st – Sissonville H.S. (tentative)
- 28th – Home vs. W. Michigan
- 5th – Homecoming vs. App. State
- 17th – Thursday vs. Georgia St.
- 26th – Tri-State Marching Championships
- 2nd – Home vs. ULM
- 16th – Home vs. CCU
- 7th – (not very) Possible SBC Championship Game
- 14th – Jan. 4th is Bowl Season. All probably bowl games for us will most likely occur before the new year. If we make a bowl – it is our intention to travel.
Marching Thunder Handbook
The handbook, similar to most band programs, is our syllabus, guidebook, rulebook, and a great source of information about the program. Some of these items we will discuss and answer questions on the first day of camp, but it is your responsibility to read through everything. When you check-in for camp (via the provided link), either early or on the first day of camp, you will sign off that you have read and understand the handbook completely.
You can find the Marching Thunder handbook online here. You are free to download it and refer to it whenever you need.
Last Minute Reminder!
Here are a few items that I wanted to remind you from my previous email:
- Early Move-in Registration – click here to register with housing
- Download your apps – UDBpro, Beam, Flare, Healthy Roster
- Get a physical and documentation to upload into Healthy Roster (more to come)
- Register for the Marching Thunder course (MUS 466)
The staff and I are excited to get started and to meet all the many new faces this year. We have so many new members joining and the number of students returning is going up every year! Things are looking great!
See you in about 2 and half weeks!
One Family,
Herd Pride,
We are Marshall