Attention: If you want to go with the band to Freeport, Grand Bahamas, you need to make a payment at Waycross Bank and Trust as soon as you can. Account #190 4416 band boosters account. Make sure your name is on the deposit.

Attention all-You must pay your school fines before band camp starts. Board of Education policy

To all the 2008-2009 Ware County Golden Gators:

I hope your summer vacation is off to a good start! Plans are coming together quickly for the upcoming football season and it looks great! This year's show will consist of a reprise of "House of the Rising Sun", "Black Magic Woman", “Anyway you Want it”, “Big Noise From Winnetka”, and "American Salute." The music will be technical as well as extremely challenging. I believe you will enjoy playing it. Just plan to practice so the band will be fantastic. This year the band looks strong with between 160 and 175 marching. In the past year, the board of education has bought all new drums, which are in, new tubas, baritones, mellophones, and piccolos. The auxiliaries will also be in new uniforms. I expect this to be quite a face lift.

I have 6 or 7 spots open in the show for students who did not attend rookie camp or make up for discipline reasons if those students get in to see Mr. Byrd before camp starts. You must attend make up to be a starter so expect to be at Ware Co. High July 14 to get a spot in the band. Band will be a lot of fun if you have a positive attitude and stay in shape. Be READY for a Great Band Camp! If you will come to camp with an expectation for good things, I guarantee you a fun and successful year. REMEMBER..."DEDICATION WILL MAKE US GREAT". If you do your part, the Golden Gator Band could be very good!

This letter is your official "BAND CAMP LETTER," so read it carefully and MARK what pertains to you. Remember, if you miss something, IGNORANCE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE. YOU ARE TO BE AT ALL JULY AND AUGUST SESSIONS ON YOUR CALENDAR. TO HAVE AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM BAND CAMP IS TO BE DISMISSED FROM ALL BAND ACTIVITIES. YOU MUST BE PRESENT. There will be alternates and shadows as we had last year. Be there and on time to make sure you keep a field position.

First, our football schedule has a change. September 19 is no longer open as we play Stephenson from Atlanta at home this date. The game on Oct. 3 has been canceled so mark your schedule. We are now hoping to attend marching contest on Sept. 27 in Phoenix City if you can learn and perfect your show in time. THIS IS A CHALLENGE! GOOD LUCK ACHIEVING THE TRIP TO PHOENIX CITY.

Our schedule will include participation in all high school football games, two or three marching contests, and two parades. In addition, this year we will take a major trip to perform in the Bahamas in March. Our band should march between 165 and 190 members in grades 9-12, depending on the eligibility status of our members. Be mindful of the fact that you must pass three courses to stay eligible to participate in ALL SPORTS AND BAND - DO NOT OVERLOAD this fall with BAND, SCHOOL, AND A JOB. If I find out that your grades are suffering, I will make you choose. Those of you who must work should try to only work on the weekend so you can keep up your grades. DO NOT OVERDO IT! GRADES ARE NUMBER ONE! EVERY YEAR AT GRADUATION, THE MAJORITY OF HONOR GRADUATES DID NOT HAVE A JOB. SCHOOL WAS THEIR JOB!

Plans for band camp have been worked out. Keep checking the web site for details. Drum Camp and make up Rookie Camp will be July 14, and Auxiliary and Drum Majors start July 16! Full Band Camp will start Monday, July 21, and last through Friday, July 25. See the calendar for camp schedule. We will perform basic block and part of our show Friday, July 25 at 4:00 for all the parents and friends of the Ware County High School Band who can attend. The show will consist of the week's work, not a polished half-time show, but the best possible in a week. Come to band camp ready to WORK! Remember that BAND CAMP IS A REQUIRED PART OF BEING IN BAND. Plan your doctor's appointments for the week before or the week after July 27. This week is very important to the band's success. CALL MR. BYRD OR MR. BUSSEY AT 287-2375 JULY 9-11 FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

AT BAND CAMP AND PRACTICE, WEAR COOL, COMFORTABLE CLOTHES WITH WELL-BROKEN-IN TENNIS SHOES AND A HAT (NO FLIP-FLOPS) -- HORNS AND DRUMLINE -- WE WANT OUR UNIFORMS WELL CARED FOR. YOU MUST HAVE $38 CLEANING FEE TO PICK UP YOUR UNIFORM, AND BLACK PATENT SHOES ARE $22. TOTAL UNIFORM=$60. THIS MONEY WILL BE USED TO CLEAN YOUR BAND UNIFORM FIVE TO SEVEN TIMES THIS YEAR. JACKETS WILL BE CLEANED AFTER HOME GAMES, AND THE FULL UNIFORM BEFORE CONTESTS. YOU WILL ALSO BE GIVEN A BAND T-SHIRT AND A GARMENT BAG WHICH YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO KEEP YOUR UNIFORM IN ON TRIPS TO KEEP IT IN BETTER SHAPE. WE ARE PLANNING TO PROVIDE A SANDWICH AND/OR PIZZA WITH A DRINK AT THREE AWAY FOOTBALL GAMES INCLUDED IN THIS FEE.

Please refer to the calendar on the web site, and DISREGARD OLD CALENDARS!

Important Needs:
1. Two parents to help hand out uniforms July 21-23 and make-ups July 24.
2. Parents to help with Band Booster projects should contact President Annette Perritt. Projects include Band Camp, Ford BBQ on Sept. 6, Programs, Pit Crew, Program Sales, Half-Time Refreshment, Senior Night, port-a-pit on Oct. 30, and many more projects. Volunteer and plan to help us make this a fantastic year. We definitely need your help and support.

Students will receive credit toward the Bahamas trip for participation.

JOIN THE BAND BOOSTERS! In order for a student to receive a band jacket, parents are required to be band boosters for 3 yrs. Jackets are given out Junior and Senior years.

Parents who help with projects and with the program will get first priority on chaperoning this fall and other trips. Please help. Call 287-2375 to help during Band Camp.