Our very first festival is rapidly approaching! The students have been working very hard and we are all excited to get some feedback from judges. On September 20th we will be participating in the Johnston Marching Band Clinic. This festival is adjudicated, but non-competitive. We will be judged by a full panel of judges who will provide us with written and recorded comments. After the performance we will also receive a live clinic with guest clinician who will go through a video of our show and provide tips and thoughts for improvement. This is a great way for us to start off our competitive season and we certainly hope that you will all come out and cheer us on!

We will load all uniforms and equipment onto the trailer after the game on Friday.

On Saturday, students should wear clothing that will allow them to change into their marching uniform without needing a private changing room. Students should not wear jeans under their uniform. They also need to bring their unique duffle bag with their marching shoes, reeds, valve oil, gloves, and any other items they need. We will depart from and return to Northview Middle School.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE DEPART AT 6:40AM. THAT MEANS THAT STUDENTS NEED TO BE ON THE BUS AND WE HAVE TIME TO TAKE ATTENDANCE AND STILL LEAVE AT 6:40AM. PLEASE HELP YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER REMEMBER TO SET THEIR ALARM TO ALLOW FOR THEM TO BE ON TIME! Part of the students’ preparation on Saturday morning needs to be a good breakfast so they have the fuel they need to perform at their best.

It is important that if you plan on bringing your son or daughter home with you from the contest, that you notify Mr. Hook by noon on Friday.

Itinerary: Saturday, September 20, 2014
6:30am – Arrive at NV and Load busses 6:40am — Depart AHS
7:10am — Arrive in Johnston
8:00am — Warm-up

9:15am — Gate
9:20am – Performance
9:40am – Clinic
10:10am – Change and Load
11:00am – Depart Johnston
11:30am — Arrive at NV

The following information comes from the director at Johnston:
We are pleased that your high school marching band will be performing at the Johnston Marching Invitational on Saturday, September 20th. This email is to invite you to attend this great annual event and give you some information that might be helpful to you in preparation for attending.

Johnston High School and our stadium is located at 6501 NW 62nd Avenue in Johnston. It is probably most easily accessed from Merle Hay Road. You will turn west off of Merle Hay Road on to NW 62nd and the high school is located on your right. Spectator parking for the invitational is right next to our stadium. We are asking that spectators park in the south end of our parking lot. The north end of our parking lot will be reserved for band equipment and buses. All spectators should enter the stadium at the south stadium entrance. Admission for the Johnston Marching Invitational is $5 for all spectators age 5 and up (under 5 is free). We think this is an exceptional bargain for a day’s entertainment. We also hope you will take advantage of our concession stands, which will offer a wide variety of food and beverage options.

9:00am- Johnston
9:20am- Centennial
9:40am- Valley
10:00am- Southeast Polk
10:25am- Dallas Center Grimes
10:45am- Cedar Rapids Kennedy
11:05am- Cedar Rapids Prairie
11:25am- Dowling Catholic
12:40pm- Waukee
1:00pm- Urbandale
1:25pm- Ankeny
1:45pm- Des Moines East
2:05pm- Cedar Rapids Washington