Southerners Band Camp

FROM THE DIRECTORS
An Exciting Season Ahead! (A message from Mr. B)

Hello Southerners! Band camp will be here before we know it and I can’t wait! I am looking forward to making the move back to Jacksonville. Although I have had a great experience working on my doctorate, I am ready to get back into “teacher” mode. I can almost hear the drum line echoing around campus with warm ups, wind sectionals in the back ground, a trumpet player paying high notes from the front porch of Mason Hall, flags going up in the air and Ballerinas working on Quilting Party!!!! And of course the moment that everyone come together for the first time and we unleash the power of the Southerners with our first playing of Salvation.

I am especially excited about this year’s production, “Of Thee I Sing.” This show will be a bit of a different and fresh “twist” for the Southerners and our audience alike. The middle section of the show could perhaps create one of the most emotional impacts that we have ever had on an audience. Needless to say the final push of the show along with the ending tag will send our fans over the edge!

Please mark your calendar now for band camp. This year we will be starting ROOKIE CAMP on Friday, August 7th with the vets returning on Sunday, August 9th. Everyone that plans to be a member of the 2009 Marching Southerners MUST attend band camp. Also, everyone MUST pre-register for band camp... even returning members. You will find the online registration form. For those of you that work, please talk to your employers now so that you will be able to attend all of camp. We cannot excuse anyone. As you prepare for the fall, make sure that MTWF 4:15pm - 5:45pm and TH 6:00pm - 8:00pm is open in your schedule for rehearsals.

If you plan to live in a dorm for band camp, you must check in on Friday, August 7 from 1pm to 3pm. (This goes for both rookies and vets!!) Students that are in drum corps this summer will be allowed to come to band camp after the initial rookie and vet registration/check-in dates, however; they must report to band camp no later than Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm. (Dorm check in will be from 11am – 1pm for people arriving on that day). At that time, we will begin setting the drill.

I hope that each and every one of you has a wonderful summer. As mentioned earlier, I am looking forward to seeing everyone again at camp and welcoming all of the new members into our family. Get ready to make a lot of WONDERFUL memories, its going to be a great season.

If you have any questions, please click on the Leadership Staff and e-mail your section leader or a drum major. Also, feel free to contact the band office at 256-782-5562.

- Mr. B

FROM THE DRUM MAJORS

Southerners,

Hello to all the upcoming rookies as well as returning vets. The other drum majors along with the section leaders are ecstatic about the upcoming season. For those of you who came to Reading Band, you know that the music is going to be something that the audience has never seen the Southerners perform. This will by far be the most exciting, emotional, and exhilarating show that the Marching Southerners have ever done. The section leaders have started contacting you and they have all of the show music that is ready to be sent . They cannot wait to begin working with you. If you haven’t heard from them already, get in contact your section leaders so they can give you music, dates, and information. Watch the Southerners forum and your email for news about sectionals that will be held this summer to get ahead on the music! This will give us a head start on our fall production.

If you have any questions about the fall, feel free to email any of us and we will do all we can to help you! Go to the main website NOW and register for band camp!!! See you very soon and start practicing.

Blow Southerners!

- Ryan, Tony, Peter, and Allison

FROM THE DRUMLINE

Hello Everyone,

I hope that everyone has been enjoying their summer and working hard since the May auditions. This is going to be a great year to be a member of the JSU Drumline. Mr. Gillespie is already hard at work on the show music and I know it will be fantastic. I just want to give you all a few reminders for band camp. Make sure you bring a notebook with plastic sleeves for sheet music, a pair of sticks that are TAPED, and most importantly a great attitude. There will be a lot of hard work, but it will all be worth it once you see what you’ve accomplished. Make sure to mark you calendars for the following summer rehearsals: June 27, July 11, and July 25 from 10am-5pm for batterie percussion only. We will be getting show music at these rehearsals so please make sure you make it. Again, I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and make sure you are PRACTICING to make this year one of the best. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me @ 678-378-5855 or at Southernersdrumline@gmail.com.

- Taylor Cash
Drumline Captain