Information
by John Hewett
April 13, 2009
April 9, 2009
308 Corning Street
Red Oak, Iowa 51566
Dear Director:
I am pleased that you and your band will be participating in the
Red Oak Middle School/Richard Simpson Memorial Band Festival on May
2, 2009. We hope the festival will be a positive learning
experience for your students.
This letter contains the information you will need for the contest.
I would like to ask that you e-mail or fax the following
information to me as soon as possible so that I can complete your
ballots before the festival.
1. School Name
2. HS IHSMA Class
3. Number of students in your band
4. Number of students in your middle school by grade (Ex. ROMS 7th
Grade = 89.)
5. Number of rehearsals each week and length of rehearsal.
6. Beginning year of band participation (Ex. ROMS begins in 6th
Grade).
7. Title, Composer, and Publisher of your selections.
FESTIVAL
INFORMATION
The Festival will be held at RED OAK HIGH SCHOOL. Bands will warm
up in the high school band room and perform in the high school
Auditorium.
Red Oak will provide the following equipment:
4 Timpani 1 Set of Orchestra Bells
1 Concert Bass Drum 1 Xylophone
1 Set of Chimes
No other percussion equipment will be provided.
In order for the Festival to run smoothly some basic rules need to
be followed by participating bands:
1. Borrowing from the IHSMA recommendations, please remind your
students that they are “guests in someone else’s house”. We have
had problems the last few years with noise in the auditorium as
bands are performing, food and drink in the auditorium, and noise
in the lobby outside the auditorium. Please remind your students to
treat other bands with the same respect they would expect as they
perform.
2. Students will be allowed in the following areas of the high
school: Gymnasium, Cafeteria, Band Room, and Auditorium.
ALL OTHER AREAS ARE OFF LIMITS – DO NOT PLAY INSTRUMENTS IN THE
GYM.
3. All schools will store equipment, clothes, bags, etc. in the
gym. We ask that once you are finished with your performance you
put your equipment on your bus to ensure enough room for later
bands. We also suggest you have someone with your equipment at all
times. The Red Oak Community Schools will not be responsible for
lost or stolen items.
4. There are restrooms available near the cafeteria. These are
small, so do not plan on large numbers of students changing at one
time. It is strongly suggested that your students wear their
concert dress to the festival to avoid problems.
5. There will be a concession stand available in the cafeteria all
day. Breakfast and lunch items, as well as snacks, will be sold. NO
FOOD OR DRINK IN THE AUDITORIUM, GYM, OR LOBBY! Keep food and drink
in the cafeteria. This has been a problem the last few years.
6. We ask that spectators refrain from applauding between numbers,
but we do encourage applause at the end of a performance. Bands are
encouraged to listen to others perform, but silence must be
maintained in the performance area. Please remind your students to
treat other performers as they would like to be treated when they
are on stage. Only enter or exit the auditorium between bands. Any
students creating problems will be asked to leave the performance
center.
7. All bands must have three numbered judges’ scores for each piece
performed. NO UNAUTHORIZED COPIES WILL BE ALLOWED.
8. Each band will have twenty (20) minutes to set up, perform, and
exit the stage. Bands will enter the stage from the wings on the
south side of the stage, and exit through the auditorium on the
north end of the stage.
9. Enclosed you will find a schedule with warm-up and performance
times, and a set-up sheet. PLEASE FAX THE SET UP SHEET TO ME ASAP!
712-623-6626.
As soon as possible following your performance, we will gather the
ballots and post ratings in the cafeteria. You may pick up ballots,
tapes, and your trophy from the contest office (Vocal Room) after
your rating has been posted. If you have further questions, please
call or email me. I have listed that information below.
I look forward to seeing you and hearing your band on May 2nd!
Sincerely,
John Hewett
Office: 712.623.6620
FAX: 712.623.6626
E-mail: hewettj@roschools.com
