A big thank you to the Sherwood HS Marching Band & Colorguard who concluded this season with earning 4th place in the Northwest! It took an enormous team effort to get us to the caliber of finals level performance that we enjoyed at finals this past Saturday. A huge thanks to all students, parents, and staff who made it all happen.

I am very proud of our students. They have worked hard and done everything their staff has asked of them to put this demanding and artistic product on the field. This year was so much fun for me. I love these kids, this staff, and the parent team we had working for us; yes the days were long and the season gets exhausting, but it was time well spent with some great people creating an incredible product! At the end of it all, we created several amazing performances that will last each one of these students for a lifetime. My hope is that my students will go on in life to pursue their skills and passions whether it be architecture, building rocketships, curing illnesses, serving others, etc. all while still retaining that appreciation of individual hard work and team sacrifice. Our students continues to usher in a new levels of accomplishment, class and humility and I couldn’t be more proud of them for that.

It takes a village to create a marching band show, instruct a marching band show, and support a marching band show. A huge debt of gratitude to our design staff who went to the drawing board again and again and again. A colossal debt of gratitude to our instructional staff who put in countless hours of rehearsal trying to connect with each student and teach and elevate them to higher levels. And then of course, another huge debt of gratitude to our parent volunteers who put in gargantuan hours showing up early and staying late to help facilitate, create props, cook, haul, set up, tear down, and commute distances and put in long hours to support this program and each student. It takes all of these people to make our show what it was. It takes all of these people to create those memorable performances that will last a lifetime. Take away any of these elements and we are merely a fraction of what we were able to accomplish.

Thank you all very much and congratulations on a successful season!!!

Here is a video link of the show from our finals run: https://youtu.be/p_SDEWDIac0

Now to some important details…

Thursday, November 7th – SMB Banquet – We will have our Marching Band & Colorguard Banquet on Thursday, November 7th at 7pm in the SHS Commons. There will be dessert involved, pictures, certificates,  and video production of our show. The dessert is a potluck dessert so please check your email for communication from our booster president regarding those details. I hope to see you all there!

Friday, November 8th  – We have a home playoff game this Friday against McNary HS. We will NOT be wearing uniforms. Bring warm gear to wear for whatever weather is. We are not performing our halftime show.  Non-Marching band students are welcome to join us in the stands for playoff games (students need to talk to Mr. Stai in advance so he knows to add you to the roster).

Is the marching band show over? Yes! We are done rehearsing and performing our halftime show. Enjoy the newly acquired time off and the satisfaction that comes with a job well done!

Dear SMB Members & Parents, Thank you for a great season. I’m really impressed with our students, leadership, staff, and the army of volunteers that make it all go. When I step back and look at it from the bird’s eye view, it’s really incredible. Great People & Great Music. I couldn’t be happier with our team.

Saturday is going to be a celebration of the wonderful feats achieved by our students, designers, and parent volunteers. Weather it be Sun, Wind, Rain, Monsoon… Be in the moment & savor every minute.

Here is the student schedule for the NWAPA Championships/Festival of Bands at Autzen Stadium this Saturday, November 2. Some items to note:

• Students will be fed throughout course of the day. There will also be concessions sold at Autzen Stadium.
• Students need to bring black socks & show shirts and anything else associated with their uniform.
• Bring weather appropriate clothing to change into when out of uniform.
• Girls/Guys with long hair need to put their hair up into a bun to fit into shako.
• Students can/should bring homework to do on the bus. There will be times throughout the bus ride and day where students can complete homework. There will also be moments in the day where the student in the role of a “performer” and also in the role of an “audience member” in an educational setting. Homework is allowed during the “free times”.
• Parents: They do charge $15 ticketsat the gate to view performance.
• Parents: There is a $5 fee for parking at Autzen Stadium

Important: Students must meet grade expectations in order to perform.

Important: Students must have SMB fees paid in full in order to compete.

Championships Show Student Schedule.v1

SMB Rehearsals this Final Week:

Friday, November 1 – Stadium Field
4:00pm – Dinner (Provided by Boosters)
5:00 – Rehearsal  (Stadium available for band at 5pm).
8:00 – Truck Load
8:45 – Students Dismissed 

Wednesday, October 30 – Stadium Field – 5:30-9:00

Tuesday, October 29 – Baseball Field – 3:15-6:15

Other Items of Note:

• MS Assembly Performance Update: Originally there was an assembly performance on the calendar this week at SMS. This was canceled as it was not an availabe week for the middle school schedule.
• Saturday’s Championships Itinerary will be sent in a separate correspondence.
• Marching Band Banquet Celebration – Thursday, November 7 at 7:00pm in SHS Commons

Here is the student schedule for the Liberty Competition this Saturday, October 25th at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro. Some items to note:

• Students will be fed throughout course of the day. There will also be concessions sold on site.
• Students need to bring black socks & show shirts and anything else associated with their uniform.
• Bring weather appropriate clothing to change into when out of uniform. IT BE WET & COLD!
• Girls/Guys with long hair need to put their hair up into a bun to fit into shako.
• Students can/should bring homework to do on the bus. There will be a couple of times throughout the bus ride and day where students can complete homework. There will also be moments in the day where the student in the role of a “performer” and also in the role of an “audience member” in an educational setting. Homework is allowed during the “free times”.
• Parents: They do charge $15 tickets at the gate to view performance.

Important: Students must meet grade expectations in order to perform.

Important: Students must have SMB fees paid in full in order to compete.

Liberty Show Student Schedule.v2 

Dear SMB Members & Families, Here is the itinerary for Friday Night’s last home football game. Playoffs are on the horizon and I’ll communicate regarding those as soon as info becomes available.

Friday, October 25 

Wear Show Shirts to School
4^th/5^th Period – Get music Stands out & tape off bleachers.
3:25 – Baseball Field Rehearsal – Chunk Through Show; On & Off Process Reviewed.
4:30 – Transition back to band room
4:40 – Dinner. Everyone chills out. No playing, drumming, spinning. Conserve Energy.
5:25 – Uniforms (Drumline through first)
5:55 – Go to PAC.
6:00 – Senior Recognition
6:20 – Gather in Arcs in Aux Gym in full uniform, instrument, music.
6:35 – Winds/Guard/F.E. line Up/Pick Up Shako and go to Bleachers
6:45 – Drumline staged to lead team to field
6:55 – National Anthem & Fight Song
7:00 – Game Starts
* 2^nd Quarter – Colorguard/Front Ensemble/Microphone Soloists leave stands to prepare for half time.
** 10:00 remaining in 2^nd quarter Band leaves stands to warmup – Winds First, Drums Second.
*** 8:00 remaining in 2^nd quarter Pit Crew Volunteers go to band room.
9:15 – Approx. Game Over/Check In Uniforms/Packup/Cleanup
9:45 – Go Home

SMB Seniors & Families, We will be having a brief recognition ceremony promptly at 6:00pm in the PAC (or Aux Gym depending on availability of spaces) on Friday, Oct. 25th before we head out to the stands. It is promised to be short and sweet and tear free.