The 2019 Urbandale Marching Invitational
This is an event for which we count on support/volunteerism from 100% of band families
(the last “All Hands On Deck” for the school year).
On October 5th, we will host the 22nd Annual Urbandale Marching Invitational. Urbandale High School will host 20 marching bands, around 2000 students, and another 2000 spectators from 3:30 – 10:00 p.m. Our event is well known in the state as a premier event with the best hospitality around.
To make it happen, we count on each family contributing volunteerism in the areas of ticket sales, concessions stand, time-keepers, hospitality room host, program sales and more. Please visit the link below and sign up to help! The tasks are easy and the time working with other families is fun.
http://signup.com/go/pakVROC
Unique &/or Skilled help needed:
We are in need of Medical professionals to staff the Marching Invitational Aid Station. Medical volunteers will not treat students, but triage visitors who may need simple first aid vs. those who may need to seek care at a clinic or hospital.
We could also use Pit Haulers for guest bands to provide trailers and assist in the transportation of our guest bands’ larger percussion equipment.
Please contact Mr. Dupuis if you would be willing to help with either of these positions.
Personal Ads – 2019 Marching Invitational Program
Families will have the opportunity to feature their student(s) in a personal ad within this year’s Marching Invitational Program. Ads are just $40 for a quarter page or $25 for an eighth page. All proceeds will go to underwrite program printing costs. The deadline for orders is Wednesday, September 11th. Order forms can be found here. Please email joy.soderlund@gmail.com a photo and preferred text. A completed order form and payment should be mailed to Joy Soderlund (see order form for address).
General Band Volunteerism:
Links for both general band and Urbandale Marching Invitational volunteering opportunities are always available on the Volunteering page on the Band website. The next opportunities are for the Homecoming Game on September 20th and the Johnston Marching Invitational on Sept. 21st.
http://jhawkbands.urbandaleschools.com/volunteer/
Lesson Schedule
Band lessons began on Tuesday, Sept. 3rd. The schedule is posted on Lessons tab of the band website. We’re constantly making adjustments to the schedule and will keep the website up-to-date frequently as adjustments are made to the schedule.
Students will have weekly lesson times. They will alternate weeks between having a 1-on-1 lesson with a staff member, or focusing on personal practice.
Students who are studying with a private teacher will be allowed to “vouch” for their lessons by having their private teacher sign a voucher form (also available in the Lesson tab of the band website).
Class Assignments
- Students will be asked to check off their “counts in music” (they know what this is). Students were given time during camp to complete this project. This is due Sept. 13 (hard deadline).
- Students will be asked to perform memorization checks on the marching band music during their lessons. To receive 100%, students should be able to play the entire set of music memorized by State Contest in October. Students will not be allowed to perform with flip folders beginning on our Sept. 20th home game performance.
- Students will then continue working on a list of technique-building and music literacy skills throughout the semester.
For students taking private lessons, we will accept memorization checks by video. The video should be at a wide enough angle to show the student and surround area to ensure performance is by memory. It is acceptable (actually preferable) to have make the video with the music playing in the background. Music can be accessed on the marching band page of the band website. (The password for that page is: ujb2019copland)
J-Hawk Foundations
J-Hawk Foundations is a program led by our Activities Department. It is geared towards students in all activities, helping them to build the skills to get the most out of school, activities, life, and leadership.
The next sessions are on Dec. 4th and March 25th. Band students should make plans to attend these sessions. Please ensure these dates on in students’ calendars. All meetings will be at 2:30 pm in the PAC.
Marching Band Itineraries
As they become available, all itineraries related to marching band will be posted in the Itineraries tab of the band website.
Currently, the following itineraries are available:
Sept. 6th – Home Football Game
Sept. 21st – Johnston Marching Invitational