The 2021 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 2nd, we will host the 23rd Annual Urbandale Marching Invitational. Urbandale High School will host 20 marching bands, around 2000 students, and another 2000 spectators from 3:00 – 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.
https://signup.com/go/ipLzQbY

Unique &/or Skilled help needed:
We are in need of a family to organize a “Directors Lounge” that we host in the football locker rooms throughout the evening. We provide dinner and snack to the directors who attend our festival. The volunteers would organize food, decorations, and staff the lounge throughout the evening of Oct. 2nd.

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 – 2021 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. The deadline for orders is Monday, September 13th. Please email jeanettelegler@outlook.com a photo and preferred text. A completed order form and payment should be delivered to the Urbandale Activities Office no later than September 13th. Make checks payable to Urbandale PABC.

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 football game on Sept. 3rd, 10th, and the Johnston Marching Invitational on Sept. 18th.
http://jhawkbands.urbandaleschools.com/volunteer/

Senior Night – NEW*
Senior Night has been re-scheduled to Oct. 15th (same as UMS band night). This year we will be recognizing seniors and families PRIOR to the game beginning. Please adjust your schedules accordingly.

Lesson Schedule
Band lessons begin on Monday, Aug. 30th. 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.

***New – Students who are not studying privately will have a weekly scheduled lesson with a staff member at UHS. This may result in students having lessons in groups of two or three.

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                                                                                           

1. 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. 18th away performance at Johnston.
2. 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.

Marching Band Itineraries
As they become available, all itineraries related to marching band will be posted in the Itineraries tab of the band website. The Sept. 3rd football game is available now!

Jazz Band
Jazz Band results can be found on the band website HERE. All three jazz bands will begin on Tuesday, August 31st. Jazz I will rehearse from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Jazz II and III will rehearse from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

All State Mock Auditions
All State Mock Auditions will occur each Monday, 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM, now through Oct. 23rd. The second audition on Sept. 13th will determine which students continue on to the Oct. 23rd audition. Students will perform excerpts of their audition material for a director and students on similar instruments.
     Debriefing Sessions:

• These sessions will be held Tuesdays after school. All-Staters will rehearse portions of their audition material & discuss general All-State audition topics.
• Students who wish to audition for instrumental All-State are expected to attend all mock auditions and Tuesday briefing sessions.