Ryle Band Update from Mr. Craig
Hello Ryle Band Families,
I wanted to send out information as it stands this evening. I’ve had conversations with Mr. Turner, as well as a meeting with our band booster board/executive committee members tonight to discuss items over the coming weeks.
During school today Mr. Jump and I discussed our plan for NTI days for band. We will expect students to play their instruments as usual during NTI days. We will send out more information via email/Canvas/IC how this will be implemented for the students in the days ahead. I’m confident we will still be able to have productive time on our instruments during these NTI days, and I ask for your patience as we begin this process, as I’m sure there will be some kinks in the process. But we will work through them together!
In terms of after school/booster events, I also wanted to inform you of the following:
Upcoming Cancellations:
- KHSAA has postponed the girls state basketball tournament games, so pep band will not be needed this weekend.
- TriState Marching Arts has cancelled the remainder of their 2020 season, which includes the Championship weekend #1 here at Ryle and Championships Weekend #2 @ BB&T Arena.
- KMEA Concert Assessment on Thursday 3/19 has also been cancelled.
- Beginning Friday 3/13, all extra-curricular activities for our school have been cancelled until further notice. This includes practices, games, and meetings both on and off site. So until further notice, Winterguard, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab, Drumline, etc. will not rehearse. Band Booster meetings will also be rescheduled or postponed until a later date.
As you can imagine, these cancellations have had impacts of many band performance and fundraiser events. Moving forward, we are also looking at the following items:
- Private lessons
- At this time, private lessons at Union Presbyterian are still permitted. Please check with your lesson instructors to confirm times/etc. If anything changes in this regard we will inform your ASAP.
- Select Band
- It is very unlikely Select Band will be rescheduled at this point. Once this is confirmed, Jenny Goodridge will work to send out reimbursements for the select band fee as soon as possible.
- Auditions for next year’s classes
- We will implement a video submission for the process as much as possible rather than an in-person audition. They dates for submission will be delayed from our original timeline, more information TBA.
- Marching Band 2020 items
- This includes Drum Major Auditions, Leadership team interviews, Recruitment meeting, show reveal meeting, and the like.
- If/When possible, documents will be distributed electronically for these items to continue on schedule.
- In person events will need to be rescheduled to a later date once school is back in session. Dates for those events are TBA.
- Sweet Jazz Concert @ Drees Pavilion
- Unfortunately we are cancelling the 2020 Sweet Jazz Concert. This is a result of the missed rehearsal time and budget impacts due to lost fundraiser revenue.
- We are still asking for all silent auction items for this event, we will use these at a performance later in the calendar.
- Jazz Ensemble to Chicago
- Unfortunately we have to cancel the Jazz Ensemble trip to Chicago. This breaks my heart to do so, but it is the best option at this time.
- Jenny Goodridge will be working alphabetically to return payments in as timely a manner as possible- please be patient.
- Senior Trip to Gatlinburg
- We are still unsure as to the status of this trip. More information on this trip TBA from Mr. Jump.
- Mulch Sale
- We will continue to operate our mulch sale as scheduled. Student involvement in mulch delivery is TBA, so we need as many adults, alumni, and truck drivers as possible for this event to be a success! Mulch site location TBA, with potential to have off site.
- Bingo
- Ryle Band Bingo is cancelled for the next two weeks. This is a decision from the Erlanger Lions Club, and they will reassess on a bi-weekly basis.
- If Bingo continues during NTI days, students will not be permitted in the Bingo Hall in any capacity.
- Justin will send more detailed information to team leads as we progress.
- Ryle Band Bingo is cancelled for the next two weeks. This is a decision from the Erlanger Lions Club, and they will reassess on a bi-weekly basis.
I know this is a lot of information to process, and feel free to contact Cindy Richmond or myself with any questions. Know we are doing our utmost to ensure the well-being of our organization, and most importantly, our students, both now and for the future. Hopefully these actions taken by our school will reduce the impact of this virus on our students, as well as shortening the timeframe of its impact to our school.
In the meantime, practice safe hygiene habits, and practice your instruments!
Take care,
joe