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OEHS Band Update: 9/27/2024

Writer's picture: Steven RexroatSteven Rexroat

Hello OEHS Band and Color Guard Families,


We hope students are enjoying their day off today! Please wish the marching band good luck as they compete at Northern Illinois University tomorrow! The first time our marching band has ever performed in a competition at a College/University stadium. A reminder about the clear bag policy at NIU, and please know that the NIU Stadium is a cashless facility. 


Your Help Is Needed - Only One Week Remaining! 

We met our second milestone of $15,000 in our Givebutter fundraiser. Thank you so much to everyone for everyone who has shared and continues to share our donation page. 


Our fundraiser will conclude this Friday, October 4th, meaning we only have one week left to raise the remaining funds. If we can raise $20,000, that will put us in a good spot for the school year. 


We have adjusted the form so that all family members can fill out the form with contact information so that we can reach more people. Please fill out the form HERE. It will only take a few minutes to do! We cannot do this with your help!


Click HERE to access the fundraiser and consider texting/emailing the link directly to those you know. We really believe in what we are doing here at OEHS and we really need your help! It takes a village! 


Bibibop Fundraiser - Wednesday, October 2nd - Open to Close

We are very excited about the new Bibibop asian grill in Oswego. So excited in fact, that we are hosting a fundraiser there next Wednesday, October 2nd from open to close! Mention the OEHS Bands at the time of your purchase and we will receive a portion of the proceeds! You can also order online and use the online code BIBIFUNDRAISER and we will get the proceeds as well.


If you haven’t tried Bibibop yet, the food is delicious with very large portions! Consider giving it a shot and support the OEHS Bands by dining with us next Wednesday! The flyer for the fundraiser is attached to this email. 


We are aware this is the same night as the Homecoming Bonfire! Consider stopping by Bibibop before dropping your student off at the bonfire


This Week

Monday 9/30 - Marching Band Rehearsal 2:45pm-5:30pm

Tuesday 10/1 - Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal 2:40pm-5pm

Wednesday 10/2 - Marching Band Rehearsal 4:30pm-6:30pm (early release for the Bonfire) BiBiBop Fundraiser Open to Close!

Thursday 10/3 - Jazz Band Rehearsal  2:40pm-4pm; Big Band 4pm-5pm

Friday 10/4 - Home Football Game - Call Time 5pm Givebutter Fundraiser Ends


Next Week

Monday 10/7 - Marching Band Rehearsal 2:45pm-5:30pm

Tuesday 10/8 - Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal 2:40pm-5pm

Wednesday 10/9 - Marching Band Rehearsal 4:30pm-8pm

Thursday 10/10 - Jazz Band Rehearsal  2:40pm-4pm; Big Band 4pm-5pm: No Jazz Ensemble

Friday 10/11 - Home Football Game - Call Time 5pm 


Upcoming Events

10/4 - Home Football Game

10/11 - Home Football Game

10/19 - Illinois State University Competition - Call Time TBA

10/25 - Home Football Game (Crosstown)

10/29 - SW, SB, & WE Band Concert

10/30 - CB & WS Band Concert

11/13 - Fall Jazz Concert


Band Program News


Concert Attire

For all of our concerts, students need to wear the following attire:


Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble

All black. This includes, black shoes (ALL black, no other color on them), black socks, black pants, and a black shirt. Please no skirts, dresses, or leggings.


Wind Symphony

All students in Wind Symphony were fitted for tuxedos and gowns (except a few students we will need to fit). Please find the cleaning/care and hemming instructions for the tuxedos and gowns HERE


Students gowns/pants may need to be hemmed. Please make sure they are hand stitched and not from a sewing machine. All students should have brought their guxedo/gown home. If you have not seen it yet, please remind your student to bring their uniform home! 


Marching Band 2025-2026 Save The Date

Our summer dates for next year’s marching band are now available HERE. Please review these dates. If your student plans to do marching band next season, we respectfully ask that your family not travel during these dates and plan vacations so as not to conflict. 


Private Teachers

Private lessons are the best way for students to get really awesome at their instrument! The individual attention is vital to student's musical growth. We have several teachers that can come in during the school day to teach students during their band class, guided study/freshmen seminar, or study hall. You can access the list of private teachers HERE.


If you would like to enroll your student in lessons, please email me, Mr. Sison, or Mr. Nelson and the private teacher, and we will figure it out!


Lessons are approximately $25-$30 per lesson, once a week. 


Practice Room Supervisors - Volunteers Needed

We are in need of some additional volunteers to help with supervising the practicing rooms during the school day. If you are available to help, please sign up HERE. Even if you are available on a non-consistent basis, you can sign up for the sub list! Please contact Mrs. Drane if you have any questions. Her email is megan@fireflynightsphotography.com 


Band Booster Update


Monthly Meeting

You can access the minutes from our September Band Booster meeting HERE.

 

Our next meeting is Monday, October 21st at 6pm via Google Meet. You can join the meeting HERE


Volunteers

We are still in need of practice room volunteers. If you can help, please sign up HERE. If you have questions, let us know at bandboostersoehs@gmail.com


Jazz Band


Jazz Handbooks & Fees

All jazz handbooks and fees are past due! Please fill out the jazz handbook agreement form HERE and pay the pushcoin fee HERE.


Marching Band News


Marching Band Volunteer Updates

We have new spots open for volunteers for the remainder of our marching band season. Please sign-up HERE. We especially need help for the Panther Review performance next Tuesday 9/24.


Volunteers at Football Games & Competitions

We really appreciate all of the enthusiasm with volunteers this year. With that, unless you have signed up for a volunteer slot, we ask that you please not show up at volunteer events asking/expecting to help. We really appreciate the enthusiasm, but we have a method of organizing and added hands can end up causing confusion and "too many cooks in the kitchen." Thank you! 


Marching Band Photos Available

Please see the information from 


Team and individual portraits from your picture day are now available to view and order online.  To order photos from your picture day:

  1. Go to: https://www.vipis.com/group/95cf3acf/oswego-east-high-school

  2. Select "View now" on the green Sports Team & Individual tile

  3. Enter your information in the search fields

  4. Select the school year (July 1st to June 30th) during which your photos were taken and click "search"

  5. Follow the instructions to select your package or products and choose your background for your individual photos if applicable

  6. You will receive a confirmation email

If you can't find your team, it may have been photographed at a later date.  You will receive another email when new images are posted, or you can check back in a few days.


If you have any questions, please contact us at support@vipis.com  We're happy to help!

Northern Illinois University Competition - Saturday, September 28th. 

Student Call Time

Call time for students is 11am at OEHS. We will rehearse in the morning at OEHS prior to departing for NIU. Students need to arrive in their “under uniform” attire. This includes athletic shorts, drill masters, long black socks, and their show shirt. 


Students will bring their uniforms with them and will change into uniform prior to us competing. 


Bring Lunch

After our rehearsal, students will have time to eat lunch around 2:30pm before we depart for NIU at 3:45pm. Students should bring lunch!. Students will also have the ability to purchase concessions after our performance. 


Performance Time & Awards

Our performance time at NIU is 7:45pm. The awards ceremony will start at 9:30pm.  


They did announce a change in schedule, where we may be 15 minutes later, but an official new schedule has not been sent out. 


Return to OEHS

We will return to OEHS at approximately 10:45pm. We will need help back at OEHS in the evening to unload the truck. Any help is appreciated! 


Volunteers

All volunteers should plan to arrive at OEHS by 2:00pm to help us with our transition onto the buses and loading our equipment. 


Parent Pick-Up

If you would like to pick up your student from NIU please fill out this form HERE prior to the day of the competition, 9/28. The district is liable for your student unless an email has been sent. Students cannot leave with their families unless we have received that email so that it has been documented. Please do not email us, please fill out the form!


Competition Schedule

You can access the schedule for the competition HERE.

Admission Pricing

Admission into the event costs $17 for adult presale and $12 for youth/senior presale. You can purchase tickets HERE

2024 Stadium Policies

• No Large bags or purses are allowed in Huskie Stadium

• Approved Bags

One clear plastic bag 12′′ x 12′′ x 6′′ clear plastic stadium bag

– OR –

One (1) gallon clear plastic storage bag

– OR –

One clutch purse 4.5′′ x 6.5′′ or smaller

• No strollers are allowed.

PARENTS

Ticket prices for parents / spectators are as follows:

● Online ticket purchases can be made soon! A link will be sent directly to the director to share!

● Adults - Online Pre-Sale Tickets - $15.00; Seniors & Students (K-12) $8.00; Children 5 & under - FREE

● For 2024: Spectator Parking price is included in the ticket price. There will be no charge in the parking lot for spectator parking.

Illinois State University Apparel Pre-Order

Pre-orders for apparel from ISU are available now. All pre-orders will be given to us upon our arrival at ISU. You can access the order form HERE

Marching Band Rehearsal 10/2

We will end marching band rehearsal on Wednesday, October 2nd at 6:30pm to allow students time to attend the bonfire after rehearsal.

Please know that the band room will be closed at 6:45pm, students cannot keep their belongings in the band room.

Marching Band Handbook

You can access the marching band handbook HERE. The handbook has our complete performance and rehearsal schedule, as well as all of our policies and expectations. 


Marching Uniform Fittings - Cleaning Care Instructions

Any student that has not had their uniform fitted will be fitted at some point this coming week. Please make sure all families are reviewing the cleaning care instructions for the uniforms. These uniforms are very expensive (over $400) and any damage to the uniforms will result in a charge to the family’s account for the repair of the uniform. 

--


Stevan Rexroat

He/Him/His


Band Director

Oswego East High School

630-636-2379

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