Vista Murrieta High School Instrumental Music Department - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation


 Vista Murrieta High School
 Instrumental Music Department


2019-2020 Membership Meeting

Meet the Directors & Meeting Agenda

• Mr. Wade
• Mr. Fritz
• Mr. Ragsdale
• Tonight's Agenda
• Information for first time members
• Who, What, When, Where, Why
• Information for all members – New and Returning
• Information for Parents
• Students go to MPR with Mr. Fritz for Audition Presentation

About Mr. Wade

• Core Values:
• Character
• Family
• Work Ethic
• Purpose:
• Preserving and Furthering our Art Form
• For Our Enjoyment and the Enjoyment of others
• “Building People Through Performance”

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Program Core Value Statement

• Passionately

committed to our culture of integrity, respect, discipline, and performance excellence!

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Performance Programs within the 
 Instrumental Music Department

• 5 Levels of Concert Band
• 3 Levels of Jazz Ensemble
• Chamber Ensembles
• Nationally Rank Marching Band
• World Class Indoor Percussion
• 3 Winter Color Guard
• Over 350 students

THE BENEFITS TO PARTICIPATING IN BAND

Personal Growth Though Performance É Self-Discipline: You can work hard and have fun doing it! É Goal Setting and Attainment É Leadership and Team Building É Build Self-Pride, Esteem, Worth É Friendships and Experiences of a Lifetime É Music students score an average of 102 points higher on the SAT É Music students represent the lowest level of current and lifelong drug and alcohol use and abuse

Will Band Fit Into an Aggressive 
 Academic Schedule???

ÒMost Band Students Are College Bound ÒFour-Year Planner ÉFollow the planner! ÉForeign Language Option ÉPE 9 Requirement!!! ✕All freshmen MUST take P.E. 9 ✕After your freshman year, all students will receive P.E. Credit for their participation in Marching Band! ✕ROTC Option

Won’t Band Adversely 
 Affect My Grades???

ÒRegardless of what activities you’re involved in, good grades depend on your work ethic…. ÒMany of the school’s top scholars are in band!!! ÒEvidence from Last Fall – Average GPA Report

GPA Data

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FALL 2018 Wind Ensemble I 3.66 Freshman Marching Band Members Only 3.60 B&G Cross Country (95 Kids) 3.60 Varsity Girl’s Tennis (18 Students) 3.51 Jazz I 3.48 Overall GPA of Marching Band Members (213 Students) 3.48 Freshman AVID 3.34 Overall GPA of All AVID Members 3.32 Freshman Band Members Who Do Not March 3.25 Varsity Girl’s Golf (10 Students) 3.21 Overall GPA of All VMHS Freshmen 3.04 Varsity Football 2.97 Boy’s Water Polo (JV + Varsity = 31 Students) 2.96

SAT Testing data

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Have You Ever Heard of These Schools?

ÒUCR ÒUC Irvine ÒCal Poly ÒCal State Fullerton ÒUCSD ÒSDSU ÒSan Jose State ÒFresno State ÒNorthern Arizona University ÒCal State Long Beach ÒCal State Northridge ÒCal State San Marcos ÒUniversity of San Francisco ÒWashington State ÒUniversity of Redlands ÒLa Vern University ÒAzusa Pacific University ÒChapman University ÒSan Francisco Conservatory

• f Music

ÒDePaul University ÒNew England Conservatory ÒUniversity of Colorado Boulder ÒThe Colburn School of Music ÒUCLA ÒUSC ÒBaylor University ÒUniversity of Massachusetts ÒIndiana State ÒUniversity of Michigan ÒBYU ÒNYU ÒNorthwestern ÒDuke ÒNotre Dame ÒUC Berkeley ÒUnited States Naval Academy ÒUnited States Air Force Academy ÒBrown University ÒHarvard

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Can I Play Sports or Be in Other Clubs While Being in Band?

• Yes, in most cases….
• Avoid overloading yourself….
• BEFORE COMMITING TO MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES YOU MUST:
• GET A DAY PLANNER OR USE A PERSONAL PLANNER APP!!!!!
• Notify both coaches/teachers of your wish to do both activities
• Compare Schedules
• Follow appropriate attendance policies
• Decide if it will work…then sign on the dotted line….
• Do NOT join multiple programs until you have followed this process…..it is

NOT fair to anyone!!!

• School activities always supersede non-school activities/clubs

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How Much Time Does Band Really Take?

• It depends on how much you want to be involved and what level you wish to

perform at.

• The more you add, the busier you’ll be.
• The higher the ensemble the more time you’ll invest
• If you’re doing it right:
• Marching band, Indoor Percussion, and Winter Guard is like a varsity

sport

• It is “the thing” you do and it IS year round
• Wind Ensemble I is like an AP Class
• Most of the other ensembles are similar to your current middle school band

commitment.

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How Much Time Does Band Really Take?

• Concert Ensembles
• The concert program is the backbone of our program and is the place where

most of our fundamental teaching takes place. All of our auxiliary ensembles are what they are because of the quality of concert ensembles.

• Everyone is required to be in a concert band (except for upright/electric bass, guitar,

jazz piano).

• All Concert Bands Meet During the Regular School Day – Year Round
• ALL Students should practice at least 20 minutes per day…..more if college

bound.

• Weekly SmartMusic Assignments.
• Concert bands will have four to five major concerts per year and could have

weekly group lessons (if funding is available).

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How Much Time Does Band Really Take?

• Jazz Ensembles
• We have three levels of Jazz Band
• Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced
• Each band will participate in a number of jazz festivals, community, and

school events.

• The Advanced Jazz Ensemble will meet after school for rehearsal from time

to time (usually no more than 4-8 times a year).

• The Beginning Jazz Ensemble almost never rehearses after school.
• Selected students may participate in a “combo” group that would rehearse
• n a regular basis after school seasonally.
• With extra fundraising and donations, Jazz Ensemble I may travel to Reno for

the Reno Jazz Festival or other overnight event.

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How Much Time Does Band Really Take?

• Indoor Percussion and Winter Color Guard
• If you are in the fall Drum Line or Color Guard you are EXPECTED to continue

in the Winter/Spring.

• So understand that you are making a YEAR LONG commitment.
• Some wind players choose to participate in these programs in the spring in

addition to playing in a concert band.

• There are additional rehearsals for these groups.
• Additional donations are asked for in order to offer these programs.
• There will be additional information meetings during the first semester for

these programs.

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How Much Time Does Band Really Take?

• Marching Band is Completely Optional
• The Marching Band (Membership Selected by Audition)
• This is like a Varsity Sport commitment – It IS “the thing” you do!
• Fall Rehearsal Schedule:
• Monday 2:45-5:30pm
• Tuesday 6:00-9:00 (Stadium)
• Wednesday Typically Nothing Scheduled
• Thursday 6:00-9:00pm (Stadium)
• Friday – Football Games or Rehearsal
• Saturday Competitions (Oct. – Thanksgiving – See Handout)
• Playoff Football Games (Playoffs = Thanksgiving Break)
• Other Saturday Events (Fundraisers/Rehearsals/Community Events)
• Summer Schedule (see handout)

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Do I Have To March?

• NO, But…….
• Unfortunately, students who don’t usually quit….
• They miss out…..
• They learn less….
• They feel disconnected…..
• They think it is going to be easier…..
• Or they end up joining later!!!

Marching Band Alternates

• Alternates – We do accept a number of alternates
• Why are they important?
• Are considered regular Marching Band members.
• They attend everything everyone else attends.
• Perform at all pregame performances, football pep band, and parades.
• Alternates may receive a permanent position if another member is injured,

becomes academically ineligible, has attendance or performance issues, or other disciplinary issues.

• It is possible that alternates:
• Could be asked to switch instruments
• May help with sound board or props
• May not be offered a permanent position. It is situational.
• FYI - We usually run out of alternates. We do our best to find a way for everyone

to contribute.

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Concert Band Placement Auditions

• EVERYONE who auditions for

concert band is accepted. No one is excluded.

• Auditions consist of the following:
• One major scale
• One chromatic scale
• One prepared exercise
• A rhythm reading exercise
• Grade check
• Director’s recommendation/Past

Performance

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Additional Auditions For 
 Marching Band

• Winds – There are marching clinics and

auditions where each student’s coordination and suitability for marching band is evaluated.

• Percussion – Has their own audition

process separate from concert band placement auditions

• So if you are auditioning for marching

percussion, you will have two auditions to prepare for.

• Color Guard – Has their own audition

process.

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Why We Audition For Marching Band

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To help kids be more successful and protect them.

• Kids who are not yet coordinated
• Kids who struggle academically
• Kids who struggle with attendance

We know it’s disappointing, but typically parents thank us later.

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Clint Says…..”Live In Alignment”

• The whole point of the mission

statement is to align your band life with your non-band life.

• Band is just a tool we use to

grow and build amazing men and women

• Your attitude and performance
• utside of band WILL have an

impact on your performance inside of band.

• Grades/Citizenship in all classes
• Attitude/Appearance on campus

and in the community

• General personal responsibilities
• Social media
• Attitude outside of band DOES/

WILL have an impact on the band’s performance….

• 24 Hour a day commitment!!!

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Clint Says…..”Be All In”

• “THE SECRET” to our success –

Demanding Excellence/High Standards

• We’ve been a nationally recognized

program for some time now

• That must mean we must be doing

something right.

• Pushing students outside of their

comfort zone and changing their beliefs….

• If you don’t want to be pushed

(marching, concert, jazz, guard, etc.) then this may not be the activity for you….

• If you don’t like being held

accountable or don’t want to comply then this may not be the activity for you….

• Excellence Demands NO LESS!!!
• We offer three things the average

teenager doesn’t like: Discipline, Accountability, and Rigor

• Being the best in the country is not

easy….it is uncomfortable!!! But don’t all things in life that we value take hard work?

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Clint Says…..
 ”Don’t Be Passive”

• This is NOT a passive

program

• We did NOT become a

nationally recognized program by doing little

• Success requires

parent/family support

• Success requires

participation in fundraising

• Success requires your

student in academically successful

• Success requires your

student’s attendance

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Attendance Policy

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• This policy applies to ALL of the performance ensembles in this

program!

• What do absences do?
• Hurts the other kids
• Wastes resources
• There are two kinds of absences
• Excused Absences
• Occur in the case of an emergency
• i.e. death in the family, severe illness, car accident
• Items that are not excused:
• Birthday parties, behind on homework, grounded,

nonemergency doctor’s appointments, work, rock concerts

• Non-Emergency absences are usually cleared AT LEAST two weeks

in advance.

• The more notice you give us, the more likely we are to clear it.
• Use the “Absence Excuse Form” www.vmhsband.com
• Absences are NEVER cleared or ok’d by a student leader.
• Not after the fact – unless it’s an emergency (In an emergency, it is

due the next time I see you)

• I’m going to my sister’s wedding TOMORROW
• TODAY is my mom’s birthday
• We’re going to Bora Bora

Attendance Policy

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• Unexcused Absences Result When:
• You don’t turn your form in on time
• Not turning in a form at all
• Lower your grade
• Could lead you to being replaced or

removed

• See Marching Calendar
• Concert Band Calendars Cannot Be

Created Yet

What Does That Mean? 
 Who Am I Talking To?

• If you want to be the best then you have

to expect more from yourself than others and hold yourself to higher standards than others.

• We give more than is expected and don’t

act with a sense of entitlement.

• If you want to have more, you have to

give more, work more, do more, demand more, be more.

• While uncomfortable, these are THE

most valuable lessons your kids learn in

• ur program.

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It Does NOT Take a Village….

• I am here to supplement the important values you

are teaching your children at home. It does not take a village, it takes proactive parenting.

• I TEACH THERE ARE 3 THINGS THAT WILL LEAD TO

A LIFE OF POVERTY:

• A LACK OF RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY
• A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT
• A LACK OF A WILLINGNESS TO DO THE SMALL

THINGS

• All of these things are learned. They learn these

concepts by the standards they are held to at home and at school.

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Things You Need to Know

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We are NOT like any other program in California….We are actually one of a very small handful in the country. What does the average high school music program offer:

• One or two concert ensembles
• If jazz is offered at all it is usually offered after school and in

the spring only

• All members are typically forced to be in marching band
• Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard are not always offered

We offer more than what the average high school band program offers. We are only able to do this thanks to the alchemy of 3 things:

Success Alchemy

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Amazing Students Amazing Parents Amazing Teachers

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San Antonio 
 2019 Super Regional
 November 1-2

The Master Plan

• Why San Antonio?

Competition Format

This event, some will argue, is THE most competitive marching band competition

• n the planet!
• Some believe it is even more

competitive than Grand Nationals

80 of the best bands from Texas perform in two days of preliminary competition all day Friday and Saturday morning 14 bands move into finals Saturday night

Other Interesting Facts

• The last California

band to go to the San Antonio Regional?

• Ummmmm, has

there ever been a California band go…..?

Location & Venue

This event is held at the Alamodome

Leave on Wednesday, October 30th & Return Sunday, November 3rd

Sample Itinerary

Wednesday, October 30th

Travel Day Flying

Thursday, October 31st

• Sight Seeing
• Rehearsal

Friday, November 1st

• Rehearsal
• Sight Seeing
• Preliminary

Performance

Saturday, November 2nd

• Rehearsal
• Finals

Sunday, November 3rd

Travel Day Come Home

It’s Time To Start

• How they do it in Texas…..
• “Lost time is never found again.” – Benjamin Franklin
• Time is the key ingredient – or raw material – to success.
• Used correctly time is our most powerful ally. Used incorrectly – or ignored
• utright – time is our biggest enemy.

Message from Scott Lang

• https://

www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vpAMI7OHbQs

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Students Dismissed

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• All students should report to the

MPR with Mr. Fritz to receive their audition packet and see a brief presentation on how to prepare for placement auditions.

• Parents get to stay in the theater

with Mr. Wade


 Vista Murrieta High School
 Instrumental Music Department


2019-2020 Membership Meeting

Part II

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Our Success Comes From Three Places:

Concert Band

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Indoor Percussion Winter Guard

Marching Band Jazz Band Adults

Resources & Logistics

Success Step 1

• Success is commenced by a great

purpose.

• What is our purpose?
• To preserve and further our

art form

• For our enjoyment and for

the enjoyment of others

• To “Build People Through

Performance”

• The purpose must be relayed,

reconnected, and reinvigorated to the next generation or it will be retired or lost.

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Success Step 2

• Success is clarified through a great

plan.

• We have had a plan that has been

producing amazing results for the last 15 years.

• While we are always looking for

ways to make minor adjustments to “fine tune” what we do, we are NOT looking to redesign what we do.

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Success Step 3

• Success is culminated with great

people.

• There is no success without

unity

• Disunity will bring

destruction

• The best leaders were often the

best followers

• Negaholics……
• “Why wasn’t I called
• n……”
• We are doing great things here for

your/our children. It’s up to you if you want to join us….we hope you do!

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Things I Need Help With:

• Marching Band

If you don’t want to get a hair cut, shave, or follow other grooming requirements for marching band, then don’t join marching band. We do not promote extreme looks as a form of self expression. We teach discipline and presenting young men and women

• professionally. They are representing you, me,

and our program.

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Things I Need Help With:

• Work Ethic

Band is NOT an easy “A”. Band is NOT a, “I just show up and get an A” class/

• activity. It is a mentally and physically

challenging art form that requires diligent study, diligent practice, and long term commitment. Cultural Pacing If you are not willing to do work, SmartMusic, supply the required materials, then don’t join.

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Things I Need Help With:

• Attendance

Your student is not entitled to miss a rehearsal

• r performance because, “Well, that other kid

missed last week.” Because, “My student came to the summer camp”, or because “My student has never missed a rehearsal or event yet” does not entitle you to have absences excused. Please do not use band as a form of punishment; it hurts the band.

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Things I Need Help With:

• Communication

“I didn’t know” Parents claiming ignorance; who don’t read email, attend meetings, or don’t do other things to stay informed. If you are not willing to read email, come to meetings, or stay informed, then don’t sign your kid up; Your child will not be successful. Some of my favorites: “I didn’t know there was a band website”. “I didn’t know there was a calendar”. “I didn’t know I had to fundraise”. “I didn’t know I needed to donate”. “I didn’t know there was a newsletter”. “I don’t read the band email”.

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Things I Need Help With:

• Communication

If you don’t get at least one email from the band a week, something is wrong! Yes, most email in the fall is regarding the marching band, however it is not always only about the marching band.

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Things I Need Help With:

In General

Your student is responsible for EVERYTHING in the handbook. Read it! www.vmhsband.com Please be a parent who believes that there is no such thing as a student’s privacy when it comes to their social media accounts and/or their internet usage. P.S. There is no such thing as “Private”

• n the internet.

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Things I Need Help With:

In General

If you are against the concept of fundraising, resistant to your child being asked how they are doing in their fundraising efforts, then we cannot offer what we offer. Parents who LIE on pledge forms.

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Things I Need Help With:

• The Boosters

You ARE a Booster! Please keep in mind that our parent boosters and the booster executive board are ALL volunteers. What is the stated PURPOSE of the booster club: “The purpose of this organization shall be to provide physical, financial, and morale support to the students

• f the Instrumental Music Program, its Auxiliary

Programs, its Directors and Agents, and to create a bond between the Band and the community such that their united efforts will secure, for every student, the highest educational and performance advantages and

• pportunities available.”

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Things I Need Help With:

• The Boosters

The stated MISSION of the booster club: “The Vista Murrieta High School Band Boosters will promote and encourage the education and associated activities

• f the music students and performing

groups of the Vista Murrieta High School Instrumental Music Department.”

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Finances

Where Does It All Come From?

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Sources of Income

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We receive funding from 3 sources:

• 1. From the school/district (about 6%)
• 2. From fundraising efforts of the

booster club (about 47%)

• 3. From donations of participating

families (about 47%) We Are Essentially 100% Booster Funded

What does that mean?

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That means that the type of experience your student will get is equal to the amount of funding the boosters (YOU) are able to generate. $0 Fundraising = 0 Experience $0 Donations = 0 Experience

Now For A Painful Dose of Reality!

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To operate the band in a way that provides the same experiences as we have had over the years will take over $425,000 next year. Did he make a mistake? Are there one too many zeros? Did he put the comma in the wrong place? No, this number is NOT a mistake. And even at this number, programs like Ayala and American Fork out spend us by 100’s of thousands.

Why Does Reality Cost So Much?

• Here are a couple of examples:
• Transportation $50,000
• Additional “walk-on” staff (i.e. section coaches,

all percussion coaches, color guard coaches, marching coaches) are ALL paid by the

• boosters. NONE are paid by the school district.
• How much is that?
• Over $170,000 + employer taxes
• Custom show design $50,000
• Uniforms $30,000
• General Operating Expenses $50,000
• Instrument Repair/Equipment Replacement

$20,000

• SmartMusic $10,000

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So….How do we continue to

• perate and

provide similar

• pportunities?
• We need 2 things in order for us to

succeed:

• We need the booster club to fundraise the

$154,000 you have committed to raise.

• What would it cost without the

fundraisers?

• $154,000 Divided by 300 = Add another

$513 to your requested donation.

• What does that mean? That means every

time we come in under budget on booster fundraisers things come off of the budget

• We need all families to donate.
• Yes, donations can be tax deductible

(advise your tax preparer for your specific situation)

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What do you need from me personally?

• What happens when you don’t do

what you said you were going to do?

• Things that were planned don’t

happen

• Coaches get laid off
• Trips get canceled
• Seasons get canceled
• I need you to volunteer and

participate in the booster fundraisers.

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What do you need from me personally?

• We need families to not

treat this like a public school activity and think of it with a club sport mentality.

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What Happens Next?

• See Handouts
• See “Voluntary Pledge Commitment

Agreement”

• See “Donation Handout”
• This is your pledge schedule
• There will be Supplemental Items

and Course Supplies your child will need

• See the “What Happens Next”

handout

• See “Registration is Easy” handout
• Instrument Rental Information
• Winds If Needed
• All Percussion

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Auditions Reminder

If you are a “no call, no show” you will not be rescheduled.

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Attention Juniors!

• Sign up for the June 1st & the

August 24th SAT

• Registration Deadline is May 3rd

for the June Test

• Registration Deadline is July 26th

for the August Test

• We will be out of state for the

November test date

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Check Out Our Website & Social Media!

• www.vmhsband.com
• Social Media
• Do NOT refer to other social media links.

The links on the website are our official media links.

• Please do NOT start your own social media

sites on our behalf.

• IMPORTANT – As an organization we DO

NOT EVER do gofundme campaigns. Any fundraising efforts will come directly from

• ur website and/or from official booster

email.

• Audition Information
• Absences Excuse Forms
• Calendar
• And more….

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We are excited and proud to have you join the Vista Murrieta Family!

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