Author: Jo Braud

Pirates Game Info

On Wednesday, August 11, 2021 we have been asked to perform the National Anthem at the Pirates/Cardinals game at PNC Park.  This is a great opportunity for our kids.  This is the fourth time for us to perform at PNC Park.

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

  • Practice 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Mountaineer Middle School
  • See Student Schedule for details

Wednesday, August 11, 2021:

  • 1:30pm Meet in the Band Room
  • 2:30pm We will load the bus.
  • Please bring a packed lunch/snack.
  • 4:30pm Arrive at PNC, eat, have a drink and prepare for the performance.
  • 5:00pm Check in.  We will enter by the outfield tunnel.
  • 5:30pm Meet at Mazeroski Gate
  • 7:00pm Perform
  • After they perform, we will return to the bus and put equipment away.  We will then, using our ticket, enter the ballpark to watch the game. We have an allotment of 200 tickets.  Adult chaperones will need to accompany students as they return to the game. At the end of the game, we will return to the bus and travel back to Mountaineer Middle School.
  • The cost for each student is $25.00
  • The cost for each parent is $25.00
  • Ticket form is located under the “Forms” tab

Student Rehearsal and Performance Schedule

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 9:30 am – 11:00 am

  • Practice for PNC with Westwood at Mountaineer Middle School.  YOU WILL NEED YOUR FLIP FOLDER.

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

  • Band shirt, black shorts, black socks and black band shoes. Majorettes and Flags wear assigned outfits from your individual instructors.
  • 1:00pm Mr. Shaffer will be at MMS for any problems that may arise.
  • 1:30pm Meet in the band room to receive instructions.
  • 1:45pm Drums in the Band room to pack and load.
  • 2:30pm Everyone in the band room for final instructions.
  • Check to be sure you have:
    • INSTRUMENT AND FLIP FOLDER
    • SUMMER UNIFORM
    • LUNCH/SNACK; WATERS WILL BE AVAILABLE
  • 2:45 LOAD BUSES
    • Bus 1: 8th graders/teachers/chaperones
    • Bus 2: 7th graders/teachers/chaperones
  • 5:30 pm Meet at Mazeroski Gate. Arrival time is dependent on road/traffic conditions.
  • 7:00 pm Perform the National Anthem!
    • Directly after, we will return to the bus, put horns and equipment away and go back to the stadium for the game.
  • At this point you will need to use your ticket to enter the park. Make sure you get one from an adult.
  • We will go to our assigned seats. We have a 200 seat block so parents will be seated nearby.
  • Students MUST stay in seats. Any student going for food/drink/bathroom must be accompanied by an adult.
  • After the 7th inning stretch we will return to our buses for the trip home.
  • Students who are not riding the bus home MUST be signed out.
  • All students who are signing out need to arrange for a “buddy” to unload their instrument at MMS.
  • 11:00 pm ESTIMATED arrival time back at Mountaineer Middle School. This arrival time depends on Pittsburgh traffic.

Summer Uniform Information

Summer band uniform:

  • The 2021-22 band t-shirt will be provided by the band for each student and will be passed out hopefully during band camp
  • Now is the time to begin organizing your child’s summer band uniform. Better to start collecting these things now rather than at the last minute. The summer uniforms will be worn for the Pirates game on August 11. The following items need to be provided and purchased BY EACH STUDENT prior to August 11:
    • Black shorts (Refer to Mon County Schools dress code for acceptable length)
    • Black crew socks (mid-calf)
    • Black Dinkle marching band shoes (these are available at O.B. Fawley Music store in Sabraton or can be found online. If ordering, check with Mr. Shaffer to determine the correct style. There are some used Dinkle shoes in the uniform room at the school that students may wear. Check with Mr. Shaffer or one of the band booster parents for assistance in trying on used shoes)
    • Majorettes and Silks will need to purchase the style and color of socks/shoes/shorts required for their uniform as determined by their instructor
  • If you have financial difficulty providing any of the above items, please speak discreetly to Mr. Shaffer.

Schedule for 7/12/21-7/15/21

Here’s the schedule for this week.

7/12/21 and 7/14/21 (Monday and Wednesday)

  • 9:00 Woodwind
  • 10:00 Full band
  • 11:00 Brass

7/13/21 and 7/15/21 (Tuesday and Thursday)

  • 9:00 Brass
  • 10:00 Full band
  • 11:00 Woodwind

7/12/21-7/15/21

  • 9:00-11:00 Majorettes and Percussion every day
  • 10:00-12:00 Silks every day (Anyone interested in silks may come at this time)
  • Majorettes and Silks should plan to attend sectionals if possible. Bring instruments and music as well as batons/flags.

Schedule for 7/6/21-7/8/21

July 6, 2021:

Drums 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Low Brass 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Trumpets 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Majorettes 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Anyone interested in Silks 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

July 7, 2021:

Clarinets 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Flutes 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Saxophones 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Majorettes 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Anyone interested in Silks 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

July 8, 2021:

Drums 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Low Brass 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Trumpets 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Majorettes 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Anyone interested in Silks 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

A message from the band boosters

Hello everyone! We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the officers for the 2020-21 Mountaineer Middle Band Boosters.

President: Jennifer Connoley

Vice President: Heidi Dunkle

Secretary: Laura Bandura

We need a treasurer. All that is required of this position is adding your name to our bank account, issuing checks, logging transactions/balancing the ledger. Our approach to serving as officers is very much a team effort. Please contact me if you are willing to help out as treasurer at jconnoley@gmail.com. Thanks so much for considering!

The email address for the band boosters is mailto:mmsmarchingband@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Please be sure to fill out and return the band forms which can be found under the Forms tab. Mr. Shaffer also has extra copies of the forms in the band room. The contact information form is extremely important so that we can communicate directly with you! As soon as we have contact information for you, we will set up a Remind so we can communicate things that come up quickly. Thanks so much!

Be sure to check out the Band’s google site for information from Mr. Shaffer. You can find all sorts of things there including the Band Handbook and other useful info. https://sites.google.com/boe.mono.k12.wv.us/mms-band/home

Summer Band 2020 continues

Mr. Shaffer has asked that students be reminded to

  1. Check the google classroom every day.
  2. Sign up for the classroom of their instrument as well as their grade. This is where they will be able to see their individual instrument parts and enter a google meet. So, each student should join TWO classrooms for band: one for their grade and one for their instrument.
  3. Work on the lessons from google classroom.
  4. Start to play with the MP3 that matches their instrument.
  5. Optional: record the march for Mr. Shaffer to create a matrix video.

More will be explained in the google classroom. If you have questions, feel free to email or message Mr. Shaffer.

Virtual Band Camp 2020

Students entering 7th and 8th grades should be sure to sign in to the band google classroom. See the last post for the codes. Mr. Shaffer would like the students to check in every day to see if there are new assignments and/or videos.

There are some assignments already posted, along with some videos and messages from Mr. Shaffer.

Thanks for being flexible and understanding in our current virtual learning environment.