Willoughby South High School Marching Band 

Update 23, November 5, 2023

Attention Parents:  There will always be a parent directed message at the end of these updates

Hello Everyone,

    CONGRATULATIONS ON EARNING STRAIGHT I’S AT STATE CONTEST!!!  And just let me say it was indeed every bit of a straight I level performance.  In fact, with about a minute left in the 4th movement, I turned to Mrs. Logan and said “if this isn’t straight I’s, I don’t know what is”.  Without question one of the finest, if not THE finest South Marching Band performances at State since we began marching band competition in 1997.  I am not being hyperbolic.  The music sounded great, with precision, balance, good intonation (Mother Nature was indeed kind to us) and crisp articulation.  Plus, the soloists NAILED IT!!!  You sold it.  The drill was clean and precise,  the morphing of the forms occurred as designed and the transitions were clean and precise.  You sold it.  Visually, you floated across the field, the visuals were crisp, precise and effective.  The Color Guard had an amazing performance, taking the judge who almost gave you a III at Norton to a I at State!!!  You sold it. Like I said, Sell It + Effective = State I.  I LOVE IT when y’all prove me right!  Though there are still some bands left to perform today, out of the 85 bands that have performed so far, only 34 earned straight I’s.  Talk about the cream of the crop!  There are roughly 650 high school marching bands in Ohio.  This was INDEED a huge accomplishment and you should be tremendously proud of the result of your effort.  I have attached the video, KEEP IT, it is something you will want to watch well into the future.

 And once again, that State Week magic made it’s return.  I told you after Brunswick that I felt your performance was “meh”, there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ‘meh” about this performance.  I wish we could find a way to tap into that State Week magic earlier, but watching the improvement this week, particularly in your performance of the show (selling it) was incredibly noticeable, especially when we got to Thursday, which was the first time I thought you could pull off the State I.  Friday only further convinced me, Saturday morning made me confident.  And your performance Saturday evening was the best of the 4.  That is indeed the ideal trajectory heading in to State!!!  

There are so many people to credit for this accomplishment…

• First, Jeff Larch for the fantastic musical score and Carl Deifenbach for the fantastic drill.

• The staff, for their dedication, generosity of time, patience (for putting up with everything, including ME), and willingness to offer their knowledge and expertise to help you succeed.

• The Band Boosters and Parents for just EVERYTHING they do to make this thing “work”, and allowing the students to be able to concentrate on what they need to concentrate on..

• And to the members of the 2023 Willoughby South High School Marching Band.  The hours, the sacrifice, the efforts put forth are truly immeasurable.  EVERYONE around knows the work that you put in, and the results speak for themselves.  This was our 7th CONSECUTIVE State I.  Thank YOU for everything!  This season has been a pleasure.

FEES

    Please turn in any remaining marching band and uniforms fees bere the conclusion of the marching band season, which is rapidly approaching (remember when I said back in May that Thanksgiving would be here just like that…  I wasn’t kidding!!!)

Online Marching Band Photo Album…

    This year, we are operating an online photo album where everyone can access and upload photos from throughout the season.   The album ultimately will be used for the band banquet video.  Please feel free to upload any marching band photos to this album that you may have.  Please use the link below to access the album:

    If you have any questions, please DO NOT contact me as I will not be able to help you.  Please email Kyle Johnson, video GURU at [email protected].  Or, yell at him the next time you see him!

One Additional Performance added to the Schedule:  THIS TUESDAY (Election Day/Prof. Development Day)

7:30:    STUDENT ARRIVAL.  It would be helpful if maybe a “set up crew” could arrive around 7:15 to arrange the cafe’.                                   PLEASE ENTER THE BUILDING THROUGH THE BAND ROOM, NOT THE MAIN ENTRANCE.

8:00:    Performance, will be similar to the Indoor Concert.

8:30:     Done, please have your rides arrive no later than 8:45.

PLEASE WEAR YOUR POLOS!

Potential Marching Band Trip 2024????

    Now that marching band is done, I will be setting up a meeting with administration regarding a critical element of any trip that needs to be rectified before I can plan a trip.  Stay tuned!!!

    I sincerely hope that you feel that the band’s tremendous accomplishment at State could not have been possible without you and your support.  From uniforming, to chaperoning, to feeding, to funding, to loading, to transporting to filming, to announcing, to  supporting…  there is no way we could have done this without you and your help!  Speaking for the staff, the students and myself, a most heartfelt THANK YOU for everything!!!

WE HAVE A MAJOR PROJECT COMING UP!!!

    I announced at last month’s Band Booster Meeting that we need to begin the fundraising process necessary to make a new uniform purchase happen.  Our current uniforms are approaching 10 years and the end of their useful life.  My hope is to have new uniforms for the fall 2025 season.  Uniforms are roughly $500 each, so we are looking at an approximate cost of $50,000 (this would NOT include raincoats, though I believe those are still in decent condition).   Do you have connections in the business community?  Do you have fundraising experience?  We would LOVE to have your help!!!  Please send me an email if you would like to provide your help!    

       Any questions about anything marching band, please email me at [email protected].  See everyone on MONDAY.