Playoff Bound!!

Congratulations to the Golden Arrows for once again making it to the playoffs! We're proud of them. That also means we get to continue our performance season as noted on your 2007-2008 calendar. As always, we will perform at the playoff game on Friday, Nov. 9th wherever it may be. The location will be determined after this Friday and we'll start planning for the event next week as soon as we know.

The game is a REQUIRED PERFORMANCE as are all performances of the Golden Arrow Band. Make sure and let your circle of folks know that you will be at the game this Friday, and all weeks thereafter until the season is ended.

Upcoming dates to be aware of:

Nov. 6 Jazz tryouts at VB
Nov. 9 Playoffs
Nov. 10 Jazz Clinic at VB
Nov. 16 Playoffs??
Dec. 1 Lavaca Christmas Parade
Dec. 8 JH Region Tryouts
Dec. 10 Christmas Concert

Thanks for all you do!! Let's finish the semester strong. Don't let down during the transition time from marching to concert season. Concert band is where we really get to shine........we also don't get wet feet!!

No early band this week. We'll start back next week.

c

What a band!!!!

Hey gang!!! WOW!!! What an awesome show! I was very proud of you! You were GRRRRREAT!!! WTG!!!

On another positive note!! Thanks for your excellent behavior today as well. You behaved as well as you performed. Both on and off the field you did Lavaca, our band, our staff, your families and yourselves proud. Thank you!!!!!

For those who check this blog, but aren't in the band, The Award Winning Lavaca Golden Arrow Marching Band received straight ones from all the judges yet again! They were the only band in their class to do so. Top of the top again. WOOP!

I'll post the show here and on YOUTUBE on Wednesday so everyone can see!!! Congratulations!!!


c

Last Friday and the Upcoming Week

WOW!! That's really all I can say. You guys blew me away Friday night. I can't even begin to tell you how many people have told me that was the most awesome they've ever seen you. I'm so proud of you. Halftime was a very special moment for our band. Way to go gang!!

I'm even more excited about our show on Tuesday at Northside. Remind everyone that we go on at 4:15 on Tuesday and invite everybody you know to come out and see the show!

No early band this week. But, do come early enough Monday to unload the trailer and get set up for rehearsal so we can polish it up for the big gig! Thanks for a super effort!!!

c

What a week!!!

Wow! I can't believe how hard you guys worked this week. I'm pumped about tonight. It's gonna be great and Tuesday will just knock everybody's socks off!!!! Keep it up!

We'll rehearse Tuesday morning and then issue uniforms, load equipment and head out for lunch at the mall. We'll leave there in time to get to NSide for the first band of the day. Don't forget, that since we check out of school to go watch bands that we will stay and watch bands. The event is not over until after the ATU Band of Distinction Performance. We'll all be staying there together to watch the shows and see what other bands are doing.

It will be a blast. You'll need $$ for lunch at the mall and concession stuff throughout the evening. We'll have a snack for you after our show. Dress warmly, but please DO NOT bring blankets. It's not gonna be THAT cool.

Woop!

c

YAWN!!!!

Hey guys. I just got in from judging the UA Monticello Contest today and tonight. It was a VERY long day, but it was a good one. I really enjoy seeing what other groups are doing. It serves several purposes. 1)I get to find out what is going on in other programs. 2) I get to see what we can work on to get better by seeing what those groups are doing and 3) I get to realize how blessed I am to work with you guys every day.

I'm proud of you. Keep working hard. There is much to be done, but there is so much that has already been done as well. I saw a Tshirt today that really made me think.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

We all need to evaluate where we fall in that statement. Are we "hard work"? Are we "talent"? Are we using hard work to better our talent? Are we doing all we can with all we have to be all we can be?

Press on gang! Let's make sure we all do our part. See you in a little while. Man, who's the moron that thought up 7:00 AM rehearsals anyway>>>>????

c

Great Job Tonight!!

I'm so proud of you guys for a great job tonight. Thanks for your hard work and your dedication. It's really starting to pay off. Let's hunker down and finish strong. We've got a lot to do in the week ahead to get ready for Region Contest at Northside. Let your friends and family know that we perform at 4:15 on Tuesday the 23rd. We want to have as many folks come out and support you guys as we can get.

Way to go band!!!

c

TRANE

Thank you to the 83 faithful who persevered and worked so hard Saturday. I appreciate all of you who did what needed to be done!! Thanks especially to those of you who brought extra helpers to fill the gaps. You are awesome. Enjoy the extra reward you earned for your efforts!! You deserve it!!

c

Homecoming Stuff

We'll wear travel uniforms Friday afternoon for the parade. I'll give you the skinny on where to be when for that event. It's shorter this year, so it shouldn't be as stressful. We'll play the Fight Song as always.

Friday night call is 5:45 dressed and ready at the stadium. You will take your uniform home Friday night as we will not be coming back to the band room. TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT!!! THEY COST A LOT AND THEY'RE PRETTY FRAGILE IN THEIR OLD AGE!!!!!!!!!!!

We'll load all the percussion and big stuff into the trailer at the end of the game Friday.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BLACK SOCKS, BANDOS, WINDSUIT PANTS AND BAND SHIRTS FOR THE PARADE.

c

IT'S CRUNCH TIME!!!!

We are down to the last few days of marching contest prep. The show is on the ground, the big push is on and we're working hard to finish strong. The progress you guys have made in the last several days is nothing short of phenomenal!!! I'm very proud of you band. Keep your eye on the prize and keep working hard. Ask yourself each day, "Am I doing all I can to make our band all it can be??" Are you working outside rehearsals and sectionals to improve your individual skills so the band will improve? Remember the words of Salome Thomas EL, "If you're not on your way, you're in our way!" Let's all continue to strive to be the best we can be. It's not about perfection though. It's about the process of growing as individuals, as musicians and as a band. Remember our motto: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do!!

Greetings from Eureka Springs

Hey gang. I'm sorry I'm away from you guys for a couple of days, but things are going well at the conference. I heard a great speaker this morning from Philadelphia. His name is Salome Thomas-EL. He's a principal there and just an amazing teacher. He focused on many of the same things we harp on and work so hard on in band - students' responsibility to those around you, the importance of serving others, the importance of always striving to get better.

I spoke with V after this morning's rehearsal. He said you did great learning the 6 new sets. I'm looking forward to hearing how the next 4 pages of drum drill go tomorrow. Keep it up.

Spend time daily practicing on your own. The only way the group can be its best is if you are your best. Be on time. Be ready to work. Have all your stuff. You know the expectation and and you know the drill. When you do right everybody benefits. When you don't, everybody is hurt. The success of the bands rests in the hands of each individual member. Think about it. If all but one sound great and one sounds awful, then we all sound awful. The same goes with marching.

Thanks for working so hard while I'm gone. Thanks to Mr. V for standing in the gap. Y'all are awesome. Continue to work on being on time. I don't want any company in the band set on Friday night during 3rd quarter.......... : )

I'll leave you with two thoughts from Mr. Thomas-EL

"You can not be a passenger. Everybody is a member of the crew."
"If you're not on your way, you're in our way!"

Those two lines parallel our "band on a mountainside" philosophy. We're on the side of the mountain and we're either moving toward the peak and getting better, or we're sliding down the slippery slope. There is no standing still.

Are you a passenger sitting back and taking it in? Or, are you a crew member working hard to make the voyage smoothe? Are you on your way to getting better or getting in the way of those who are?

Both those thoughts are "either/or" propositions. There is really no middle ground. I want to do all I can to help you be the best you can be.

Press on band! Keep working hard to get better each day. Let's continue to want to be better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today.

I miss you guys!! See you Wednesday at 7:00 a.m.!!!! I can't wait! Really!!!!!! I'm not kidding!!!!!

c