Thanks For A Great Year!

As we wind up the 2010-11 school year, I just wanted to say one more quick "thank you" to everyone for making this a great year.  We had some impressive achievements (being rated "Superior" at both regional and state Concert Band Contests, having the Marching Band selected to perform at Ohio State), some first time events (the commissioning and premiere of new work for concert band, "Exuberance" with the composer conducting, and a professionally recorded CD about to be released), and some traditional fun (combined performances with Elida, and the Middle School Bands).

Next year promises to be just as exciting - our numbers will again be increasing, and I expect that we will have another successful year.  Enjoy your summer, and I'll see you at the first rehearsal on July 7th!

Concert Band Superior at State!

On Saturday April 30, the Celina High School Concert Band earned a rating of "Superior" in class B at the Ohio Music Education Association State Concert Band and Choir Event, held at Findlay High School.  Congratulations to all on this outstanding achievement!

CHS Concert Band Again Rated Superior!

On Friday evening March 11, the Celina High School Concert Band earned a rating of "Superior" (the highest rating) at the Ohio Music Education Association District Large Group Adjudicated Event, held at Van Wert High School. This rating is compiled from the evaluations of four judges who assess the ensembles in all aspects of musical performance, including tone quality, intonation, balance and blend, rhythmic and note accuracy, technique, style, musical expression and sight reading. This "Superior" rating qualifies the band for state-level competition on April 30 at Findlay High School.

We are proud of the fact that our students have earned this rating consistently for many years.

OMEA Large Group Contest Itinerary

OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event – March 11, 2011

Itinerary

7:00 pm  Attendance, Get Dressed

7:30 Depart CHS

8:00 Arrive Van Wert HS, unload

8:45 Move to Warm up

8:50 Warm up

9:30 Performance

10:30 Load

10:45 Depart

11:15 Arrive CHS

Important Dates - Spring 2011

Some updates on important dates coming up:

Monday 2/21:  Sectionals, 6-8 pm

Tuesday 3/1:  Contest Preview Concert, 7 pm CHS Gym

Friday 3/11:  OMEA Large Group Contest, Van Wert HS. TENTATIVE Performance time is 9:30 pm (Students should plan on being involved with this all evening.  As soon as our time is confirmed, I will send out an itinerary.)

For your planning:  Band Camp is scheduled for July 24 - 29 at the University of Rio Grande.

Additional info with Summer dates and important info for next year will be coming soon.

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 10/25/2010

Lots going on this week . . . the Marching Band Concert Thursday evening, our final regular season game Friday night, and the Halloween Parade on Sunday for any volunteers that can join us with the Middle School Band.

One other note for Seniors and their parents:  as we have discussed during class, our senior recognition dinner will not be this weekend, as we have too many seniors with conflicts due to halloween, etc.  Further, the next weekend (Nov. 7) is out due to the fall play.  Right now, we're looking at Nov. 14.  Please let me know if you have any conflicts for this date.  We would like all of our seniors and their parents to be present if at all possible.

This week's events:

Thursday October 28,  7:30 pm - Marching Band Concert.  Students should be in the band room getting dressed by 6:45.  Please note that this is a change in time from earlier calendars due to sports events that will delay some students.

Friday October 29:  Football at Ottawa-Glandorf.  Depart at 5:30.  Home around midnight.

Sunday October 31:  Halloween Parade.  We could use any and all volunteers to come march with the Middle School Bands in the Halloween Parade.  Meet behind the Richardson-Bretz Building (behind the Library) at 1:30. We'll be done around 2:15.

Have a great week!

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 10/19/10

I hope everyone enjoyed last week's combined performance with Elida.  Both bands played well and sounded great!  This week we have another "massed band" event.  We will begin with a tribute to our seniors, and finish the show with the combined High School and Middle School Bands.  This is always a treat for our Middle School students, and encourages them to continue playing in High School.

This week's schedule:

• Thursday October 21:  5:30 pm:  PIZZA PARTY courtesy of CHS Athletic Dept., followed by chair placement auditions beginning at 6:00 pm.
• Friday October 22:  FB vs. Bath (Home).  Senior Night & Combined performance with CMS Bands.  Rehearsal at 5:45 pm.

Have a great week!

CHSMB Performs at OSU Skull Session

Enjoy the picutres below from the Skull Session on October 8.

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 10/11/10

Congratulations on a great job to everyone at the OSU Skull Session this past weekend.  I received numerous compliments on both the quality of our performance, and on the caliber of students we have.  You represented your selves, your school, your families, and your community well.  Thanks to your efforts, future CHS Band members will have the privilege of enjoying this opportunity in years to come.  I hope you enjoyed the experience.

This week, we have a couple of out-of-the-ordinary things going on as well.  On Thursday night (instead of rehearsal), we will be performing at the K of C hall across from Subway in support of a fund raiser for "Sources", which is a local anit-poverty non-profit organization.  We are happy to be able to support their efforts to help those in need right here in our own community.  Also, we will be doing a combined performance with Elida at Friday night's game, which has become a tradition that our students look forward to each year.

Our schedule for the week is as follows:

• Thursday 10/14, 6:00 pm:  Performance at K of C Hall.  Done by 7:00 (maybe earlier).
• Friday 10/15, 5:00 pm:  Depart for football game at Elida.

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 10/4/2010

We have an active and exciting week in front of us, so without further adieu, here's how it shakes out:

• Thursday October 7:  Rehearsal/Band Pictures, 6 - 9 pm  (Note the extended time due to pictures)
• Friday October 8:  FB @ Kenton.  Depart at 5:15 PM.
• Saturday October 9:  Skull Session at The Ohio State University.  Depart 6:00 AM.  Return approx. 3:30 PM.

A couple of important notes about Saturday:

1. Please remember to bring some money for Lunch - we will stop at Tuttle's Crossing on the way home and eat at the food court.  You may have a small amount time to shop as well.
2. Students who wish to ride home with their parents may do so if they provide Mr. Sellars with a note in advance.  You will not be released to your parents until we return to the band trailer and your instrument and uniform are put away and/or loaded.  A faculty member must see you leave with your parents (i.e. one of the four directors).

GO BUCKS!

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 9/27/10

As we enter the second half of the season, we have a lot of exciting activities and traditions coming up.  The OSU Skull Session, the combined performance with Elida, and our traditional end-of-the-season Marching Band Concert are a few of the things we have in store.

This week, we will present an encore performance of the "Styx" show at the homecoming game.  We are doing this for a couple of reasons:  1)  the pit performers were not permitted to bring their instruments into the stadium at St. Marys, and they want another chance to perform the show, 2) the rest of the band would like to perform the show again as they all put a great deal of effort into this elaborate and complex production, and 3) repeating this show gives us time to prepare an ample amount of music for the OSU Skull Session next week.

One more note:  As you know, it was our intent that when we went to the trimester, we would rehearse on Thursday night from 6 - 8 pm, but it became obvious early on that 2 hours would not be enough time to get the job done during the first part of the season, given the amount of new music and drill that had to be learned.  As we move into the second half, I think we can utilize the schedule as originally intended, giving students more time on Thursday evening to address their other studies as we had hoped to do when we went to the Trimester.  Therefore, this week's schedule is as follows:

Thursday 9/30:  Rehearsal, 6 - 8 pm

Friday 10/1:  Football vs. Shawnee (H).  Rehearsal at 5:45

Have a great week!

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 9/20/2010

Thanks to everyone for their patience, understanding, and maturity while dealing with a very diffcult, chaotic, and frustrating situation at St. Marys.  You handled yourselves very well, and things went about as smoothly as they could have under the circumstances.

This week's game should be a little easier logistically - we're at home!  This week's show is kind of a tribute/farewell to the summer sun, and should be fun. The band is playing well, and learning the drill quickly.

This week's activities:

Tuesday September 21:  Band Booster Meeting, 7:00 pm in the high school band room.

Thursday September 23:  Rehearsal 6 - 9 pm

Friday September 24:  Football (home) vs. Van Wert

ONLY TWO WEEKS till the OSU Skull Session!

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 9/13/10

Congratulations to everyone for pulling together a complex show in a short period of time last week, and for putting on a good performance at Friday night's game.  We had lots of positive reactions and comments, in spite of some classless behavior by some visiting fans and coaches.

This week, we will be polishing the Styx show for this week's game at St. Marys, as well as the Bath Band Spectacular.  In addition, we will be introducing the music for show #3, which is a farewell to the summer sun.  This week's schedule is as follows:

Thursday 9/16:  Rehearsal 6 - 9 pm

Friday 9/17:  FB @ St. Marys.  Depart CHS at 6:15 pm.

Saturday 9/18:  Bath Band Spectacular.  Rehearsal at 4:15 (detailed itinerary below).

Have a great week!

Celina Music Teachers to Present Clinic

Celina Middle School Music Teachers Everett and Angela Kalcec have been selected to present a clinic on teaching Jazz Improvisation at the Ohio Music Education Association's Professional Development Conference in January 2011.   The husband and wife team submitted a proposal to conference officials last spring, and were offically notified of their acceptance in late August. Clinicians for the event are selected from all over the country, and represent the leading music educators in the industry.  Over 5,000 of Ohio's Music Educators attend the conference each year.  This is quite a professional achievement, and we are extremely fortunate to have teachers of their caliber in our school district.

Bath Band Spectacular - Saturday September 18

Don't forget that Saturday September 18 is the Bath Band Spectacular, held at Bath High School Stadium in Lima.  The show starts at 7:00 pm, and tickets are available through Mr. Sellars or Mrs. Kalcec and are $7.00 (reserved seating).  If you purchase your tickets from us in advance, all proceeds from your purchase will go to the Celina HS Bands.  If you purchase them at the gate, they will be unreserved seats, and will benefit the Bath Bands.

Itinierary for band members is as follows:

4:15 Warm-up on track field - DON'T BE LATE!
4:45 Load
5:00 Depart CHS
6:00 Arrive @ Bath H.S. and unload
6:30 Report to staging area
7:00 Show begins
9:30 Approx. End of Show (this is my best guess)
10:00 Depart
11:00 Arrive at CHS

This is a fun show, and a great opportunity to showcase our talents.  See you there!

The Weekly Blurb - Week of 9/7/10

Thanks to all who came to hear Sunday's concert by the lake.  We had a large audience, beautiful weather, and a fine performance. 

This week, we are cramming to get our second show on the field and ready for Friday night's game.  Students should be practicing at home and/or during their advisory period to get music learned and memorized.  This week's schedule is a little lighter than last:

• Thursday 9/9:  Rehearsal 6 - 9 pm
• Friday 9/10:  FB vs. Wapak (H).  Be here ready to start rehearsal at 5:45 on field

Next week:  Bath Band Spectacular Saturday evening!

The Weekly Blurb - August 30, 2010

Congrats to all band members for a great job at the game last Friday night!  We're off to a great start!

This week, we are hard at work on show #2 (a tribute to the rock band "Styx"), as well as preparations for this week's concert by the lake, which is the final event on the Celina Summer Concert Series.

Important dates/times for the week:

• Rehearsal:  Thursday, 6-9 pm
• Football @ Defiance Friday:  Depart 5:15, home around midnight (we'll tweet travel updates enroute)
• Sunday:  Concert by the Lake (at the red tent on Lake Shore Dr.)  Students should be there by 5:30 to help with setup; the concert will start at 6:30.  We will wear our Summer uniforms for this event.

Have a great week!

CHSMB To Perform at Ohio State

The Celina High School Marching Band has been invited to perform at The Ohio State University as the guest performing group at the Ohio State Marching Band's "Skull Session" on Saturday October 9 prior to the OSU vs. Indiana football game.  The Skull Session is essentially a Concert/Pep Rally held in St. John's Arena prior to every home game, and is attended by over 10,000 fans.  Visiting college bands often perform at this event as well, and it is quite an honor for us to be invited.

The OSU Marching Band in St. John's Arena

Mercer County Fair Band Show

Just a reminder that this Wednesday evening (Aug. 18) is the Mercer County Fair Band Show. We will meet AT THE FAIRGROUNDS in the infield of the track at 6:15. We will be wearing our Summer Uniform, and you must be wearing it in order to be admitted to the Fair free. Also, band members should enter via the gate near the grandstands (at the end of Wayne St.).
The show will begin at 7:00, and band members must stay for the entire show. The whole thing should be over by about 8:00.
See you there!

Celina Bands Now Using Twitter!

Band Parents may now sign up to follow the Celina High School Bands on Twitter (follow "CelinaHSBands").  We promise not to bombard you with meaningless or unimportant tweets.  This service will be used to inform you of things like weather cancellations, travel updates, and other urgent information.  Such messages might include things like "Band at I-75 & 33 - home in 25 minutes", or "game called due to lightning - leaving now", etc.  A number of parents have already signed up and have remarked that they really like this service.  I urge you to make use of this valuable tool.

Memorial Day Location Change!

I just received word this afternoon that, due to the construction on Main Street, the location for the Memorial Day Service has been changed to the red tent by the lake (on Lake Shore Drive - the same place we have our concert on Labor Day weekend).

If you're confused, contact me and I'll be gald to help.

Memorial Day Service Itinerary

As in years past, the Celina High School Marching Band will again be performing for the annual Memorial Day Veteran's Service on Monday May 31 at the Celina Veteran's Memorial at the intersection of Logan and Main.  We will wear summer uniforms for this event, and the itinerary is as follows:

• 10:10 am     Attendance behind the old County Administration Building (next to the Shell station - look for the band trailer)
• 10:15 am     Warm-Up
• 10:30 am     Ceremony Begins
• 11:00 am     Dismissed

In the event of rain, check this blog for the alternate location.

Spring Concert May 4, 2010

The Celina High School Concert Band and Jazz Band will present their annual Spring Concert on Tuesday May 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Celina High School Gym.  The concert will feature a variety of jazz selections, and performances of the works performed by the Concert Band at State finals.  This event will also serve as our awards ceremony in which students will be recognized for musical and academic achievements.  Students should be dressed and ready to warm up at 7:00, and the concert will begin at 7:30.

CHS Concert Band Excellent at State

On Saturday May 1, the Celina High School Concert Band earned an overall rating of "Excellent" at the OMEA Concert Band State Finals in Findlay.  The adjudicators had many positive things to say, and our students represented their school and community in an outstnading manner.  Congratulations to all for a fine job!

CHS Concert Band State Finals Itinerary

The CHS Concert Band will be performing at OMEA State Concert Band Finals at Findlay High School this Saturday at 10:00 am. Come on up and hear our performance and support our wonderful students! For parents and students, the band's itinerary for the day is below:

• 6:15 am Check-in
• 6:30 am Depart CHS
• 8:30 am Arrive and unload
• 9:15 am Warm-up
• 10:00 am State Finals Performance!
• 10:35 am Sight Reading (no spectators permitted)
• 11:45 am Depart Findlay HS
• 1:15 pm Arrive at CHS

Congratulations to the band on qualifying for state. Good luck in your performance on Saturday!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Celina High School Band News. Follow this blog to keep track of our performances, events, and activities.