Weekly Update

Thank you to all our students who performed at the elementary schools last week. All our visits were very successful. The students enjoyed your playing and you probably convinced a few of them to join band next year at middle school! Good job!
We’d also like to thank our drumline and auxiliary students who performed at the Signing Events during lunch in the past two weeks. Thank you for volunteering your time and for supporting your fellow students!
Band picture orders were given out to students in class last week. Band composite orders should arrive soon. If you’d still like to order pictures, please visit https://www.pdiportraits.com/.
This week we have auxiliary auditions for next year on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. The registration link for auditions will close at 10:00pm tonight. Students who miss registration can still audition; they will just have to fill out their information when they arrive. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
All concert bands will resume their after-school rehearsals this week. These rehearsals are to help prepare for the upcoming Spring Band Concert. The schedule is listed below and is posted on the band calendar.
Graduation Band Agreement Forms are past due. If you have not already turned one in, please do so ASAP.
All scholarship applications are due by 5:00pm this Thursday. Don’t miss out on these opportunities!
All 2023-2024 Officer Applications are due by 5:00pm this Friday. Please follow all instructions posted on Canvas.
Here's what you need to know for our upcoming events.

This Week’s Schedule:
Monday (5/1)

• Wind Symphony, 2:15-3:15pm
• 2023-2024 Marching Pride Auxiliary Auditions, 4:00-6:00pm

Tuesday (5/2)

• Wind Ensemble, 2:15-3:15pm
• Extra Drum Major Conducting Workshop, 3:15-4:00pm
• 2023-2024 Marching Pride Auxiliary Auditions, 4:00-8:00pm

Wednesday (5/3)

• Teacher Appreciation Luncheon Jazz Performance, Call 11:15am
• Symphonic Winds, 2:15-3:15pm
• Drum Major Workshop, 3:15-4:30pm

Thursday (5/4)

• Band Scholarship Applications Due by 5:00pm
• Orchestra & Choir End of the Year Concert, 6:30pm

Friday (5/5)

• 2023-2024 Marching Pride Officer Applications Due by 5:00pm
• Band Awards Banquet RSVP Due by 5:00pm
• 2023-2024 Marching Pride Auxiliary Auditions, 4:00-6:00pm

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Graduation Band Agreement Forms (Past Due): The 2023 Palmetto Ridge High School Graduation Ceremony will be on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the FSW Suncoast Arena located at 13351 FSW Pkwy Fort Myers, FL.  It is tradition for all non-graduating band students to perform at the graduation ceremony. All students in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and those who wish to perform must turn in the attached Graduation Band Agreement Form, which is now past due. Please turn in the form ASAP. 

Poppin’ Popcorn Fundraiser (Ends Sun. 4/30): This fundraiser is closing tonight! This fundraiser is to help cover the expenses of our Band Awards Banquet. All students were asked to sell at least 1 item. 

Auxiliary Auditions (Mon. 5/1, Tues. 5/2, Fri. 5/3): Auxiliary auditions for next year’s auxiliary team are in May on the dates provided. The registration link provided on the flyer will close at 10:00pm on Sunday, 4/31. Students can register at: https://forms.gle/bpwbwTuxZJcwiKzLA. Please help spread the word to prospective new members. The audition flyer is attached to this email.

Teacher Appreciation Jazz Band Performance (Wed. 5/3): The band room will be closed on Wednesday, May 3rd during lunch. Our jazz bands will be performing for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon hosted by our Band Boosters on Wednesday. All jazz band students will report to their 5th period class and leave at 11:15am to go to the band room. (There will not be an all call, please keep track of the time.) Performing students will wear a black PRHS Marching Pride shirt, neutral-colored bottoms, and neutral-colored shoes. Thank you to our Band Boosters for providing lunch to our teachers and staff!

Band Booster Senior Scholarships (Applications Due Thurs. 5/4): This year our Band Boosters are offering 2 senior scholarship awards, the Daileen Alfonso Scholarship Award, and the Julie Ann Johnson Scholarship Award. These awards will be presented at the Band Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 13th. Students who are interested in applying must complete the online application and essay by Thursday, May 4th. More information can be found on the band website under the “Students” tab. 
Marching Pride Scholarships (Applications Due Thurs. 5/4): This year our Band Boosters have received a very generous donation to be put towards scholarship opportunities for our current members. These are not annual awards, and these will not be offered next year. Students who are interested in applying must complete the online application by Thursday, May 4th. More information can be found on the band website under the “Students” tab. 
Drum Major Auditions & Officer Applications (Applications Due Fri. 5/5): Students who are interested in applying for an officer position for next year will have to sign-up to join the Marching Pride Officer Canvas Page. Mrs. Robinson sent invitations to the page last week. This Canvas Page is the only way students can access and turn in applications and contracts. Please contact Mrs. Robinson for more information.
Senior Spotlights for Social Media (Due ASAP): Mrs. Robinson would like to feature our graduating seniors on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Seniors who wish to be featured must send their answers to the following questions along with one picture of themselves. Questions are: 1) Favorite Band Memory, 2) Favorite Marching Band Show, 3) Future Plans. Please send this information via email at [email protected]. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THIS INFORMATION THROUGH CANVAS, as it could get overlooked. Please do not wait until the last minute. Mrs. Robinson will end Senior Spotlight posting on social media on Wednesday, May 24th. We will only post 2 seniors a day. If you wait till the last minute, you might not get featured.
Senior Spotlight Ads (Due by Mon. 5/8): This year, to cut down on costs, we are only providing digital programs for the Band Awards Ceremony. We still want to take the opportunity to recognize our graduating seniors, so if you’d like Mrs. Robinson to feature your student, please email her your Senior Spotlight Ad at [email protected] by Monday, May 8th. Your ad can include pictures and/or a message to your student or their bio. These ads will only be featured in the digital program for this year’s Band Awards Banquet. There is no charge for these ads.

Spring Band Dress Rehearsal (Wed. 5/10): All concert bands will have their dress rehearsal for the Spring Band Concert on Wednesday, May 10th. Wind Symphony will rehearse from 2:15-3:15pm, Symphonic Winds will rehearse from 3:15-4:15pm, and Wind Ensemble will rehearse from 4:15-5:00pm. All students who plan on performing the special piece for Mr. Howell will rehearse from 5:00-5:45pm. We will have 1 lunch rehearsal to go over the marching band portion of the concert. This lunch rehearsal will be on Thursday, May 11th. Students who signed up to perform in an ensemble for this concert will have to perform their pieces for Mrs. Robinson in class or by appointment.   

Spring Band Concert (Thurs. 5/11): Our final band concert of the year will be on Thursday, May 11th at 6:30pm in the auditorium. Admission is free. This concert will feature our three concert bands, two jazz bands, select student ensembles, and the Marching Pride! We hope to see you there!

Band Awards Banquet (Sat. 5/13): Our Band Awards Ceremony and Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 13. A separate email was sent out last week Wednesday with more details. Don’t forget to RSVP by 5:00pm on Friday, May 5. The RSVP form is for all students. Please fill out the form even if you do not plan on attending. Admission to the dinner and dance is $10. Payments are due by Wednesday, May 10th. Students who participated in the Poppin’ Popcorn Fundraiser will not have to pay admission.

2023-2024 Marching Pride Commitment Forms & Fees (Due Mon. 5/15): Commitment Forms and Fees for next year are due by Monday, May 15th. Mrs. Robinson has sent out 2 emails to next year’s members. If you did not receive these emails and plan on returning next year, please email Mrs. Robinson so she can update her records. We have sent out information for next year’s percussion results, next year’s concert band and jazz band results, and reminders for our upcoming auxiliary auditions.

Questions? Please email Mrs. Robinson at [email protected]. ​