Director’s Update: Graduation, Kick-Off Camp, and Beyond!
Happy May, CIMP Families!
As our 2024-25 academic year winds down and the next begins, I just wanted to take a moment ensure everyone received some crucial information regarding these last few weeks before summer break.
Graduation
Every wind player and orchestra member in 9-11 grade participates in graduation unless otherwise specified. This is our last, but in many ways most important performance of the year. We encourage students to take it seriously because when the day comes that it is their turn to walk across the stage, they will want the ensemble to take it seriously for them. Here is what this event looks like:
May 15- after school rehearsal; required for all performing members.
- We try to start this rehearsal no later than 4:00 pm and end as soon as possible. The more prepared the ensemble is and the quicker they arrive and get warmed-up, the sooner we dismiss the group from rehearsal.
- This will go until 5 pm at the latest, with the goal of dismissing students at 4:40 pm.
May 17- Graduation Day!
2:00 pm- Call time @ CHS Band room
- arrive in concert black, w/ instrument and music
2:45 pm- bus leaves for Kino Sports Complex
3:45 pm- arrive at Kino, complete security sweep
4:00 pm- set-up, warm-up, sound check with audio engineers
5:00 pm- dinner break in green room (provided by Boosters)
7:00 pm- Graduation starts
9:00 pm- Estimated return time to bus after tear down and clean up.
10:00 pm- Estimated return time to CHS; Students dismissed after trailer is unloaded and instruments are checked back in.
Marching Band Kick-Off Camp!
This will be the second annual May camp for marching band. It is required of all members participating in the 2025 season.
Why do we do a mini-camp in May? Previously, July band camp has been 2 weeks long and typically started the before or after the 4th of July. In order to give families and staff as much summer vacation time as possible, we moved the first week of camp to May. This ensures everyone is still in town and gives everyone a good foundation to practice over the summer before July camp!
Dates: Monday, May 19 & Tuesday, May 20 (4-7 pm daily)
What are we doing? These are the days that drum line auditions and front ensemble part placement takes place, guard members are assigned equipment, and the whole band begins learning the visual fundamentals that we build our entire season off of. Additionally, we also cover staple music that is performed every year like the school Fight Song, Star-Spangled Banner, and other tunes.
What Should I Wear/Bring? Wear loose-fitting, athletic clothes.
- Tennis shoes with good arch support
- shorts
- t-shirt
- hat & sunglasses
- NO pants, hoodies, jackets, coats
- NO crocks, open-toe shoes, converses, boots, etc.
- Bring: Instrument, water bottle, a small snack, sunscreen, and a pencil to mark your music.
Full Band Camp
Dates: July 7-11 (8 am-5 pm daily)
Lunch: Plan to pack and bring a lunch every day. If there is a change in lunch plans, that information will come out in the June update
How Do I Prepare For Camp? Hydrate throughout the summer, go outside everyday, and do some lite exercising. You should also eat healthy and review the things you learn at Kick-Off Camp!
Finals/Auditions
Wind players in Concert Band and Symphonic Band: Each student will play an assigned etude for their semester final. Every student, regardless of class or grade, will play the same etude for their instrument.
- This final is used to determine ensemble placement and chair placement for the 25-26 school year.
- Students not currently in either class that want to audition for Symphonic Band should request an etude from Mr. Bailey this upcoming week and plan to audition during the week of finals.
Percussion students: Incoming percussion freshmen are encouraged to sign up for 1st period- concert band. Students who have already taken Percussion Techniques and/or have played with Symphonic Band this past year should sign up for 2nd period- Symphonic Band next year.
Jazz Band Auditions: Will coincide with concert band/symphonic band auditions. Current jazz band students will re-audition with their final for the semester. Students not currently in either class should speak with Mr. Bailey about auditioning for Jazz Band ASAP.
Please email Mr. Bailey with any questions or concerns: baileyr@vailschooldistrict.org