Dear HC Band Family, I wanted to take a minute to express my gratitude and thanks to all students and families for the work and effort put into making our performances yesterday the highest quality! Mr. Bayerle and I are extremely proud of all of the students’ efforts yesterday from the rehearsal to the professional attire to the audience behavior and etiquette to the performances on stage to the ride home concluding with the clean up process. The students took care of every detail with diligence and care creating what will be a long lasting memory not only for all involved directly, but for our audience at Scott Co. High School.
The Concert Band maximized their true potential yesterday and gave an inspiring performance on some very demanding literature earning them an overall distinguished rating! The band’s performance of Songs of Old Kentucky was some of the finest playing heard at the festival and would have made the composer, Dr. Karrick proud! The Wind Ensemble proved that confidence with humility is essential to success in musical performance. The focus, great attitude, and mindset earned the band unanimous distinguished ratings! The wind ensemble attempted and PERFORMED the most difficult literature in this activity as Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger is mainly reserved for college bands and is a challenge even at that level. Words cannot express how proud I am of the effort, the preparation, the maturity, and the ability to rise to the occasion in performance. We have truly pushed “the bar” to one of the highest levels this year for the HC Band program!
In speaking with adjudicators and colleagues after our performances, I heard numerous compliments on our groups from our stage presence to the maturity in the ensemble sound of both groups to the attention to detail in preparation of the phrasing of the music. One stage judge commented that the two most musical groups heard all weekend were the HC bands!
Congratulations to all. I hope our parents and families enjoyed the show and the students realize what they were able to accomplish with commitment, dedication, and hard work. We often talk about the value of this experience being in the preparation process but the audience is able to clearly see and hear the results in a culminating performance like our opportunity yesterday. Thanks to all!
A BIG thanks to those who keep our program running and went straight to the Bingo Hall yesterday after our performance to work for the band!
The road ahead is a busy one…please note the schedule for the week and prepare by viewing the online band calendar.
Monday 4/30: Drum Major Auditions There will be a “live” conducting portion during 4th period followed by the formal conducting auditions and interview after school based upon the schedule posted on my door. We also continue with Drum and Guard Trainings tomorrow.
Wednesday 5/2: Leadership Interviews will begin at 3:30 PM. I will post a schedule on my door tomorrow. There is a possibility, due to the number of applicants, that interviews will also be held on Thursday after school as well. Steel Band and Guard Training on Wed.
Thursday 5/3: Optional Steel Band Practice Session Open band room for students to rehearse parts for the upcoming Pops Concert. Lab Band Rehearsal 3:30-5:00 PM.
Friday 5/4: No School Rest and recharge for the last part of the year.
Key Dates to Remember: HC Band Banquet- Monday, May 14 at Immanuel Baptist Church at 6:00 PM. Sign up in the band room. One of my favorite evenings of the year…we will honor our seniors and recognize outstanding band members with awards! Oh yes…and eat together 
KMEA Jazz Festival at HC- Saturday, May 19 Jazz Ensemble and Lab Band will perform. I will need student volunteers to help me that day
Pops Concert- Monday, May 21 in the HC Gym at 6:00 PM
HC Graduation- Friday, May 25 at 4:00 PM at Rupp Arena. Current and New Wind Ensemble members (minus incoming students) will perform. Details and itinerary TBA.
Thanks again to everyone! I look forward to enjoying all of the wonderful HC Band activities with you as we end this year! Sincerely, Bill Kite william.kite@fayette.kyschools.us Director of Bands
Henry Clay High School
