We have an opportunity again this year to earn funds for our awesome band program by working in partnership with Kiwanis in the Longhorn booth at Pig Out at the Park and the Spokane Interstate Fair. Volunteers at these events typically take the customer's order, dish up their food, pour fountain drinks, etc. Longhorn employees cook the food and handle the money. Students are only allowed to work at the Longhorn booth if they are 16 years or older. All money earned by our band goes to the general fund.

The dates for Pig Out are Thursday, September 3rd - Monday, September 7th. Each day we need one person to work from 10:00 am-5:00 pm, one person from 11:30 am-5:00 pm and two people from 5:00-10:00 pm.

The Spokane Interstate Fair will be Friday, September 11th - Sunday September 20th. Shifts are from 11:00 am-5:00 pm, 12:00-5:00 pm, 5:00-10:00 pm, or 5:30-10:00 pm, depending on the day.

The more shifts we fill the more money we earn, so please plan to help out. To sign up for shifts, contact Diane Clinton at 892-5377 or e-mail ddclinton "at" hotmail.com.

Thank you for your support!

ATTENTION ... PARENTS AND STUDENTS ... WE NEED YOUR HELP THIS WEEKEND!

Each June, we have the privilege of working at Hoopfest as a fundraiser for our Marching Band. The majority of the proceeds go directly to cover the costs of our fall competition season, so every student benefits. These funds help us continue putting on a very competitive and entertaining show.

If you and/or your family will be in town this weekend, please join us. Shifts are available for both Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please contact Kay (924-0321). Hope to see you this weekend. Thanks.

Jim Loucks, Band Director

The total cost for the 2009 Band Camp will be $75.00 per student. This includes the cost for Camp White, all meals, staff, bus transportation, equipment truck rental, and a lifeguard for swimming. Full payment will be due on Monday, August 17, the first day of Band Camp.

The Band Boosters have several fundraisers planned for this summer, which can help with the funds needed for Band Camp. So, get involved now! For more information, register to receive Band Booster emails. Thanks.

Jim Loucks, Band Director

PLEASE NOTE: We still have openings for at least three (3) more girls ... if you know of anyone interested, please have them contact Lorie Alsperger or Jim Loucks for an audition. Thanks.

Tryouts for the 2009-2010 WVHS Drum-Line will be held on Wednesday, June 9, at 3:00 PM in the WVHS Band Room. Tryouts will go until 5:00 PM at the latest. For more information, please email Jim Loucks, WVHS Band Director. (jim.loucks@wvsd.com)

Do you use MySpace, Facebook or other Internet web site for your personal web pages?

Now you can add the wvbands.org web updates to your page, automatically with the wvbands "widget":


Click on "Get widget" and copy the provided code to your web page. Have fun and spread the word!

Parents and new students - PLEASE sign up for the email distribution list. Click on the link at the top of this page to do so!

Beginning this summer and extending in to 2009, we hope to cut down on the use of photocopies to deliver schedules and other information. We would like instead to deliver most announcements, schedules and so forth electronically.

As an inducement to sign up for the band email list, we will be emailing the Summer Schedule to everyone on the email distribution list - rather than posting here. Yes, we are trying to bribe you to join the email list!

Parents (students and friends of the band okay too) - please! - sign up for the email distribution list!

Important - if you are already on the list, then you do not need to sign up again! If you are a graduating senior you are welcome to remain on the list. You can also follow the band on MySpace, Twitter and Facebook (see links at left column).

COMMUNICATION
Communication is the key to our success! Last-minute surprises let down the whole group, so let’s talk early and often … it’s worked in the past and will continue as long as we communicate. Athletes, you can do Band and sports at West Valley High School, and conflicts in schedule can be worked out if given enough notice. I really appreciate each of you and look forward to another award-winning season!

Jim Loucks, Band Director
jim.loucks@wvsd.com

What an awesome way to end our great year! The first annual "Concert in the Park" was a huge success and I want to thank each of you students and parents for making it possible. To our Senior Class, you've had an amazing run for the past four years and you will be truly missed ... I am so proud of you!

And to our amazing underclassmen, we couldn't have done it without you ... the expectations are higher than ever, so let's get after it!

Finally, I want to personally thank each of you parents for your incredible support. Your sacrifice of time and energy for our kids is so unbelievable and so necessary. Thank you.

I am so proud to be your Band Director!!!

Jim Loucks

A performance in glass - does this qualify as percussion? This is amazing.

Improved video quality version is now online:


Link to YouTube - sort of HD quality version (video is still being processed as of 10pm Sun evening).

Over the next week or two, I will post some clips of some other bands in the parade that did some neat things.

Cindy will also be sending still photos that will be added to the photo gallery.
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Sacajawea Middle School took first in the Junior Lilac Parade and then marched in the Lilac Festival Parade. They are huge! Take a look:

Especially for those going to watch, a complete listing of all Lilac Festival Parade units is here.

This year features over 200 parade units with about 50 units designated as "bands" (including military band units too). Quite a few high school bands have come from all over the state to take part in this year's parade.

PARADE REHEARSAL - Wednesday, May 13
5:45 PM - Stretches
6:00 PM - FINAL rehearsal begins
7:30 PM - Rehearsal ends
(Attendance is mandatory - The Host Band)

LILAC PARADE - Saturday, May 16
4:00 PM - Report to WVHS (uniforms, French-braid hair, etc.)
4:30 PM - Rehearsal
5:15 PM - Load equipment
5:45 PM - Depart for Civic Theater Parking Lot
6:15 PM - Arrive (finish dressing, equipment)
6:45 PM - Report time ("basics" rehearsal)
7:15 PM - Staging time
7:45 PM - Parade begins (We're Unit #7 - The Host Band)

DRUM MAJOR TRYOUTS - Tuesday, May 19
7:00 AM - Marching and Conducting Aspect
3:00 PM - Candidate Interviews

DRUM-LINE TRYOUTS - Tuesday, May 19
3:00 PM - WVHS Band Room

BAND BOOSTER MEETING - Tuesday, May 19
7:00 PM - Meeting begins (Band Room)
(Election of 2009-2010 Officers/Revision of Bylaws/Etc.)

CAR WASH - Saturday, May 23
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (District Administration Building)
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (District Administration Building)
(Need 2 parents for each shift, plus students)
(Sign-Up in Band Room)

WVHS BAND CONCERT - Wednesday, May 27
Mirabeau Park (Picnic area)
5:00 PM - Set up
6:00 PM - Barbeque (more info later)
7:00 PM - Concert & Awards
8:00 PM - Dessert
(Featuring the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble and State Solo & Ensemble Participants)

MARCHING BAND – AAA
1st Place – Kennedy High School
2nd Place – WVHS

DRILL TEAM – AAA
1st Place – WVHS
2nd Place – Kennedy High School
(Cheerleaders/Color Guard/Dance Team)

CONGRATULATIONS!

2009 LILAC FESTIVAL PARADE
Saturday, May 16 – parade begins at 7:45 PM
We are Unit #7 – The “Host” Band
Detailed schedule next week