BIG CHANGES SLATED FOR THE BHS BAND PROGRAM!!!!.

As you all may or may not know, we are in a major scheduling dilemma at Bearden High School! The marching band enrolled 215 students in 2005 and has dropped to 126 in 2007. There are several reasons for this drop in enrollment. One of these is our inability to compete with the non-performing fine arts class entitled Music for Listeners. This is the perfect "out" for an incoming freshman student who is afraid or terribly misinformed about band at the high school level. Additionally, this creates major schedule issues for these students for the rest of their high school years. As most of you know, with youth and adults alike, once a pattern is established it becomes very difficult to stop it without a major change. We requested that incoming ninth grade students not be allowed to take this class so that we could reach these students first, but we were denied this request. We have found through data collection and questioning of the current and past band students that once we get a student in the high school band program, they realize success and achievement far above anything they ever imagined and generally stay with us for all four of their high school years. For the most part, the students who are currently enrolled in our program had to be prodded or even forced to go to the first day of band camp. Now, they wouldn't think of not being in our band program. This is further proof that eighth grade students are being misinformed and even encouraged by others, including some parents, not to continue in band in high school. Obviously, the middle school student is the life's blood of any high school band program. We are on "high alert" at the moment because there are 77 freshmen at Bearden High School who played in the eighth grade band at West Valley Middle School last year, and we have 21 of these in our band currently. Obviously, the "blood supply" is being cut. To be fair, I must also inform you that we lose some students between the ninth and tenth grade year because of the enormous leap from freshman band to symphonic band. For several years we have requested a third concert band class to bridge this gap which we feel would provide a stepping stone of ability which would be consistent with every other academic class at Bearden High School. These requests have also been denied with the reasoning that "we can't afford to lose you out of Music for Listeners". So, we are in a very tangled web which is choking our band program little by little.

Additionally, the majority of our student fee monies are spent on transportation to away football games. By having to use this money is this way, band festival and competition travel becomes very limited. These travel opportunities are a major selling point to convince young men and women to be a part of our award winning program and serves as a reward for their time and efforts. How many athletes would participate in a sport if they never played a game?

Steps which have been taken to attempt to solve this problem:

1. A letter was mailed to every eighth grade band student’s parents making them aware of this problem. This letter also included information about research showing the effects of music student’s high achievements academically. Additionally, we strongly encouraged them to be actively involved in the child’s registration process, not only for next year, but all four years of high school.
2. Both Mrs. Christian and I will be in frequent contact with these eighth grade band students helping them to understand the impact which they can make in our program and the opportunities available to each and every one of them.
3. We have asked Mr. Spriko, Mrs. Sanders, and Mr. Key to help us with daily conversation about the importance of continuing their music education experiences.

Steps which we are considering to alleviate this trend and build the band program to its expected size and stature:

1. Lowering the band student fee to make this activity affordable to every child.
2. Shorten Band Camp to 6 full days, giving students more summer vacation.
3. Limiting or cutting full band appearances at away football games.
4. Limiting or cutting the Band Booster Club fees with the “all for one and one for all” approach to fundraising.
5. Scheduling a major event for the marching band for the fall of 2008.
6. We are encouraging all parents to be actively involved in your child’s scheduling. Don’t let someone tell your child “you can’t take that class and be in band”.

Our band is one of the most consistently successful organizations at Bearden High School. We would like to keep it that way; in fact our constant goal is to improve a little each and every day.

Please, as parents and supporters of the Bearden Band program, be professional, vocal, and insistent on our goals and dreams.

Thank you for your time,

Mark Connell
Band Director
Bearden High School

All State East Senior Clinic

Congratulations to all the BHS band members who auditioned for and/or participated in the recent ETSBOA All State East Senior Clinic. It takes a tremendous amount of personal dedication and effort to participate in the auditions and in the clinic and our band students always make the BHS Band Program proud!

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2008 Bearden High School Concert Band

The 2008 Bearden High School Concert Band will begin the first day of the second semester of the 2007-2008 school year. The Concert Band is the freshman ensemble of the Bearden High School Band program. Therefore, there are several expectations that will be followed in order to be a part of this ensemble.

1. Every student will be expected to participate on an Advanced level every day. Students who are sick will be expected to check out of school. If you are in class you are expected to participate.
2. Every student will be expected to have instrument in excellent playing condition every day.
3. Every student will be evaluated on his/her performance of the selected music.
4. Every student will be held accountable for his/her performance of the selected music.
5. Any Student not performing up to the expected standards will be removed from the performing ensemble.
6. Professional student behavior will be expected during all rehearsals. Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from the Concert Band.

All students are expected to meet these standards in order to be a part of the Bearden Concert Band program.

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2008 Bearden High School Symphonic Band

The 2008 Bearden High School Symphonic Band will begin the first day of the second semester of the 2007-2008 school year. The Symphonic Band is the most prestigious ensemble of the Bearden High School Band program. Therefore, there are several expectations that will be followed in order to be a part of this ensemble.

1. Every student will be expected to participate on an Advanced level every day. Students who are sick will be expected to check out of school. If you are in class you are expected to participate.
2. Every student will be expected to have instrument in excellent playing condition every day.
3. Every student will be evaluated on his/her performance of the selected music.
4. Every student will be held accountable for his/her performance of the selected music.
5. Any Student not performing up to the expected standards will be removed from the performing ensemble.
6. Professional student behavior will be expected during all rehearsals. Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from the Symphonic Band.

Students who cannot meet these standards are encouraged to be a part of the Concert Band Program, which meets during 3rd period each day.

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BHS Band - 501(c)3 Status

As a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, the Bearden High School Band Boosters welcomes tax deductible donations to fund the outstanding Bearden High School Band programs. The average cost per student participant in the program is $350, which is partially covered through fundraisers but most of the burden falls directly on the parents. This only includes the cost of performing at local events. Expenses for participating at regional, national or international events are not included and are typically out of our financial reach.

Please visit our Sponsors page to learn more about BHS Band sponsorship.

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Upcoming Dates and Events

Wednesday, May 7	BHS Symphonic Band In-school Concert; BHS Auditorium, 4th period
Thursday, May 8	Annual Spring BHS Band ConcertBHS Auditorium; 7:00 PM
Friday, May 9	BHS Band Banquet; Rothschilds
Friday, May 16	BHS Commencement; Thompson-Boling Arena; 8:30 PM

Click here to download/print the Adobe PDF document containing the Knox County Schools 2007-2008 Calendar.

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Date Last Update: 05/05/08