Welcome to 2020-2021 Kearney High School Band!
Band Parent Association Directory
Nathan LeFeber, Director
Rick Mitchell, Director
Band Camp Information
Download the music before camp
[password provided by band staff]
Band Camp Week #1 – July 6th –10th
Band Camp Week #2 – August 3rd-7th
Student T-shirts
All student T-shirt purchases are optional. Each year prior to the marching season, a shirt is designed by the Drum Majors to represent the show’s theme. This shirt makes a great memento of the season and can be worn under the uniform.
Some instrument sections (example: trumpets) also order their own student designed sectional t-shirts. Again, these shirts are low cost and a great memento. Please keep in mind that all t-shirts are optional. Section T-shirts are handled exclusively by the section leaders and not by the directors or drum majors
Your students will bring home information about ordering and paying for these different shirts.
Bearcat Band Schedule
While there are possibilities for times and dates to change, all schedule information can be found on the website.
When I was a kid growing up in the 1980’s (yes, I know, that makes me sound old!), Michael Jackson was topping the charts, stonewashed jeans were a huge deal, we talked on a phone that was connected to the wall, and there was no “internet,” “email,” or “social media!” We lived simply and we were happy! I thought by the time I got to 2020, we would be flying in cars and living on Mars. I never thought that 2020 would feel so “normal” as it does today. Yet, as I think about it, there are some amazing things that my 1980s self wouldn’t believe. Who would have thought we would have personal devices that allow us to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime, AND be able to see their face, have instant access to almost limitless knowledge from your own home, and a private company putting people in space? 2020 is here and we are going to seize the day!
The way last school year ended was terribly sad, but also very poign ant in that it showed me a few great axioms that I might have missed had it not happened. One is that being a “stay at home dad” is actually fun and I got to spend some great quali ty time with my kids (though I have played more 4 square than any human should be forced to play!) I also learned that we are a society that needs one another. As many of us stayed “quarantined” in our houses as we were told to, we had a huge hole in our lives – and that was our relationships with other people. The relationships we enjoy and the time we spend in community is vital to our health and I really missed getting up, going to work, and work ing with some of the best students in Kearney.
I have a feeling that many of you missed those relationships, events, and dare I say…class time with your peers. I hope that as we look forward to the 2020-2021 school year that we do not forget what it is like to not have each other around. That we don’t take for granted the stress of another day at school with our friends, because we are actually at school with them. That we can take a little more care of the relationships that we have all around us. That we don’t get so hung up in the problems of today that we forget that tomorrow is not a given. Mostly, that we re member that we are indispensable in others’ lives. We need each other.
I really am looking forward to this next school year and I hope you are too. It is going to be a great year and I am excited to share it with you.
See you SOON!
Mr. LeFeber
Hello All,
I am writing this letter from my home office, quarantined away from the rest of the world, just as all of you are. It has been a struggle for me to feel like I am doing my job in this circumstance. It’s not about the music, although I am sad that we are not making music together right now, but I take comfort in the fact that all of you are at home still making music in some way. Many times the stuff I see you and others doing online is far more creative than what we are able to do in the physical classroom. The reason it has been difficult is because I miss the people. Music is what we do but the people are the reason we do it. The personal interaction between the members of the band, the musical interaction we have everyday in rehearsal, and the artistic interaction we have with an audience is the missing element in all that is happening. We have no idea what this summer or fall will bring, but I am so very much looking forward to the day we can all be in the same room or field or stage making music TOGETHER.
In the meantime, make sure that you are practicing your instruments. We could have a shorter time than normal to prepare so if you show up with your chops in shape we can hit the ground running. Also, turn off your TikToks and Snapchats and go get some exercise. Ricardio is already training so don’t disappoint him. Remember, he loves you!
I hope and pray that these quarter notes find you all safe and well.
Sincerely,
Rick Mitchell
Band Parents
The KHS Band Parents Association exists to support the directors, students, and band program. Any parent who has a student in the band is a voting member of the Association. The ‘support’ for the program is offered in a variety of ways. You might volunteer to be a bus sponsor, chair a fundraising event, or even become an officer. Parents can log into Charms and select any of these in the interest sections of the parents tab.
We look forward to working with each of you!
Marching Uniform
Each student will be issued a band uniform during the first week of band camp. More information about how it must be worn and how to care for it can be found on the Uniform page.
Parents: Snacks for Camp
Camp Week 1: Each family is asked to bring a case of water. Please deliver to the band room.
Camp Week 2: Each family is asked to send snacks for breaks during camp. Please provide at the beginning of camp. We suggest fresh fruit (grapes, orange slices, cut-up melons—please leave on rinds), cookies, bars, muffins, breads, granola bars, string cheese, or Gogurt. We also appreciate individual packets of Lemonade mix that can be used in water bottles.
**Fresh fruit is VERY popular and we always run out! Very much appreciated it if you can bring fruit! **
Please avoid sending anything with peanuts or tree nuts due to allergies. A Signup Genius will be sent out by email for volunteers.
Spirit Wear Order
Spirit Wear orders will be made through the Saylor website. There will be two orders, June 29th-July 13th and August 31st-Sept 14th. Link will be coming out soon by email.
Uniform Orders will be made via google form. This form will be emailed to everyone during band camp week 1. Students need to have shoes, gloves, and a blue band polo. The rest of the uniform will be checked out during band camp week 1.
