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Grassfield High School Bands
2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323
www.grassfieldbands.org 757-558-4749
Information Packet 2015
Get Involved, Stay Involved, Join the Marching Grizzlies!
Thank you for your interest in joining the award-winning Marching Grizzlies! The
marching band at Grassfield High School is extra-curricular, and participation by all band
members is highly encouraged. The Marching Grizzlies are the most visible part of our band
program, and we represent our school locally and nationally. The Marching Grizzlies have
competed at local competitions, a favorite being the Southeastern Music Games at Hickory High
School, throughout Virginia, and have competed in Bands of America events. Some of our most
memorable competition locations include the Georgia Dome, Towson University, the Naval
Academy Stadium in Annapolis, James Madison University, the Bowman Grey Stadium in
Winston-Salem, and Liberty University. The Marching Grizzlies also perform at every home
football game, the Homecoming Parade, pep rallies, assemblies, and the Chesapeake Christmas
Parade.
Being a member of the Marching Grizzlies allows you to meet a significant portion of the
Grassfield High School population before school starts in September. You will have the
opportunity to become comfortable with your new school home, being around high school
students, and you will learn the expectations of being a Grassfield Grizzly before your non-band
classmates. Please consider becoming a proud member of the award winning Marching
Grizzlies!
The time commitment for the Marching Grizzlies is similar to that of a fall or spring
sport. Rehearsals take place afterschool, with performances at football games on Fridays, and
competitions on Saturdays. During the summer, we will have two primary camps to come
together as a group and learn to march and play the show. The two camps are July 20th-24th, and
August 17th-21st and 24th-28th, all at Grassfield High School. In addition to the camps, we will
have rehearsals throughout the summer to better prepare for the season.
Please remember to fill out the permission form attached to this letter to join the
Marching Grizzlies! If you have any questions, we invite you to contact us. Thank you again for
your interest in joining the Marching Grizzlies!
Musically yours,
Kevin Hall and Kate Holm
Band Directors, Grassfield High School
[email protected] [email protected]
Grassfield High School Bands
2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323
www.grassfieldbands.org 757-558-4749
Participation Permission Form
Thank you for your interest in joining the award-winning Marching Grizzlies! Please complete
this permission form and return it to Grassfield High School bands or turn it into your current
band director by Friday, April 24th, to reserve your spot in the Marching Grizzlies!
Student Name: ____________________________________Current Grade: ______________
Instrument: ______________________________Current School: ______________________
Student Phone/Email: _________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________________________________
Parent Phone/Email: _______________________________________________
By signing below, I confirm my intention to join the Marching Grizzlies and participate fully in
all rehearsals and performances.
____________________________________________________
Student Signature
____/_____/2015
Date
By signing below, I give my permission for my child to participate fully in the Marching
Grizzlies, including ensuring my child’s attendance at all required rehearsals and performances.
____________________________________________________
Parent Signature
____/_____/2015
Date
Grassfield High School Bands
2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323
www.grassfieldbands.org 757-558-4749
Joining the Marching Grizzlies
All Grassfield students are welcome! All wind and percussion players need to be
enrolled in a band class at Grassfield High School. Colorguard membership is available through
an audition, which will take place in May. In order to be a member in good standing, students
must attend all rehearsals and performances, volunteer with events and fundraisers, and meet the
financial requirements explained below.
Explanation of Marching Band Fees
In order to be a competitive marching band, our funds are designated and must be spent
throughout the season on music arrangers, drill, show design, instructional staff, copyright fees,
competition fees, transportation, and instrument repair and maintenance.
Marching Band Fee
Equipment Usage Fee
$400
$100
The member fee does not cover the full amount that must be spent for every participating
student. Even with all member fees paid, GFBPA will be left with over a large financial
difference that must be paid over the course of the season.
The equipment fee is required of all guard and percussion members in marching band.
The fee is designed to help offset the cost of purchasing and maintaining GFBPA provided
equipment, such as drumsticks, drumheads, rifles, and flagpoles.
Scholarships
It is our goal for every student to be able to participate in Marching Band, regardless of
financial situation. We do offer need-based scholarships to help students who might otherwise
be unable to participate in marching band. Please contact Mr. Hall and Mrs. Holm for
information on the scholarships.
Fundraising Participation- “Filling the Thermometer”
In order for all marching band expenses to be funded, all Marching Band students must
participate in fundraisers. Each marching band fundraiser will be designated with a per-student
goal. Meeting or exceeding this goal will be necessary to ensure the band has sufficient funds to
travel and compete. If the band raises insufficient funds, certain competitions and travel plans
may be cancelled or altered.
Grassfield High School Bands
2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323
www.grassfieldbands.org 757-558-4749
Payment Schedule
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1st Deposit ($100) due Friday, May 15, 2015
 A deposit and regular attendance to rehearsals ensures your
spot in the marching band.
2nd Payment ($100) due Friday, June 12, 2015
3rd Payment ($100) due Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Equipment fee, ($100) due Tuesday, August 1, 2015 (guard and
percussion members only)
4th Payment ($100) due Monday, August 17, 2015
All Marching Band payments are non-refundable.
Additional Costs
The items below are to be purchased on an as-needed basis by each member of the Marching
Grizzlies.
 Marching shoes “Dinkles”- (Approximately $35)
 Marching gloves for winds ($3-$5) and guard ($15)
 Guard Windsuit ($100)
 Extra Uniform Undershirt- (Approx. $20) *all new marchers receive one
free Uniform Undershirt
 Red Uniform Jacket ($40) *will be worn on all trips, pep band events, and
over the regular uniform jacket.
Scrip Giftcard Sales
Scrip Giftcard sales offer families an opportunity to reduce and/or eliminate out of pocket
expenses for any band related fee. Scrip can be ordered through the band parents or through the
Scrip website (including instant gift card downloads and printing). Profits from sales go into a
band credit account known as “Grizzly Dollars”. Please see the band website,
www.grassfieldbands.org, for more information.
Grizzly Dollars
Grizzly Dollars are the affectionate name for band credits with the Grassfield Band
Parents Association. Grizzly Dollars are earned by students as they participate in fundraisers.
The requirements for earning Grizzly Dollars will be announced per fundraiser. Grizzly Dollars
can be used to pay for any band-related expense, from extra gloves to member dues.
Grassfield High School Bands
2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23323
www.grassfieldbands.org 757-558-4749
What is Charms?
 Charms is secure website that helps the band directors, students, and parents
communicate.
 Every student in the band program has a free account that can be accessed by computer or
smartphone. There is also an app available for download.
How do I access my account?
 Log on to www.charmsoffice.com, and click the “ENTER” link at upper right.
 Locate the “PARENT/STUDENT/MEMBERS LOGIN” section of the web page.
 Login to your account using the following School Code:
GrassfieldBands
What are some of the features of Charms?
 Main Page: public calendar, event list, handouts, files, contact information
 Personal Page: forms, inventory, financial information, letter point status, assignments,
detailed calendar
o To get to your Personal Page, enter your Student ID Number as the Student Area
Password.
What information should I provide?
 Please make sure you update your information with an accurate phone number and email
for at least one member of your household. Much of our communication home is sent via
emails.
 If you want to receive text messages for important band updates, make sure to list your
cell phone carrier on your information page.
When will my Charms account be created?
 If you are currently a member of the Grassfield Band Program, you already have an
account.
 If you are new to our program, your account will be created once you turn in the
Marching Band Information Form that is included in this packet.
If you have any difficulty accessing your Charms account, please contact Mrs. Holm at
[email protected]