ETBU Honor Band

Congratulations to the following students for doing an outstanding job at the ETBU honor band. Cassidy Furguson - Bb Clarinet, Jared Feagans - Bb Clarinet, Jessica Stout - Alto Sax, Joseph Smith - Trumpet, Mary Lou Russell - F Horn, Bradley Hammett - Trombone, and Jeff Dees - Tuba. Kids, You Did Great!!!!!

Solo and Ensemble

For the second year in a row, we have several students that have qualified to participate in the UIL state solo and ensemble competition. Congratulations to , Randy Baker, Dylan Lee, Kanesha Roberson, Jessica Stout and Rebecca Waller. All of these students earned superior ratings on their entries at UIL regional Solo and Ensemble contest. Great job Kids!!!!

Winter Concert

In order to resolve conflicts with the UIL Academic contests, we will move our concert to December 13th. A letter has been given to every student, and is being sent home to all MS and HS parents. Below is a copy of the letter:

Dear Parents and Band Members,

Our annual winter concert will be on December 13th. Students are to be in the band room at 6:30 PM. The concert will begin at 7:00 PM. The concert will be over at 7:50 PM. Refreshments will be served after the concert. We do ask that when refreshments are served, we do not take any food into the auditorium.

Student dress will be the following:

Shirt - Pick something with a collar.
Pants - Avoid jeans if at all possible. No shorts. If a skirt is a consideration, please keep in mind that the stage is a very tall stage. We do not want any student to be embarrassed.
Shoes - No Flip Flops! Please avoid sneakers if at all possible. For safety, closed toed shoes are preferred.


Auditorium Rules:

No Food or Drink in the auditorium
No Cat Calls, Cheering, or Loud Noises
Please avoid flash photography while the students are performing.
Students may not leave until the last ensemble is finished.
Please remember, this is a “formal” function in a school setting. Appropriate behavior is expected


If you have any questions, please contact me by phone or email. My office phone is 903 895 4503 x 138. My email is waltemathb@westrusk.esc7.net.


Sincerely,



William S. Waltemath
Director of Bands
West Rusk ISD

Great Job 2007 Raider Marching Band

First division at UIL Regionals, First time to go to Area, and winning Fourth Place in the N.A.M.M.B. 2A division is one incredible year. You have alot to be proud of, and yet we have more to accomplish. You have done great! Get some well deserved rest, recuperate, and get ready to keep adding to an already incredible year!

Schedule for NAMMB Saturday November 10, 2007

Well, here it is. Let's Roll!

8:15 On Field
9:15 In Uniform Roll Check / Load
9:30 Depart
10:00 Watch the JH Band perform at the Syrup Festival
10:30 Depart the Syrup Festival
12:00 Arrive at SFA
12:30 Warm Up
1:15 Perform
6:30 Awards
7:00 Depart for Home

The Final Week!

Back in August who would have thought we would be where we are now. First division at regionals, our first appearance at area, and getting ready to go to NAMMB for the first time in the history of the band. Great things are not easy. This week will be difficult. The kids are tired. The staff is tired. The parents are tired. We will have to reformat our block once again due to kids that will be out of town this weekend. Oh well, get over it! If greatness was easy, everyone would be great. It takes a special breed to achieve greatness. Greatness takes a person who can see byond the immediate, and beyond themselves. Greatness hurts physically, emotionally, and in so many other ways. Before you can achieve it, it will make you want to quit with every fiber of your being. At the time of that darkest moment you have to reach in, find that inner strength, belive in your ability to finish, and keep going. I keep thinking of the marine saying of improvise, adapt, and overcome. This week, we will have to do just that. We will have to improvise our new block and drill settings. We will have to quickly adapt to the demands that these thing sout on us, and we will have to overcome the exhaustion, the frustration, the simply being worn down with this and each other to achieve greatness.

Kids, I am so proud of you words can not describe. This year has not gone perfect. They never do. In the beginning I told you that a season never goes perfect. I told you that a major key is how we react to the things that do not go well. Today, you understand the meaning of those words. A reason we are here is because when we hit road blocks, when we hit frustrations, we kept going and found ways to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

Your tired physically and emotionally. I am too. Quiting only guarantees you fall short. Kids, it is in you. Believe it! Reach deep and find it! If you can, at 1:30 PM on Saturday, you will have earned your place in history as the most achieved West Rusk Raider Band Ever!

Monday Night Practices

Ok, we are still having a bit of confusion. At our last monday night practice, the kids made clear that they were very worn out, so I agreed to have no more Monday night practices for the rest of the season. Even though I said this publicly alot, it still hasn't quite all sunk in. We will not have any more Monday night practices for the rest of the marching season. We may have a couple in the spring (late March / Early April) to finish getting ready for concert UIL. the kids have worked hard, and made great accomplishments, but are absolutely worn out. that is why I agreed to cancel the rest of Monday night practices. I truly apologize for confusion that this has caused.