Parents & Students,

Due to the uncertainty of our numbers and timelines allowed in rehearsals on campus at this time, we are delaying the start of ANY marching band rehearsals until July 20th. It was my sincere hope that we would be given increased numbers and rehearsal times by now, but with the growing number of COVID-19 cases it is apparent that it will take some more time for that guidance to be communicated. I am being told we will be given more clarity and expectations by early next week. With the delay of school by one week, it makes more sense to allow another week to pass and give us all more information on how we will be able to proceed.

We will be delaying any additional payment of fees at this time as we determine what the best application of those fees will be. We would greatly appreciate your payment of the deposit and the guard payment that is currently pending, if those are still outstanding (you would have received an email reminder and invoice). We would also request that when we make the actual fees that we need to collect available, you have the kind understanding that it may indeed be critical to receive payment as soon as possible to make our financial commitments as a booster organization. We will have a parent meeting via ZOOM on Tuesday, July 14th at 7:30pm and hope to share many important plans at that time.

I know these are unprecedented times and I am certain many will be relieved to receive this email and many will be upset to receive this email. All I ask is that we all keep in mind that decisions concerning student health and safety are not easy to navigate at the moment and everyone is doing the best they can with the information we are given.

Below is a new PLAN A, B, and C for the week of July 20th and 27th. I have added some evening rehearsals for the weeks of August 3rd and 10th as well (reflected on the band calendar). These will be used as necessary based on our summer timeline and what we have achieved – as well as what is expected of the coming season. These plans are ONLY for the weeks of July 20th and 27th – please see the band calendar as it is updated.

PLAN A (MONDAY THRU THURSDAY)

8:30-11:30 ALL MEMBERS (in assigned locations to manage numbers)

5:30-8:30 ALL MEMBERS (in assigned locations to manage numbers)

PLAN B (MONDAY THRU THURSDAY)

8:30-11:30 Brass and Percussion (in two different areas)

5:30-8:30 Woodwind and Guard (in two different areas)

PLAN C

Monday 8:30-11:30 Flutes & Trombones
5:30-8:30 Guard & All Percussion

Tuesday 8:30-11:30 Clarinets & Sousas/Baritones
5:30-8:30 Guard & Battery

Wednesday 8:30-11:30 Saxophones/Mellos & Trumpets
5:30-8:30 Guard & Front Ensemble

Thursday 8:30-11:30 All Percussion
5:30-8:30 Guard

This is the best I can do for a “plan” at the moment. As was stated above, we will have a parent meeting on July 14th and we will hope to elaborate more on the specifics of which plan we will be implementing for the coming weeks of hopeful instruction. Thank you for your kind understanding and we certainly hope to see you very soon. Until that time, stay safe and healthy, care for one another, and GO BEARS!

Ryan Borger, Cambridge Bands