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AN INFORMATIONAL
PACKET FOR
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
AND PARENTS
The Norwin High School Band
251 McMahon Dr
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
T 724.861.3005 x1276 F 724.861.0581
E [email protected] W www.norwinband.net
Dear Parents:
As your child prepares for the exciting transition from middle school to high school, I wanted to reach
out to you and share a few thoughts about our program and its benefits for your son or daughter.
With this new chapter comes new opportunities and some difficult decisions. You want your child to be
engaged, challenged, and prepared for high school and beyond. Just as important, you want to know
that your child is in a supportive and safe atmosphere that will allow them to not only survive but to
thrive. I know that in the Norwin High School band program, we can provide all of that and more!
Music is more than an artistic endeavor. It is a science, a foreign language, and a sport all rolled into
one. Being a part of the band program means your child has a home base at school for the next four
years. A place where they will be engaged at the highest levels and surrounded by the best students;
a place where they will be supported and challenged physically, mentally, and musically; a place that
teaches character, commitment, and cooperation; a place that will allow them to grow and blossom as
a student, a musician, and a leader.
Setting aside all of the academic and brain-based research, band also immerses your child into a culture of high achieving students who are committed to high standards of behavior and character development. On an almost daily basis we talk about teamwork, commitment, dedication, and issues related to personal development and character education. These are the values and skills that will help
your child to be successful in everything they do.
I am enclosing some information that I hope will help you to better understand the importance of music in your young person’s life. Should you have any questions about these materials or band itself,
please feel free to contact me by the means listed above.
I want you to know that I am committed to your child’s happiness and success. I want you to know that
whether or not your child plays their instrument after high school, band will help them to be successful
throughout their lives.
Sincerely,
Mr. Tim Daniels
Director of Bands
Norwin HIgh School
P.S. Please feel free to visit our website www.norwinband.net to learn more about what we do.
The Norwin High School Band
251 McMahon Dr
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
T 724.861.3005 x1276 F 724.861.0581
E [email protected] W www.norwinband.net
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What if I am not sure if I want to do band?
Remember when your children wouldn’t eat the food you made for them? You always said, “Try it
before you decide you don’t like it.” Band is the same way. You should sign up for band even if you
are unsure. If at some point you decide that band is not for you, drop the class. It is much easier to
drop something after trying it, than to join late when you decide you miss it.
How is band different in high school?
While the actual act of playing your instrument is similar, the social network and safety net that high
school band provides is very different from junior high. From day one, your child will be musically
and personally mentored by successful upperclassmen who have a vested interest in their success.
They will have dozens of new and like-minded friends before school even begins and have experiences (Friday night football games and trips) that are unlike anything they have experienced in junior
high.
Can I do band and sports?
YES. There might be occasional conflicts, but know that our faculty works hard to resolve as many
conflicts as possible before they occur and to work collaboratively to solve them when they arise.
How much out of school time is required?
During the summer there are one day a week rehearsals and Band Camp in August. During September and October we have rehearsal in the evening twice a week. After Marching Band the schedule
opens up significantly, the out of school rehearsals are once every other week after school. Generally,
the greater the level of commitment, the greater the reward and memories. Regardless of the ensemble, a year-long calendar will be provided well in advance to help you plan for these events.
What are the costs?
The costs associated with band depend on which ensembles your child participates in and what
events they participate in. The Norwin Band Aides and staff work together to provide fundraising
opportunities for each and every child and ensure that NO ONE IS EXCLUDED due to financial issues.
What if I have other questions?
Please know that we are here to answer any and all questions that you may have. Due to the busy
nature of our program, it is difficult to contact us by phone. The best way for you to reach us is electronically at [email protected]. This will allow us to respond to your query, whether you are
available by phone or not. You may also visit our website at www.norwinband.net for more information.
The Norwin High School Band
251 McMahon Dr
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
T 724.861.3005 x1276 F 724.861.0581
E [email protected] W www.norwinband.net
WHY JOIN BAND?:
Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use
of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse).
Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report. Reported in Houston Chronicle,
January 1998
Students with coursework/experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on
the SAT: students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on
the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher
on the math, than did students with no arts participation.
College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ:
The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001.
Students with band and orchestra experience attend college at a rate twice the national average.
Bands Across the USA.
Music students out-perform non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. Skills such
as reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall, and concentration are developed in
musical performance, and these skills are valuable to students in math, reading, and science.
B. Friedman, “An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes,” Dissertation Abstracts International.
One in three of today’s school-aged children will hold an arts-related job at some time in his or her
career.
Education Commission on the States.
The College Board, in a publication about college admissions, states, “Preparation in the arts will be
valuable to college entrants whatever their intended field of study.”
Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need To Know and Be Able To Do, The
College Board
A 1997 Gallup Survey on Americans’ attitudes toward music revealed that 89% of respondents believe
music helps a child’s overall development, and 93% believe that music is part of a well-rounded education.
Americans’ Attitudes Toward Music, The Gallup Organization, 1997.
The Norwin High School Band
251 McMahon Dr
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
T 724.861.3005 x1276 F 724.861.0581
E [email protected] W www.norwinband.net
AN ABRIDGED LOOK INTO OUR PROGRAM:
I am thrilled that you have shown an interest in becoming a member of the Norwin Band. The
Norwin Band has a long and proud tradition of excellence that spans several decades. This letter explains
a bit more in depth about the High School band programs offerings
The most visible sub-division of the Norwin Bands is the Marching Band. This ensemble involves all students who sign-up for the band at Norwin High School as well as the Norwin Color Guard.
The season for the Marching Band is from August through October. We start one rehearsal per week, as
well as a short music learning camp in the summer to allow students to start to learn skills and material that
they will be using quite frequently throughout the fall months. Band Camp is in August and the most essential part of the season – there we learn the show for competition as well as our football game pre-game
and stand tunes. The marching band at Norwin attends all Friday night football games and performs at
halftime, providing a sense of community and spirit to the school. We also participate in local parades
throughout the year. This ensemble throughout its history has been involved & very successful in competitive arena as well. The Norwin Marching Band represents the Norwin School District at a national level by
competing with programs from all around the United States as well as in the local Western Pennsylvania
circuit. In 2013, we will be traveling again to compete with some of the best bands from around the country.
Once November arrives the Norwin Band is then placed into concert ensembles. The Wind Ensemble, Concert Band & Percussion Ensemble are the premier concert ensembles of the band program
designed to teach standard literature for performance at the Winter and Spring Concerts. The ensembles
travel to adjudication festivals where the students have the opportunity to perform in new venues for esteemed clinicians & musicians in the field and have performed on a national stage. These ensembles meet
after school once every other week starting in November.
Winter is also the season for the nationally acclaimed Norwin Winter Guards. These premier
ensembles are for those students interested in pageantry and dance. It is associated directly with the Norwin Band’s Fall Color Guard. The Winter Guard travels locally as well as through the United States in
competition. Always representing the Norwin School District and Norwin Band Program with such class
and elegance.
For those students interested in the American art-form of Jazz we also have the Norwin Jazz Ensemble that students can audition for as a separate class. This ensemble plays at many community events
and festivals around Pennsylvania in competition and performance. The 2012 - 2013 Jazz Ensemble took a
trip to New York to gain experience in the front lines of the art form. Joining the ensemble is by audition
only and has risen to a level of regional excellence.
Thank you for allowing me to explain a little bit about the Band. As I said before I am very excited for the future of the organization. With this mailing is a tentative schedule for the 2013-2014 year. I
would also like to extend an invitation for you to attend the “2013-2014 Unveiling Party” on Thursday
May 16th at 7 pm in the Norwin High School Auditorium. At this event the 2013 Marching Band Show
and performance schedule will be revealed to the public for the first time and among many other things you
will also get to meet the staff that will be working at the director’s side for the season. Not to mention the
amazing group of students and parents that will be on hand. Even if you are still unsure of your future with
the band this night will provide you with a very in depth glimpse into the program.
The Norwin High School Band
251 McMahon Dr
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
T 724.861.3005 x1276 F 724.861.0581
E [email protected] W www.norwinband.net
FAMOUS PEOPLE INVOLVED IN BAND:
Flute
Alanis Morrisette (singer)
Halle Berry (actress)
Celine Dion (singer)
Calista Flockhart (“Ally McBeal”)
Alyssa Milano (actress)
Noah Webster (Webster’s Dictionary)
Gwen Stefani (singer from No Doubt)
Jennifer Garner (actress from “Alias”)
Clarinet
Rainn Wilson (actor from “The Office”)
Julia Roberts (actress)
Woody Allen (actor/director)
Gloria Estefan (singer)
Tony Shaloub (“Monk”)
Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”)
Jimmy Kimmel (comedian/talk show host)
Allan Greenspan
! (former Chairman of the Federal Reserve)
Steven Spielberg (movie director)
Bass Clarinet
Zakk Wylde (Guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne)
Saxophone
Jennifer Garner (“Alias”)
Bill Clinton (former U.S. President)
Trent Reznor (lead singer for Nine Inch Nails)
Roy Williams (NFL Dallas Cowboys)
Vince Carter (NBA Star)
David Robinson (Retired NBA Star)
Tedi Bruschi (NFL New England Patriots)
Bob Hope (late comedian/actor)
Lionel Richie (singer, father of Nicole Richie)
Tom Selleck (actor from “Magnum PI”)
Trombone
Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour)
Nelly Furtado (singer)
Tony Stewart (NASCAR Driver)
Trumpet
James Woods (actor)
John Glenn (Astronaut and U.S. Senator)
Michael Anthony (Bass player for Van Halen)
Drew Carey (actor/comedian)
Stephen Tyler (lead singer for Aerosmith)
Prince Charles (future King of England)
Montel Williams (talk show host)
Richard Gere (actor)
Shania Twain (singer)
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Jackie Gleason (actor)
Samuel L. Jackson
! (Mace Windu from Star Wars I, II, III)
French Horn
Ewan McGregor
! (Obi Wan Kanobi from Star Wars I, II, III)
Vanessa Williams (Singer/Actress)
Otto Graham (NFL Hall of Fame quarterback)
Baritone
Neil Armstrong (Astronaut - first man on the
moon)
Tuba
Andy Griffith (actor)
Harry Smith (CBS’s “The Early Show”)
Dan Aykroyd (actor)
Aretha Franklin (“Queen of Soul”, singer)
Percussion
Mike Anderson (NFL)
Eddie George (retired NFL)
Trent Raznor (Nine Inch Nails)
Dana Carvey (actor/comedian)
Vinnie Paul (Pantera)
Walter Payton (NFL Hall of Fame running back)
Johnny Carson (TV Host)
Mike Piazza (former MLB catcher)
The Norwin High School Band
251 McMahon Dr
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
T 724.861.3005 x1276 F 724.861.0581
E [email protected] W www.norwinband.net
Student Information Sheet
Please fill out the following information as completely as possible.
Student Full Name: _____________________________________________________! !
Instrument(s): ___________________________
___________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
City: _______________________________
State: ______ Zip Code: __________________
Student Email Address: _____________________________________________________
Parent Email Address: _____________________________________________________
Home Phone Number: __________________________________
Joining Band? (please circle)
!
YES!
NO!
MAYBE
Do You Have Any Questions?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
------------------(for director use)
Director Notes:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________