1. Gordon Central High School
Blue Wave Band

2. Informational Meeting for Current AMS 8th Grade Band Students and Parents.
Welcome to the Gordon Central Family.
Welcome to the Blue Wave Band Family.
An overview of the instrumental music program of GCHS.

3. Band
Everyone has a place in the program. No one “sits on the bench” and watches.
Everyone is welcome in the program.
Don’t worry about the transition from AMS to GCHS

4. Background on Mr. Crawford
Graduated HS From Douglas County HS Douglasville GA
Played Saxophone and was Drum Major
Graduated from Jacksonville State University Jacksonville Alabama BS Music ED
Graduated from Jacksonville State University Jacksonville Alabama MS Music ED
Teaching history: (1986 to present)
Red Bud High School, Calhoun GA
Bowdon High School, Bowdon GA
Central High School, Phenix City AL
Cleburne Co. High School, Heflin AL
Gordon Central HS, Calhoun GA (since 1999)
Ordained Deacon
Ordained Minister of Music
Currently Adairsville Baptist Church
Married (30 years Feb. 2017) to Marianne Crawford (JSU flute & piano CIS degree)
2 Boys
Bryan Crawford – Percussion GCHS & JSU
Matt Crawford – Trombone GCHS & JSU
Planning to teach at GCHS 8-10 more years.
Latest hobby: Kayaking

5. Band provides an opportunity for the student to grow as a: person musician team member
Instrumental Music study using:
Marching Band
Concert Band
Small Groups inside the Band. Sections, Percussion Ensemble, Colorguard Team

6. Marching Band Primary focus July to November.
Summer Practices
Marching and Musical Activities
Public Performances
Football games
Parades (Homecoming, North Ga Fair, Calhoun Christmas, Atlanta Christmas, St. Patrick
Pep Rallies
Marching Competitions (2 regional)
Other performances as requested

7. Concert Band Primary focus November to May
Large Group Performance Evaluation
Combined concert with AMS band
Spring Concert
Other performances as they are available

8. Major Events for the GCHS Blue Wave Band Past Performances
2003 Gator Bowl Halftime Performance and Competition (1st place)
2006 Alamo Bowl Halftime Performance and Competition (1st place)
2010 Champs Sports Bowl Halftime Performance
2016 National Memorial Day Parade Washington DC
Hawaii Performance Tour ( 2005 & 2009) Upcoming Spring of 2018

9. Marching Band Summer Practices
Why do we have summer practices.
Focused only on band.
Will be ready for first football games of the season.
Serves as team building event.
What weeks of Summer
July Rookie Camp (8-1) and Colorguard Camp (2-5)
July Colorguard Camp and Percussion Camp. (8-5)
July Full Band Camp (8-5)
Summer Practices are required to be in marching band. We learn as a group. We are successful as a group.
Each member is equally important. Think about a football team.

10. School Day Practice Schedule
Band Classes for colorguard, percussion , and wind players each.
After School practices. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday ‘till 5:30
During football season
Friday football games.
Scrimmage game performance home
5 home games, 5 away games
Play-off games start 2nd Friday of November
Practices back off after last Marching Competition (mid to late October)

11. Marching Competitions
The band will compete in two competitions.
Attendance is mandatory.
Window of Saturdays. (Sept 22 – October 28)
Dates will be set once the Gordon County school calendar is set.
Will avoid Fall Break Saturdays.
Will avoid Home-Coming Dance Saturday.
Dates will be selected as soon as possible.
A very fun, important part of the marching season.

12. Band Expenses Marching Band Music Composition $2,000+
Marching Band Props and Equipment $1500
Marching Band Show T-Shirts $700
Marching Band Transportation Costs (Drivers and Gas) Bus and Semi
Marching Band Contest Applications $200
Food Provided to Band Students $400
Additional Summer Instructors $1,500
Uniform Dry Cleaning $350 per cleaning
Equipment Repair and Maintenance $3,500
Colorguard Props and Equipment $2,00 flags, $300 for poles, + misc. equip
Marching Uniform Payment $6,000 yearly to the GC BOE
Concert Band Music ($50-70 per song)
Patriotic (1)
Christmas (3)
Large Group Performance Evaluation (3)
Spring Concert (3-5)
Concert Band Festival Application & Transportation $500
Audition Judges for Drum Major and Colorguard $300
Band Scholarships $500
Miscellaneous Equipment Purchases as funds are available.

13. Band Revenue Student Band Fee $200 per student
Football Concessions. Main Fundraising Event
Additional Fundraising to Include:
Fall and Winter Coca Cola Truckload Sale
Christmas Fruit Sale
Chili/Soup Supper
Christmas Concert Raffle
Million Dollar Hole In One Golf Event
Other as Needed

14. Expectations of the: Student Parent Have a Positive Attitude
Be Willing to Try
Be Present to Practices and Performances
Contribute to the Group by Being Prepared
Become a Better Musician Daily
Participate in Fundraisers
Support the Band and Band Director
Expect the best from your Band Student
Have your Band Student Present and On Time
Work in the Concessions for Home Football
Chaperone Away Events
Have Band Fees Paid on Time

15. Band Fee Breakdown $200 per band student
$50 due March Colorguard the week after auditions.
$100 due at the required parent meeting in July. July 13, :30pm
$50 due August 7-11.
90 students 100% payment $18,000
GCHS Band Booster Club works with parents when needed/requested.

16. Possible Questions…
Does my child need to be in both Marching and Concert Band?
What if my child does not want to continue in band?
Are they ready for High School Band?
Do we really need to practice that much?
What if my child wants to quit?
What if I cannot pay the band fee?
I want my child to take advance classes at GCHS. Will there be a conflict?
What are Pathways?
What are the conflicts with band?
Other Questions???

17. Closing High school band is the next natural progression for a middle school band student. Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Crawford work well together to provide the best possible experience for the band student of Gordon Central. Your child is ready to transition to the high school and become a Warrior and part of the Blue Wave Band. Will it be a new experience… yes. Will it be scary at times… yes. Will it be frustrating at times… yes. Will it be hard work at times… yes. Will you make new friends… yes. Will it be something that makes you a better person… yes. Will it prepare you for harder things in the future… yes. Will it take up time… yes. Will it require good use of time management… yes. Will it require effort from the student… yes. Will it require effort on the parent… yes. Will it be fun at times… yes.

18. “Don’t forget this one thing… Do you think you teach music
“Don’t forget this one thing… Do you think you teach music? You do not teach music… you teach kids.” Dr. David L. Walters, JSU band director emeritus Teachers use music as a way to develop young minds to think and to appreciate all that is associated with learning, especially the best subject ever… music.

20. Contact Information GCHS Band Office:

21. Blue Wave Marching Band