Desk of Mr. Cherry

Marching Band Showcase 2009

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:41:00 -0400

October 12, 2009

Dear Student and Parents/Guardians:

Hello! I apologize for the late notification, but Iwant to give information on our upcoming events. On Wednesday,October 14th, the Marching Eagles will be participating with tenother high school marching bands in the PrinceGeorge?s County Annual Marching Band Showcase. This event, held at High Point?s Football Stadium, will begin at 5:30 PM. Please contact me via email or phone fortickets, which are only $5! (If the event is postponed due to weather,the rescheduled date is Wednesday, October 21st.) Students will report to the band roomdirectly after school for rehearsal.

Our busy schedule continues with a Home Game vs. Laurel HS on Friday, October 16th, at 7:15 PM. Students must arrive at High Point by 6:00 PM. Afterwards,students should head right to bed to rest for the Bowie State University Homecoming Parade on Saturday, October 17th, at 9:00 AM. Students mustarrive to school by 7:00 AM. After the parade, the band will stay to watchthe first half of the Bowie State Homecoming Game at 1:30 PM. Students should approximately return to High Point at 4:30 PM.

If any parent is able to assist atan event, please let me know A.S.A.P. Below you will find the permission slip acknowledging that you receivedthis letter and the upcoming events. Thank you all for your support and I hope to see you at the MarchingBand Showcase!

~Mr. Cherry

High Point's Graduation

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:48:00 -0400

May 22, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

On Thursday, June 4, 2009, the Orchestra and Concert Band will be performing for the High Point HS Graduation Commencement. This ceremony will be held at the Comcast Center -UMUC, at 9:00 AM. Students must arrive at High Point by 7:00 AM. Our mandatory dress rehearsal for this performance will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd, from 2:45 PM to 5:00 PM. Please be sure that your child attends both the rehearsal and performance, as it will affect their grade.

The member attire for this event is formal. Gentlemen must wear black slacks/khakis with a black button-down shirt and black tie. Ladies must wear either a black dress (below the knee) or black dress pants with a black blouse (top can not be low-cut and must show support).

Thank you for your support with our Senior Awards Banquet, we had an enjoyable evening. I look forward to working with all of you next school year. Keep updated during the summer with our department’s website, http://hpmusicdept.webs.com. You will be hearing from me soon!

PG County Festival Update!

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 10:47:00 -0500

March 4, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

On Saturday, March 14, 2009, the Concert Band will perform for the Annual Prince George’s County HS Band Festival at Northwestern HS - Adelphi, MD. Students will meet at High Point at 11:00 AM and will return approximately at 3:00 PM. Our performance time is 12:45 PM. This event is free for family and friends, so please come and support us!

The attire for this event will be formal. Gentlemen must wear black slacks/khakis with a white button-down shirt and black tie. Ladies must wear either a black dress (below the knee) or black dress pants with a black blouse (top can not be low-cut and must show support).

Below you will find a confirmation slip showing that you have read this letter and know your child will be attending this event. Please fill out this form and have your child return it by Tuesday, March 10^th. Thank you for your continued support and I appreciate those who came to the Parent Meeting on February 18^th.

~Mr. Cherry

2009 Updates!

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:29:00 -0500

January 29, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We have a few upcoming performances and I want to keep you updated. On Thursday and Friday, March 19/20, 2009, the Concert Band will perform for the Annual Prince George’s County HS Band Festival at Roosevelt HS - Greenbelt, MD. Specific date and time will be announced shortly. Also on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at 7:00 PM, the department will perform at our first Instrumental Music Spring Concert. This concert will be free to enter, but I plan to have concessions and baked goods sold.

This past December, I accepted the position of Fine Arts Department Chair. Due to this added responsibility I am looking for the support of parents to aid me with upcoming performances and fundraisers. I plan to have a Parent Meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM. Please plan to attend this short meeting (refreshments will be served).

On Friday, May 1, 2009, the String Orchestra and Concert Band will perform in the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags: Great Adventure – Jackson, NJ. The estimated cost for this trip is $102 per student. We are beginning our first 2009 fundraiser next week: Falter Fundraising Candies. We will run the fundraiser from Friday, February 6^th to Friday, February 26th. Below you will find a form obligating you and your child to a number of candy boxes sold. Please fill out, sign, and return this form by Tuesday, February 3^rd.

I look forward to seeing you February 18th. Thank you again for your continued support.

Our Winter Holiday Concert

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:08:00 -0500

December 11, 2008

Hello Again:

On Wednesday, December 17^th and Thursday, December 18^th we will hold our annual Winter Holiday Concert. Wednesday?s concert will begin at 7:30 PM for parents, and during the school day on Thursday. Mandatory dress rehearsals will be held next Monday and Tuesday, starting after school. Please make sure your child attends all practices and dress rehearsals to guarantee a successful concert.

The attire for each ensemble will be formal. Gentlemen must wear black slacks/khakis with a black button-down shirt and red tie. Ladies must wear either a black dress (below the knee) or black dress pants with a black blouse (top can not be low-cut and must show support). Ladies can also wear a red accessory.

Tickets for the night concert are $5, which will be sold at the door. If you have any questions, please feel free contact me through email (stephen.cherry@pgcps.org) or telephone (301-572-6899). See you on the 17^th!

~Mr. Cherry

New Program and some Reminders!

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:56:37 -0400

Hello Everyone:

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday, 9/2) we will kick off our Instrumental Music Study Hall Program. Instrumental Music Study Hall is an after-school activity held for students who need a quiet area to complete their course studies. Parents are volunteering to supervise and assist students with their homework. After-school rehearsal will now run from 2:45 PM to 4:45 PM, then Study Hall will start from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The room next door (Room 100) will be used for the hall so students can have tables in a quiet area.
I will have a student enrollment form (found on the "Study Hall Program" page) for parents who want their child in the program on a daily basis, and an sign-in-and-out sheet to keep log. Please email me if you are interested in the program, or would like to volunteer with Study Hall.
Lastly, I still have a number of students who have not attended an after school rehearsal yet. Please be reminded that rehearsal is mandatory. Rehearsals are part of each student's grade, which points are given after each rehearsal. If there is an excuse why they are not coming please contact me ASAP. Thank you, and I hope to see everyone Sept. 12th (our first performance)!

~Mr. Cherry

Ready for Band Camp?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:58:36 -0400

Hey everyone:

Are you ready for band camp next week? I'm excited for this year's upcoming season. We will be competing with our new and challenging Half-Time Show, starting football games off with our Pre-Game Show, and going out-of-state for a few events. Sousaphone players and Percussion players: we will be taking some time to re-paint our instruments to give a new look.
I hope everyone is working hard on their Gianni's Fundraiser. Participating in our fundraisers guarantees us our out-of-county-and-state performances and competitions. (If you don't sell, we stay at High Point. Bored.) Within 5 minutes of starting, I had 4 orders! Remember that you only need 15 orders for this fundraiser. I will ask how you are selling when camp begins, and if more time is needed, I may extend the date.

See you on the 11th!

~Mr. Cherry

Just an Update!

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:48:49 -0400

Hello! I just wanted to update everyone with my new way of "keeping in touch". I will be writing blogs with any important information and upcoming events. I have been busy updating the website with current information on our Marching Eagles season. Also be sure to take a look at the Photo Gallery to see our pictures of our recent Summer Steel Band Workshop. Another new item is our online calendar. Here you can find upcoming rehearsals, meetings, and performances during the year. I am excited about this upcoming school year, and I hope I have your support.

~Mr. Cherry