We will be starting our rehearsals on Thursday February 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. We will practice every Thursday throughout the rest of Winter, Spring and Summer. Practice dates follow (some of these dates might be eliminated due to school schedule);
February 2, 9, and 16 (modifications made for musical schedule) March 9, 16, 23, 30 April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11, 18, 25 June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 July 6, 13, 20 July 24-28 Band Camp August 3, 10, 17, 24 with full band September 7, 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19, 26 November 2, 9, 16
Our practices will be in the band room or auditorium, based on availability. All school rules apply. Please look at our website, the percussion section of the ELCO high School Band Website for music and information. I am still working on transitioning information from our old website onto this one. Let me know ahead of time if you will be absent from a rehearsal, so I can adjust our practice regimen, if necessary. It is important that you attend all rehearsals, as playing marching drums and front ensemble is different from concert band, and will be new to many of you. Members with no percussion experience are certainly welcome.
The show for 2023 is being determined. I will start writing parts as soon as I get the music. This will allow me to set the line and to start teaching music very early in the year. I think this will be a great advantage that will pay off in the summer. Being ahead of the game will allow us to work on stands tunes and other fun music closer to school. Besides, knowing your music makes learning your marching drill easier.
Everybody can start out by practicing our long form warm-up, “ELCO Grid” and check patterns available on the website (to be posted soon). It is my hope that you will have this learned and ready to play at the first rehearsal for whatever instrument position you are interested in auditioning for. (No worries, it shouldn’t be high pressure, everyone will have a spot in the section) I would like to get playing the first night of practice. Marching sticks will be available for purchase at a reduced rate.
I am looking forward to a very productive 2023 and a continuation of the growth that we started last year. Our schedule is included below (as we know it, to date). You are getting the schedule now, so you can see the band performance schedule. The band will not be successful if members are constantly missing practice and performances. Add these dates to your calendar. That way, you know the dates to set your vacation and work schedules.
A little about me. I have been instructing ELCO percussion students for 26 years. Early on in my career I also wrote or instructed at other schools in addition to ELCO, contributing either music or instruction to 36 high school programs. Most of my performing education came from my time in a World Champion Drum Corps and my 5 years in the Penn State Blue Band (you learn a lot of music when you perform 8 shows a season). I am employed full time as a corporate Food Scientist at a Central PA based food company. I live in Myerstown and you probably know my children Wesley and Aubrey Doll. We have a very welcoming band program at ELCO, and encourage all students to participate. My goal is to challenge and push all students to the best of their abilities and, so far, everyone has met those goals. I personally encourage all of you to join the section, I have confidence that you will find the experience to be not only educational and rewarding, but a whole lot of fun. It is not uncommon for students to say when they Graduate that their years in band, and particularly marching band, were some of the most enjoyable times of their high school careers.
Sincerely;
Mr. Mark Doll
ELCO RAIDER BAND 2023 SUMMER/FALL SCHEDULE
Band Camp - July 24-28 Monday-Friday - 8am-5pm
Thursday Night Rehearsals (Full Band) - August 3, 10, 17, 24 and possibly September 7 6:00pm -8:30 pm (Notice Time Change) We continue practice all other Thursdays.
All Football Games are Friday Nights. This is the schedule as of December 2022. Notice we have a Thursday Home Game and a Saturday away game.
Friday August 25- Away Game ELCO at West York 7 pm
Thursday August 31 - Home Game Annville-Cleona at ELCO 7 pm
Friday September 8- Home Game Columbia at ELCO 7 pm
Friday September 15 - Home Game Conrad Weiser at ELCO 7 pm
Saturday September 23 Away Game ELCO at Wyomissing 1:30 pm
Friday September 29 Home Game Cocalico at ELCO 7 pm
A Saturday in October – Lebanon County Marching Band Festival at Palmyra. This is important to be at, as a lot of people come to see all the county bands and it is a great atmosphere.
Friday October 6 Away Game ELCO at Octorara 7 pm
Friday October 13 - Away Game ELCO at L-S 7 pm
Friday October 20 - Home Game Donegal at ELCO 7 pm
Friday October 27 - Away Game Berks ELCO at Berks Catholic 7 pm
Friday November 3 Potential Playoff Game
November 18th Saturday - Lebanon Holiday Parade Possible Depending on Time
November 25th Saturday- Myerstown Holiday Parade
You will get more information when you get the Band Schedule from Mr. Fair.
