Drum Major and Leadership Applications at the bottom of this greeting!

Greetings from the SUMB! Though we are in the off-season--that hallowed time when the dinkles lay dormant, snow is on the ground, and we are all excited about our little basketball program, perhaps you heard about it--it is already time to begin thinking about the 2010 season of the Pride of the Orange!

This newsletter email contains important information that you will need if:

• You are returning to the SUMB next year
  
  
• You are not returning to the SUMB next year (boooooooo!)
  
  
• You are applying for a leadership position
  
  
• You are auditioning for Drum Major

Be SURE to read all of the information contained herein; many things need to happen within a certain timeframe for the band to continue to operate smoothly.  The newsletter is in this email in plain-text and attached as a pdf.

This newsletter is broken into the following  parts:

  I.    Returning Vet Forms
  II.   Confirmation Forms
III.   2010 Spring Football Scrimmage
IV.   Leadership Selection Process – Application and Interview
 V.   Drum Major Auditions – Application, Conducting, Teaching,
                   Interview
VI.    Pizza Party
VII.  Miscellaneous 

I.  RETURNING VET FORMS

Returning Vet Forms are due by Friday, April 2 . It is extremely important that every member of the band fill out one of these forms, even if you do not intend to return next fall (booooooooo!). Filling out a form ensures that you will be issued the same uniform and instrument if you wish; if you are not returning (booooooooo!), your notification allows us to release your uniform back into the general pool. Additionally, this information allows us to make accurate budget forecasts and requests. Moral of the story? Fill out a Returning Vet Form! Do it now. Forms are available on www.subands.com or in the band office in 402 Crouse College. There is a cute little table set up outside the band office for your convenience.

II. CONFIRMATION FORMS

Once you have filled out a Returning Vet Form indicating your intention to return, you will be placed on our list for the summer Orange Peel newsletter. In this package, you will find a confirmation form. This is the final step to cementing your return to the band for next season. In short: Returning Vet Form + Confirmation Form = you being a member of the band in 2010. BOTH forms are essential, and while they ask for some of the same information, they do tell us all of the things we need to know. 

III. 2010 SPRING FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE

This year’s scrimmage will be on Saturday, April 17 at 1:00 pm (if the time changes, we will let you know) . The SUMB performs at the spring football scrimmage every year. It’s a way to get us back into the swing of things before summer and serves as a proving ground for potential Drum Majors. Everyone is welcome to attend the scrimmage, but all leadership and Drum Major candidates must attend; it is required for you. Members of the drumline who wish to change instrument assignments for the coming season are strongly encouraged to attend and take the potential new instrument for a spin.  Mr. Dekaney and I are planning to have a drumline practice during which you can get some instruction on any potential new instruments (or just dust off your instrument so you don't go almost a whole year without playing). We'll let you know.

IV. LEADERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS

Everyone who is interested should try out for leadership. It’s a great way for you to make an even larger impact on the workings of the SUMB. The leaders play a vital role in new member education and the day-to-day operations of the band. Simply put, the SUMB could not survive without strong leaders! This is a great resume builder for you as well. The leadership selection process has three parts:

1. Written application and essay
2. Interview
3. Attendance at the spring football scrimmage

The written application is attached to this email. Follow the instructions on the form. The written materials are due in paper form or via email (to jjmertz@syr.edu) by no later than Friday, April 2 . NO late applications will be accepted for any reason. None! 

After you submit the written application, you need to come to 402 Crouse College and sign up for an interview. The interview time slot is 15 minutes and you can choose a slot from the following blocks of time:

Tuesday, April 6th
11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Thursday, April 8th
11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Friday, April 9th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Tuesday, April 13th
11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Thursday, April 15th
11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Friday, April 16th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

If you are currently studying abroad or are not on campus this semester and are interested in leadership, submit your application by the deadline electronically and we will interview you either via email or via Skype.  

All interviews will take place in 402 Crouse College.

NOTE: if you were a member of the leadership in 2009 and wish to be again, you MUST reapply. No exceptions. 

Leadership will be announced on Sunday, April 18 at 4:00 pm during a pizza party outside of Crouse College. 

V.  DRUM MAJOR AUDITIONS

As with leadership, everyone interested in trying out for Drum Major should give the audition a try. The Drum Major is the most visible member of the band and plays many roles in the operation of the SUMB. The process is rigorous and competitive, broken into the following  parts:

1. Written application and essay
2. Teaching audition
3. Conducting audition 1
4. Conducting audition 2
5. Interview

The written application is attached to this email. Follow the instructions on the form. The written materials are due in paper form or via email (to jjmertz@syr.edu) by no later than Friday, April 2 . NO late applications will be accepted for any reason. None! 

The teaching audition will take place in the morning on Saturday, April 17. Each candidate will teach a marching fundamental.

The first conducting audition will take place at the spring football scrimmage using an abridged version of the stands book from 2009. This is to see how you function in what is as close to a football game environment as we can get. You will receive scores to prepare during the first week of April.

The second conducting audition takes place in the morning on Sunday, April 18. This will be to a recording. You will receive the score and recording during the first week of April. 

The interview takes place immediately after the second conducting round. It will last 30 minutes. You can sign up for a block of time in 402 Crouse College anytime after you submit your written application.   

If you are currently studying abroad or are not on campus this semester and are interested in auditioning for Drum Major, please contact me at jjmertz@syr.edu. 

NOTE: Any Drum Major from 2009 wishing to reprise the role must reapply. 

NOTE II: Trying out for Drum Major automatically puts you in the running for leadership in your home section. Only the Drum Major application is necessary, there is no need to fill out a leadership application as well. 

Drum Majors will be announced along with the rest of the leadership on Sunday, April 18 at 4:00 pm during a pizza party outside of Crouse College. 

VI. PIZZA PARTY

On Sunday, April 18 at 4:00 pm, there will be a pizza party outside of Crouse College. Every single member of the 2009 SUMB is welcome and encouraged to attend, whether or not you are trying out for leadership and whether you are returning to the band next year or not (boooooooooo!). Results from the leadership selection process and Drum Major auditions will be announced. 

VII. MISCELLANEOUS

1. The 2010 football schedule is available at www.suathletics.com.
2. Leadership Camp will start Friday, August 20.
3. Returning Vets will report to Band Camp on Monday, August 23.
4. The NYSFBC exhibition will be on Sunday, October 31.
5. Our performance/camp schedule is subject to change/addition/correction until May 1; the above is provided for planning purposes only.
6. If you will not be at your campus or home address during the summer, you MUST notify us so we can send your summer mailings to the correct address. 

If you have any questions at all about anything mentioned in this newsletter or anything else relating to the SUMB, please feel free to contact myself (jjmertz@syr.edu) or Fran (fmmoore@syr.edu). 

Congratulations to our graduating seniors! We will truly miss you and we wish you all nothing but success. 

Have a safe and enjoyable spring break and we will see you soon!

Mr. Mertz

Drum Major Application

Leadership Application