Attention Davenport Central High School Students and Parents:

Much conversation has taken place recently pertaining to the status of the our Florida band trip and the impending war with Iraq. We want to assure you that your child's safety and welfare is of the utmost concern and will not knowingly put them in any danger. We are in daily communication with the festival and have been assured that your child's safety is also of the utmost importance to them. We have spoken to the students that security at the parks will be tight and they should be aware that they will be searched upon entering the parks. They should also make sure to carry a picture ID at all times.

If, at anytime, events should require us to abandon our plans and turn the buses around we will call the phone tree and you will be made aware of the situation.

Also, this trip does not effect the students' grades and is not mandatory. If you would feel safer keeping your child at home, this is an option you may take.

Our students have worked hard for this opportunity and we are looking forward spending some quality time in the sun with your sons and daughters. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us via email, phone, or after the concert tonight.

Ted Reicher and Kathy McMillen



Blue Devil Band Newsletter March 2003 Vol. VIII, No. 7

Instrumental Showcase March 18

Our Instrumental Showcase Concert will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the Adler Theater. Groups featured are: Freshman Band, Freshman Strings, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphonic Band.

Symphony Orchestra Schedule:

7:00 AM Sectionals

  • March 10 - Basses
  • March 12 - Brass
  • March 13 - Woodwinds
  • March 14 - Percussion
  • *Full Orchestra rehearsals Tuesday, March 11, 3 - 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, 6 - 7:30 p.m. "CALL" Tuesday, March 18, 6:00 p.m.

Florida Trip

The time is fast approaching for the 10-12th grade bands' trip to Florida. Total cost of the trip has come down in the last month and is now $450.00. All payments, medical forms and permission forms should be complete by March 10. We have enclosed an itinerary with hotel information and contact numbers.

    Thursday, March 20

      1:30 PM - Depart CHS travel via Tri-State Tours coaches to Orlando - rest/food stops occur every 3-4 hours.

    Friday, March 21

      1:00 PM - Cookout at Jetty Beach on the Atlantic Ocean
      4:30 PM - Depart for hotel and check in
      7:00 PM - Downtown Disney for supper
      10:00 PM - Back to hotel
      11:00 PM - In rooms, lights out

    Saturday, March 22

      5:00 AM - Guard wake up, breakfast at hotel
      6:15 AM - Guard and early risers leave on one bus
      6:30 AM - Wake up, breakfast at hotel
      6:45 AM - Guard to warm up
      7:15 AM - Winter Guard performance
      8:00 AM - Bands on bus
      9:00 AM - Concert Band to warm up
      9:30 AM - Concert Band performance - everyone else watches
      11:00 AM - Symphonic Band to warm up
      11:30 AM - Symphonic Band performance - everyone else watches
      Remainder of day is spent at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Hard Rock Café meal coupon is provided this day.
      8:00 PM - Mardi Gras Parade
      9:00 PM - Awards at the Wild, Wild West Stunt Show in Universal Studios
      10:00 PM - Back to the hotel
      12:00 AM - Lights out

    Sunday, March 23

      8:00 AM - Wake up
      9:00 AM - Board buses
      9:30 AM - Breakfast at Fort Wilderness
      10:30 AM - To Disney. You may choose between Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, or Animal Kingdom. Meal coupon is provided.
      11:00 PM - Back to buses
      12:00 AM - Lights out

    Monday, March 24

      9:00 AM - Breakfast provided at hotel
      10:30 AM - Board buses for Wet and Wild Day. Cookout at Wet and Wild.
      5:00 PM - Back to hotel to get cleaned up.
      7:00 PM - Universal City Walk for evening food and entertainment

    Tuesday, March 25

      9:00 AM Breakfast provided.
      10:30 AM Check out of hotel and head home to Davenport

    Wednesday, March 26

      11:00 AM Home to sleep …… snzzzzz

What to Bring:

  • One suitcase per person
  • Band Uniform, (black shirt, black pants, black jumper, black shoes, black socks)
  • Instrument, we will collect music after our last rehearsal.
  • Pillow and light blanket for the bus
  • Ways to pass time on bus ride (books, videos, cards, gameboys, NO BOOMBOXES)
  • Small carry-on with toothbrush, toiletries, swimsuit and towel for the way down
  • SUNBLOCK!

Average daytime temp is 74 degrees with @ 50 degrees at night, please pack accordingly. A light jacket for the evening should suffice. Shorts and t-shirts are the attire for the day.

We recommend $25.00 a day for food. One meal is provided every day while we are in Orlando and some days there are two.

Florida Trip Itinerary Printable Sheet: Florida Trip 2003 Itinerary

Solo & Ensemble Contest

Davenport West is the site of this year's Iowa High School Music Association Solo & Ensemble Contest. It will be held Saturday, April 12. Again this year we will be attempting to get all of our students involved in an ensemble. If your student is performing a solo, a $7.50 fee must be paid to Ms. McMillen or Mr. Price before March 9. In addition, all solos must be performed with a piano accompaniment and you must have 2 original copies, one for you to play from and one for the judge - NO photocopies are allowed!

Honor Recognitions

Congratulations to Aryn Zager, flute; Eric Berman, alto sax; Michael Lyndsay, tenor sax, William Hustedde, bari sax; Billy Baker, trumpet; Alissa Coussens, french horn; Lily Arbisser, french horn; Jackie Mobley, trombone; Andrea Faris, euphonium; Bethany Wiese, tuba; Stefan Pfautz, tuba on their selection to the St. Ambrose Honor Band to be held Thursday, March 6.

Jazz Band Concert

April 3, 2002 is the night of our annual Jazz Fest here at Central. This concert features bands from J.B. Young, Sudlow and Central. The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. in Kahler Auditorium.

Jazz Band Contest Results

Jazz I earned a division I rating at State Contest. Twenty first consecutive division "I" in a row! Only three division "I" ratings were given out to bands in the 4A class this year. Our band was also the only band to gain a division "I" rating from all four judges.

Central Chamber Players

The Chamber Players will compete at the Jefferson Orchestra Invitational on Saturday, April 26. Time to be announced.

State Large Group Contest

Saturday, May 10th is the date for this contest at Bettendorf High School. The three concert bands and all the orchestras will be competing. Attendance is mandatory at this contest.

2003-2004 Planning

We are in the planning process for next year's trips and events. Please mark your calendars for the activities, as we want every student to be able to participate fully in the year's fun.

August 1st marching band/jazz band begins. We would like to begin teaching the marching drill before school starts again this year. In order for this to take place, we need to have full attendance from all students. Drill is hard to learn with people missing, so please, if at all possible, schedule vacations and camps before August.

We will be competing at various marching band contests on September 27 and October 4,11,18, and possibly for St. Ambrose University Football, Nov. 1.

October 18, 2003 we will be hosting the IHSMA State Marching Band Festival during the day and the Blue Devil Band Invitational at Brady St. Stadium in the evening.

Bands of America Grand National Championships take place Nov. 13-15 in Indianapolis, IN. We will be traveling to Indianapolis on Thursday we hope to hold the cost of the trip to near $130.00. If you want to get tickets for the event, they are on sale on the Bands of America website at www.bands.org. More information on housing and the schedule will be available at a later date, but we will probably be staying in the same hotel as last year.

2003 is also the year of the orchestra's trip to New York scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. We will be taking in a concert with the New York Philharmonic, attending a Broadway show, performing in a contest and sightseeing in and around New York City.

Summer Camps

Bands of America at IL State, June 23-28, for drum major, flags, percussion, leadership, jazz, and concert band.

Iowa All-State Summer Music Camp at University of IA, June 8-14.

There are many other camps throughout the country and we have information available pertaining to all the various schools. See the directors for more information.

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