Announcements Week of June 29

Thank you for your patience as we try to figure out safety protocols,

changes to school scheduling, and countless other behind the scenes

items that are hard to plan for as information is changing daily.  We are
working daily to make sure that our program can run

smoothly and safely in a constantly changing environment.

That said, here are some announcements and reminders!

Parade

The Band will not be participating in the Caledonia Independence Day

Parade. This decision has been made with our school administration

and at this point they have said it is what is safest for our students

given the current guidance.  

Drumline Auditions

Drumline auditions will be held soon.  We are waiting for our rehearsal

safety protocols to be approved so we can hold in person auditions with

small numbers of students.  Mr. Raaymakers will be communicating

details in the next few days.

Camp and Rehearsals

Pre-Camp and Band Camp are still moving forward as planned.  Once

safety plans and details regarding volunteers and staff are approved we

will be able to send out specific details about what each rehearsal will

look like. Students, Parents and Staff are working hard to make plans so

that camp is as safe, productive and fun as ever! We have also finalized
our fees so expect updated forms this week.

Show and Leadership Team!

We are putting together a show that will be a lot of fun for this fall. 

Announcements will be coming soon.  Certain details are dependent on

decisions made by the school and also the re-tallying process so we are

waiting for more details before making the final announcement.  Section

Leader and Drum Major information will also be coming soon.  

Re-Tallying for Classes

Pay attention to emails from the school regarding the switch to semesters. 

Remember to tally for two semesters for band, and please do what they ask

right away.  The re-tallying has caused us to restart our planning process for

drill, so the sooner you can do it the faster I can re-do all the work that took

place in June behind the scenes for our drill and music.

Safety Protocols

We are waiting for our rehearsal safety protocols to be approved and for

appropriate equipment to be provided so we can safely gather as a large

group.  We are a large group and there are many constantly changing

variables that the school needs to consider as we move forward.  The safety

of our students is our top priority.  

Thanks again for your patience!

Important Transition to Semesters information

I hope you are all staying healthy and enjoying a wonderful summer! 

As you may have learned by now CHS will be moving to a semester

schedule beginning this fall.  As a part of the conversion process students

will be asked to re-tally for classes.  When your counselors contact you

please remember to tally for both semesters of  Band Class!

The semester schedule will allow you to continue to take Band throughout

all 4 years of your high school career, while taking all of the classes you

need to graduate and pursue your college education..  Please know that

schedules will work out in a way that allows Band to continue to be

an important part of your high school career. 

Here is what it will look like:

1st Semester: Marching Band OR Concert Band

2nd Semester: Freshman Band (all 9th graders) OR Symphonic Band

OR Wind Ensemble 

Many of the best Band programs in our area are at schools that have

semester schedules.   While semesters means that students will take

fewer classes overall, it also means that you get to take an extra class

per term, which should make it easier to schedule year-long classes

alongside Band. 

Please know that I am committed to providing students with a

safe and rigorous music education.  After you receive instructions

from student services and your counselors feel free to reach out to

me with any questions

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Kyle Wellfare

Director of Bands

Caledonia High School

Email: wellfarek@calshools.org

Special Message from Drum Major Jonah Dion

We have an exceptional group of student leaders in band, and I

was pleased when Senior Drum Major Jonah Dion asked me to

send out this special message to all of you!

Click Here to view a special message from Senior Drum

Major Jonah Dion!

Remember to fill out the forms from the email message on

Monday, and keep checking your email as we will be

communicating regularly.

Marching Band Info

Our Marching Band season is fast approaching.  There are still many more questions than answers regarding the summer and fall, and I have been delaying sending any information home with the hope that there would be some clarity to offer.

At this point, we are in preparation for the possibility of proceeding as normal with our
Calendar. Band Camp for this season will be held at CHS as Lincoln Lake has closed
for the summer.

You can expect many updates and we ask for your continued understanding and
patience as many decisions are being made are outside of the Band Programs control.
We will follow all guidance provided by the State of Michigan in ultimately making
decisions regarding this season. We understand there are many health and financial
concerns as we think about the future.  These, plus others, are on our minds as we
work with many partners in our decision making process.  

TO DO:

-CALENDAR - Click here to Look at the Calendar starting with Pre-Camp and
Band Camp in July.  Timeframes during each day are still being decided, but save
the dates. (note: if it asks for a school code to view it is “caledoniaband”

-CONFIRM YOUR PARTICIPATION - Click Here and fill out this form to confirm
your participation and so we have your basic information 

-READ HANDBOOK - Click Here. Please note: much of this information is in
the process of changing.  We are currently updating daily camp schedules/timeframes/
payment information, etc.  Consider this a reference for a normal year....an updated
version will be sent soon.

-LOOK FOR updated handbooks and medical forms for the season in your email
in the next few weeks.

PAYMENTS: 

We are in the process of reworking the payment amounts and schedules.  We
understand that we are dealing with many hardships right now.  We will be flexible,
understanding, and patient as we work with each family to make sure that finances
do not stand in the way of participation. Our usual fee of $315 is being re-evaluated
and new payment information will be coming out soon.  Knowing the hardship in our
community right now expect a much lower fee and much flexibility from us. Please
email Cindy VanNoord at crvannoord@charter.net with any questions regarding payments
once more information is sent.

FINALLY:  

Despite all of the uncertainty we remain committed to providing your students with
great musical experiences, and will do that no matter what this season ends up looking like. 

Thank you for your continued flexibility, patience and understanding.