October 2023

Here are several updates and reminders for the month:

Marching Band:

We will continue to have our Monday night practices through the month. Because of the limited rehearsal time we have together as a full marching band, this time is important. Please remember to continue to be on time.

We also have our Thursday, Oct 19th game during MEA break. Please note it is a 11am practice for a 1pm kick off. Also as it gets colder, student can add layers under their uniform. No extra clothing should be sticking out of the bibbers or coat/sleeves.

I also have some unfortunate news. Because of construction happening in Anoka around the parade route, MNDOT is limiting the amount of marching bands that are able to participate in the parade. Because of the limitation and the size of our band the parade is not able to accommodate us this year. So the Anoka Parade performance is cancelled for this year. Next year they look forward to welcoming us back!

Also not technically in October, but soon after is the Indoor Marching Concert on Thursday, November 2. It is a wonderful celebration of the marching band season and you will not want to miss it! Earlier this week, the boosters sent out an email about a raffle fundraiser that they are hosting. Please consider helping create a basket and/or bidding on the baskets before the concert. Reach out to the band boosters for more information.

Instrument rental:

If you are using a school instrument (percussion, tuba, baritone, horn, saxophone, etc.), please make sure to pay the instrument rental fee. These funds are the only source of our instrument repair budget. Without funds to repair instruments we cannot keep the instruments in working order. The fee is payable in the School Store (Infinite Campus>>School Store>>LNHS>>Class Expenses)

Private Lessons:

We have several private lesson teachers that are helping teach lessons at North. These are professional players that give lessons during band time (students go to the lesson for half the time and band the other half once a week). Private lessons are one of the best ways to improve on your instrument and our teachers are amazing! Right now we have low brass, trumpet , and percussion teachers lined up. If other students are interested, please let Dr. Wanken know so he can work on inviting more teachers to school. I am happy to answer any questions you may have or you can reach out directly to the lesson teachers.
Low brass: Gavin Carney gctrombone@gmail.com ;
Trumpet: Graham Taylor https://www.trumpetlessonsminneapolis.com/ ;
Matt Nielsen niel8012@isd194.org

If other instruments are interested in private lessons, please let me know. We usually have to have at least 3 students interested in order to bring a teacher in.

Thank you for all your support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Kind,

Dr. Wanken