Highlander Band Parents Blog

Bravo!

I just wanted to say a quick word of thanks and congratulations to all for tonight's concert. I really enjoyed the whole experience. All of the students and parents should be quite proud. Keep believing. I look forward to the challenges and rewards ahead.

Mr. O

Winter Concert- 1/10/12

All,

Just a reminder that the Winter Concert will be at 7:30 PM in Davis Hall at Governor Livingston High School on January 10, 2012.  The concert will feature the Bagpipes, Clarinet Choir and Concert Band.  Please come out to this free event to hear extraordinary performances by the talented young musicians.

Details for Students:

REPORT TIME: 6:30 PM (6:15 PM for Clarinet Choir)

Dress is black dress shirt or polo, black dress pants, black belt, black socks and black dress shoes (polished.)  Ladies can also wear a long black dress, conservative, if they wish with closed toe shoes.  There should be no colors other than black on any of the garments.

The concert is a required part of the student's grade as listed in the syllabus.  I look forward to seeing everyone at this wonderful musical event.

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Director of Bands

January 2, 2012

Happy New Year!

This is just a quick reminder that the band members (instrumentalists only) will be taking a field trip to Columbia School tomorrow to play with (and for) the CMS Band.  Students will be wearing their civilian clothes and we will return to GLHS before the lunch period.  All students need to submit their permission slips to me by tomorrow morning to attend.

Thanks!

Mr. O

Mountainside Town Council to Honor the Highlander Band on 12/20/11

Dear Parents and Members of the Highlander Band,

I just wanted to remind you all that the Mountainside Town Council will be honoring the Highlander Band on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 8 PM at their meeting.  The meeting will take place in the Mountainside Borough Hall.  Anyone who is able to attend is encouraged to go.  Attendees should come dressed in semi-formal attire.  If you are from Mountainside, you are greatly urged to go.  It is important that people see the faces of those who have worked so hard, especially those from their local community.  The Town Council was told to expect about 20 people from the Highlander Band.  Additionally, the Town Council will be making copies of the Town's Proclamation to the Highlander Band for members of the Band as keepsakes.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Mountainside Town Council meeting this Tuesday at 8 PM in Borough Hall.  Please try to arrive a few minutes before 8; I'd like for any of us there to sit together at the meeting.

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

Thank You

Hello All,

I just wanted to thank you for all of your efforts in tonight's special performance at the Board of Education Meeting.  I was extremely impressed by all of the students.  It was a pinnacle performance.  Congratulations.

Also, on the district website, there was a photo uploaded tonight of the band at the Board of Education Meeting.

Reminder: Mountainside will be honoring the Highlander Band at their meeting on Tuesday, 12/20/11.  I look forward to seeing many of you there.

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

Berkeley Heights Board of Education to Honor the Governor Livingston Highlander Band on 12/15/11

Dear Parents and Members of the Highlander Band,

On Thursday, December 15, 2011, the Berkeley Heights Board of Education will honor the Governor Livingston Highlander Band for winning the Atlantic Coast Championships, New Jersey State Championships and the North Jersey Chapter X Championships at their monthly meeting at Columbia Middle School at 7:30 PM in the cafetorium. The band will do a special standstill performance of the 2011 Field Show at the meeting.

To make this happen, students will need to report to the GLHS Band Room at 5:45 PM to warm-up, rehearse and change into uniforms. All students will be wearing their competition uniforms and will need their blacks, socks and anything else required. A bus will take the band to and from Columbia School. We will also have the equipment truck for the oversized items.

This is a great honor for the band and I hope that all of you will be able to partake in this joyful event. Following the performance, the band will return to GLHS by bus to put away their instruments, equipment and uniforms and will be released from there.

Thank you all!

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan

12/3/11 and 12/4/11 Holiday Festival Performances

Dear Parents and Members of the Highlander Band,

We have important performances this weekend; both aimed at community service.

Santa Claus Visits Berkeley Heights on Saturday, December 3, 2011

Each year, the Berkeley Heights Recreation Commission sponsors a visit from Santa Claus who visits Berkeley Heights at Town Hall.  This optional performance is open to all brass and saxophone players.  Students will play holiday music as people arrive to await Santa Claus.  The ensemble also plays for Santa Claus' arrival.  Students who participate earn 2 points of extra credit towards their Marking Period 2 grade.  Students will sign up for the event in Band Class.  Details as follows:

Report Time- 9 AM at Berkeley Heights Town Hall.

Dress- Casual, Warm, Festive and Comfortable.

Repertoire-The First Noel, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Joy To The World, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, Jingle Bells, Deck The Halls, Jolly Old St. Nicholas and O Faithful Pine (O Tannenbaum.)

Extra Credit- Participating students will get 2 points of extra credit towards their marking period 2 grade.

Rehearsals- Wednesday and Thursday during the second half of lunch as well as at 9 AM on the morning of the event.

Materials Needed- Students will need to bring their instrument with as well as the music packet and a lyre. The music packet and lyre will be issued to students at the first rehearsal.

End Time of Event- Our involvement in the event will be over by about 10:30 AM.

 

Snowflake Parade in Millburn on Sunday, December, 4, 2011

The entire Marching Band will be participating in the annual Millburn Snowflake Parade on Sunday, December 4, 2011.  Details as follows:

Report Time- 11:30 AM at the Band Room Parking Lot

There is no school access for this parade. However, all equipment will be stored in a secure location at GL. Students need to bring home only their kilt uniform in their garment bags in preparation.

Repertoire- Standard Parade Set (Cadence, Highland Cathedral, Scotland the Brave)

The parade is about a half mile in length. The good news is the weather looks mild for this Sunday. Still, I'd recommend that you dress warm underneath your kilts.

We will be back at GL at about 2:30 PM.  Students will be dismissed from the Band Room Parking Lot in their kilts to parents.  Students can bring their kilts back in their garment bags on Monday.

Thank you all for your great efforts!

  

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O’Sullivan, Band Director

2011 Thanksgiving Day Game

Dear Parents and Members of the Highlander Band,

The report time for Thanksgiving is 8 AM. The band will be wearing the full kilts for the Thanksgiving Game and the Guard will be wearing their competition uniform. The game starts at 10:30 AM and will be held at Governor Livingston.

This will be the final marching performance of the 2011 Field Show.  Thank you for continuing to make this a great year.

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

11/21/11 Rehearsal

All,

For Monday, 11/21, the full Marching Band Ensemble will have rehearsal from 3 to 6 PM after school to prep for the Thanksgiving Game. There will be no rehearsal on Wednesday after school. Additionally, the drum staff would like to meet with the drumline from 6 to 9 PM on Tuesday to prep for the game.

Mr. O

Football Game, 11/12/11

All,

I was informed yesterday that there is a consolation home game scheduled for this Saturday, 11/12/11 at 1 PM at GL against Palisades Park High School.  The Band will not be performing a half-time show; the band will be performing as a pep-band only.  Color Guard will not be needed (but are welcome to attend if they wish.)  Attire will be the Red Jacket Uniforms without any form of hats.  Students will need to bring food or money for the game as well as their band blacks, shoes and socks.  Report time for Saturday will be 12 Noon.

I realize that while I did put this date down as a possible playoff game on the initial schedule, there has been no indication until now about a game occurring.  All instrumental students who are available are needed for the game.  If there is a conflict, please contact me directly.

Thank you so much for your continued support of GLHS.

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director