Highlander Band Parents Blog

GL Commencement Details

Dear Members and Parents of the Highlander Band and GL Concert Band,

The annual Governor Livingston Commencement will take place on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6:30 PM at Frey Field (Football Field).  If the weather is inclement, it will take place at the same time but it will occur inside Davis Hall (Auditorium.)  Please note that the report time for all students is 5:15 PM SHARP in the Band Room.  We will be playing "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" as a prelude, "Pomp and Circumstance" as a processional, the National Anthem with the GL Chorus and "Scotland the Brave" for the recessional.  Dress is a white shirt (dress or polo), no tie, black or khaki pants, dress socks and dress shoes.  This year, we will not be playing directly into the sun, but sun block and dressing cool is advisable.  The Commencement will probably conclude somewhere around 8:30 PM.

For the Governor Livingston Bands,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Director of Bands

A Message From Jim and Trish

Dear Highlander Band,

We did not have the opportunity at the awards night to say thank you, so we will do so now. Mr. Dan Kopcha. Trish and I worked under his direction for ten years. I was always amazed at his renewed enthusiasm each year starting with band camp and going through to the season’s end and beyond. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with him but the rewards were so enjoyable. All you need do is look around the band room and you will get it. The other amazing quality that Dan has is his memory. He remembers every student he taught over his 37 year run. I have seen him talk to band alumni and he always recalls their name, instrument and something about their family. Trish and I were going on a cruise just after the Band’s 2002 Florida trip. We met a man in line the first day who turns out went to GL and was in marching band. He graduated in 1982. His name was Ed Rothberg and he played trombone. Ed, among other things, recalled passing out during band camp because he was dehydrated. We told him we would say hello to Dan for him. A couple of months later I mentioned to Dan we met Ed Rothberg while in Florida. Instantly he said, “Oh yeah Rothberg. Played trombone and passed out in band camp!!" I know you will never forget us Dan. We will always remember you, Sandy and your family. Thank you. Thank you to all the chaperones we have worked with over the last 12 years. Trish and I were writing down the names today and needless to say we have made many friends thanks to the band. The trip we made to Florida last year was without a doubt the most fun we had while working. All the chaperones worked tirelessly but we have to say a special thank you to Debbie and Todd Schickel and Doris and Howard Jow. Debbie, you can stop counting kids now! Thank you to Nick. You were a great student. (Class of 2003) You are a gentleman and very knowledgeable musician. You will lead the band to even greater achievements! Finally, we say ‘thank you’ to the students. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow from awkward kids to fine young men and women. You are a credit to your parents. We estimate we saw over 200 students pass through the marching band. We hope you learned some things about us that may help you in your life’s journey. We will never forget the win last November. Tears of joy and a perfect end to our careers.

Thank you all,

Jim and Trish Rocklein

Highlander Band Awards Night, 6/9/09 at 7:30 PM in the GL Cafeteria

Dear Current and Past Members of the Highlander Band and the GLBPO,

On behalf of the Governor Livingston Band Parents Organization, I would like to invite you to our annual Band Awards Night.  The event will be held on June 9th in the GL Cafeteria at 7:30 PM.  We will be honoring all of the members of the award-winning Highlander Band, especially the graduating seniors.  Come out for food and fellowship as we honor the accomplishments of our members.  Special Senior Awards will also be awarded on this night.

For the Highlander Band and the GLBPO,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

Spring Concert, 5/27/09 at 7:30 PM in the GL Auditorium

Dear Members and Friends of the Highlander Band and the GLBPO,

I would like to invite you to our Spring Band Concert at Governor Livingston High School. The program will feature the following groups:

• The GL Pipeline
• The GL Jazz Improvisation Class
• The GL Concert Band

The concert will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 7:30 PM in Davis Hall (GL Auditorium).  I hope you will consider coming out and joining us for the evening.  Performers and their families, please see details below for concert dress and report time.

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Director of Bands

 

Concert Band Members: Report Time: 6:45 PM in Concert Dress (White dress shirt, appropriate tie of your choice, black dress pants, black dress socks, black dress shoes and black belt for men.  Ladies should wear something comparable or a long black dress that is conservative with closed toe shoes.)

Jazz Improvisation Members: Report Time: 6:15 PM (UPDATED TIME).  Dress is the same as the Concert Band (see above) except no tie and leave the top button of your dress shirt un-buttoned.

Memorial Day Parade- 5/25/09

Dear Members and Friends of the Highlander Band and the GLBPO,

Come out this Monday to remember and honor our living and deceased veterans at the Berkeley Heights Memorial Day Parade.  The parade step off will be at 9:30 AM near the Community Pool.  As usual, the band will be marching in the parade and will partake in the ceremonies.  The Band will march down Snyder, Springfield and Plainfield Avenues stopping at Memorial Field. 

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

Attention Band Members: Reminder that the report time is 8 AM SHARP in the Band Room.  We will be departing GL at 8:30 AM SHARP for the parade.  We must do warm-ups and tuning at our setup location.  Be sure to have all of your essentials (blacks, socks, shoes, collars etc.)

Dear Members and Friends of the Highlander Band and the GLBPO,

Come out this Monday to remember and honor our living and deceased veterans at the Berkeley Heights Memorial Day Parade.  The parade step off will be at 9:30 AM near the Community Pool.  As usual, the band will be marching in the parade and will partake in the ceremonies.  The Band will march down Snyder, Springfield and Plainfield Avenues stopping at Memorial Field. 

For the Highlander Band,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

Attention Band Members: Reminder that the report time is 8 AM SHARP in the Band Room.  We will be departing GL at 8:30 AM SHARP for the parade.  We must do warm-ups and tuning at our setup location.  Be sure to have all of your essentials (blacks, socks, shoes, collars etc.)

Virginia Pictures

If anybody has pictures from the Virginia trip that they would like to be included on the trip DVD, please forward them ASAP to Mrs. Trish Rocklein at tricolours@yahoo.com. 

The GLBPO

Upcoming Fundraisers

Dear Members and Friends of the Highlander Band and the GLBPO,

We have two very exciting fundraisers coming up that we hope you will consider attending.  The first fundraiser will be the first ever GLBPO Garage Sale.  It will be held at 67 Tudor Lane (by Mountain Park School) on Friday, May 8th from 10-3 as well as on Saturday, May 9th from 9-4. 

The next fundraiser will be a "Cut-a-thon" at Michael Hair Salon located at 294 Springfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights.  This will be held on May 17th from 11-5.  The event will feature live music and refreshments.  Come out for a spiffy haircut and support Michael and his top stylists as well as the Highlander Band.

If you have any questions concerning these events, please contact Melissa Sanchez at 908-208-3726.

We hope to see you at these fun-filled events!

For more information, please see: http://highlanderband.org/home.html

 

The GLBPO

2009 Band Prism Concert

All,

I would like to thank all of you who contributed to, assisted in the process or attended the Prism Concert.  I thought it was an amazing success and a wonderful night for the district and for the students involved from Berkeley Heights and Mountainside.  The food that contributed by many of you was excellent and the success of it all was thanks in a great part to the many volunteers who assisted the school faculty and administration in making this happen.  Kudos!  Enjoy the spring weather.

Please come out on Sunday to support the Indoor Drumline.  Details can be found in the previous blog entry.

For the Highlander Band, GLBPO and the Music Department,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

Senior Scholarships and Indoor Drumline Competition on 4/26/09

All,

SENIOR BAND SCHOLARSHIPS
The time has come for the scholarship essays.  Seniors, please submit to me your essay and completed form by Tuesday, April 28, 2009 to be considered for the award.  I prefer them submitted via e-mail, but I will take hard copies as well.  The judges will be looking for the content and presentation of your essay.  Like always, the theme is "What Marching Band Means to Me."  The essay should take the reader through your personal journey that you experienced in the Highlander Band.  The appropriate forms are attached in this blog.

Download 2009 Scholarship Award Form

Download Information on Special Band Awards

INDOOR DRUMLINE
In addition, the Indoor Drumline is having a GREAT first season.  Our final show will be the Chapter X Championship Show at Old Bridge High School this Sunday, 4/26/09.  PLEASE NOTE: This is not the location where the band has attended in the past for Marching Band.  That is actually the old Old Bridge High School.  The Indoor Drumline Show will be held at the new Old Bridge High School.  The address for the new Old Bridge High School is:

4209 Route 516, Matawan NJ 07747

Please make an effort to come out and support the Indoor Drumline.  They have a fantastic show and are doing extraordinarily well.  Kyle Murphy and I are very proud of the work of the students involved.  The show starts at 1 PM and we are on second which should put us on at about 1:10 PM.  The students will be staying the whole time to watch other groups, eat, relax and attend the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the competition.  We expect to be back at GL around 5 or 6 PM.  The report time for students this Sunday is once again at 9 AM at GL.  Students should have money and/or lunch as well as the all-black uniform as outlined previously.  Like last Sunday, we will have a school bus, a truck and chaperones to assist us.  I am looking forward to the experience.

Regards,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director

GLBPO Prism Concert Reception

All,

Before the Prism Concert begins, feel free to stop into the GL Cafeteria for complimentary light refreshments and fellowship from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM.  The food is being provided courtesy of the GL Band Parents Organization.  Please feel free to invite anybody who is attending the concert to come to this reception.  Printed information and a slideshow will be on hand for anybody interested in learning more about the Highlander Band.  For further details on the Prism Concert, please see my previous post.  I look forward to seeing you all there.  Thank you!

For the Highlander Band and GLBPO,

Nicholas O'Sullivan, Band Director