I hope that this blog finds you staying warm and not covered in snow, although we all know that we are.

I am very excited about the MANY activities that are currently happening within the PHS Viking Band Family.

For instance, did you know that we have TWO winter guards (Emerald & Jade) and a winter drumline that are working VERY hard and getting ready to get in the full swing of performance season? Did you know that we are hosting a Winter Ensemble Festival at Parkview on Saturday, February 19, 2011 and need LOTS of help? Contact me if you are willing to help

Did you know that we have two amazing concert bands that have formed at PHS? They are working hard at reading new pieces and preparing for MSHSAA State Contest for large ensembles in April. Did you know that we have over 40 different soloists or groups that are wanting to participate in MSHSAA Solo & Small Ensemble Contest?

Did you know that the PHS Jazz Band has been performing for multiple home basketball games and cheering on our very successful Viking Basketball Teams? Did you know that they are getting ready to start their competition season at Missouri State and Pitt State?

Did you know that we could not have all of these amazing ensembles without your support of our students and your band director?

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Mr. T

I hope that this blog finds you all hanging in there and enjoying the craziness that is marching season.  It always amazes me how big of a roller coaster ride that this thing called marching band can really be.  We will have ups and downs, but overall the important thing is that we ALL enjoy the ride!

I hope that everyone will continue to work very hard over the next two and a half weeks that we have left of marching season…  If you aren’t part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.  I am chosing to teach and cater to the folks who are part of the solution!

Parents and students thank you for your kind and sometimes harshly honest words this past week in reference to Monday’s email.  Although feedback can sometimes be tough to hear, we don’t get better if we aren’t honest and forthright with each other.  Please keep the email contact coming…  I love hearing from you!

Band…  Let’s tear it up at Reeds Spring and use that as our jumping off point for great achievements at Odessa and Mizzou!

Proud to be a Viking,

Mr. T

It must be obvious that I have been super busy, because it has been so long since I have posted any thoughts to this blog…

I am SO proud of the hard work that our kiddos are putting into this year’s marching season!  I am intimately aware of the hard work, time demands, and level of commitment that it takes to have a great band.  It is my feeling that our students are starting to understand this better as well.

A huge THANK YOU to the band booster officers for their work on Valhalla!  We could not run our band program without the funds that we generate from our marching festival.  I encourage ALL parents to help out on October 2, 2010.  Contact phsbandboosters@yahoo.com for more details…

October competition season is one week away and I am very hopeful that the band will experience much success!

Get involved…  Attend a game…  Travel to a competition…  Help at Valhalla…  Join the PHS Viking Band family!

Best Wishes,

Mr. Tipton

I hope that you are all staying cool and safe!  I am enjoying the athletic dead week and am looking forward to being refreshed for our upcoming band camp.

PLEASE NOTE: Band camp is next week from 2 PM to 10 PM at PHS (Monday, August 9 through Friday, August 13).  We will have our Concert on the Green & Ice Cream Social at 7 PM at JFK Stadium or the PHS Viking Band practice field (due to the construction of new lights at JFK).  PLEASE BRING DESSERTS and the band boosters will provide the ice cream!

Please send your kiddos to camp next week armed with sunscreen, water bottles, sunglasses, ball caps, socks and tennis shoes, loose & cool clothing, and ready to have fun!

Best Wishes and Happy August,

Mr. T

I hope that this entry finds everyone having an amazing summer full of fun in the sun.

We had another fantastic evening of music making last night in the PHS Band Hall.  Your kiddos are really working very hard to make our show music sound as exciting and polished as possible.

I wanted to take a moment to encourage all of you parents out there to not be afraid to get/stay involved in the band activities of your student.  Here are a few reasons/benefits:

1.  Although your child may be at a stage where they “don’t care,” THEY REALLY DO!  Every game you attend this year, every band booster meeting, every competition, every plate of cookies you bake, every hamburger you grill…  THEY WILL CARE!  They might not say thank you, but the efforts that you put forth will always be a special memory for them for many years down the road.

2.  We NEED YOUR HELP!  I could not do my job without the help of the best band parents in the world, the PHS Band Boosters!  The Band Boosters are a group of parents and community members that meet to plan nice things for our band and serve as helpers, cooks, organizers, fundraisers, secretaries, drivers, equipment lifters, and most of all band SUPPORTERS.  Don’t sit by and think… “Well, I’ll get involved next year…”  NOW IS THE TIME…  At the Concert on the Green on Friday, August 13, our Booster officers will be talking about how you can start getting more involved.  DO IT…  Your help will be appreciated by myself, our current boosters, and most of all… OUR KIDDOS.

3.  It is SO MUCH FUN!  When we travel to competitions or have rehearsals, even though the parents are working, it looks like they are the ones having the best time!  What a great way to spend a day with your child… 

I hope that these blogs are useful to you and please know that I am truly grateful to be a Viking!

I get to teach at the best high school in Springfield with the best kiddos and the best parents!

Get involved…  NOW IS THE TIME, PHS IS THE PLACE

Mr. T

I hope that this blog finds you all enjoying summer as much as I have these past few weeks!  I am already amazed at the level of commitment and hard work that our students are putting into this year’s band season.  This is going to be a great year for Parkview and a great show to share with our local community and the competition arena.

I was super proud of our kiddos that were able to come to music camp tonight.  We progressed even further with the music than I expected and they continue to improve their concepts of musicianship.  The opening movement is starting to really get a refined, balanced sound and we are slowly working through the many notes of the second movement.

It is my hope to use this blog as a way to share my thoughts with you the parents, students, and community members that support and are the PHS Viking Band!

See you next time,

Tipton

Upcoming events of interest…

July 19 – Kansas City Drum Corps Show (See Tipton for details if interested in traveling to watch)

July 20 – PHS Viking Bands Music Camp (6 PM to 9 PM in the Band Hall)

July 21 – Broken Arrow Drum Corps Show (See Tipton for details if interested in traveling to watch)