Introducing Team Blogger! #99Learns @Dist_99

As the District 99 Honors Band nears our tour departure you will begin to see this Blog gradually pivot from an 'announcements & logistics' communication tool to a more dynamic journal of the Band's travel experiences.  The goal of our faculty is to turn over primary responsibility of documenting this adventure to the wonderful and very capable students of the District 99 Honors Band.

We've assembled a terrific team of ten student Bloggers representing both DGN and DGS. They are all excited to serve as your eyes and ears while the D99 Honors Band travels through Europe. We thank them for their willingness to be on-the-ground reporters!

District 99 Honors Band 2016 Tour Blog

Introducing 'Team Blogger' ...

• David Atwater
• Emily Bollinger
• Emily Dwyer
• Sarah Fantinel
• Kevin Fera
• Cassidy Hanyzewski
• Audrey McDaniel
• Priya Patel
• Noah Tunney
• Emily Wilson

Saturday Schedule

As a reminder, tour participants will follow this schedule on Saturday:

9 AM - Final Honors Band Rehearsal (on stage)

11 AM - Final Participant Meeting

1 - 3 PM - Final Honors Jazz Band Rehearsal (in Auditorium)

5:30 PM - Call Time for Concert

6:00 PM - Bon Voyage Concert (DGN Auditorium)

7:00 PM - Final Parent/Participant Meeting / Tour Poster Signing

During final preparations, remember to prepare yourself!

As we all start final preparations to bring the THINGS we need to bring on our tour, remember what you need to do to prepare YOURSELF to fulfill your role as an ambassador during the tour.

An ambassador is a person who acts as a representative or a promoter of a specific activity.  Each of you is an ambassador for your family, our schools, our community, this exchange, and our country . Every action and interaction matters while we are on tour together.  Here are some specific ways in which you can fulfill your role as an ambassador during our upcoming tour:

• Remember, words matter.
• Talk slowly and choose the right words during conversations.
• Listen twice as much as you speak.
• Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
• When you depart a place, leave it better condition than it was before your arrival.
• Leave a great impression on the outside (physical environment.)
• Leave an even better impression on the inside (transform hearts and minds by who you are and by how you perform.)
• When in a group on tour, your actions not minimized, rather, they are magnified.  Travel with dignity and decorum while in public with our group while on tour.

Expressing gratitude to your host family

As you are continuing final preparations for our departure on Monday, remember to pack several "thank you" cards and a pen.  It is an expectation upon departure from your host family on our final day that each student will leave a note, personally expressing gratitude to the host family.  These notes are best written sometime on the final evening as the final morning tends to be hectic with departure activities.  You can hand the note directly to your host family, or, leave it on the pillow of your made bed when you leave the final morning.  Thanks in advance for taking care of this essential element of traveling with a District 99 Honor Band.

Fussball Practice

For the first time, ever …

… we actually practiced Fussball in advance of our departure for Europe.

Thanks to retired DGN History Teacher, and former DGN Soccer Coach Mr. Bob Graham for helping prepare our band for an epic battle vs. Deutschland.  

Germany holds a commanding series lead in our Fussball friendly; will this be the year the momentum swings back toward the United States?!

Tuesday Morning Reminders

If you plan to stay for our Futbol practice this afternoon, and you have a soccer ball, please bring it. Make sure the ball is marked with ID.

Students who are staying for the Futbol practice should bring a sack lunch with them today. Students may eat the lunch while we hear from Bob & Lois Graham. That meeting will be held in the DGN Choir Room at 12:30. Students who are not staying for Futbol practice may bring a lunch, or eat at 1:30 once dismissed. 

We will be filming some close up shots of students working on their Futbol skills to be used in a movie trailer. You can up your chances to be in the trailer if you wear your TOUR JERSEY to the practice this afternoon.

D99 Honors Band Group Photos

D-Day Anniversary / Our Visit to Omaha Beach

Although the term D-Day is used routinely as military lingo for the day an operation or event will take place, for many it is also synonymous with June 6, 1944, the day the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during World War II. Within three months, the northern part of France would be freed and the invasion force would be preparing to enter Germany, where they would meet up with Soviet forces moving in from the east.

On the morning of June 5, 1944, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe gave the go-ahead for Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military operation in history. On his orders, 6,000 landing craft, ships and other vessels carrying 176,000 troops began to leave England for the trip to France. That night, 822 aircraft filled with parachutists headed for drop zones in Normandy. An additional 13,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support for the invasion.

By dawn on June 6, 18,000 parachutists were already on the ground; the land invasions began at 6:30 a.m. The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture Gold, Juno and Sword beaches; so did the Americans at Utah. The task was much tougher at Omaha beach, however, where 2,000 troops were lost and it was only through the tenacity and quick-wittedness of troops on the ground that the objective was achieved. By day’s end, 155,000 Allied troops–Americans, British and Canadians–had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches.

On our upcoming tour, the District 99 Honors Band will visit Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Click here for a preview brochure.  The Band will also visit the Caen Memorial & Museum.  

The critically acclaimed movie, Saving Private Ryan, opens with an intense recreation of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  Many of our District 99 students have seen this movie as sophomores in their U.S. History course.  If you are interested in seeing the opening scene, it may be found on YouTube here.  Please note: he movie is Rated R for intense violence.  The opening of the film can be difficult to watch and may be unsettling for some viewers. 

Historical film of the landing on the Beaches of Normandy may be found here.

First Rehearsal Reminders!

We are ready for a fabulous first-rehearsal of the 2016 District 99 Honors Band!

Important reminders for tomorrow morning ...

• We are taking our group photograph tomorrow. You should arrive wearing black dress pants, black dress shoes, and a black t-shirt. You will receive your tour jersey when you arrive, and that jersey will be worn over your black t-shirt for the photo.

• In addition to the tour jersey(s), students will find name cards, passport holders, and D99 Soccer Ball/Cowbells on their chairs. More explanation about each of these items will be shared as rehearsal begins.  

• Don't forget to bring your black music binder with all music.

• Make sure you bring a PENCIL with you to mark your music during rehearsals this week.

• The rehearsal is in the DGN Band Room (142).  Drop off or park in the Main Street lot.  Walk across the street and enter DGN through the arch.  Turn right as you enter the building and follow signs to Fine Arts.

• We ask all students arrive no later than 8:45 AM so they have plenty of time to find their seats, set up their instruments, and warm up appropriately.  Percussionists will find that much of their equipment has been pre-set, but select instruments will still need to be assembled for rehearsal. 

• All students should consider bringing a refillable water bottle with them to rehearsal.  Please have your name on your bottle.  Water is the only consumable allowed in the band room.  Please finish all other food/beverages before entering the rehearsal space.

We are eager to make music with you tomorrow!

Now that finals are finished, here's something else to study ... German!

Your German host family will be able to communicate with you in English.  However we do encourage each tour participant to try to use a little bit of German during the exchange.  When you make an attempt to use the language - even in limited amounts - it makes a positive impression!



CLICK HERE to be redirected to flashcards and pronunciations of some helpful German phrases.

Click on the video files below to learn ...

Part 1: Self Introductions

Part 2: German Manners (Thank You & You're Welcome!)

How much money should I bring on tour?

As we are now within two weeks of departure, we are getting specific questions about how much money students should bring on the tour.  We will make some strong suggestions for meal money, but, we still believe that spending money on the tour remains a family decision.  One of the great things about having a long-standing exchange relationship is that once we arrive in Beitigheim-Bissingen and students are with their host families, there could be NO cost added to the tour for families.  The generosity of the host families covers all essential tour expenses once we arrive in Beitigheim-Bissingen.

During the tour, students will be responsible to pay for 4 meals out of pocket.  Please eat a substantial lunch PRIOR to arriving for departure to sustain you through the initial travel check-in process.  We suggest that students bring 100 Euros CASH to cover the cost of the out of pocket meals during the tour.  The rest of the meals are included in the cost of the tour or provided by the host families.  This is a suggested, not a mandated amount.  This amount of cash will allow your student to support the meals that are not covered in the cost of the tour while we are on the tour.

As for tour spending money for shopping and/or souvenirs, we suggest that students bring funds on a pre-loaded card, NOT IN CASH.  While we are in and around Paris, we will tour museums and visitor centers that will have shops.  As you are planning as a family for shopping and souvenirs, please be reminded that Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world.  We will also tour to shops and museums while in Beitigheim-Bissingen.  All entry fees are covered in the cost of the tour, however, any additional shopping or souvenir purchasing is up to each individual family.  Whatever you decide to spend as a family for shopping and souvenirs while on tour, please put on a pre-loaded card.

So, to recap:  You’ll be responsible for 4 out of pocket meals while on tour.  A suggested amount of cash to support these meals is 100 Euro.  Any money your family decides to spend for shopping and souvenirs outside of the suggested cash amount should be put onto a pre-loaded card.  If you have any questions or concerns, contact Mr. Williams.

Preparing to Defend Our Honor - On the Fussball Pitch!

Two weeks from today we depart on what is guaranteed to be an incredible cultural and musical experience. Having the opportunity to visit so many historic sites in France and Germany, living with a German host family for a week, and performing several concerts for appreciated audiences is simply something that doesn't happen every day! It will certainly be a tour you will never forget!!

But beyond these opportunities we have a mission. That mission is to do battle and defeat our Musikschule friends on the football pitch! (we call it a soccer field...)

A time-honored tradition of this exchange is for our District 99 Honors Band to play soccer against the students of the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule. Unfortunately for the USA, the D99 squad has not traditionally been up to par with our German colleagues. While the detailed records of these matches have been lost to time (thankfully), we believe we've only tallied one (MAYBE two...) victories over all the years of the exchange. That one victory is symbolized by the solitary star on the crest logo of our tour jerseys. Our hosts do not expect much of a fight from us... That star on the crest looks awfully lonely...

THAT WILL CHANGE THIS YEAR!

To prepare for our match we have secured field time on DGN's Carstens Field AND two former DGN Soccer coaches to help us train and develop some strategy. Mrs. Lois Graham (current DGN Social Studies teacher, former soccer coach) and Mr. Bob Graham (retired DGN Social Studies teacher, former soccer coach) will be with us on Tuesday, June 7th. In addition to providing us with some soccer help, they will be giving us some great information regarding our European tour - refreshers on the historical significance of the sites we'll be visiting, tips for traveling in Europe, and the importance of soccer in European countries.

Please note the following changes to Tuesday's rehearsal schedule:

• 8:00 - 9:30 - Honors Jazz Rehearsal (as originally scheduled)
• 10:00 - 12:30 - Honor Band Rehearsal (as originally scheduled)
• 12:30 - 1:30 - Tips for Touring Europe with Bob and Lois Graham - NEW ADDITION TO SCHEDULE - Please bring a sack lunch to eat during this session.
• 1:30 - 3:00 - Honors Band SOCCER PRACTICE - NEW ADDITION TO SCHEDULE - Please make sure to have appropriate footwear (and shorts, etc.) to participate in a helpful and FUN soccer practice! Attendance at this session is not required, but strongly encouraged for those who would like to represent our team! We will be putting together our starting lineup based on this practice.

Thank you for making these adjustments on your personal calendars!

June 6 Schedule / Tour Jersey Photo / Google Calendar Subscription

With 15 days to go until departure you should now expect more frequent updates with important updates and final announcements. Today's post is a reminder that we have our first rehearsals with the tour ensembles on Monday, June 6th, and to request you sign up for our Google Calendar on your SmartDevice.

Schedule for June 6

• 9 AM - 12 noon: Full Concert Band Rehearsal
• 12:00 - 12:15 PM:  Group Photo (for publicity and posters) *
• 1:30 - 3:00 PM: Jazz Band Rehearsal (selected students)

Please arrive in the Band Room at DGN by 8:45 AM to locate your seat, warm-up your instrument, and find your tour jersey.  Don't forget your music binder!

* At the end of our first rehearsal we will take a large-group photo with our instruments.  We will wear our tour soccer jersey for this photograph.  Students must arrive to rehearsal wearing black dress pants, black dress shoes, and a short-sleeve black t-shirt that you will wear under the tour jersey.

GOOGLE CALENDAR 

We have added all itinerary events to a Google Calendar.  Students are strongly encouraged to subscribe to the Google Calendar on their SmartPhones.  (Parents may do this as well.)  

Please note that all events have been entered in the time-zone for which they will take place.  In doing so, the events will appear correctly for students traveling with their devices in France and Germany.  

You may subscribe to our Google calendar/itinerary on your portable mobile devices. If you are already a Google Calendar user, here is the Google Calendar ID for our tour: 

Calendar ID: 75veqfpm7n70a1ckqqcmjpi8oo@group.calendar.google.com

If you want to import the calendar/itinerary into other kinds of calendar applications, here is the HTML address: 

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=75veqfpm7n70a1ckqqcmjpi8oo%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago

If you are searching for the calendar via a search for Public Google Calendars, search for "D99 Honors Band 2016."

It's Electric! (Boogie Woogie, Woogie!)

With our tour quickly approaching, we have had some students beginning to ask for clarification about power adapters, phone chargers and all things electronic for use on the tour. Here, once and for all, is the explanation (hopefully) of what students will need and will NOT need for the trip:

1)  DO NOT BRING A HAIR DRYER!  There is most likely one in your hotel room for your convenient use (we are confirming this, but in our experience this is standard. Your host family will probably have one as well. You can email them ahead time to ask them! Just don't bring it! You don't need it!! You look lovely without it!!!

2)  If you MUST bring a curling or straightening iron (or the hair dryer we just told you not to bring), Bring one that is made for travel and is DUAL VOLTAGE.  From looking at Target and Walmart online, it looks like there are several options. MAKE SURE IT IS A DUAL VOLTAGE appliance. When in doubt, ask! Then, still read the box or instructions a couple times to make sure. There is also the possibility of using a voltage adapter, but despite our best efforts, it seems like students always try to make this work and run into some sort of trouble.  Again, you can ask your hosts if they have what you need.  

3)  If you are bringing small rechargeable electronics such as a cellphone, iPad, digital camera, etc. all you will probably need is a PLUG ADAPTER (explained below). Here's how to know for sure. Take a look at the charging plug for your electronic device. It will have a bunch of writing on it. Here is an example of two charging plugs (Click on image to enlarge):

This first one is from a WiFi router. (Not something I'm planning on bringing, but it's a good illustration):

The plug says "Input: AC 120v 60Hz 12W. 120v is what we use here in the US. Europe uses 240v so I cannot use this power supply in France and Germany without a LOW WATTAGE or DUAL WATTAGE VOLTAGE adapter (explained below, I promise!).  

But take a look at this iPhone charger:

If you look carefully at the wording it says Input: 100-240v 50-60Hz.  That lets me know that it will work on US voltage AND European voltage. So for that device, all you need is the PLUG ADAPTER!  Your Chromebook is the same thing. So, look at your small electronics.  Most likely all you will need for your electronics is the plug adapter.

Now for the explanations!

Voltage Adapters/Converter

These come in three types - High Wattage (for devices from about 50w to about 1800w - for those curling irons and hair dryers), Low Wattage (for devices less than 50w - your personal electronics), and Dual Wattage (which can do both kinds of devices by switching a switch). Small electronics will need the Low or Dual Wattage adapter (set on Low).  Using the High Wattage converter with small electronics will cause damage - make sure to have the switch in the correct setting!  To use these voltage adapters, you will also need to have the appropriate plug adapters (which are often but not always included).

I found the following converter at Fry's online (also currently in stock at the Downers Grove store) that is switchable between high and low wattage, and comes with the plug adapters you need (click on the link to be brought to the Fry's website): 

Travel Smart Hi/Low 1875-Watt Converter - $26.99

Frys.com #7075621

Manufacturer: Travel Smart

UPC #039052006470

Model #TS1875CKN

Plug Adapters Even if you do not need a voltage adapter/converter you will still need a plug adapter that will change the shape of your US plug to the European plug type.  Fry's sells a couple sets of plug adapters  for a range of prices.  You actually need two different adapters - one for France and a slightly different one for Germany. If you get the converter listed above, you're all set (unless you want to use the converter AND plug in something else that doesn't need it at the same time). If you just need plug adapters, or want extras, I would suggest the following (click on the link to be brought to the Fry's website): Lenmar 5 Piece International AC Plug Converter Set - $11.99 Frys.com #4132603 Manufacturer: Lenmar UPC #029521556858 Model #AC5 ADAPTER One final thought about these adapters. If you bring your Chromebook (which will work by just using a plug adapter - no voltage adapter necessary) you'll notice that the charger plug has three prongs, and the plug adapter just has two. There are two solutions: Just plug the two main prongs into the adapter and let the third one hang over the edge. It will still work and is not dangerous (the third prong is a ground - doesn't carry any electricity). You can buy yet another ground lift adapter from Fry's or Home Depot. You probably even already have one in a drawer already or in the garage: I hope this helps!  Please feel free to email Mr. Miller if you still have any questions!

D99 Honors Band Seating Chart

Click here to view the D99 Honors Band Set Up Chart.

Binder Check Assignment / France Roommate

It's very exciting to think that, one month from today, we will embark on our journey to Europe!  With the release of the host family placements yesterday our tour is approaching rapidly.

Music Binder Check Assignment
Your music binder for the tour should be fully assembled by this time. If it is not, it needs to be assembled this weekend.

Every tour participant will be asked to show their directors their fully-assembled music binder on Monday, May 16, at school.

• Every DGN musician will show Mr. Teague their binder, with all Honors Band music in plastic sleeves. 
• Every DGS musician will show Mr. Hensel their binder, with all Honors Band music in plastic sleeves. 
• Every DGN Honors Jazz Band musician will show Mr. Miller their binder, with all Honors Band music in plastic sleeves. 
• Every DGS Honors Jazz Band musician will show Mr. Williams their binder, with all Honors Band music in plastic sleeves. 

As a reminder, your binder should be black, and contain plastic sleeves to hold each piece of music.  Click here for additional expectations regarding binder set-up.

France Roommate
We have finalized roommate assignments for our stay in France.  Hotel rooms are assigned as doubles.  We did our very best to honor student requests for roommates.  You may find the roommate assignment list by clicking here.

Host Family Placements!

We are pleased to announce the Host Family placements for the Germany portion of our upcoming European tour.  Our District 99 faculty is excited for students to have the opportunity to meet and stay with the wonderful people of the Bietigheim-Bissingen region.

Great care was taken by the Musikschule faculty to study the student biographical information provided to them, and to make excellent matches with families.  As an example, we have several students on our tour that must maintain a gluten-free diet for medical reasons. Those students were all placed with host families that have at least one child with similar dietary/medical needs.

In some cases the student listed as the "host student" may be a little younger, or older, than the D99 students. The German student listed is the name of the student currently studying music at the Musikschule, but in most cases there is a sibling in the house that is of similar age/gender to the guest D99 student.  This information may not be immediately apparent as you study the list of placements.

Your family may, or may not, hear directly from the host family prior to our departure.  Students should feel free to send the host family an email in advance to share your excitement for meeting them. As a courtesy, parents may wish to extend a simple note of thanks, in advance, for their willingness to host your child.

Host family placements may be found here.

http://tinyurl.com/D99HonorsBand2016HostFamily

It's Time To Build Your Music Binder ... and get Practicing!

It's time to print your music and create a personal binder!

If you have not done this yet, you're already behind.  Really.  Please get this accomplished.  

Step 1: Make sure you know what parts you are assigned to play.  

Everyone should double check this list, by the way, because we had to make several part-assignment adjustments after our February meeting. Note that many players have different assignments for different pieces.  Percussion assignments are now complete, as well.  

Click HERE to see the Part Assignments.  

Step 2: Print out your sheet music for your binder.  

Click HERE to access a Google Drive Folder that contains PDF's of all the pieces we are playing. Within each PDF file, determine the precise page numbers you need to print so you don't accidentally print music for the entire band!

Step 3:  Assemble the music into your binder. 

Each tour participant is expected to assemble his/her own BLACK 3-Ring Music Binder, with all assigned music.  The binder should be flat (matte)-black on the outside, and should include the student’s name on the inside cover so it will be easy to locate the owner if the binder is misplaced. 

Your binder’s music should be kept in plastic sleeves.  You can buy these sleeves at Office Depot (or similar).  We recommend non-glare sleeves. Remember you can place your music back-to-back in the binder to save plastic sleeves and to make your page turns easier.

Order of Music in Binder

1. Star Spangled Banner
2. German National Anthem
3. Ecstatic Fanfare
4. Pas Redouble
5. KHAN
6. Bugler's Holiday
7. Themes from "Green Bushes"
8. Concerto for Cell Phone
9. Valdres
10. Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens
11. Mambo from West Side Story
12. The Stars and Stripes Forever

If you are in the District 99 Honors Jazz Band, you are responsible for printing your parts for that ensemble as well.  Use your D99 Honors Band Google Classroom site to find the jazz music to print, and to listen to/study audio recordings. And, stay-tuned for future jazz updates!



It's time to practice and learn your music!

Once you have your music printed out, it's time to start working hard on your part - independently at home.  This is especially important for pieces that you have NOT played in band class this year (non-Wind Ensemble students at either school, or DGS Wind Ensemble students who have not yet played Bugler's Holiday, Star Wars, and Mambo).  Links to YouTube videos for each selection may be found on our Google Classroom site.  You must be signed into your CSD99 account to access this page.

For our ensemble to play at a high artistic level it is imperative that every musician arrives to the first rehearsal on June 6th at 9:00 AM knowing all the notes and rhythms.  We simply do not have time for anyone to come unprepared. Print out your music now ... start practicing/learning ... and utilize your resources (reference audio/video files, friends, teachers) to learn everything prior to June 6.

We are looking for Student Bloggers!

Would you like to be an 'official blogger' for our tour to Europe and our performances in Germany?  

Once the D99 Honors Band departs on tour, this Blog will transition from a planning/announcements website into a real-time Blog that is designed to share our adventure with family/friends around the world.

We are looking for approximately 8 students (4 from DGN, 4 from DGS) who would be willing to post updates about our tour and share their personal perspectives about our performances and their experiences with their host family.

On our last tour to Europe, our Blog had over 22,000 page views. We need motivated and creative writers to tell our story!

Due Date to register interest: Friday, May 13

CLICK HERE to register your interest! Students, make sure you are logged into your CSD99 Google account before you click on the link.

Tour Update for Participating Families

All tour participant families are asked to read the following update regarding the 2016 tour.

Click here for access to a PDF file containing the letter.