Blue Devil Color Guard
We hope that all our Gull Lake families are staying safe and healthy!
January 4, 2021 - Return to Face-to-Face Instruction
Welcome back, students! Classes resume January 4 on the "4 Day Face-to-Face" schedule, with in-person classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with Wednesdays reserved for office hours and individual instruction as needed.
Students are reminded of our Band PPE Protocol:
All students that play a wind instrument must use their individual Band PPE each time they participate in class. The specially constructed masks allow playing while wearing a facial covering and the bell covers help limit the amount of aerosols that are generated while playing. New wind instrument students should see Mrs. Stark for their face mask and bell cover. Percussion students wear face masks of their choosing.
Band masks must be washed at home after two days of wearing at school; students should take them home on Tuesdays and Fridays. We recommend hand washing with mild soap and allowing the mask to air dry. Please remember to bring PPE back on the next in-person school day!
The masks have been labeled with a waterproof paint pen that should last through multiple washings. Students should see Mrs. Stark if a mask needs to be re-labeled. Bell covers should remain on the instruments and do not need to be washed weekly.
We are grateful to the Gull Lake Schools Administration for the purchase of industrial air purifiers for our Band and Choir rooms! The purifiers add an extra layer of protection for students and staff and are a welcome addition to our PPE protocol.
For the safety of all, students who do not have their Band mask and/or bell cover for class will not be allowed to play their instrument and will not receive participation points for that day. Students who lose their Band PPE will be responsible for purchasing their own replacement pieces. Unfortunately, we do not have loaner pieces available. Please see Mrs. Stark to order.
Disney Trip update 11/23/20 - please see the Spring Break Disney Trip page for full details!
Winter Guard season information
Winter Guard clinics and auditions:
Winter Guard A - clinic/audition #1 - Tuesday, November 3, 3:00 - 5:00
Winter Guard B - clinic - Wednesday, November 4, 3:00 - 5:00
Winter Guard A - clinic/audition #2 - Thursday, November 5, 3:00 - 5:00
Please watch for information from Mrs. Burris regarding Winter Guard rehearsals and competitions.
Questions? Mr. Burris (bburris@gulllakecs.org) or Mrs. Burris (mburris@gulllakecs.org)
January 4, 2021 - Return to Face-to-Face Instruction
Welcome back, students! Classes resume January 4 on the "4 Day Face-to-Face" schedule, with in-person classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with Wednesdays reserved for office hours and individual instruction as needed.
Students are reminded of our Band PPE Protocol:
All students that play a wind instrument must use their individual Band PPE each time they participate in class. The specially constructed masks allow playing while wearing a facial covering and the bell covers help limit the amount of aerosols that are generated while playing. New wind instrument students should see Mrs. Stark for their face mask and bell cover. Percussion students wear face masks of their choosing.
Band masks must be washed at home after two days of wearing at school; students should take them home on Tuesdays and Fridays. We recommend hand washing with mild soap and allowing the mask to air dry. Please remember to bring PPE back on the next in-person school day!
The masks have been labeled with a waterproof paint pen that should last through multiple washings. Students should see Mrs. Stark if a mask needs to be re-labeled. Bell covers should remain on the instruments and do not need to be washed weekly.
We are grateful to the Gull Lake Schools Administration for the purchase of industrial air purifiers for our Band and Choir rooms! The purifiers add an extra layer of protection for students and staff and are a welcome addition to our PPE protocol.
For the safety of all, students who do not have their Band mask and/or bell cover for class will not be allowed to play their instrument and will not receive participation points for that day. Students who lose their Band PPE will be responsible for purchasing their own replacement pieces. Unfortunately, we do not have loaner pieces available. Please see Mrs. Stark to order.
Disney Trip update 11/23/20 - please see the Spring Break Disney Trip page for full details!
Winter Guard season information
Winter Guard clinics and auditions:
Winter Guard A - clinic/audition #1 - Tuesday, November 3, 3:00 - 5:00
Winter Guard B - clinic - Wednesday, November 4, 3:00 - 5:00
Winter Guard A - clinic/audition #2 - Thursday, November 5, 3:00 - 5:00
Please watch for information from Mrs. Burris regarding Winter Guard rehearsals and competitions.
Questions? Mr. Burris (bburris@gulllakecs.org) or Mrs. Burris (mburris@gulllakecs.org)
Who can join the Blue Devil Marching Band Color Guard?
The Blue Devil Marching Band is composed of instrumental and Color Guard performers, and is open to students of all proficiency levels who have successfully completed a Middle School band program (grades 6 - 7 - 8) or, at the discretion of the Band Director and Color Guard coach, have successfully auditioned for a part. Students work throughout the summer, preparing music and drill in required sectionals, full band rehearsals, mini camp days, pre-camp and the annual week-long Band Camp held at GLHS, all leading up to the fall marching season. Marching Band and Color Guard members are part of the Marching Band graded class, meeting daily during the first trimester, as well as required after school, evening and weekend rehearsals; Friday home varsity football games; and weekend competitions. Student athletes who wish to participate on both a fall sports team and with the Marching Band or Color Guard should see Mr. Burris.
Color Guard members are selected based on audition results during the prior Spring. Both girls and boys are eligible to participate.
When does the Band and Color Guard rehearse? When do they perform?
Students work throughout the summer, preparing music and drill in required sectionals, full band rehearsals, Mini camp, Pre-camp and the annual week-long Band Camp held at GLHS, all leading up to the fall marching season. Marching Band and Color Guard members are part of the Marching Band, which is a graded class, meeting daily during the first trimester, as well as required after school, evening and weekend rehearsals; Friday home varsity football games; and weekend competitions. Many student athletes participate on both a fall sports team and with the Marching Band or Color Guard; students should see Mr. Burris for more information.
The rehearsal schedule, competition schedule and home varsity football game schedule will be posted as dates are confirmed. Call times will be confirmed prior to each performance. Events marked on the schedule as Optional are highly recommended if students are available. Additional required evening and weekend rehearsals may be added at the Band Director's discretion. Individual sectional rehearsals may be scheduled by the student leaders and may not be included or updated here. Please note that the rehearsal and performance schedule is subject to change at any time.
Participation in competitions and football games is mandatory; unexcused absences will affect the student's grade. Attendance expectations will be discussed at the spring kick off meeting; parents and students must sign and follow an Attendance Agreement form.
New forms are required annually for all students participating in Marching Band, including instrumental students and Color Guard members, as well as for parents who wish to volunteer with the Band program.
What does my fee cover?
The Marching Band fee covers expenses for seasonal instructional staff; music; drill; equipment transportation; show shirt; uniform cleaning; and operating costs. Please note that there are additional expenses for freshman and new members for required personal uniform requirements, including secondary uniform performance shirt and shorts, marching shoes, band jacket, gloves or Color Guard items. Please refer to the Personal Uniform Costs worksheets included in the paperwork packet for full details.
I heard that the Marching Band performs at Disney?
The Blue Devil Marching Band has traditionally traveled to Orlando, Florida every four years to perform in a Disney World parade and student workshop over Spring Break. Please see the Spring Break Disney trip page above for full information. The Disney trip is an optional event, and Marching Band fees do not cover the cost of participation. Students and parents may earn credits toward their trip account by volunteering in the GLBPA-run fall sports concession stand and participating in designated GLBPA fundraisers. Students wishing to participate in the Disney trip are required to meet additional proficiency and behavior expectations, including enrollment in all three trimesters in the Gull Lake Band program in the school year that the Band will travel to Disney.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the 2020 Disney trip was rescheduled for Spring Break 2021, and has been cancelled for 2021 as of November 23, 2020. The trip has not been rescheduled for 2022. Under normal circumstances, students are required to participate in all three trimesters of High School band in a trip year to participate in that year's Disney trip.
I would like to chaperone Band Camp and volunteer during the season. How do I apply?
Thank you! We are always looking for parent volunteers to help during Band Camp and the Marching Band season! Please contact Mrs. Stark to request a volunteer form. The form is relayed to the Administration Office, where they conduct a background check to clear you to volunteer. One form, renewed yearly, allows a parent to volunteer across the Gull Lake Community Schools district. Mr. Burris will form a Band Camp chaperone team and volunteer team from approved adults. We will publish a Sign Up Genius to sign up for Band Camp shifts and hold a chaperone meeting closer to the start of Camp.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
We are here to help! Please send an email to:
- Mr. Burris, the Director of Bands, bburris@gulllakecs.org
- Mrs. Stark, Band Assistant, cstark@gulllakecs.org
Based on interest, Winter Guard is an optional extra-curricular team that competes during the second trimester. Participation fees vary from year to year and are not included in the Marching Band registration fee. Winter Guard will be cancelled if there is insufficient interest.
Uniforms, performance equipment and flags are supplied by the school. Members are expected to purchase their own shoes, gloves, leotard/unitard and other personal supplies as determined by the coaching staff. Color Guard members submit the same paperwork and fees as instrumental Marching Band students, and attend first trimester Marching Band class.
