Concert Band
The Gull Lake Concert Band is composed of instrumental students of all proficiency levels. Unlike the audition-only Symphonic Band, the Concert Band is open to all students who have successfully completed a Middle School (grades 6 - 7 - 8) band program. At the discretion of the Band Director, students who have not participated in Middle School band may be admitted to Concert Band following an audition; please contact Mr. Burris for more information. Current 8th grade students will audition for band placement in March; the schedule will be announced following Middle School Festival. The Concert Band is a graded class, meeting daily during second and third trimester, and performs various concerts throughout the school year as well as graded events such as MSBOA District XI Festival and MMEA Instrumental Clinics.
The Gull Lake Blue Devil Marching Band has traditionally traveled to Orlando, Florida every four years to perform in a Disney World parade and student workshop. 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 dates and participating in designated fundraisers.
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.
The Gull Lake Blue Devil Marching Band has traditionally traveled to Orlando, Florida every four years to perform in a Disney World parade and student workshop. 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 dates and participating in designated fundraisers.
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.
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.
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.
Concert Attire, AKA "Concert Black"
Students are required to wear appropriate attire for all concert performances. As a reminder, the Uniform Room does not stock loaner concert clothes.
Required for all performers:
Required for all performers:
- Long sleeve, button, collared black dress shirt
- No t-shirts, polo or crew neck shirts, sweatshirts or hoodies
- Black dress pants
- No jeans, leggings, cargo pants, yoga pants or shorts
- No skirts or dresses
- Black socks or tights
- Black dress shoes
- No tennis shoes, boots or extremely high heels
- Tie optional
