Welcome to This Week In Marching Band
Midland Park High School Marching Band is comprised of students in grades 7-12. The band rehearses exclusively after school.
Dear Parents and Marching Band Members,
The first few weeks of this season have brought a great deal of optimism about the future of our program. We have seen our members make significant progress, and the show is beginning to take shape as it was designed. We are excited about what this group can accomplish together.
At the same time, we have experienced some frustration surrounding absences due to family trips and other activities. The August rehearsal dates were provided on the Marching Band sign-up form, and we also reviewed the importance of these dates at the parent meeting held on the Friday of Band Camp.
Attendance during our scheduled rehearsal periods is essential to the success of the entire ensemble. When a member is absent, it affects not only that student’s progress but also the ability of the entire group to learn, rehearse, and refine the production. Every member plays an important role, and consistent participation allows the show to develop as quickly and effectively as possible.
Because attendance has been more challenging this year than in recent memory, the staff has made some changes to the 2027 schedule. We want to communicate these expectations well in advance so that families have plenty of time to plan accordingly.
2027 Band Camp and Rehearsal Schedule
Band Camp:
Monday, August 16 – Friday, August 20
12:00 PM–9:00 PM each day
This schedule represents one additional hour of rehearsal each day while reducing Band Camp by one day.
There will then be no rehearsals from August 21–29.
Rehearsals will resume:
Monday, August 30 – Thursday, September 2
6:00–9:00 PM each evening
These rehearsals are necessary to make up instructional time and prepare the ensemble for the beginning of the performance season. There will be no approved absences during either of these scheduled rehearsal periods, with the exception of participation in school-sponsored sports games.
Attendance Policy
Any member who misses one of these scheduled rehearsal days will have the day recorded as an unexcused absence, unless the absence falls under an exception outlined in the band handbook.
The 2027 handbook will state
:
Absences
An absence from rehearsal occurs when a student misses a complete rehearsal or is more than thirty minutes late. Excused absences are limited to:
Personal illness that confines the student to home
Death in the family
Religious holidays (please notify the Band Directors in advance)
Other prearranged absences approved by the Band Directors, with one week's advance notice required (this includes school sports)
Unexcused absences include reasons not listed above. Rehearsal dates are provided well in advance, so please make every effort to avoid scheduling college visits, medical or dental appointments, academic tutoring, private music instruction, or other activities during these required rehearsal periods.
Unexcused Absence Consequences:
First offense: Student conference with the Band Directors and a phone call to the parent/guardian
Second offense: Suspension from one performance
Third offense: Possible removal from the Competitive Show for the season
We recognize that the required rehearsal schedule represents a significant commitment during the summer. However, the total commitment is limited to nine days. The entire month of July is free of marching band rehearsals, and there are 24 additional days in August without scheduled rehearsals.
We ask that families keep these dates in mind when planning vacations and other activities for next summer. These expectations are being communicated now so that everyone has the opportunity to plan ahead and understand the commitment required to participate in the marching band.
Our goal is for every student to have a rewarding and successful experience in this program. That success depends on all of us working together and, most importantly, on every member being present and prepared to contribute.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and the Marching Band program. We look forward to seeing everyone at our preview performance on September 19.
Sincerely,
Mr. Marks and Mr. Sheridan
This Week:
September 1 - Practice is from 6:30-9 pm
September 3 - Practice is from 7-9 pm
Next Week:
September 8 - Practice is from 7-9 pm
September 10 - Football Game at Waldwick - Guard Stays at MPHS for Practice - All Wear Black Tee Band Tee Shirts and Band Sweatpants
September 11 - Practice is from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
September 12 - Car Wash - 8:30 am meeting time - Washing from 9-12 (Bring Lunch and Dry Clothes) Practice from 12 - 5:30
Items Due:
Parent Tee Shirts: Due this week (optional)
Band Camp Payments: Past Due
Syracuse Forms: Past Due
Syracuse Money: Due this week
Music in the Park Ads: Due September 19th
Medical Forms: Due October 1
You can find the links to everything on The Band Program Download Page
One more reminder: School work is never an excuse for being late or missing practice. Please make sure you manage your time effectively so that you are at practice on time and are caught up on all your school work. This takes discipline and planning. Don't leave projects until the day they are due and plan ahead.
Some People have asked to learn more about the staff. You can do that on the STAFF BIO PAGE!
STAFF BIOS
*Reminder that if pracitce starts at 7:00. That means moving equipment and warm up occur prior to that time!
September 15 - Practice 7-9
September 17 - Practice 7-9
September 19 - Practice Noon - 5:30
September 19 - Parent Meeting 5:30 (Pot Luck and Performance to Follow)
September 20 - Competition at Brentwood High School
September 22 - Practice 7-9
September 24 - Practice 7-9
September 25 - Football Game at Midland Park (Halftime Performance)
September 26 - Competition at Ramsey followed by Dave and Buster's Band Fun Night.
September 29 - Practice 7-9
**** Football Playoff Games may be added based on Playoff Status
Link to Marching Band Calendar
This is stuff beyond normal Tues (7-9) / Thurs (7-9) / Sat (12-6) Practices
Music First Log In
TWIMB
MB 2026
Band Program Download Page
David Marks - Director of Bands
Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band Co-Director
Chaz Sheridan - Marching Band Co-Director
Jeff Peters - Highland Band Director, Marching Band Consultant, Jazz Band Co-Director
Steve Bartosik - Percussion Ensemble
Brian Prokop - Marching Percussion Coordinator
Other Staff Members and Consultants - Taylor Goodson, Shane Peterson, Crissy Shannon, Spencer Pigg, TJ Marks, Elly Tsarkova
