CN Band Newsletter 09-15
From the Director’s Desk
Week 5 Update & Announcements
Last Friday was GR BAND NIGHT!!! Earlier than it has ever been, it was great to have all those future CN Bronco Band and Color Guard members with us. They did an awesome job during pregame as well as holding the fort down in the stands as the high school prepared for their halftime performance.
Bronco Star of the Week
Congratulations to Georgette Nasr for being named our Bronco Star of the Week for Week 4!
Georgette is taking care of all of her fellow saxophones.
She encourages everyone and has been doing lots of individual work to improve herself, marching on the field and playing her tenor sax. Congrats Georgette.
Keep up the good work!!!
📅 Calendar: Week at a Glance
Monday: WW’s review part 3 drill, end of part 2 and part 3 music pass-offs, percussion, color guard work on own
Tuesday: Full Marching Band Rehearsal 1:20pm-5pm field 1
Wednesday: 6th/7th Period – Concert Band
Thursday: 6th/7th Period – PICTURE DAY in large gym
Friday: 6th/7th Period – Review music pt. 3, 4, 5
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Learn wind choreography parts 1, 2, 3
📅 Calendar Updates
Tuesday Rehearsal Updates
Tuesday rehearsals on September 15 and 22 will be altered. Due to seeding of fields to prepare for the cold weather, rehearsal will be from 6th period until 5:30 PM. We will return to 5:30- 9 PM rehearsals on Tuesday, Sept. 29
Marching Band Rehearsal Adjustment:
Saturday, September 19 rehearsal time is changed from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM to 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM to accommodate our jazz band members participating in the CUSD Jazz Night.
The 5 members of the All-Star Band are dismissed from rehearsal at 3:30 PM, while remaining members must arrive at 5:30 PM.
Varsity Winter Guard Parent Meeting
Wednesday, September 30, 6:00 PM, CN Band Room. One parent and their performer need to be in attendance so we can start to prepare for the 2027 winter guard season.
JV Winter Guard Parent Meeting
Monday, October 12, 6:00pm
💳 Fall Pledge Form
Only 83 out of 128 families have completed their Fall Pledge Form. Your financial support is essential to the opportunities we can afford our band program, and we ask each family to find a way to donate. The deadline was Friday, September 11. Please complete ASAP.
📸 Picture Day
Picture Day this year will take place on Thursday, September 17, beginning at 12:30 PM in the CN Large Gym.
Kenny Gillman will once again capture great shots of our band. Each family will have the opportunity to purchase group, section, and individual pictures online following Picture Day.
🎺 Program Updates
Marching Band
The marching band is working hard and moving along with the creation of our field show. We finished learning music and drill to parts 1, 2, and 3 last weekend. This week, we will review music and integrate our props into the first 3 parts of the show. No football for the next two weeks. This means we are able to really focus on improving our fundamentals and add more to the show.
Wind Ensemble
Link to kick-off presentation - Clovis North Wind Ensemble - National Concert Band Festival Parent Meeting
Link to trip pledge form Due Oct. 6 - https://www.clovisnorthband.org/2027-national-band-fest-cn
Note: If you wish to donate by check, complete the form and skip the payment page
Winter Guard
Rosters for Varsity and JV Winter Guard have been announced. We will have some informational meetings as we begin to prepare for the winter guard season.
🎵 Music Tests & Pass-Offs
We are currently in the middle of our fourth pass-off, which covers Part 3 of the field show. We fell slightly behind due to other rehearsal factors, but we will complete this pass-off over the next few days and begin our Part 3 pass-off this Saturday. Please diligently work to retake tests as needed so your grade does not suffer.
Retake Policy: If a student does not pass, they will review material with their section leader and schedule a retake with Mr. Lesser or Mr. Vargas (before school, lunch, or after school).
Retake Frequency: Retakes are limited to once per day after adequate preparation.
💰 Fundraising & Upcoming Events
Mattress Fundraiser – Saturday, October 3, 2026
Help spread the word by handing out referral forms available in the band room! Students receive direct personal bonuses for mattresses sold through their referral forms:
1 mattress = $50.00
2 mattresses = $100.00
3 mattresses = $150.00
4 mattresses = $200.00
5 mattresses = $250.00
Note: Students will utilize the contact sheet they completed this Friday when Danny is here for the student meetings.
Bronco Blitz – Tuesday, September 24
We will tour our 5 local elementary schools to share Bronco Spirit with future band members. See the full schedule on Cuttime.
Superintendents Breakfast - Thursday, October 1
It is our year to have students greet all the attendees of the annual CUSD Superintendent’s Breakfast. This year we will include all of our Wind Ensemble Brass and drumline members. This will be an early morning event and students will be excused from zero and first period.
Senior Night – Thursday, October 1
We would like to express our appreciation for the support as well as honor our Senior Class on Friday, October 1, 2026, during our “Senior Recognition Night.”
The game (vs. Central East @ Veterans Memorial Stadium) will start at 7:00 P.M.; however, all fathers and mothers, guardians or sponsors, should assemble at the northwest end of the stadium in the stands, closest to the Bronco Tunnel, at 6:00 pm. Please enter the stadium through the main gate. Family members, guardians, or sponsors being recognized do not have to purchase a ticket. Please let the ticket takers know that you are here for Senior Night. At 6:15 p.m., the parents, or sponsors, will be ready to move into position on the field for introductions and pictures.
All-State Honor Band Auditions
We hope many of our students are working to audition for the All-State Bands this year. With the All-State Weekend earlier than ever, audition recordings are due in 3 weeks.
Please prepare to make your recordings and submit them on October 7. We will meet next week to set up your profiles on the CASMEC website.
🤝 Parent Meetings
Varsity Winter Guard - Wednesday, Sept. 30 @ 6:00pm
JV Winter Guard - Monday, Oct. 12 @ 6:00pm
🎶 Fall Concert & Attire Guidelines
Mark your calendars! Our Fall Concert is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28. Students will need the following concert attire:
Gentlemen: Black suit or tuxedo, white long-sleeve dress shirt, black bow tie, black dress socks, black dress shoes (marching shoes acceptable). (Note: Wind Ensemble students will have distinct requirements announced soon).
Ladies: Black dress pants or slacks, black blouse or sweater, black stockings/socks, black dress shoes (flats).
📸 Picture Day
Picture Day this year will take place on Thursday, September 17, beginning at 12:30 PM in the CN Large Gym.
Kenny Gillman will once again capture great shots of our band. Each family will have the opportunity to purchase group, section, and individual pictures online following Picture Day.
Feed the Band
A parent lead group dedicated to supporting our marching band students by providing nutritious, home-cooked meals at marching band events, competitions, and long rehearsal days. Feeding a large group of students requires significant time, food, supplies, and financial resources, and we rely on the generosity of band families to make this possible.
Monetary donations from parents help cover the cost of groceries, cooking supplies, and meals so that our students can stay well-fed, energized, and focused on doing their best. Every contribution, large or small, directly supports our students and helps ensure that Feed the Band can continue providing meals throughout the marching band season.
Your financial support is an important part of keeping our band community strong and our students fueled for success!
🎶 Jazz Band
Greetings Jazz Families,
CN Jazz is going to start in high gear.
After our informational student meeting on the first day of school, I will audition students as needed. We need to rehearse for a concert that’s coming up!
Introducing, CUSD Jazz Night!
Saturday Sept 19th 6:30 PM Clovis Unified PAC - All Clovis Unified High School Jazz Bands sharing a concert featuring Trumpet Artist Willie Murillo!
Tickets required...
Please spread the word and invite others so we can pack the house!
Our first CNEC (only) Jazz Concert is Monday November 9th at 7:00 PM at the PAC.
Thanks!
Mr. Dewhirst
We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events!
Have a fantastic rest of your week.
David Lesser
Director of Bands
Clovis North Educational Center
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