What a year. Returning to competitions this season was no easy feat. Despite the success of the season, this was a challenging year. With schools being shut down in 2020-21, bands across the region faced huge deficits from where they were in 2019. This includes us. From altered summer schedules, limited recruitment opportunities, reduced band camp days, limited instrumentation, and changing Covid protocols we faced a large, uphill battle. Luckily for us, we were up to the challenge.

This season started with conversations about how to rebuild the band culture and provide the WD band experience under our "new normal."  How do we introduce 2 full classes of students and parents to the robust schedule of competitive marching band? How does the organization get back onto its feet in a meaningful, rewarding way without diminishing the realities of where we are? The answer was to trust the process and our people.

The blessing here at WD is that we are surrounded by caring, thoughtful people. Our band parents executive board and our band staff are amazing, hard working people. This mission was clear - do it for the kids. We hoped that by just providing our traditional opportunities the program would rally and heal. Not only did we heal, we excelled. 

Winning is good, but rising out of challenges like these to create another special chapter of this organization is an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations to everyone!

There are so many thank yous to go around...

=> Thank you to our band parents and alumni band parents who came out week after week to build, paint, and move our props and equipment!

=> Thank you to our volunteer truck drivers who get us to and from our events safely.
  
=> Thank you to everyone who went to Harrisburg to cheer us on!

=> Thank you to WDBP Board for organizing the tailgate lunch in Harrisburg!

=> I would like to thank our incredibly talented staff.  Some staff members drive OVER AN HOUR each way for rehearsals!  They are so committed to giving the kids the tools they need to succeed.  Our staff is extremely caring, talented and committed to the program.  They almost make me obsolete!  So, to all of our WDMB staff, THANK YOU!!!!!!!

=> Thank you to everyone who has tirelessly supported the WDMB week after week this season.

=> Thank you to the WDHS Administration for their FULL SUPPORT!

MOVING FORWARD - While competitions and football seasons are complete, we still have a few upcoming events.

IMPORTANT! We must maintain our energy and attendance until the end.  Students who do not meet these final performance obligations will not receive any band awards/honors.  This is not the time for students to disappear.  Every performance is important and every member is obligated to be in attendance!

Final Events:
1. Recording Rehearsal Tonight!  Color guard will begin preparations for the Christmas parades.
2. Middle School Performance - TBD (most likely 11/23 during the school day)
3. Christmas Parade(s) - Saturday, 12/4

Final Commitments:
Wed. 11/10 - Recording Rehearsal 6p-8p 
Wed. 11/17 - Parade Rehearsal #1 6p-8p 
Tue. 11/23 -  WDMS Performance (AM) tentative
Wed. 12/1 - Parade Rehearsal #2 6p-8p 
Sat. 12/4 - Christmas Parade Performance(s) 

Here we are - the final week of the competitive season! We are looking forward to an amazing week of rehearsals and performances. The kids have off from Wednesday on which will keep their energy levels up! We have so much working in our favor. We can't wait to hit the field in Harrisburg!

There are a few updates for this week's schedule. Here we go...

WDMB TRUNK-OR-TREAT – 10/30
Thank you to everyone who made this event a great experience for the kids. It was a great way to share time together and have fun. 

COLD WEATHER & MARCHING BAND
Our season is very unique as we start in the heat of the summer and end in the cold of winter. This week we are expecting temps in the 40s-50s, and we need to be prepared. Students are asked to dress seasonably and sensibly for rehearsals. Band does not stop due to cold, we just need to be prepared. 

We recommend everyone have Chapstick type lip balm products (especially wind players). We also recommend everyone layer up under garments, but not too heavy that they would be restricted while moving. We want everyone to be comfortable and prepared. Please plan accordingly.

FOOTBALL (H) PLEASANTVILLE - Thursday, 11/4
The final WD Varsity football game of 2021 will be played at HOME this THURSDAY night. Game will start at 6pm vs. Pleasantville. The WDMB will be performing its full field show at halftime. This will be our final home performance under the lights this season.
 
ACC SEND-OFF PERFORMANCE - Saturday, 11/6
At the conclusion of Saturday's ACC rehearsal, we want to present our full program to our family and friends one last time before we head into Harrisburg.  Please come to the stadium @1pm and cheer these kids on! All are invited!
 
ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS - Sunday, 11/7
Heading into ACCs, the WDMB is ranked #1 and everyone is pushing hard preparing for the final showdown. We have awesome competitors, and we want to wish everyone the very best and good skills in Harrisburg.
 
For 2021 we have a new ACC location:
Central Dauphin Stadium
4600 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA
 
=> ACC tickets are now available from Mr. Kershaw!
Adults $20 ($25 at the Gate)
Students/Senior Citizens $15 ($20 at the Gate)
Only cash is accepted.
 
Here is this week's UPDATED schedule - THE MARCH TO ACCs!

Mon. 11/1 – Band Parents Meeting 8pm
 
Tue. 11/2 – ACC Rehearsal 6p-9p
 
Wed. 11/3 – ACC Rehearsal 6p-9p
 
Thu. 11/4 – Football (H) Pleasantville
 4:00pm - Report 
 5:30pm - Move to stadium 
 5:40pm - Pleasantville Band-Pregame performance?
 5:55pm - National Anthem 
 6:00pm - Game Begins 
 7:10pm - WDMB Halftime performance! 
 8:30pm - Game ends/Load 
 8:45pm – Dismissed
 
Fri. 11/5 – ACC Rehearsal 6p-9p
 
Sat. 11/6 – ACC Rehearsal & Send Off Performance
 9:30am – Rehearsal Begins
 12:30pm – Rehearsal Ends
 1:00pm – COMMUNITY SENDOFF PERFORMANCE!
 1:30pm - Dismissed
 
Sun. 11/7 – ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS
 7:00am – Rehearsal begins
 9:15am – Rehearsal Ends/Load
 10:30am – Load Coach Buses
 11:00am – Depart WDHS for Harrisburg, PA
 1:30pm – Arrive at Central Dauphin Stadium
 2:00pm – Tailgate Lunch
 2:45pm – Dress
 3:15pm – Warm-ups begin
 5:00pm – WDHS Performs
 7:30pm – Awards
 8:30pm – Depart for WDHS
 10:45pm - Arrive at WDHS/Unload
 11:00pm – Dismissed