2023 June Mailer

See below

Sent June 23rd 2023

Hey Band!

Greetings and happy summer, members of the 2023 Spirit and Sound! This is your first summer mailer!  Over the summer you’ll be receiving updates from the band in the form of informational emails, this being the first. Additionally, there may be emails from the band office to accompany the main monthly mailings. As usual, these are going to be jam-packed with information so that we don’t have to spam you more than once or twice a month. Please take the time to absorb the info so that we can jump right in when camp starts. We are currently thirteen weeks out from the start of camp, it'll be here before we know it!

Quick reminder before jumping in – Uppers: it’s time to start thinking about hosting a homestay or two during camp this year! We get great feedback from this event each year, and it’s a great way to help out and mentor a new member.

Recruiting

First things first, we are all currently in the process of assembling the 2023 Spirit and Sound, it is a group effort! This is the time of year to make sure that everyone you think should have details and information about the OSUMB has it. Every year there are students who miss the information and then can’t join once the term begins, which isn't any fun at all.

We do our best from the Band Office to publicize and get the information out there, but word of mouth is consistently the most powerful form of communication in this area. Band is awesome, fun, and rewarding, but people out there don’t know it unless you tell them.

Section Leaders: each of you will be getting a current roster hopefully today.

What is Band Camp / General Schedule

Band Camp is the time where we become the band that we are each year. It is when we lock in our systems, music, and performance style, and get the new members acclimated and welcomed into the group. We learn the music and drill for Pregame and our first halftime show, and build the personal connections that hold together this musical family.

A typical day in camp starts early and ends late, but we always make sure that the workload is manageable. The dates are attached, note that as usual all sessions of camp are mandatory. Please plan on camp being your focus during that week(s) and do not try and plan for other activities. Note that there is no game at the end of camp this year. Our home opener is on Friday the 29th, the first week of school.

Housing During Camp

Housing during camp is organized through the band. We are able to move OSUMB student's move-in dates up to the day before camp, meaning incoming students will be able to stay in their dorm for the duration of camp. However, that costs new students extra on their room and board expenses, around a $25 per day. Because of that expense, we also offer to set up new members with homestays where we match people up with a returner in their section with extra room in their place. The match is done by section leaders and is based on their preferences, academic major, allergies, etc.

Housing organization takes place during late July into early August. New members: start thinking about your choice of housing for camp. Uppers: start thinking about potentially hosting a homestay.

Marching Band for Credit

While not required for participation, students in the OSUMB are encouraged to register to receive credit for their efforts on the field. Courses are as follows:

  • Freshmen and Sophomores: 

    • MUS153 course 

    • CRN 10443

  • Juniors and Seniors:

    • MUS353 course 

    • CRN 10445

  • LBCC students:

    • MUS103 course listing. 

Those needing overrides should fill out the override form, available on the OSUMB Website under Members (at the bottom) >> Forms. Member password for the website is bennybeaver. Overrides are typically for students with a once-a-week overlap of less than an hour as stipulated in the attendance policy. Usually these are once weekly lab courses that release at 7pm, one-of midterm conflicts, or things like Monday evening Symphony rehearsals. Students are allowed to miss up to one hour per week for academic conflicts, provided that we know ahead of time and it’s cleared.

Important note on credits: the course is a variable-unit course, one or two units. Students in leadership positions may sign up for the course at two units.

That’s it for now, Go Beavs!

-Hannum