Announcement of Plans for our 2020 Marching Season

Please read the following letters from Mr. Eric Eaks, Director of Fine Arts, College Station Independent School District and Mr. Jon Seale, Head Director and Mr. Michael Dixon, Assistant Director, CSHS Band & Guard

Dear CSISD Band Families and Stakeholders,

After much discussion and consideration, the band programs at A&M Consolidated HS and College Station HS have made the incredibly difficult decision to produce a scaled-down marching show this fall and will not produce the full-length, competition programs as in the past due to the concerns and issues related to the COVID-19 Virus. The shows that were initially planned for the Fall of 2020 will be saved and produced for the Fall of 2021.

With the uncertainties of appropriate rehearsal times and rehearsal conditions along with so many other questions still to be answered and the fluid nature of what the fall will hold for us, we feel this is the best decision for the students, families, and boosters who give so much of themselves to the production and performance of high school marching band. Our intent is that the students still march and perform at football games, just in a more scaled-back style that will allow for more flexibility, understanding, and grace during this unprecedented time. As a part of this decision, both band programs will not be participating in marching contests for the fall of 2020. This program adjustment will be for this year only, and we look forward to a full return for the fall of 2021! Rather than focus on contests, we will focus on sustaining community in rehearsal and in performance. We plan to involve every student in every performance. We want to be an example of how excellent our city and school district is through our sustained pursuit of community. In a time of anxiety, insecurity, and unknown, we want to be the example of what community is all about. We will rehearse and perform in a safe, inclusive, respectful, positive, and enjoyable manner. The new adjusted summer band schedules are still in the works. Mr. Fry and Mr. Seale will put out further campus-specific details of what summer band will look like with the full compliance of TEA and UIL. More information on the new marching show will also be communicated in the next few days. We expect another round of guidance from the state on how football games will look this fall and how marching band logistics will fit into this guidance.

College Station ISD Fine Arts will continue to monitor the situation as we progress towards the start of school and throughout the Fall semester and will follow the guidance of local health officials, College Station ISD, TEA, and UIL. We will continue to devote our time and energy to our students, directors, and other stakeholders by providing them a safe environment to be a part of the Marching Arts and Fine Arts programs at College Station ISD.

Sincerely,

Eric Eaks, Director of Fine Arts

College Station ISD

Dear Cougar Band Family,

I am writing to let you all know that we have had to make the incredibly difficult decision to postpone our 2020 UIL Competitive Show, “Emotions of the Heart” until the Fall of 2021. We are making this decision based on many factors, but primarily the safety of our students and their families. Knowing the current restrictions that are in place from TEA and UIL, the uncertainty of rehearsal time, space, level of participation, and possible travel restrictions, we have also decided that we will not be participating in Marching Contests this Fall.

While we are very proud of our past accomplishments and accolades from our previous Marching Contests; I don’t believe that was ever our primary goal or even the most important part of our Seasons. When you look back over your years of marching band you will realize that the most important things have always been that we can all come together to work on a common musical goal, develop strong relationships and have incredible experiences and memories that we could not have had on our own. It has always been about the journey. Our goals for this season will be the same. Work hard to become better individuals, better musicians, better leaders, better friends for each other and to be the very best version of the Cougar Band Family that we can be.

As always, there are many life lessons that we hope to teach and learn about during this unique time in our lives. Moving forward musically, we will be sending out a quick survey to Seniors and the Band Leadership Team with a few pop music based options of new shows that we want you to vote on for the upcoming season. The new Non-Competitive show format will be something that is closer to 5 to 6 minutes in length with a little less demand musically and visually to prepare on a weekly basis. Our goal at football games will be primarily to entertain the audience and support the football team as it always has been. One example of this type of show would be the music of the Beatles or another iconic musical group. We will also be adding drill and bodywork to keep things interesting and challenging to our performers like usual. Even though this season will not be “normal” for us, we will not back down in our relentless pursuit of excellence musically and in our relationships with one another.

Our New Summer Band Schedule will be adjusted as you can see below. A majority of what we will be doing will be early in the mornings so we can stay outside as much as possible, where there is a little more freedom from UIL and TEA. Whether we are outside or inside, please know that we will be very strict in sticking to the best practices of keeping everyone as healthy as possible. Specific COVID procedures for our rehearsals will come soon.

Your Band Directors,

Jon Seale and Michael Dixon