WELCOME TO THE HOMEPAGE OF

THE PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE

The band program at George Wythe High School and Scott Memorial Middle School has been a symbol of success and pride for the high school and residents of Wytheville since the first notes were played over 68 years ago. With students ranging from 6th to 12th grade, the band program is made up the SMMS 6th and 7th Grade Bands, the GWHS 8th Grade/High School Concert Band, the Mighty Maroon Marching Band, and the GWHS Indoor Drumline and Winter Guard. With an emphasis on hard work and dedication the GWHS Concert Band is a 3 time Virginia Honor Band.

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The bands are under the direction of Mr. Dan Wilner.  

Hello! I hope everyone is safely enjoying their summer break so far. I know this has been a crazy last few months, but hopefully things will move in a positive direction and we’ll be starting to feel a little more normal.

 

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Marching Band Info

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As you may have heard, students are allowed on campus for some extracurricular activities. Sports are doing conditioning, but that’s about it. We are able to begin practices with small groups and plan to get started Tuesday, July 7 with some specific guidelines and precautions. I will provide more information regarding those in a follow up email. The guidelines may change, so we plan to schedule practices week-by-week. We understand if anyone is hesitant about coming to the school and will provide music online for practice at home for now if preferable. Participation in person will not be required at this point and fees (likely reduced) will not be due until we know more.

 

For rising 8th-12th grade students who have not participated in marching band in the past, we invite you to join us this year! We have a great organization with lots of support from our booster program and an awesome staff. Please feel free to come to practices or contact me if you are interested. Rising 7th grader may be allowed to participate, please have a parent email me to discuss the possibility.  

 

Unfortunately, we are no closer to knowing when (or if) football season will start. Therefore, we will not hold camp in July and are moving BAND CAMP to the week of August 10-14. THESE DATES ARE TENTATIVE.  We know this may conflict with some of your summer schedules, but are willing to work with you. 

 

The reality is, we don’t know what the fall will look like at this point. It is looking unlikely that we will be able to compete, but not out of the realm of possibility. It will not be possible or wise for us to use the show we had initially chosen, so we are putting together a show that should work for many different scenarios. 

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Tuesday’s practice schedule:

Color Guard: 11-12, meet OUTSIDE the GW Band Room (auditorium if raining)

Percussion: 11-12, GW Band Room

Upper Woodwinds: 12:15-1, Auditorium

Middle Voices and Trumpets: 12:15-1, Back room behind the office

Tenor and Bass Voices: 12:15-1, Band Room

 

If you are interested in a leadership position, please contact me via email.

 

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New York Trip Refund and Insurance

 

Our trip company, Kaleidoscope Adventures, has recovered funds from all but one vendor. This particular vendor was hard hit with everything shutting down and applied for a bailout loan which is still processing. The plan is to do one refund payment, which must go through the boosters and then the boosters will do a single refund check to families. After that has been completed, the insurance claim can proceed. I apologize that it is taking so long (trust me, I would love to have the money back for Sam’s trip!), this has just been an unprecedented few months and dust isn’t settled yet. Hopefully we’ll get good news soon!