Home of the Timberline High School Band Program!
For Announcements, Updates, and All News and Information at THS Bands!
Use Navigation Menu on left side of page to access each portion of this website
Updated: July 27, 2020
-See letter from Mr. Rodriguez below with updates for 2020 band season.
-ALL Summer Rehearsals, Activities, Camps, cancelled for 2020.
- THS Band Video AND Band Awards Videos Posted HERE
-*PARENTS* Sign-Up for Email/News HERE!
Use Navigation Menu on left side of page to access each portion of this website
Updated: July 27, 2020
-See letter from Mr. Rodriguez below with updates for 2020 band season.
-ALL Summer Rehearsals, Activities, Camps, cancelled for 2020.
- THS Band Video AND Band Awards Videos Posted HERE
-*PARENTS* Sign-Up for Email/News HERE!
Band Update - July 27, 2020
Greetings, THS band family!
I hope this email finds you healthy and well! I know we are all managing our latest daily routines as best we can as things change so often. I wanted to take a moment to talk with you all about what the school year will look like when we open schools for in-person learning. The district will be announcing whether August 17th's opening day will be online or in-person after the August 3rd school board meeting, but I know the deadline for online school is approaching so I wanted to get this information out ASAP. I apologize in advance for the long email, but there's a lot to go over. So, here is what we know right now:
1. When we open in-person, (whether it is on August 17 or later) band will happen! Our district's music department has put together a safety plan for band classes, which includes distancing, regular sanitizing, constant air circulation, playing outside when possible, use of modified masks, and numerous other precautions. Many of these are recommendations made by university studies (such as that of Colorado State University) on band instruments and bioaerosols associated with wind instruments. The news was rather positive, with the initial findings showing that with the proper setup, the band environment does not present the risk researchers initially thought it may. In fact, our classroom can even be an advantage if done properly due to seating arrangement, our ability to be outside, and other factors. As we approach our open-in-person date, I will be sending out more information about what all of this will mean for students as far as what to expect, and what to bring to school daily.
2. Students who opt-in for the Boise Online Program will not be able to take band class or any in-person class. It is possible to begin in one program and move to the other at logical breaks in the year, but band classes will only be offered in-person, unless the entire school/district moves to a virtual environment, at which point band classes will also become virtual. This will not look like last spring, and classes will be held regularly and with active, regular content, curriculum, due dates, and more. It will be 'online school' rather than the 'distance learning' we had in the spring. It is possible we may move between in-person and virtual, based on our community's situation with COVID-19, but anytime Timberline is in session in-person or otherwise, band will be a part of the school day. Again, this is not the case for the Boise Online Learning Program which is a separate "school" than Timberline High School, and band is not offered there. Your student needs to be enrolled at Timberline High School in order to participate in THS bands.
3. Due to the district-wide effort to decrease class sizes, THS bands will be moving to our 2nd semester schedule for the entire year. This means Wind Symphony 3rd period, and Concert Band 4th AND 5th period, split into two periods. Since all teachers will be teaching an additional class this year, this is the best way to allow for distancing and smaller class sizes. This is temporary for this school year, but this will last the whole school year. It is unlikely the entire band program will meet together in-person this fall, possibly even this year. That said, we never know, things change quickly. Jazz Ensemble will still meet zero hour.
4. The Mel Shelton District III Marching Band Competition has been cancelled for fall of 2020. Some states are switching their fall and spring sports programs, which moves football to the spring. This has not happened here, but if something like this does happen, we will have the possibility of a competitive marching season in the spring. For these reasons, marching band will be looking significantly different this fall. As the situation allows, we plan to hold smaller group, volunteer- based "band camp" evenings outside of school in the fall. This will be after school, but will not follow the traditional Tuesday/Thursday evening rehearsal schedule. We don't know yet what our performance opportunities will be, so we have not been able to fully plan fall marching events. The THS marching band, along with nearly all District III bands, will not be a competitive group this fall. So, our performance opportunities will be different, and may be limited to exhibition events, athletic bands, or other non-competitive performances. As of now, however, all performances are on hold per Boise School District including athletic performances. This will be changing and evolving throughout the year as our situation changes.
Okay, that was a lot of information. This is a stressful time for all of us, but I want to make sure everyone knows what details come with some of the choices you may be facing, which will hopefully help with making decisions and addressing concerns. I'm sad for all our students and families who were looking forward to traditional marching band. I wish I had better news. I hope we can still have a marching season this year! We are trying to find ways to be inventive and creative so we can still have music in our daily lives in a way that is meaningful and valuable for everyone. Hang in there, and when we can finally get back to normal, I know the THS band community will be back in full force, making music and memories we'll never forget. Thank you all in advance for your support and flexibility. We have the best band family around, and I know we'll come out on the other side of this in great shape. I'm very excited to get back to making music (even if it doesn't look quite the same for a while) and I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
All my best,
José Rodríguez II, Band Director
Performing Arts Chair
Auditorium Coordinator
Timberline High School
I hope this email finds you healthy and well! I know we are all managing our latest daily routines as best we can as things change so often. I wanted to take a moment to talk with you all about what the school year will look like when we open schools for in-person learning. The district will be announcing whether August 17th's opening day will be online or in-person after the August 3rd school board meeting, but I know the deadline for online school is approaching so I wanted to get this information out ASAP. I apologize in advance for the long email, but there's a lot to go over. So, here is what we know right now:
1. When we open in-person, (whether it is on August 17 or later) band will happen! Our district's music department has put together a safety plan for band classes, which includes distancing, regular sanitizing, constant air circulation, playing outside when possible, use of modified masks, and numerous other precautions. Many of these are recommendations made by university studies (such as that of Colorado State University) on band instruments and bioaerosols associated with wind instruments. The news was rather positive, with the initial findings showing that with the proper setup, the band environment does not present the risk researchers initially thought it may. In fact, our classroom can even be an advantage if done properly due to seating arrangement, our ability to be outside, and other factors. As we approach our open-in-person date, I will be sending out more information about what all of this will mean for students as far as what to expect, and what to bring to school daily.
2. Students who opt-in for the Boise Online Program will not be able to take band class or any in-person class. It is possible to begin in one program and move to the other at logical breaks in the year, but band classes will only be offered in-person, unless the entire school/district moves to a virtual environment, at which point band classes will also become virtual. This will not look like last spring, and classes will be held regularly and with active, regular content, curriculum, due dates, and more. It will be 'online school' rather than the 'distance learning' we had in the spring. It is possible we may move between in-person and virtual, based on our community's situation with COVID-19, but anytime Timberline is in session in-person or otherwise, band will be a part of the school day. Again, this is not the case for the Boise Online Learning Program which is a separate "school" than Timberline High School, and band is not offered there. Your student needs to be enrolled at Timberline High School in order to participate in THS bands.
3. Due to the district-wide effort to decrease class sizes, THS bands will be moving to our 2nd semester schedule for the entire year. This means Wind Symphony 3rd period, and Concert Band 4th AND 5th period, split into two periods. Since all teachers will be teaching an additional class this year, this is the best way to allow for distancing and smaller class sizes. This is temporary for this school year, but this will last the whole school year. It is unlikely the entire band program will meet together in-person this fall, possibly even this year. That said, we never know, things change quickly. Jazz Ensemble will still meet zero hour.
4. The Mel Shelton District III Marching Band Competition has been cancelled for fall of 2020. Some states are switching their fall and spring sports programs, which moves football to the spring. This has not happened here, but if something like this does happen, we will have the possibility of a competitive marching season in the spring. For these reasons, marching band will be looking significantly different this fall. As the situation allows, we plan to hold smaller group, volunteer- based "band camp" evenings outside of school in the fall. This will be after school, but will not follow the traditional Tuesday/Thursday evening rehearsal schedule. We don't know yet what our performance opportunities will be, so we have not been able to fully plan fall marching events. The THS marching band, along with nearly all District III bands, will not be a competitive group this fall. So, our performance opportunities will be different, and may be limited to exhibition events, athletic bands, or other non-competitive performances. As of now, however, all performances are on hold per Boise School District including athletic performances. This will be changing and evolving throughout the year as our situation changes.
Okay, that was a lot of information. This is a stressful time for all of us, but I want to make sure everyone knows what details come with some of the choices you may be facing, which will hopefully help with making decisions and addressing concerns. I'm sad for all our students and families who were looking forward to traditional marching band. I wish I had better news. I hope we can still have a marching season this year! We are trying to find ways to be inventive and creative so we can still have music in our daily lives in a way that is meaningful and valuable for everyone. Hang in there, and when we can finally get back to normal, I know the THS band community will be back in full force, making music and memories we'll never forget. Thank you all in advance for your support and flexibility. We have the best band family around, and I know we'll come out on the other side of this in great shape. I'm very excited to get back to making music (even if it doesn't look quite the same for a while) and I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
All my best,
José Rodríguez II, Band Director
Performing Arts Chair
Auditorium Coordinator
Timberline High School
2020-2021 Band Parent Letter & Schedule!
Note: It is not yet clear how band will proceed in regards to covid-19. Please see letter above.
| ths_bands_spring_letter_may_2020__as_of_june_27_2020_.pdf |
Jazz Ensembles and Wind Symphony Rosters
2020 THS Marching Ensemble Leadership/Band Council Roster
Dear applicants, thank you for your enthusiasm and willingness to serve the THS band program. We had a record number of applicants, even given the current circumstances. I am truly, genuinely proud of each of you for applying! The decisions were very difficult, as always, because we have so many wonderful students and there were so many factors to take into consideration. We have also added and modified some positions this year to increase leadership opportunities and fill some areas in need for our program as we grow. If you were not selected for a position, please consider leading the ensemble in some capacity, such as applying for band council representative, or a crew leader position. Those positions are also incredibly important to our success! If you have questions or are seeking feedback, please contact me and I will be happy to go through anything with you that you'd like. Take care, everyone!
2020-20201 Extra-Curricular Audition Information
Join the 2020 Color Guard!!
Wind Symphony Recordings - March 2020
| ths_wind_symphony_-_english_folk_song_suite_i._march_-_seventeen_come_sunday.mp3 |
| ths_wind_symphony_-_english_folk_song_suite_ii._intermezzo_-_my_bonny_boy.mp3 |
| ths_wind_symphony_-_english_folk_song_suite_iii._march_-_songs_from_somerset.mp3 |
English Folk Song Suite, by Ralph Vaughan Williams:
I. March - Seventeen Come Sunday
II. Intermezzo - My Bonny Boy
III. March - Folk Songs from Somerset
Sound Off, by John Philip Sousa
I. March - Seventeen Come Sunday
II. Intermezzo - My Bonny Boy
III. March - Folk Songs from Somerset
Sound Off, by John Philip Sousa
| ths_wind_symphony_-_sound_off_by_john_philip_sousa3.mp3 |
A Special Message from Dr. Tim for Music Students
THS Repeats as D-III Champions!
Results:
5A-Large Division:
4th Place Auxiliary
Best Percussion
Best Music Performance
Best Visual Performance
Best General Effect
1st Place Overall
Sweepstakes:
Mel Shelton Award for Sweepstakes Music (competition top music score)
1st Place Overall Sweepstakes (competition top score) - The Traveling Trophy!
5A-Large Division:
4th Place Auxiliary
Best Percussion
Best Music Performance
Best Visual Performance
Best General Effect
1st Place Overall
Sweepstakes:
Mel Shelton Award for Sweepstakes Music (competition top music score)
1st Place Overall Sweepstakes (competition top score) - The Traveling Trophy!
THS Three-Peats as Treasure Valley Festival of Bands Sweepstakes Winners!
Caldwell Competition Picture Order Forms
| band_competition_order_form.pdf |
| band_competition_order_form_1_up.pdf |
Donate to THS Band Program!
THS Golf Scramble, September 22, 2018
A Good Read for Band Parents and Families!
