Welcoming new students in to the Band and Color Guard family is always an exciting time of year. We hope that you are just as excited and after reading this, prepared to join one of Warren High Schools most thrilling and high achieving extra curricular activities.

If you are joining the band and color guard for the 2007-2008 school year you will get to experience benefits that many other students have not received in the past. Some of the great benefits to joining band this year are...

1. New uniforms! This year we will be wearing brand new uniforms that were designed specifically for Warren! That means, no one else ANYWHERE is wearing the same uniform we have. The new uniform is lighter in weight and cutting edge in design. It's going to be great - and the most fun being the first class to get to wear them all four years!

2. Travel! LAS VEGAS 2007! and MORE As the program continues to grow both in size and in ability, we are continually looking for opportunities to share our talent with others. So pack your bags, we are going to travel to Las Vegas this fall! VIVA LAS VEGAS!!! If you are in the jazz band, you will also be traveling to possibly 2-3 great destinations for an experience of a lifetime at some incredible jazz festivals. (so practice practice pratice!)

3. New Instruments! Thanks to the state legislature, all schools got a boost in funds for arts. This year we are using most of that money on new instruments such as bass clarinets and flugelhorns...what's next? you will have to wait and see!
Every year is a great year at Warren!
Besides the three advantages listed above, there are some other distinct advantages of playing in the band or dancing with the guard at Warren high school every year. It starts with this saying..."An Award Winning Program"

We did not make up the slogan "An award winning program", it was given to us by outsiders who came to think of Warren High School as a place where excellence in music and performance was being achieved by every year. You will be joining a program that is built on and for success.

Reputation! We have a great reputation in the school, district, community and state as being a fine band and color guard. The reason for this is the way we conduct ourselves and push every year to be the best we can. This takes a lot of dedication from every person that joines the band and color guard as well as the parents, booster organization and staff that teaches the band and color guard.

So how do we keep that reputation? How do we continue the pursuit of excellence? It starts like this...
1. Technology...we offer students a distinct advantage with cutting edge techonology in music, such as seeing the drill move on a movie screen before learning it.
2. Staff...we have incredible individuals that come in weekly to help students learn anything from marching technique to private instruction on your instrument.
3. Boosters...we have an incredible booster organization that helps us maintain both financially and "physically". Students are fed almost everywhere we go and our bank balance allows us to provide great opportunities for students.
4. Diverse Classes...AP Music Theory is offered ONLY at Warren high school, the only high school for MILES, that offers this course. This year we are also adding a second full time jazz band!
5. Direction...Mr. Niemeyer works day and night year round for each and every student to experience band and color guard like they never thought possible. From picking the appropriate music, to hiring staff members, to pushing each student to be their best in and out of the band room...Mr. Niemeyer is 100% dedicated to making sure things go right and you have the opportunity to perform the best you can. Band is a sport at Warren, no joke, we are serious about being great musicians and accomplishing great things.
What you should know:
1. Band and Color Guard gives you PE credit. Lets be honest, being in band and color guard is just as hard or harder than PE - especially the demand on your time. So, as long as you do band and color guard all four years at Warren, you don't have to take PE.
2. All band and color guard students take 2 periods of band! Every student has to take 0 period band PLUS first period band. They can do this and still take all classes needed because they do not have to take PE.
3. Band is a year long commitment. Once you join we ask that you complete your commitment. Band is a year long course.
4. Before and After School Commitment. All band and color guard students must be 100% dedicated to making it to every rehearsal and performance. The band/ guard rehearse one hour before school starts EVERY DAY 6:45am on the field!!! We also practice one night a week after school from 5:30-9:00pm. (this will either be monday or tuesday)
5. Performances. We perform as often and as much as possible. We perform at all home football games, 7 saturday competitions in the fall as well as pep rallies, community events and events.
6. Band Fee's. There is a fee to join the band and color guard. We also offer discounts and scholarships to families in need. This will be discussed further at the mandatory meeting.
7. Band is a second family. In band and color guard you instantly make 140 friends! This helps you transition from 8th grade to high school or simply just make friends that can help you out. The band parents love each child just as if they were their own...we are a family.
8. It's FUN! Disneyland, the lock-in, trips everywhere, meeting new people from other schools, opportunities to be a leader, competing, cheering on our school teams, representing the city of Downey, band tours, etc. IT IS FUN!
9. It's also a lot of hard work! Band and color guard is a lot of hard work and demands a lot of you.
• If you are a drummer/percussionist there are certain steps you have to take before joining. Click on the link below to find out exactly what you need to do. You also need to attend the mandatory meeting in MAY.
Drum Line Workshop
• If you are interested in being part of the color guard, there are specific steps you need to take to join. Click on the link below. You also need to attend the mandatory meeting in MAY.
Color Guard Workshop

• If you are a WIND player...i.e. you play flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba...etc. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ATTEND THE MANDATORY MEETING

ALL STUDENTS! MANDATORY MEETING.
Wednesday May 23, 2007
7:30pm in WHS Band Room
Flyer for Mandatory Meeting
Welcome Letter
*Students and Parents must attend this meeting to learn about band and color guard and finanlize your commitment to joining.

QUESTIONS? Please contact Mr. Niemeyer by calling 562-869-7306 x5616 or e-mail Mr. Niemeyer at dniemeyer@dusd.net