Just a note - today I took some time to go over what is and what isn't appropriate to wear during the last practice run through of our show, commonly referred to as 'the naked run though'.  It is not naked.  Never was, never will be. 

This weird tradition started when many of today's band parents were actually band members (so it's YOUR fault...lol).  Back when marching seasons used to go into November, it started snowing toward the end of our last practice.  The drumline (of course) yells out "let's do the run through naked!" and several boys took off their shirts and marched it in the snow.  

The next year, the same thing happened and a weird tradition was born.  But even then, I told the students that if they were going to do a dumb thing like take off their shirts or shoes or whatever that it still had to be appropriate.  Some girls once tried to march in bras only but I put a stop to that on the spot.  Silly  stuff.

So I tell students this simple rule:  If it is a Trenton HS sports uniform worn in public (swando girls like to wear their team swimsuits sometimes), it's fine with one exception.  Boys swim team who wear speedos have to do something else - speedos on the internet look like skimpy underwear and we do not need that kind of rep.  

Over time, it's become more of a costume thing anyway.  Bunny costumes, horse head masks, fun stuff like that.   I figured that it's a team building thing and harmless - if not taken too far.  

Only about a third of the band members actually participate anyway and most of those just kick off their shoes and march barefoot just to see what that's like.  

SO.....I need your help, parents, to keep this a happy and appropriate little weird tradition.  Please make sure that I don't have to go up to your son or daughter and tell them that they have to cover up and be appropriate.  Bunny suits - yes.  Birthday suits -  no.   

I think the worst thing about this whole dumb thing is the name because the actuality of it all is that it's pretty "Disney" clean and I make sure that it stays that way.  "Naked run through".  *sigh*  But as I said, it was circa 1990-92 that it got started so it's all your fault, parents.  Lol.

The THSMB took the field and earned a superior / I (one) rating tonight at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 12 Marching Band Festival in Flat Rock.  It was a fine performance in front of a whole new group of fans who rarely if ever have seen us - Monroe, Bedford, and Dundee from Monroe County, and many other schools around downriver who don't compete.  I'm  very proud of this band - they couldn't have done better this fall:  highest score in our class at the Trenton Invitational, first place at Wyandotte, great show at Chelsea, superior rating at MSBOA, and a legendary homecoming postgame performance.  

We have two more games to go!  As odd as it sounds, we have yet to perform our entire show at the half of any home football game this season.  I am looking forward to Senior Parent Night this Friday and another great effort by the kids.  

I only took one photo tonight but it's a good one of the pit getting hyped to perform.   : )    

MON (Oct 14th)          MSBOA Marching Band Festival @ Flat Rock (details below)

                                       5:00 pm   Uniforms available
                                       5:45 pm   Load/leave Trenton HS
                                       6:15 pm   Arrive at Flat Rock HS
                                       7:15pm    Performance
                                       Load immediately afterward - leave FRHS approx. 7:45-8pm
                                       Back at Trenton HS approx. 8:15-8:30pm

WED (Oct 16th)          Practice (6:00pm to 7:30pm)
​
FRI (Oct 18th)              Senior Night / Home Football Game 
                          
                                       Seniors meet at 530pm with their parent/guardian in the Trojan Cafe
                                       for refreshments and pictures.  At 630pm, proceed to the field for the
                                       ceremony.

 Saturday, Oct 12 - Cedar Point

Departure:  The building will be open at 8 am.  We will leave at 8:30 am and arrive at CP approx. 10:30 am

Return:  Buses will start loading at 9:30 pm and will depart CP for home at 10 pm.  We will be returning at approximately midnight.  We will put equipment in garage, not band room, upon return.

The weather looks to be chilly but drying out late morning and for the rest of the day.  Dress for the performance at 11:30 am is show shirt.  However with the weather being colder, varsity jackets and band/color guard fleeces (both preferred) or other warm jackets should be worn.  Hats are fine.  

Note on Halloweekends - costumes in the park are OK as long as there's no face covering make up or masks.  

Students need to plan to bring money for food for the day.  No food is provided by the band boosters.  

All students are riding the buses to Cedar Point (3 charter style buses with luggage racks and storage bays).  No student will be permitted to ride with parents to CP.  

Several parents have requested that they drive their own student home from CP.  I need an email stating this BEFORE SATURDAY.  Bus chaperones need to know before we leave in the morning.  

I will post on the THS Band 2019-2020 facebook page the time we leave CP and updates along the way home as to when we will arrive back at THS.  MK

All Monday and Wednesday practices will be 6-7:30 pm as planned every year after Homecoming beginning Monday, October 7

It worked.  ; )   Enjoy and be safe this weekend, kids.  You all did great tonight.

​THS Band plan for Monday, Oct 14 trip to Flat Rock HS / MSBOA Dist 12 Marching Band festival:

5 pm       Uniforms available
5:45 pm   Load/leave Trenton HS
6:15 pm   Arrive at Flat Rock HS
7:15pm    Performance
Load immediately afterward - leave FRHS approx. 7:45-8pm
Back at Trenton HS approx. 8:15-8:30pm
***WE WON'T BE STAYING FOR THE CLASS A BANDS****

Note:  This is an MSBOA event with ratings (I, II, III, etc) like concert band festival thus there is no awards ceremony.   Our performance will be professionally videoed from on top of their press box.   Classifications are based on school enrollment:

Full schedule for the event

Class C:
6:00 Dundee
6:15 Summit Academy North
6:30  Flat Rock
Class B:
6:45  New Boston Huron
7:00 Riverview
7:15  Trenton
15-minute Intermission
Class A:
​7:45  Lincoln Park
8:00 Monroe
8:15  Bedford
8:30  Taylor
8:45   Woodhaven