pandemic update 7/23/2020

Maroon Band Family,
After thoughtful conversations over several months between the directors, staff, and the booster executive board, we have made the difficult decision that we will not participate in a competitive marching band season this fall due to the many challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision is based on the following obstacles and decisions concerning marching band competitions made at the state, regional, and national levels.

• Most importantly, we believe that student and family safety is our top priority.
• On Monday, July 20, The Hopkins County Board of Education voted to allow a return to band activities. However, we are still in “Phase 2” with many restrictions in place, including how many students/teachers can participate in activities together (10) and how many practice hours are allowed per week (6). At this point we do not know when or if these restrictions will be lifted.
• We are also unsure as to what the beginning of school will look like in August, as well as how the band class will be structured, meeting the capacity and social distancing guidelines.
• We are also anticipating the possibility of travel restrictions in the future.
• The majority of bands in Kentucky and our region, as well as many bands nationally, have chosen to be non-competitive this year, due to the same obstacles we face.
• KMEA has cancelled Regional and State competitions for the 2020 season. Other state and regional competitions throughout the nation, including all Bands of America competitions (BOA), have also been cancelled.

Therefore, taking all these points into consideration, spending family and booster money and resources on a competitive marching show is not in the best interest of the Marching Maroons band program.

While we will not participate in a fall competitive marching season, it is our goal to still have a marching band at MNHHS! Our plans are to perform a halftime show, much like the Racer Band, for home football games and participate in parades and community events, as those opportunities present themselves. If you choose remote learning at the beginning of the school year you may be able to participate in the marching band after school.  We will need to submit your request to school administration for approval.

We will be in contact soon with dates and details concerning band camp so that we can begin working on this year’s field show. Our intention is to possibly begin Monday, August 3, but please keep in mind that this may change as we continue to follow state and local guidelines. The directors and staff will also need to schedule any practice dates and times around our mandatory professional development days, as they are a part of our contractual hours and are determined by the school system.

Please know that this has been a very difficult decision to make. We watched and waited with the hope that a competitive marching season would occur, but we know that this is the right decision for the Marching Maroons program, not only financially but for the health and safety of our students, families, and staff. The Maroon Band has had many obstacles to overcome the past few years, but we have persevered with resilience and integrity, and we WILL prevail through this as well.

​WHO YOU WITH???    MADVILLE!!!!
Randy Adams
Alan Emerson
Cory Mullins
Sarah Emerson
Laura Nordine