• Welcome to the Western Band page!  We have a long tradition of musical excellence and opportunities. This page has a few details, including a "Calendar of Events" and the Western High School Band Handbook.  For even more information, be sure to join our Western High School Bands Facebook page, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.  Please email Mr. Bickel at paul.bickel@wsdpanthers.org if you would like more information about the band.
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  • Finally...band apparel is BACK! Click this link to check out the offerings!

    https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/2021WHSBND

     

     

     

     

     

     
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  • FOR SUNDAY, July 25th---
    While waiting for a uniform fitting, here's the checklist of what to do. BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT TO SCHOOL ON SUNDAY.
     
    Mr. Bickel and others will be here to help you get through it.
     
    FIRST-- bring Instrument--any reeds/school instruments/look it over and get it oiled up
     
    NEXT--Make sure you have a flip folder, lyre, and your music.
     
    NEXT--Music loaded into flip folder in this order:
    SIDE ONE
    High Hopes
    Sunday Best
    Love Runs Out
    Levitating
    Light 'Em Up
     
    SIDE TWO
    Minnesota Rouser
    Star Spangled Banner
    Star Wars Main Theme
    Imperial March
    The Mandalorian
     
    NEXT--Rubber band for flip folder
     
    NEXT--Rubber band for pencil
     
    NEXT--Get/sharpen pencil
     
    NEXT--find your seat in the auditorium and write it down so you know your home base for your case and other items for the week
     
    SQUAD LEADERS---get charts, squad coordinate sheets, highlighters, highlight your squad for all charts
     
    If you finish all of this and are still waiting, practice your music (with friends if you'd like!) in the auditorium. We'll keep track of the list of names on the screen in the band room. It might take awhile, so you have plenty of time to practice and ask Mr. Bickel and others questions. This will be fun!
    Air conditioning provided at no additional charge.
     
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  • Hi, all!
    We are planning on Sunday afternoon, July 25th and possibly evening for uniform fittings for students.
     
    Seniors—2:00 p.m.
     
    Juniors—3:15 p.m.
     
    Sophomores—4:00 p.m.
     
    Freshmen—5:30 p.m.
     
    Any student who does not come that day will have the choices of the remaining uniforms for fittings.
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  • We need food helpers at band camp! Please click the link below and see if you can assist us.
     
    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0449A5A728A0FC1-western
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  • Announcements and Reminders

    We are excited to have our band camp return this year! Here are some reminders and announcements for you.

     

    JUST BEFORE CAMP-----

    We are planning on Sunday afternoon, July 25th and possibly evening for uniform fittings for students.
     
    Seniors—2:00 p.m.
     
    Juniors—3:15 p.m.
     
    Sophomores—4:00 p.m.
     
    Freshmen—5:30 p.m.
     
    Any student who does not come that day will have the choices of the remaining uniforms for fittings.

    CAMP--*WHS 2021 Band Week is Monday, July 26th through Thursday, July 29th.

    Rehearsals begin at 8;30 a.m. daily, and run until 5:30 p.m.
    The band boosters will provide lunch funded by your band camp registration.

    *Band Week performance is at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 29th.

    *Part One: what to bring to band camp on Monday, July 26th, to help with
    our meals (divided by section)*

    Flutes/Saxophones/Trumpets: a large bag of chips, any kind (potato,Doritos, etc.)
    Clarinets: 2 package of cookies, or 4 dozen, if homemade
    Percussion/Color Guard: case of water.16 oz bottles, buy the store brand, *nothing expensive*.

    Mellophones: Fruit (a couple bags of grapes, apples) or veggies
    Trombones/Baritones/Tubas: case of water.16 oz bottles, buy the store brand, *nothing expensive*.


    *Part Two: please bring the following 8 things to Western's band camp (handy checklist):

    1. tennis shoes and socks (to be worn during all band rehearsals),
    2. A great attitude to make some great music while marching around!
    3. flip folder with music in it
    4.instrument--look it over and get it ready before next Monday, July
    26th, please!
    5.a mini-notebook and pencil so you can write quick reminders during marching rehearsal
    6.a rubber band for your flip folder.
    7.a water bottle, marked with your name is recommended, as it saves on cups
    and you can easily identify and reuse it. There will be running water
    nearby so students can stay hydrated.
    8. Sunscreen/sunglasses/sweatshirt for all weather conditions.

    PLEASE EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS TO: paul.bickel@wsdpanthers.org

    Thank you,
    Mr. Bickel
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  • Hi, all! If your student still owes for band camp or is marching at Disney, please ask him/her to check their school email account to see the amount and pay in this way.
    Use the "donate" box to pay. Link: https://western-band-boosters.square.site/?fbclid=IwAR1G4hViJ6DtghYyn647L9PMflPm-1qSRuqbH-6CMjRSj9ZQ8vfDUrKcSlU
     
    Thank you! July 26th is the first day of camp! :)
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  • Welcome, Mr. Wallace, to our music staff! We are so glad you are teaching with us.
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  • To all students/parents of marching band members for the 2021 season:

     
    If you have not done so already, please pay the band camp amount that you/your student registered for at the Square. The amount can be found by the student searching their emails for "Google forms" to find the receipt.
     
    Please click this link and the "donate" box to pay that amount, and thank you! 
     
     
     

    2021 Band Camp---

    July 26-29 at school, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

     

    Lunch and a snack will be provided each day.

     

    If students have Driver's Ed or Summer School, we ask that they report to the band rehearsals as soon as they can.

     

    DETAILS


    Here is the blueprint of each day, subject to change based on weather and the pace of the learning.

    *8:30 a.m. to lunch---marching fundamentals, marching drill education
    *After lunch---full music rehearsals, sectionals
    *3:00---afternoon snack
    *3:15--marching drill education resumes until dismissal


    The set times are when we start, when we eat lunch, and when we are dismissed. :)


    ---------------------------------------------------------------


    *FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS---

     

    Q: What squad am I in?

    A: Scroll down this page to see the entire marching band roster.

    Q: How can I help at Band Camp?
    A: Just send me an email letting me know, and thank you in advance!


    Q: If someone has to leave band camp rehearsals, how does that work?

    A: Students can leave, arrive late, or leave early with a parent or pre-approved adult for an acceptable reason. Otherwise, students are expected to remain on campus. Students are expected to catch up on all that was missed while he/she was gone. Squad leaders should be sure to assign another squad leader or drum major to his/her squad for learning new material if the squad leader has to be absent for any reason.


    Q: How does the band class schedule work for this upcoming year?


    A:
    First semester, marching rehearsals and concert rehearsals occur during regular band hour (2nd hour has grades 9/10, and 3rd hour has grades 11/12).

    Students electing marching band attend band camp and perform at home games, two parades, and a marching invitational and also rehearse the day of home games in the afternoon from 4:15-5:30, have dinner, then perform at the game.

    Students electing not to march complete a performance grade video for credit in place of marching band events.

    Second semester, regular concert rehearsals occur during the band hour.

     

    Q: What about auditions?

    A: Auditions will be held at the end of the first nine weeks.

     

    Q: Where can I find a copy of this year’s schedule?

    A: On the website---click this link and scroll: .https://www.wsdpanthers.org/domain/209


    Q: Where can I find a copy of the Band Handbook?

    A; On the website---click this link: https://www.wsdpanthers.org/Page/491


    Q: When can I see the Bickel Brothers perform?

    A: On Wednesday, August 4th at the Grass Lake Community Events Park, 120 Brown St. 6:30 p.m. It will be a blast!


    Q: When are drumline practices?

    A: Tuesday and Friday nights, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

    Email Jack Tallman at jackdtallman@gmail.com


    Q: When are Color Guard practices?

    A: Wednesday nights, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

    Email Katti Chivington at kattiaugusta@gmail.com


    Q: When is Beginning Band rental night?

    A: This will be determined after the new director is hired.


    Q: When is the next Band Boosters Meeting?

    A: This will be announced later this summer.

     

     

    Please email any questions to paul.bickel@wsdpanthers.org
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  • 2021-2022
    Western HS Band Calendar
     
    July
    26-29 WHS Marching Band Camp
     
    August
    16 Marching rehearsal 6-8:30 p.m.
     
    September
     
    2 WHS Marching Band at Home Football Game and Picture Night-HS
     
    17 WHS Marching Band at Home Football Game (Homecoming)
     
    25 WHS Marching Band at Parma Day Parade 11:00 a.m.
     
    27 WHS Marching Band at Jackson County Marching Band Invitational
     
    October
     
    1 WHS Marching Band at Home Football Game
     
    14 Fall HS Band Concerts 7:00 p.m.
     
    22 WHS Marching Band at Home Football Game (Senior night)
     
    November
     
    4 Band Department Small Group Day during class
    December
     
    9 HS Holiday Band Concert 7:00
     
    January
     
    6 Music Department Picture Day (During school. Wear concert uniforms)
     
    12-17 Disney Trip
     
    24 “Chilly” Jazz Dinner
     
    February
     
    5 HS Band Solo/Ensemble at Onsted High School (optional)
     
    24 Band Concerts - HS @ 5:00 , 6th Gr. @ 6:00, and 7th & 8th Gr. @ 6:45
     
    March
     
    11-12 Host MS/HS Band Festival here (6-9 Band Rehearsals on stage)
     
    19 Band State Solo/Ensemble (Optional, @ Okemos HS)
     
    May
     
    15 HS Band Concert: 2:00 p.m. - HS Bands
     
    TBA Graduation (Symphonic and sophomore members perform)
     
    30 HS Marching Band (grades 9-12) at Spring Arbor Memorial Day Parade
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Western High School Bands

Western High Marching Band

This is a picture of the 2019-20 Western High Marching Band

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  • Meet the Western High School Band Director!

     

    Mr. Paul Bickel

    Mr. Bickel started his teaching career in 1992 at Vandercook Lake, where he taught all bands in grades 5-12 (marching, concert, and MS and HS jazz), 9th and 10th Grade English, and restarted both the choir and jazz band programs at Vandercook Lake until 2002.  Mr. Bickel teaches 6th Grade Beginning Brass, 8th Grade Jazz Band, HS Jazz Band, HS Concert Band, HS Symphonic Band, and the WHS Marching Band. He also assists the 7th Grade Band and 8th Grade Band. Mr. Bickel is an active trumpet performer in the Jackson French Quarter Dixieland Band (run by father Philip Bickel), piano and vocal performer as a dueling piano player for "Piano Wars!".  He loves teaching because he loves to inspire students to perform and continue through and after high school. He is married to Bethany Bickel, Western's Elementary Music teacher, and they have two daughters, Julia and Laura.