The Mighty Sailor Band will not be participating in this weekend's scheduled competition. Due to the amount of unhealthy students and the potential for more students to be exposed, I have made this decision. Please know that I try not to deviate from the schedule. The amount of kids out is the worst I have seen in seven years of teaching. In, fact, this past Tuesday was the first marching band practice I can recall canceling my entire career.

BBQ Under the Stars is RESCHEDULED for Tuesday Oct 20, 2009. The rehearsals scheduled for this Thursday and Friday will be canceled as well. Too many kids need the time to rest and recover so we can move on for the second half of the season at full strength!!! This band is great and WILL make the recovery. Please contact Tammy Ruben at treasurer@mightysailorband.org to signify whether you want a refund or for us to keep your deposit for the rescheduled event.

In lieu of the competition this weekend we will be entering a competition on OCTOBER 17th. This is a competition we have been to before, Tarpon Springs for veteran parents. This is a well-run show with many great band in attendance. The show will be complete for two weeks and the band will once again be healthy and we will have the opportunity to show the judges what the Mighty Sailor Band really has to offer.

The competition is an important part of our preparation process for the FBA festival on OCTOBER 24th at Manatee High. The students will learn the procedure of the warm up process and know what it's like to be under the lights with other great bands. Because of the work of these kids, this band deserves to be under the same lights as the great band in this state.

I am so proud of the students and so thankful for great parents who volunteer and make this organization run. I couldn't imagine doing this without the great support. We WILL bounce back from this episode of illness and continue to make this the best year the Mighty Sailor Band has had in a long time. This may have been a good time to take a break, recuperate, and refocus on the show.

Thank you so much for your understanding. And thank you for having great kids.

Mr. Roseboom