🎺 The Weekly Downbeat: Lanier Longhorn Band Newsletter

August 17, 2026 | Issue #007

Band family, it is important to read the Director’s Newsletter and Weekly Downbeat! These two sources are the best place to start when you have questions and will save you and others time in trying to find answers. We pull together all the information into one place so you don’t have to search for answers.  

🎶 What a great way to kick off the season! The Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will leave amazing memories for our students!  If you have photos or videos be sure to upload them into our Google Album to share with other band families.  

📸Lanier High School Bands 2026-2027 Google Photo Album

This week is a BYE week! So students rest up and gear up. Our next game is August 28th @ The Ranch, Lanier vs. Duluth.

🚨IMPORTANT - Drop-off AND pick-up for games AND practice is in the upper parking lot. We had several parents attempt to drive to the band entrance to pick up their student following Wednesday night’s game. This is a high-traffic area and is used for loading and unloading instruments and gear throughout the season. It poses a safety issue for our students and volunteers when they also have to contend with traffic in this area. Help us keep the students and volunteers safe by adhering to this rule.

👀IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, LMB practice schedule will be as follows:

• Monday: Indoor practice 2:30-4:00 (Aug 17th Extended Practice for Skills & Drills)
• Tuesday: Outdoor practice 2:30-5:00
• Thursday: Outdoor practice 2:30-5:00 (Practice uniform required - wear grey dry-fit shirt.)
• Our first stadium rehearsal will be AUGUST 25 from 6:00-8:30pm.
• Guard, You guys have added practice days in August! There will be practice on Saturday, August 22nd from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and August 29th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with a parent meeting about Winter Guard following practice on the 29th.  

🎉SENIOR BANNERS are printed and ready to hang! Seniors, if you would like to hang your banner, we will be meeting Tuesday, August 18th after band rehearsal at the stadium. They look amazing! We can’t wait to see them lining the band side of the stadium!

❓Did you know…  that in addition to our band directors and instructors, it takes a team of over 50 volunteers to make our band performance happen for each home game?  

With Band and Color Guard Chaperones in the stands keeping our students hydrated, safe and organized; Pit Crew managing the logistics of moving equipment and props from the school to the field; Concession Volunteers, who not only help to raise money to lower our dues, but feed our entire band PLUS the visiting band and fans as well, this year we will have The Longhorn Outfitters swag tent, staffed with volunteers, to help create an amazing game night atmosphere while also raising money for the program. When it comes to the Marching Band, it truly does take a village!

Volunteering on game nights is a great way to not only support our students and the Band Program, it’s also an excellent way to meet, and get to know, fellow band families. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that the time you contribute is a valuable part of making The Longhorn Marching Band experience truly excellent for not only your family, but the whole community. Make sure to check the BoosterHub App in the coming days, and each week, for your opportunity to volunteer. The difference between impossible and  (IM) POSSIBLE is YOU!

📣 Our next game is Friday, August 28th at The Ranch! Lanier Longhorns will be taking on the Duluth Wildcats. Be sure to COME HUNGRY! and make the walk to the VISITOR SIDE to stop by the BAND CONCESSION STAND! 

We’ve got a full menu with something for everyone, and here’s the best part… 💯% OF THE PROFITS GO DIRECTLY TO OUR BAND PROGRAM! That means your dinner, snack, or drink is more than just game-night food—it’s a delicious way to support your student, support their friends, and support the entire band program! So skip the lines elsewhere and take a little stroll to the visitor side. 

🍔Marching Band is more than what happens on the field—it’s a TEAM effort off the field, too! Every marching band family is required to work ONE home-game concession shift. It’s a simple but BIG way to support our students and help our program thrive!

Below is this year’s Concession Rotation Schedule. Check BoosterHub for Volunteer Slots and bring your game-day spirit and your best concession-stand energy!

•  GAME 1 — AUGUST 28 - Low Reeds + Low Brass Families
•  GAME 2 — SEPTEMBER 4 - Trumpets + Drum Majors + Senior Guard Families
•  GAME 3 — SEPTEMBER 25 - Percussion + Flute Families
•  GAME 4 — OCTOBER 23 - SENIOR NIGHT - 9th, 10th + 11th Grade Guard Families
•  GAME 5 — OCTOBER 30 - Clarinet + Alto Sax + Mellophone Families

📌From the Boosters’ Corner:

• Be sure to check your BoosterHub Accounts.   Fundraising credits have been applied to students accounts.
• The Lanier Fine Arts is going to Disney!  Every four years the Lanier Fine Arts Dept.  takes a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.  This year the trip is scheduled for February 11th - 15th.  Check your emails for all the details.

📣We’re excited to announce the Grand Opening of the LONGHORN OUTFITTERS at the first home game on August 28th! Stop by to purchase noise makers, rally rags, jewelry and lots of other items to help cheer on our team at student friendly prices!

🎤Volunteer Slots for Brett Michaels at The Bowl are FULL.  Here are some important reminders about the event!

Adult volunteers MUST participate in both the chair set up AND breakdown.  

• Chair Set Up: Thursday, August 20th following practice - Color Guard has been assigned to assist with the chair set up.
• Concert; Friday, August 21st, Doors Open @ 7:00 PM - Music Starts @ 8:00 PM
• Chair Break Down: Saturday, August 22nd @ 8:00 AM - Percussion has been assigned to assist with the chair breakdown

Attention - Brass students who missed the last concert are EXPECTED to help at this event! The band receives a sponsorship from the city and in exchange we agree to assist with the chair set up and breakdown. All students are expected to help since all students benefit through the program.

📍We have Opportunities Available Now to Volunteer with the Gwinnett Stripers at upcoming games. Gwinnett Stripers is seeking volunteers to work concessions for their home stand. We need 2 people on Friday, August 28th at 5:00 PM at Coolray Field! Shifts are normally 5-6 hours and funds earned go to help pay your student’s band dues. If you, your child, or any additional family members or friends (ages 16+) are available to work concessions please contact Melanie Busch at melanieb_04@yahoo.com or text 404-604-6121 by Wednesday, August 19th.

🌟Our very popular and highly anticipated Charleston Wrap Fundraiser is returning this Fall!  We will kick off this amazing fundraiser on September 8 and run through September 29  allowing plenty of time for Holiday orders and delivery!  With over 2,500 gift ideas – including winter holiday, birthday, and corporate gift ideas – there’s something for everyone. Students or parents, follow the steps in the flyer to register online today so you are ready to start selling as soon as we go live!

📸 Core Memories Incoming!

If you haven’t checked out the Lanier Band’s Google photo album you're missing out! There are some awesome photos of kiddos all throughout band camp uploaded. These are definitely core memories. Be sure to check the album out and if you have any photos add them to the album.

Everyone is invited to take and share photos of the kids throughout the 2026-2027 school year. Be sure to save the link and share your favorite photos so everyone can enjoy seeing the students and all their achievements all year long. The album is open to all winds, percussion, guard, staff, parents/guardians and friends of the band.

• 📸 2026-2027 Lanier Band Google Album

❓ Got Questions? Contact Us!

• LanierBandHelp@Gmail.com