National Anthem Performance at Homecoming Football Game

We are excited to have the opportunity to perform the national anthem at this week's varsity football game. Also, it's HOMECOMING! This is a big deal and a big audience, so we need to bring our "A game".

I'll go over the details for everyone (what to wear, where to be, when to be there), and then offer a brief "frequently asked questions" section.

Details

Who: EVERYONE enrolled in a choir class at CHS or CFC
What: Performing the National Anthem at the Homecoming Varsity Football Game
When: 5:45 to 7:30pm on Friday, September 15
Where: San Angelo Stadium
What to Wear: Blue-ish denim jeans and blue choir polos. Men will tuck in their shirts, preferably with a belt. Please refrain from wearing jeans with excessive holes, rips, or tears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a requirement?

Yes. This is for a major grade for all students. Students will be graded on: arriving on-time, arriving in-uniform, and performance/behavior for the duration of the event. Students not in uniform or who arrive late without a pre-approved excuse will not be allowed to perform and will have to complete an alternate assignment. Trust us, you do not want to have to do the alternate assignment. Any students who have a conflict or are required to be with another group that night should have completed a conflict form by now so that we can work out the details with the sponsors of the other activities.

What if we are involved in another school activity that night?

As stated in class and above, step one is to fill out a conflict form IMMEDIATELY. If you are in Tex-Anns, Football, Cheer, Band, ROTC, etc., and are required to be in their uniform for the evening, you will wear their uniform onto the field to perform with us.

What time should parents arrive to be able to watch the students perform?

The gates to the stadium are supposed to open at 6:15. The game kicks-off around 7:30. The anthem will be performed sometime between 7:00 and 7:30. It is recommended that parents be in the stadium and finding a seat by 7:00pm to be able to watch the pre-game activities, during which the performance of the national anthem takes place. If the schedule is the same as in previous years, the anthem is performed around 7:13pm.

[Students] Do we have to pay to enter the game?

No. If you arrive at the designated gate and in the uniform for the evening, you will be granted admission for free. You must go up into the stands after performing if you wish to stay. If you leave the stadium and change clothes, they will not let you back in without a ticket. They won't know who you are.

[Students] Where should we park? From what gate should we enter?

I have indicated on the following linked map an ideal location, but you are free to park where you wish. Regardless of where you park, you will need to enter from the gate indicated on the following map: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8rn55se4llf1vm8/San%20Angelo%20Stadium.png?dl=0

Can we wear our garters/mums/etc. to perform?

Absolutely. As long as it does not interfere with our performance (making noise or blinking lights), you may wear it to perform. If not, take it off and leave it with a parent before we enter the field and put it back on as soon as we are done.

Do we have to stay for the entire game?

No. I hope you will want to stay to support our Bobcat Football team, but once we have performed, students are free to go. They may stay and watch the game or leave to go elsewhere. Parents will want to be clear on what their students' plans are. Once the football game starts at 7:30, the choir directors will not be supervising or responsible for the students.

The choir calendar listed a possible performance at a game in October, too. Is that still happening?

No. This will take the place of that performance. We listed both dates on the paper calendar sent home the first week of school because we were still waiting on the official word on which date it would be. It was a decision of which one, we were not ever planning on doing both.

A Note About Student Behavior

While you are in uniform, you are a representative of yourself, your family, the choir department, the school, the school district, etc. Please be on your best behavior. Do not use inappropriate language or engage in any prohibited activities. You have the added responsibility of showing respect to our flag, our nation, its leaders, and our veterans any time you perform the national anthem.

We take great pride in representing CHS with class and integrity. Students who cannot live up to that standard while represnting our department will face disciplinary action and may be removed from the choir program.