Meet Your Directors

Ronnie Gleason is in his 29th year of teaching instrumental music and his second tenure at Lafayette High School. Mr. Gleason was the Associate Director of Bands at Lafayette High School from 2006-2015. Mr. Gleason was then the Director of Bands at Kaplan High School in Kaplan, Louisiana. Mr. Gleason received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1993.

Throughout his teaching career, Mr. Gleason’s bands have consistently received superior ratings in marching, concert, and jazz festivals at local, state, and national events. In 2008 and 2011, Mr. Gleason’s band performed at the National Concert Band and Orchestra Festival held at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and in 2013 his Lafayette High School Symphonic band was selected to perform at the National Concert Band Festival held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mr. Gleason has performed with many ensembles over the years including the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Acadian Wind Symphony, and the Skyliners Big Band. His professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, National Association for Music Education, Louisiana Music Educators Association (which he currently serves as the Band Division Chairman), Southwestern Louisiana Band Directors Association, and Phi Mu Alpha.

Welcome Mr. Avery Guidry! We aresoexcited to haveyoubackin the LHS Mighty Lion Band Family.

Avery Guidry is entering his 3rd year in music education. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 2016 and went on to earn his Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education (K-12) in 2021 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was the Band Director at Kaplan High School for the last two years, a program which has earned consistent superior ratings both in concert and marching settings. As an alumnus of the LHS band, Mr. Guidry is excited to continue the excellence and tradition embedded within the program.

Ronnie Gleason, Director Avery Guidry, Asst. Director

2023 Football Season

Friday “Home” Game Plan

Students will not go home after school on game days. They will be given time to eat (on their own) before departing for the game. Instructions will be posted in Charms. Approximate time of dismissal after the game is 10:30 PM from Lafayette High School. We are not yet sure about home game locations. We will let you know soon as we know.

Welcome to the Fall 2023 football season. The Lafayette High Band gets the crowd excited and supports the Mighty Lion Football team by playing exciting music and some classic chants throughout the football game. During the hot part of the season, students will wear jeans and their band shirts. The band parents will supply the students with water throughout the game and a drink at halftime. Due to construction at Lafayette High, we are not yet sure where home games will be played. We will communicate that information as soon as we get it.

Day Date Game to your Charms account.

Ensemble Location

Friday September 1 LHS vs. HL Bourgeois Full Marching Band Home Stadium

Other Information

Friday September 8 LHS vs. Comeaux Full Marching Band Home Stadium 8th Grade Night

Friday September 15 LHS at Sulphur TBA Sulphur

Friday September 22 LHS at Acadiana Full Marching Band Acadiana

Friday September 29 LHS at St Martinville TBA St. Martinville

Friday October 6 LHS at Carencro Full Marching Band Carencro

Friday October 13 LHS vs. Sam Houston Full Marching Band Home Stadium Homecoming

Friday October 20 LHS at Barbe TBA Barbe

Friday October 27 LHS vs Southside Full Marching Band Home Stadium

Friday November 3 LHS vs New Iberia Full Marching Band Home Stadium

A more comprehensive list of band dates can be found on pages 7 and 8

Ronnie Gleason, Director Avery Guidry, Asst. Director

Important Parking Information: Please park in the English lot and enter through building 100 (front circle on Congress St).All students will be dropped off and picked up in the front circle. No one may park in the back gravel parking lots.

LHS Band Camp Starts July 17th

Band Camp Checklist

Water (insulated jug)

Sunscreen

Bug Spray

Hat and Sunglasses

Instrument

Appropriate Shoes

Reeds, Valve Oil, etc.

Flip Folder/Lyre

Dot Book

Pencil

Great Attitude

Band camp is our most powerful tool for creating a great marching show. It is the time to develop our marching skills, our playing skills, and our relationships with each other. This is an important time to build trust, respect, and friendship within our sections and within the entire band. I encourage each band member to prepare themselves mentally and physically. Be a part of a team that supports and builds up each other Your efforts will pay off. This year’s band camp will be July 17-28.

There is a complete schedule on page 7. Pay careful attention to the who, what, when, and where information throughout these two weeks. During these two weeks we also have uniform fittings, freshman trainings and activities, band pictures, and a parent performance and pool party at the end. The band camp fee is $200.00 and is due July 17 and 18 You should also turn in your $113.00 competition top money at that time. Finally, please refer to the supply list on page 9 to know what you need to bring to the first day of band camp.

Parents: Please make plans to attend the parent performance on July 28th @ 6:30 PM at Clark Field. Parents may also purchase booster club shirts and show t-shirts. Items go on sale at 6:00 PM. Quantities are limited.

Tips For Having a Great Band Camp

1. Remember that we are all here to learn. When an instructor instructs, remember this important thought: This is information, not criticism.

2. Be positive Everyone is hot. Complaining won’t cool you off but do be aware of your health. If you feel nausea or dizziness, tell your section leader.

3. Remain silent when the directors, instructors, or field staff are talking. It is distracting for others who are trying to learn.

4. Keep all of your drill sheets, music, etc. safe and secure. Have a routine for storing all of your materials so you do not lose them.

5. Take self-discipline seriously. A marching band that snaps to attention precisely together is an incredible sight to see. Furthermore, you will find that these skills can be applied to everyday life.

6. The band has a variety of motivational activities and rituals. Embrace them. We are all working together for ONE common goal: EXCELLENCE!

7. Lay off soft drinks prior to camp. Increase your water and electrolyte intake. Drink 6-8 glasses daily. Caffeine acts as a diuretic and causes mild dehydration.

8. Eat a great breakfast before you come. Lay off of junk food.

9. Apply sunscreen before you leave your house. Sunscreen is more effective if it has time to soak in.

10. Wear deodorant and bring extra to band camp. No aerosol spray EVER.

Ronnie Gleason, Director Avery Guidry, Asst. Director