No instruments needed on Tuesday. Please bring your instruments starting on Wednesday (8/30).

If you will be needing one or more school instruments this year, please fill out this form ASAP for each instrument needed. You will need to complete this form, even if you had an instrument checked out to you over the summer.

Parents!  Please join us for an evening of dessert and live music on Monday, September 11th at 7pm.  This is a great opportunity to meet fellow band parents, learn how the Friends of Cleveland Bands supports the program and have your questions answered about what this year will entail.

If you have photos or videos you’d like share, please upload them in the album, we love them! The more the better. (See sidebar for link to album)

We also have an ongoing need for photographers and videographers throughout the year.  Please feel free to shoot and upload at any event you’re able.  You will likely see your work featured in the newsletter, on our website and throughout our social feeds.

This is for anyone that is interested from 9-11:30am in the band room.  This is our first one, but it will not be the last.

We need a rhythm section, so we are asking our rhythm section players from Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Lab to make an effort to attend.  Jazz members are encouraged to attend, but anyone that is just curious is also welcome to come.

I first want to extend a HUGE thank you to our FOCB board who have done so much to make this program what it is today!

A special thank you to Karen Stark who has “graduated”. Thank you for stepping into the president position and helping us get some things in place that will be fundamental in assisting students for years to come.

Congratulations to all of our seniors for the leadership and work ethic that you provided this year. Many of you were outstanding role models for our upcoming leaders. Be sure to come back and visit, it is always great to see you again, and hear how things are going!

I would like to thank all of the families in our Cleveland Band Family! Your efforts to encourage your young musician at home and to volunteer where you can have been integral in the success of our program as a whole. I would also like to thank all of you that contributed to my gift that was presented to me in our June FOCB board meeting. I am always stunned and humbled by the heartwarming comments and the financial gift. It is a pleasure to serve this community and I am so thankful that I landed here in 2015 to witness a transformation of a program in so many ways (community, musicianship, confidence, leadership and more) from that day to now.

Our new student leadership team has an amazing vision and awesome plans for next year that I believe will continue to strengthen and build the community that we already have. Reaching out to our young band communities in Hosford and Sellwood and sharing our musical talents around the broader community. The challenges of COVID have certainly affected our numbers and instrumentation, but this will only be a bump in the road. With the leadership we have in place, I believe that the bar that has been set in this program will continue to be attainable.

I wish you all a fantastic summer. Hopefully we have plenty of students taking advantage of the many music camp opportunities and also getting some much deserved rest. I look forward to another fantastic school year next fall. Until then….

Musically Yours,
Gary Riler

** Updated to correct time **

The Annual Cleveland Band Car Wash will take place on Saturday, August 12th, 11am-3pm. This is a great way for new and old band members to connect before school starts.  See what supplies are still needed by visiting the SignUpGenius here.

Our annual mini camp will take place this week. This is a great opportunity for the band to get acquainted and start working on pep band songs before school starts.

Here is the remaining schedule:
Monday, Aug 21

• Band Mini Camp (frosh/new/leadership)
  9am-11:30am in the Band Room
• Percussion Mini Camp (all percussion)
  9am-11:30am in the Auditorium

Tuesday, Aug 22

• CHS Mini Camp (all band members)
  9am-11:30am in the Band Room

Wednesday, Aug 23

• Jazz Improv Camp (anyone interested)
  9am-11:30am in the Band Room

New, current, and alumni families are invited to attend this event on Thursday, August 24 at Sellwood Park starting at 6:00 pm.  We’ll be at Picnic Site A, which is on the west side of the park, north of the tennis courts.

Please bring a dish to share according to your last name:

• A-I: Main Dish
• J-S: Dessert
• T-Z: Salad or Side Dish

The Friends of Cleveland Bands will provide plates, utensils, napkins and water.

Questions?  Email Kelly Schauer for more information.

Congratulations to all members of Cleveland High School Band! This school year has highlighted the dedication and musicianship of our students. A record number of soloists and small groups qualified for local- and state-level competitions. As well, the Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble placed 4th and 5th, respectively, at 6A State festivals.

Over one-half of the Friends of Cleveland Bands’ annual budget went toward competition entry fees and transportation costs for our student musicians. Only the generous support of our sponsors, parents and family members, friends, and alumni made this possible. While the Portland Public School District has begun to contribute more to the Band’s operating costs, there is no way Cleveland would be able to compete at a high level without the incredible community support. Volunteer input is a vital piece to the success of Cleveland High School!

Friends of Cleveland Bands (FOCB) was started some years ago to offer financial backing to our students as Mr. Gary Riler began to rebuild the program. We have strived to level the opportunity for all students to participate in the band experience, regardless of their means. If you and your child need help, we offer assistance. Go to the website, clevelandbandspdx.com, click on the upper tab “Docs & Forms.” You will find the FOCB Financial Assistance Form to complete and confidentially request aid of up to $500.00 per student per academic year.

Please continue to volunteer, support, and inspire our students. Check the website for calendar updates. The Band’s 2023-2024 school year starts August 12th, with our car wash fundraiser. Consider volunteering a few hours at this event. I’ve found that today’s students are not so much into washing cars!

Finally, it has been my privilege to serve as FOCB President these past few years. Strong students and parents, strong participation make this work. I will leave our seniors with this message from the late Kurt Vonnegut: “PRACTICE ANY ART, MUSIC, SINGING, DANCING, ACTING, DRAWING, PAINTING, SCULPTING, POETRY, FICTION, ESSAYS, REPORTAGE, NO MATTER HOW WELL OR BADLY, NOT TO GET MONEY AND FAME, BUT TO EXPERIENCE BECOMING, TO FIND OUT WHAT’S INSIDE YOU, TO MAKE YOUR SOUL GROW.”

Karen Stark