Hello Freshmen Band Parents and Guardians!

My name is Michael Renneke and I am one of the band directors at Chippewa Falls High School. It has been nice to meet many of you at the 8th grade band concert last spring and throughout the community. I am looking forward to having your student join us in high school band!

Because not everyone was able to pick up the information that was provided at the last 8th grade band concert in May I wanted to share a few quick resources with you and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

First, I'd like to introduce you to our website: www.cfhsbands.org. On our website there is a ton of information and it is also the spot where we post announcements, files, paperwork, and more throughout the school year as they become relevant. For example, in September we will post the itineraries for our marching band competitions; in December we post the schedule for basketball pep band.

The website is where you will find The Calendar. Pretty much everything that goes on in the high school music department is on that calendar, and it is the "official source" as far as calendars go. If you see something in writing on an old program but the online calendar says something different, go with the online calendar! (Not to worry, though - things don't change all that often!)

I'll save you one trip to the website: our short August band camps begin on August 1-5, and then again on August 15-19.

Just as a heads up, student leaders from the high school band will be calling students over the next few weeks to say hello, check-in, and answer any questions that might come up. We find this to be a great resource and starting point for incoming students

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail either myself or Barry Hitt (hittba@chipfalls.org). You can also call me at home over the summer (715-554-4883) but be aware that I like to spend time on my bike and at the cabin. 

Most importantly, I'm looking forward to helping your student make a great transition to high school. I don't believe there is a better way than being involved in band. On the first day of school your student will already know 175 other students. That means 175 familiar faces in the hallways, 175 people they know at lunch, and 175 people they recognize in their classes.

If there is anything I can do to help prepare you or your student for band, high school, or life in general, please reach out and let me know.

Looking forward our biggest and best year yet,

Michael Renneke
CFHS Bands

Marching band season is right around the corner - hard to believe when it seems like the weather has only just started being nice!

Our first Band Camp begins on August 1 at 9:00am. That same evening there will be an informational Parent/Student meeting for ALL parents and students, not just freshmen.

The Activity Code Meeting is at 6:30pm on August 1. All freshmen (and other students who have not previously attended) will need to be at the Activity Code Meeting with a parent or guardian, attend the presentation, and then sign the RED Activity Code.

After the Activity Code Meeting there are breakout meetings for the different sports at 7:15pm. If you are also playing a fall sport, go to the meeting for your sport and we can get you caught up afterwards.

Again, at 7:15pm there is a Marching Band Parent/Student meeting for ALL band parents and students, not just the freshmen.

Families who have previously attended the Activity Code Meeting need to sign a BLUE Activity Code every year. Download it here: