First of all, we would like to thank all of the students, staff, parents, and friends of Vanguard who support this wonderful ensemble. Over the course of its 40-year history, LVW has been blessed beyond measure as they continue to carry out their mission to "let our light shine".

In 2010, Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin began to march in field show performances while maintaining its reputation and tradition of stellar street performances in parades. God blessed LVW with 8 wonderful seasons of being able to witness through field performances to thousands of people throughout the Midwest.

In preparation for the 2018 summer season, the LVW instructional staff and the LVW Board of Directors had to make some difficult decisions regarding the immediate future of the ensemble. Because the LVW staff and members hail from a very large portion of Eastern Wisconsin - from Kenosha and the greater Milwaukee area, and from Manitowoc to the Fox Cities - the time demands on members, family, and other commitments proved to be too challenging to continue to perform field shows.  In the best interest of all students, staff, and beloved support base, the decision has been made to suspend the field show and move forward with a somewhat shortened season of parade performances only. This decision will allow LVW to continue to provide the highest quality of Christian education, fellowship, and outreach as the band remains one the Midwest's premier summer marching ensembles.
​
Please keep LVW in your prayers in this time of transition. We extend our sincerest thanks to every person who supports this special ensemble!
 

​Hello LVW parents & friends:

We have a very exciting season approaching for Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin!

What a wonderful blessing it is to have LVW available for our students! In order to keep costs low and to provide assistance to the staff we are asking parents and friends of LVW to help with a number of events. Please look at the site below, consider how you can help, and then sign up on the site!

​Our Volunteer Coordinator has updated the sign up to include the remainder of the season.  MANY spots are still open, including spots for the first week of the season.

We always have enjoyed a great amount of support each summer. We are very thankful for that! Now we are asking if you would please join us in supporting these events. We are using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our season volunteers. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to see our SignUps on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/go/UMngyis or click the BUTTON below.
2. Review the SignUps listed and choose the one(s) you like.
3. Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. 

Thank you so much for considering this request! May the Lord richly bless the remainder of your school year. See you this summer on the parade route or at the field!

UPDATED INFORMATION:
Most of the information contained in the original post is still applicable to our revised schedule.  Please note that Camp #1 begins at 2:00 on Wednesday, June 6, and not Monday, June 4 as previously noted.  A bag supper is not needed for this first day of camp.  Also, dot books are no longer needed.

​ORIGINAL POST:
​The LVW 2018 summer season gets underway in a little more than two weeks!  We are extremely excited about the beginning of the first summer Camp and all that it brings - complete staff and membership together for the first time, lots of great focused rehearsal time, marked improvement every day, lasting friendships beginning to form, and the bonding of the LVW family into a Christian family that is so much larger than a marching band!  LVW will once again be marching in parades and shows with the Cross of Christ foremost on our minds and firmly fixed to our uniforms, as we strive to do all things to His glory!

This post contains LOTS of information!  Please take the time to read through EVERYTHING, as there are important details for both MEMBERS and PARENTS - so make sure members and parents read through this.  It would be a great idea to sit down and do this together, so that nothing is left to chance or missed.

Check Back to this Site OFTEN!
This website is the main method of communication for LVW.  Important updates, such as weekly itineraries, travel information, and weekend-specific information will always be posted on the "Director's Updates" page.  We will also send periodic notifications via email and Facebook (this is LVW's general Facebook page), but those messages will almost always direct you to this page. Important links will also be posted to the LVW Homepage, but again, those links will usually direct you here.

If you are Facebook, and would like to join our group page, ask to join LVW 2018.  

Volunteering for LVW - A Great Opportunity to Let Your Light Shine!
We are again be using "SignUp.com" to indicate when, where, and how you would like to assist.  For more information about Volunteering, go to our VOLUNTEER INFO.  MANY spots are still open!  We are especially in need of helpers for the kitchen during Camp #1 week, and lots of other tasks throughout the summer.

Updated June and July Calendar
A Google Calendar for LVW 2018 events has been posted to our "Schedule" page.  You can click on individual events for more detailed information, including times, locations, and maps!

Important Band Camp Information:
Dates: Monday, June 4 – Saturday, June 9 
Beginning time: 2:00 PM on Monday (arrive by 1:30) 
Place: All camp activities will take place at FVL in Appleton, with parades in Brillion (Friday), and Appleton (Saturday).

Housing during Camp #1
Links to the Housing/Hosting forms are on the homepage. Please do so ASAP.  We need to make sure that all families are accounted for as to housing or hosting students.  We would like all members to fill out these forms by Wednesday, May 16.  More information and instructions are on the forms, but please make sure you use the correct forms.  There is one for FVL Students (for hosting students) and a different form for non-FVL students (for housing information).
 
LVW Staff and Members should bring a bag supper for Monday, June 4. All other meals along with all beverages will be provided during camp. Please bring something healthy, such as a sandwich, fresh fruit/vegetables in addition to chips/dessert items. LVW will provide beverages for the meal.

The best liquids to drink at rehearsals are products such as Gatorade, PowerAde, lemonade and other fruit juices, or plain cold water. Please do not bring POP (soda) to drink on rehearsal days for your lunch.

Forms and payments:
Remember that the Code of Conduct form and all payments must be turned in by the start of band camp. The Conduct form is available on the bands’ website on the "Join" page. If you are not sure of your balance for fees please check with Krista Davis in the FVL Business Office at [email protected].


Camp schedule:
Wednesday,June 6 - 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Thursday,June 7 - 8:30 AM until 9:00 PM
Friday,June 8 - 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Brillion Electric Parade 9:00 PM

Saturday, June 9 - 8:30  - 11:00 AM
Appleton Flag Day Parade 2:00 PM - LVW is #88 out of approximately 105 units in the parade.  

LVW members will be dismissed from FVL following the parade.  We will be changing out of uniform and making sure the school is clean and in order before departure.  The expected time of departure will be approximately 5:00 - 5:30 PM on Saturday, June 9.

First Performances of the Year: 
Our first performance of the year will be on Friday, June 8, when LVW will travel to Brillion to participate in the Brillion Electric Parade. The parade will begin at 9:00 PM. A few words of caution for this parade: bring mosquito repellent, rain slickers and umbrellas (if past years are any indication of what we can expect)! The parade travels right down the middle of town on Main Street (South end and travels North) through the business district. As of this writing, LVW’s position in the parade is not known.

Our next performance of the 2018 season is Saturday, June 9, in the 68th Annual Appleton Flag Day Parade, the “largest and oldest Flag Day Parade in the United States.” This parade begins at 2:00 PM. The route begins at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Oneida Street, travels west on Wisconsin to State Street where it turns south. It continues on State Street to College Avenue, where it travels east to Drew Street where the parade ends. There will be a reviewing stand where many, MANY LVW parents and fans like to congregate. The stand is in the block just before the end of the parade at 321 E College Avenue. Much more information can be found at APPLETON FLAG DAY PARADE.  The following link will also take you to a map of the Appleton Parade Route.  A complete Parade Line Up is also available by clicking the link.

WFRV TV 5 will videotape the Parade for rebroadcast on WFRV TV 5.  At the time of this writing it has not been announced when the parade will be broadcast (live and/or tape-delay).

What to bring with you to band camp:
LVW members should pack clothing for six days of rehearsal and performance.  Please remember your personal uniform items, which include the black shoes/socks, gloves, and t-shirts.  PLEASE NOTE – gloves and the special Uniform Undershirt will be handed out at Camp. Members from previous years should also bring their short sleeved black “A4” shirts that we have used for the past several years.  There is a more detailed packing list for band camp following so you can make sure you have all of the necessary items.

We will be placing an order for the black shoes for the wind and percussion members on Wednesday of camp week.  If you do not have shoes yet, or need to order new ones if your older shoes need to be replaced, you will be fitted for shoes on Monday of band camp.  New shoes this year will be approximately $40.

We will be staying in host homes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night, and at FVL on Friday  night.  All members should bring a sleeping bag/pillow/air mattress and personal items (deodorant/towel/soap/shampoo/etc). These will be needed on Friday night when we stay at FVL.  Some members will also need these items for staying at host homes on Tuesday through Thursday.

1. Instrument and/or other necessary equipment
2. All music and warm-ups—memorized!
3. Enough comfortable clothing for six days of camp, especially comfortable shoes!! (Note that no sandals of any kind will be allowed for any marching or music rehearsals) Bring clothes for very warm or cool weather.
4. Sunscreen or sunblock (SPF 30 or higher) – and be sure to use it! A WIDE-BRIMMED hat/baseball cap is also a MUST. We will be outside for much of camp.
5. A one gallon (or other large size) water jug LABLED WITH YOUR NAME
6. Reeds, valve oil, slide grease, cork grease, etc.
7. A spiral-bound dot book (notebook – 3x5 or 4x6 size) with shoestring for writing drill coordinates and a pen or pencil
8. Tennis shoes for use indoors—the shoes used outside may not be allowed on the gym floors if they are too dirty.
9. Frisbees, cards, cribbage boards, chess sets, etc. for any free time that you may have (NOTE: Frisbees and balls or any other throwing device will not be used at any time inside any building – this rule applies to the entire summer.)
10. Your black marching shoes (some members will be receiving these at Band Camp)
11. BLACK SOCKS for all members, including guard
12. Black Spandex or Bike shorts for under your uniform
13. 2 BLACK T-SHIRTS (A4) – These will be given to you at band camp if you have not received one already. They will be $7.50 each. You may pay for them at camp, or the cost will be added to your next statement. Please do not buy t-shirts on your own. We are buying these from a supplier so they are all the same.  Many members will be able to use these shirts from previous years.
14.  SPECIAL NOTE – because our new uniforms will need a different undershirt, LVW will be placing an order.  Nobody has these yet.  They will become your personal property, and the price will be determined.  They will likely be in the $20-30 range.
15. Anything else that you will need for your marching instrument, equipment, uniform, and performance
16. LOTS OF ENTHUSIASM AND A STRONG DESIRE TO LEARN!!

Color guard members are to make sure that you have all of the needed uniform items, which include black socks, black spandex shorts and black T-shirts (which you will pick up at camp), and your black shoes.  Other parts of the uniform will be supplied to you before our first performances.  Guard instructor Angela Hohenstein may send an email to all guard members with more information.

Uniforms:
We will be wearing our LVW uniforms for all performances this summer. These uniforms become the visual representation of who and what we are. Wear your uniform with pride and respect, and take care of it in the same way! Guidelines on how to take proper care of your new uniform will be given to you during band camp.

All wind and percussion players are to bring along black shoes, black socks, and black shorts as outlined above. Everyone will be given a pair of PERFORMANCE gloves, which will be worn with the uniform. The first pair will be free. For all extra gloves that you may need for the summer, the cost will be $3.00 per pair. Be sure to have your money with you. It is a good idea to purchase an extra pair, just in case. Also, for extended weekend trips with several performances, the second pair will come in very handy. If anyone loses their gloves, a new pair must be purchased. Take care of this very visible part of your uniform!

Special notes on your appearance for our performances:
1. No jewelry is to be worn during performances. This includes rings and watches. Ladies may wear earring posts only if they are covered by Band-Aid material. If your ears were not already pierced, it would be wise to wait until after our season is done! 
2. Guys are allowed to wear earrings for rehearsals or other non-performance times while with the band. The following guidelines apply to guys – you are permitted to wear one post or stud earring per ear. You are not permitted to wear dangling or hoop earrings, or more than one earring per ear lobe.
3. Hair must be worn up in the hat. There are to be no bangs allowed to hang down in front, or curls down the side. If the hair reaches over the collar of the uniform, it must be worn under the hat, either pinned up or contained in a hair net. This includes gentlemen whose hair is long and/or unkempt.  Gentlemen, it is best if your hair is cut short for the summer.
4. Gentlemen must be clean-shaven for all performances.

Attire when with the band:
As we head into the summer season, we would like to remind you to use good taste and judgement in your choice of what to wear. Remember that we are all witnesses for our Savior, even in rehearsals! Please follow these guidelines:
1. Extremely short shorts, bare midriffs, nearly-bare midriffs (if your tummy shows when you stretch up), spaghetti-strap tank-tops, or the very loose-fitting sleeveless-style tops are not acceptable for any of our members, male or female, as these could detract from the image and purpose of our band, and could possibly prove to be a stumbling block for others.
2. Gentlemen must wear a shirt at all times, for the same reasons as in #1.
3. Shirts, caps, or other clothing with logos of rock groups, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or objectionable slogans are not to be worn, as they detract from the image and purpose of our band.
4. Shoes must be worn at all times, except when sleeping. Shower flip-flops should be worn to and from the showers.
A good rule of thumb in choosing clothing for any LVW activity is this: If you have to ask, don’t wear it!

Emergency phone numbers for camp:
FVL - 920-739-4441 
Mr. Neujahr mobile phone - 920-740-3924 

Help needed with uniforms during camp – ESPECIALLY MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY!:
We are looking for a few parents to help with uniform tasks during the week of camp. No real skill is necessary for fitting uniforms – only a willingness to help LVW members look their best!  Clay and Johanna Funk have again volunteered as our Uniform Coordinators.  You may contact them at [email protected] if you are able to help or have questions.