The LVW 2022 summer season gets underway in a just a few 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 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!

First - a word about our uniforms.  As you know, LVW wore our brand new uniforms last summer.  They are shared with Manitowoc Lutheran High School.  When they were purchased, 65 uniforms was plenty to outfit both LVW and MLHS.  Last summer, LVW had 49 members, and the uniforms fit us with few to none to spare in the common sizes.  With our efforts to purchase more uniforms (mattress sale, etc.) we wanted to ensure that we would have enough to last into the near future.  However, the band grew much larger than we anticipated in just one year!  That is a good problem!  So even with additional uniforms - we do not have enough to outfit the band.  So for one more year, we will be wearing the LVW uniform from 2007 - 2018.  Then, over the course of the next year, we will purchase enough uniforms for this much larger Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin.

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.

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 2022 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: Tuesday, June 7  – Saturday, June 11 
Beginning time: 2:00 PM on Tuesday (arrive by 1:30) 
Place: All camp activities will take place at FVL in Appleton, with a parade in  Brillion (Friday) and Appleton (Saturday).

Camp Transportation
We will be running a bus from KML to Appleton, with planned stops along HWY 41 (possibly the Allenton Park and Ride) and in Fond du Lac at the Hickory Street Kwik Trip.  More details will follow as soon as plans are finalized.  This bus is provided for WLHS, KML, LPS, and WLA students and staff.

Housing during Camp #1 and Camp #2
All LVW Members will be staying overnight at FVL during the first two camps of the season.  
 
LVW Staff and Members should bring a bag Supper for Tuesday, June 7.
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.

LVW Code of Conduct Form and Payments:
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 Tammy Fick in the FVL Business Office at tfick@fvlhs.org

You can also access the LVW Code of Conduct form at this link.  Please note - this is a new Google Form.  If you have previously filled out a paper form, please also fill out this form.  Thank you!

Camp schedule:
Tuesday, June 7 2:00 - 9:00 PM
Wednesday,June 8 - 8:30 AM until 9:00 PM
Thursday,June 9 - 8:30 AM until 9:00 PM
Friday,June 10 - 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM;  Brillion Electric Parade begins at 9:00 PM
Saturday, June 11 - 8:30  - 11:00 AM
Appleton Flag Day Parade 2:00 PM - LVW's spot in the parade is still TBD out of 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 11.

PLEASE NOTE - since almost all of the LVW parents attend the Appleton Flag Day Parade, we are not planning on a return bus that day.  Your school director can help to arrange for rides home for students whose parents are not able to pick them up at FVL following the parade.  Please plan accordingly.

First Performances of the Year: 
Our first performance of the 2022 season is Friday, June 10.  We will be marching 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.

​Then on Saturday, June11, LVW will appear in the 71st 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 website MAY be updated with a map of the parade route.  A complete Parade Line Up may also be available in the near future by clicking the link.

WFRV TV 5 will likely 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 five 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 Compression Shirt will be handed out at Camp. There is a more detailed packing list for band camp following so you can make sure you have all of the necessary items.

Shoes and Shirt sizes were recorded when you registered for LVW.  The shoes and shirts will be ready to hand out at camp.  Returning members - please don't forget your shoes if you did not order new ones!

If you have not yet purchased shoes, shirts, or the color guard personal items for 2022, please go to our JOIN page and click on LVW Store.  You can purchase the items there.  We will be ordering by the end of this week (May 20) so please do this ASAP!

We will be staying at FVL on Tuesday through Friday night.  All members should bring a sleeping bag/pillow/air mattress and personal items (deodorant/towel/soap/shampoo/etc). 

Packing List
1. Instrument and/or other necessary equipment
2. All music and warm-ups—memorized as much as possible!
3. Enough comfortable clothing for five 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.  Sunglasses are a definite bonus!
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
14. Anything else that you will need for your marching instrument, equipment, uniform, and performance
15. 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 other parts of the uniform (which 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 former 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 Tuesday!:
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!  We will begin fitting members already on Tuesday, so any and all help will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!