Hello Lion Steel Students and Parents,

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! We have many exciting things planned, including four on-campus end-of-quarter concerts, PAWS in December, the Valentine’s Lime in February, FMEA (in a new, exciting location) in April, the Cascades Park show in April, and the Virginia International PanFest in May.

The first and most important thing for you to do to get started is to review the list below together and complete ALL of the steps below ASAP.

______________________________
1. Welcome Letter and Syllabus (<–click to read)
2. Participation Agreement and Medical Form (<–click to complete)
3. Students – Set Up Remind (check that you have downloaded the app and are active through Leon HS)
4. Parents – Set Up Remind (send this text message “@lsp23-24” to the number 81010)
5. Pay class fee (<– Leon HS eFunds site or via check/money order – no cash – to Dr. Justus)

NOTES: The link above can also be reached from the school homepage by clicking the “Online Fee Payments” button. When you get to EFunds, you’ll click “Pay for Fees”.  From there, you can either login, create an account, or continue as a guest.  If you choose the last option, you will have to have and select the student’s last name and student ID#.  From there, you will select the student and then a “menu” of fee choices pops up. You can just scroll through and select whichever fees you want to pay.  The Lion Steel Fees are listed as “23-24 LEON HS LION STEEL BND”. If you use ACH payment, it’s a flat fee of $1.25.  If you use a card, it’s a percentage.  Depending on how many fees you pay, this can get pricey. 
6. Parent Volunteers (note: if you’d like to be an overnight chaperone for FMEA or Virginia Beach, please contact Dr. Justus for additional volunteer info)
7. Follow Lion Steel on on Instagram (@leonlionsteel) and on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@lionsteel3530)

You can view our Lion Steel 2023-24 Events on this website, on the Leon Performing Arts Calendar, and on the Leon HS Events Calendar.

I am so excited to make music with everyone during the upcoming school year and I’ll be back with you on campus starting on August 31st. In these first few weeks while I am still at home with Baby Justus, please stay tuned to this website, to Instagram, and to our class on FOCUS. I’ll be posting information and assignments to a “TO DO” post here, which is what you should be doing each day in the panyard to stay productive while I’m away (and, of course, the sub will also remind you what to do). I’ll be sending Remind messages and publishing info on our Instagram account, too.

We’ve got a LOT planned – let’s start out strong and make it another magical year for the Lion Steel Band Program!

Cheers,

Dr. Kayleen Justus
justusk@leonschools.net

Canboulay
Amy Allen (T)
Jordan Bartie (T)
Matthew Bennett (DT)
Soren Berry (T)
Josh Bounds (DT playing DS parts/GC/ER)
Logan Brown (T)
Kendall Budd (T)
Sarah Grace Darsey (DS playing DT parts)
Dylan Doan (GC)
Talia Duncan (GC)
Redd Escallier (DS)
Tyriq Gainous (DS)
Brendan Hanbury (GC)
LeAnne Hartman (DT)
Riyad Jaber (GC/B/ER)
Angeleena Jackson (T)
Lexie Jones (T-Kitchener or Superior)
Troy Najdowski (B/Drum Set)
Maddie Pursino (T)
Camryn Sawyer (GC)
Tyler Schnittker (T)
Forester Shelton (T)
Donovan Shumate (GC)
Bekah Smith (DS playing DT parts)
Mason Toothill (T)
Gillian Tran (DS)
Ansley Wiggins (T-Kitchener or Superior)
Jerrod Williams (DT)
Gabe Wolff (DT playing DS parts)

Bacchanal
Aubriana Bales (DS)
Caine Bonamie (T-OS)
Reese Bowden (GC)
Callie Campbell (DS)
Stryder Campbell (DT)
Malik Clark (T)
Cynthia Conte (GC)
Brooklyn Costa (DS)
Ashlynn Dahm (DT)
Rayonna Gaulden (T-Kitchener or Superior)
Scarlet Hall (GC)
Corrin Johnson (T)
Lukas Kaleko (T)
Andy Lara (B)
Henry Mwanda (DT)
Sarah Nabulsi (T)
Noelle Nelloms (T)
Jailyn Nickeo (T)
Alexa Orozco-Tucker (DS)
Kaylee Phillips (GC)
Valentina Ploch (T)
AJ Quinones (T)
Katelyn Sears (B)
Audrey Strickland (T-Kitchener or Superior)
Natalie Strouse (DS)
Sophia Taylor (GC)
Kiera Wilson (T)
Emma Windsor (DT)

Jouvert
Kaleb Bottini (T)
Lilian Davis (T)
La’Riyah Falah (DT)
Drew Giles (T)
J’Zhori Jackson (GC)
Piper McBride (GC)
Kelli Meeks (T)
Tristan Miller (GC)
Sebastian Neel (DS)
Noah Nicolas (GC)
Jaeson Nickeo (T)
Da’Marion Owens (B/ER)
Lily Sapp (DS)
Ansley Sermons (T)
Romeo Xayboury (GC)

PAWS Details and Schedule Information

December 9^th and 10^th – 7p (Leon HS Auditorium)

Tickets: https://teachtix.com/leonhs/paws-2022

Thursday, December 8^th – Set-up and Dress Rehearsal

1^st – 2^nd period = Packing pans

2^nd – 3^rd period = moving pans to AUD

4^th + 5^th period = set up pans in AUD ***need as many Canboulay players as possible to aid with this (Dr. J will write you a pass/email to excuse you from classes that day/periods)

2:45p = Call time for Canboulay 

3:00p = Canboulay dress on Stage with Choirs

3:00 – 9:00p = Dress Rehearsal (entire time)

Friday, December 9^th – PAWS Show Day 1

Canboulay meet in AUD during 2^nd period to rehearse all 4 pieces

6:15p = Call time for Canboulay

7:00p Concert (dismissed after FINALE)

ATTIRE = Canboulay shirt, show-appropriate shoes/bottoms

Saturday, December 10^th – PAWS Show Day 2

6:15p = Call time for Canboulay

7:00p Concert

****AFTER FINALE = EVERYONE Strike/Pack instruments, and store in the back of the AUD! – this is REQUIRED, do not skip (attendance taken)

Kyrie = everyone

Tony, Tony Chopper = Everyone

Greensleeves (Personnel TBD Monday, Dec 5^th)

Heartland (Personnel TBD Monday, Dec 5^th: Gabria, Nia)

Here is the direct link to our new YouTube channel. This channel will now host all content for the Lion Steel program from June 2021 to the present.

If you’d like to view archived footage of the Lion Steel Band program prior to June 2021, please visit the old Lion Steel YouTube here.

–> PHOTOS – PHOTOGRAPHER (high resolution image files)

–> PHOTOS – DR. JUSTUS PHONE

–> VIDEO – VIDEOGRAPHER (HD video files)
–> VIDEO – *new* YouTube playlist for the Oct 7th Concert (note: more concert videos will be added daily)

PROGRAM HERE!

ROSTER HERE!

>>>> Schedule of Events <<<<
(Parents, Students, and Friends)

TICKET INFO!!!
https://gofan.co/app/events/706608?schoolId=FL11640
General Admission (ages 18+) = $10
Student Admission (ages 6 – 18) = $5
Children 6yo and younger admitted free!
Raa steel band students please wear your steel band shirts to enter the concert free!

Below are the planned dates for curricular Lion Steel ensembles. Click on each event for further details, schedules, information, and important links.

Q1
Sep 12 (Mon, 2:30 – 4:30p): Mighty Dow Workshop in the Lion Steel Portable, anyone (optional)
Oct 6 – 7 (Wed – Fri, Friday concert 6p): 1st Quarter Concert w/Guest Liam Teague, EVERYONE REQUIRED
Q2
Oct 16 (Sun, 2 – 8p): Pan Groove @ Betton Hills Fall Fest, Pan Groove only (optional)
Oct 21 (Fri, 2 – 10p): Canboulay @ FSU, Canboulay only (optional)
Dec 8 – 10 (Thurs – Sat, 7p): PAWS, Canboulay only (required)
Dec 13 (Tues, 7pm): 2nd Quarter Winter Concert, EVERYONE REQUIRED

–> SPRING 2023 LETTER! <–
(All parents and students should read this!) 1/20/23

Q3
Feb 14 (Tues, 6 – 7:30p): Valentine’s Lime Dance/Party,
Canboulay, Bacchanal, Jouvert (required)
Day-of Schedule, Program, and Parent info HERE!
TICKETS! ($5 for singles, $7 per pair/couple)

Feb 18 (Sat, 7 – 11p): Panorama Finals, streaming live in the steel portable,
anyone (optional) – pizza and snacks provided
SIGNUP HERE

Mar 1 (Wed, 6 – 7:15p) – Lion Steel 3rd Quarter Concert:
“Pan Rocks! The Sunshine State Edition”
w/Guest Tracy Thornton,
joined by Blue Steel (Matanzas HS) and Raa Advanced Steel (Raa MS),
EVERYONE REQUIRED
PARENTS AND STUDENTS – SEE THE DAY-OF SCHEDULE HERE
>>>>>TICKETS HERE!<<<<<

see the PROGRAM HERE
see the List of Performers HERE

Q4

Mar 31 – Apr 1 (Fri – Sat):
FMEA Steel Band Festival @ Matanzas HS – Adjudicator: Josanne Francis
Canboulay and Bacchanal only
INFORMATION LETTER AND TRIP ITINERARY HERE!!
Schedule of Bands (published by FMEA)
***Parent Volunteers – Please sign up here before March 10th!!
FMEA Student Roster (Canboulay and Bacchanal)
–>PERMISSION SLIP AND INFORMATION SHEET<–
(signed, completed hard copy due to Dr. Justus by March 10th, 2023)

Apr 20 (Thur, 6 – 8p): Lion Steel @ Cascades Park
Canboulay, Bacchanal, Jouvert (required),
with the Leon Community Advanced Steel Band “Stainless”
FREE SHOW! (no ticket required)
>>>SCHEDULE AND DETAILS for students and parents HERE<<<
See the PROGRAM here!

April 28-30 (Fri – Sun): Steel and Guitar trip to Jazz Fest, upperclassmen in Canboulay and Bacchanal only (optional), and parents – INFO LETTER AND PERMISSION SLIP

May 10 (Wed, 7 – 8:15p, LHS Auditorium): 4th Quarter “Las Lap” Concert Celebration,
EVERYONE REQUIRED, with LCSB opening (6:30p)
DAY-OF Schedule and Letter (Parents and Students)
PROGRAM
Rosters – Lion Steel Q4 and Leon Community Steel Spring 2023

May 11 (Thurs, time TBA): Senior Awards, Canboulay only – CANCELLED

May 15 – 19: Lion Steel 2023 – 24 Auditions!
Audition Letter and Materials Packet – All students (and parents) who plan to audition for Jouvert, Bacchanal, and Canboulay next year should read through this letter. All students should practice the material in this packet and prepare to audition in class at Leon HS or at Raa Middle School during the May 15 – 19 week. Students who are not currently enrolled in a Lion Steel class should contact Dr. Justus as soon as possible to arrange for an alternative audition time after school during the May 15 – 19 week.

Hello Lion Steel Students and Parents,

Welcome to the 2022-23 academic year! Please review the list below together and complete all of the steps as soon as possible. Reading the Welcome Letter and Syllabus is the first assignment AND all important information you need to know about participating in Lion Steel this year is included below:

_______________________________

1. Welcome Letter and Syllabus
2. Participation Agreement Form
3. Pay Class Fee
4. Medical Form
5. Parent Volunteers
6. How to Set Up Remind (students)
7. Join Lion Steel 22-23 Parent Remind (parents, guardians, family, friends) – note you can also text “@lionsteel” to 81010

________________________________

You can view our Lion Steel 2022-23 Events on this website, on the Leon Performing Arts Calendar, and on the Leon HS Events Calendar.

I am so excited to make music with everyone during the upcoming school year – we’re going to make it another magical year for the Lion Steel Band Program!

Cheers,

Dr. Kayleen Justus
justusk@leonschools.net

Follow us @leonlionsteel

Feel free to tag us in your photos and videos at our concerts and events 🙂