4/15/25 LVG SUMMER/FALL

Hello LVG Families!

We are so excited to kick off our summer and fall seasons with our spring training coming up in May! We will meet on Tuesday, May 6 and 13 and Thursdays May 22 and 29th. We will be at LSHS from 5:30-9 those nights. We will have a parent meeting on May 13th at 5 pm in the band room at LSHS for all families. 

For those interested in leadership this year, or interested in learning more about leadership in the future, please plan on joining us for our leadership summit on April 29 from 5-7 in the band room at KTMS. We will also meet at 4:15 before each training in May. 

Our calendar is slightly different from each band's calendar. This is to accommodate combined training for both high schools in the months of May and June as well as guard staff schedules. Those times are in red on the calendar. Please see our calendar for specific times and dates. 

Please note that for both high schools, participation in summer guard is required for participation in fall. 

Cadet registration will be coming soon! Cadets- if you are currently in 4th grade, heading into 5th grade, you are invited to come to spring training with us in May. 

Please take a moment to fill out this form to let me know that you're coming. Come join our Summer/Fall LVG Band App group here. And please bring a friend to training! We would love to get more students involved!

-- 

Melissa Nielsen (she/her)

Kenwood Trail Middle School Band

Lakeville Guard

ALL TEAMS, please report absences prior to the missed rehearsal. 

SA (varsity) team rehearsals are required and missed rehearsals will only be excused in cases of illness/injury, emergencies and mandatory curricular (school) events. Missed rehearsals due to extracurricular activities are not excused. 

*Standard rehearsal attire includes:

Color Guard: White top (appropriate logos are ok) and black bottoms (shorts, leggings, or athletic pants). 

Winter Guard: Black top (appropriate logos are ok) and black bottoms (shorts, leggings, or athletic pants).

*Comfortable athletic shoes for color guard and bare feet/socks for winter guard. 

*Hair pulled back out of your face. 

*Bring a water bottle, a snack (optional), all your equipment (definitely not optional) and a great attitude. 

*Arrive on time and plan to stay 5-10 minutes after rehearsal ends for announcements and clean up. 

*If you are ill or cannot attend rehearsal, please submit an absence form and communicate with your captains. 

*All rehearsals are required unless otherwise specified and absences are allowed only on a case by case basis including illness, injury, emergencies, and required school events (like band concerts). You must communicate absences; no-shows are not acceptable. Absences due to extracurricular activities are not excused for SA (Varsity) team members. 

*We live in Minnesota and winters are harsh. LVG follows district guidelines on rehearsal cancellations for inclement weather. Cancellations are communicated via email and on the Band App. If in doubt, ask your captains.

*Clean up after yourselves; we ALWAYS leave our space looking better than we found it.  

*Lastly, be kind, positive and respectful of your coaches, captains, volunteers, school staff, other teams and yourselves.

We are a performance/competition based sport, and performance essentials are needed for shows. Here is a list of recommended essentials performing members need in their kits. 

As our guards have grown, it has become imperative that members (or a designated helper) be able to do their own performance hair and make-up. Hair and make-up tutorials will be provided by coaches, captains, and volunteers so that every member is able to be independant with hair/make-up.

Specialty make-up for specific show themes is provided to each member by the program and does NOT need to be purchased. 

The following items are each member's responsibilty to purchase for their own personal kits.

Tips & Hacks

A toothbrush sprayed with hairspray is a great way to tame flyaways.

Spraying the hair with dry shampoo before styling gives it grip and makes it easier to style, especially french braids.

Flip your head upside down to get a super high ponytail; remember a high ponytail is one you can see on your head in the mirror.

Use two hair ties to secure your ponytail to keep it from falling out while performing.

Hair bungee ties are AMAZING and hold a super secure ponytail.

Practice french braids on a barbie or doll while learning.

Spin pins/spiral pins are a great way to secure a tight bun.

A hair net that matches your hair color wrapped around a bun and secured with a bobby pin gives it that perfect, ballet bun look.

Did you know that you can SEW a hair piece or hat into your hair to keep it from falling out while performing?! (NO, you don't poke your scalp with a needle)

Spray your eyeshadow brush with setting spray before apply shadow to make the pigment more vibrant and set the shadow in place.

Mixing setting spray and eyeshadow will turn any powder shadow into a liquid, graphic liner. 

Using an eye shadow primer prevents creasing and smearing.

Wet your beauty blender to apply foundation more smoothly and evenly.

Did you know that you do NOT need to contour your cheekbones and nose because they are beautiful just the way they are?!

When learning to apply false lashes, cut them in half and apply to outer corner of the eyes; its way easier and still gives that amazing cat eye look!

Waterproof mascara, waterproof eyeliner and setting spray are a performer's best friend. 

Always have make-up wipes and Q-tips on hand in case you mess up (P.S: you are going to mess up)

Let us know your favorite tips and hacks!

Recommendations

Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo; large can, nice scents, and inexpensive. 

Bedhead Masterpiece Hairspray; large can, super strong hold, a little expensive but lasts a long time and smells amazing. 

Hair bungee ties on Amazon.

Lash Princess Mascara by Essence; it's a cult favorite and only costs $5.

Make-up brushes and beauty blenders at Five Below; tons of really affordable options.

E.L.F make-up; vegan, cruelty free, hypoallergenic, widely available at Ulta, Target, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens, very affordable. 

E.L.F Bite Size Cream and Sugar palette is a great, neutral eyeshadow palette for everyone and only costs $3!

E.L.F Lock it Down eyeshadow primer. $7

E.L.F Power Grip makeup primer mini size at Target. $5

E.L.F Makeup Melting Balm mini size at Target. $5

ColourPop make-up, affordable with great pigment and colors. 

Step n Stretch in Burnsville has lots of undergarment options.

YouTube, Instagram and TikTok tutorials are a performer's best friend.

Let us know about your favorite products!

Applying foundation with a beauty blender. Note: contour and concealer is not necessary and totally optional. 

Beginner mascara tutorial.

4 easy eyeshadow looks with E.L.F Cream and Sugar neutrals palette for $3

Easy winged (cat eye) liner

Easy eyelash application

Lip Liner for beginners

French twist with hair comb

How to french braid your own hair

French braid for beginners

Dutch braid for beginners

How to do a ballet bun

Super high ponytail