This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

Congratulations to all our students who participated in Solo & Ensemble Festival this weekend!  Everyone did a fantastic job! We will have results and medals in class on Monday.  

• TESTING SCHEDULE/ALTERATIONS - Our 7th/8th Grade students will be doing ACAP testing this week.  To better comply with the adjustments in testing schedule, please take note of the following information:

  • • Monday, Tuesday (4/7-4/8) - 3rd Period Beginners do NOT bring instruments on these days

    • Thursday, Friday (4/10-4/11) - 6th/7th Period Beginners do NOT bring instruments on thse days

    • 7th/8th Graders - Please bring instruments every day as your classes should not be affected by testing.  

• BAND PAYMENTS DUE - We are nearing the close of another school year.  Emails have been sent out regarding missing band payments.  We will be sending home paper invoices and reminders this week.  Thank you for your prompt assistance as we prepare to close our books for the school year.  

• HHS BAND INFO - 8TH GRADE STUDENTS: We are excited to welcome our current 8th graders to our band room this week through their audition as you begin the transition to high school band.   When you arrive, you can drop off on Billie Watkins St. or park in the parking lot off of Billie Watkins like many of you do for the concerts here.  The easiest access to the band room is the double door entrance off of Billie Watkins St.    A reminder that our school gets out at 3:40 pm so you might want to try and avoid arriving around that time due to traffic.  

  • • IMPORTANT!!!  Please remember to have your band contract that we gave our at the parent meeting (front and back) filled out to turn in at your audition.  You can also email it to stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org if you prefer to send it electronically, but we must have it by the time you audition.  Here is an electronic copy.  

      • • Monday, April 7 - Concert Auditions for woodwinds  4:00 pm - Clarinets, 4:45 pm - Saxophones, 5:30 pm - Flutes, oboe, and bassoon

        • Tuesday, April 8 - Concert Auditions for Brass - 4:00 pm - Tuba/Euphonium 4:30 pm - Trombone  5:15 pm - Trumpet and French Horn

        • Wednesday, April 9 - All Percussion at 4:00 pm

        • If you cannot attend your assigned date/time, please email stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org and we can accommodate you on a different date or time.  All auditions must be done April 7-10 because of the deadlines we have to meet with Huntsville High School.

• All students are accepted into the HHS band if they have been an active member of a middle school band program for at least 2 years.  This is a placement audition.  Try your best!  Audition music was given out in your band class before spring break, but can also be found by clicking this link

• Additional information for Rising 9th Graders is listed below. **PERCUSSION - A NEW DATE HAS BEEN ADDED FOR YOU!**

• BAND BANQUET!  We will be having our first-ever HCMS Band Banquet this year on Friday, May 16.  This event is for our 7th and 8th grade band students.  Details to come!  The secret word this week is: dynamics. 

• FOURTH NINE WEEKS GRADES For the fourth nine weeks, all band students will continue to receive a weekly class participation grade as well as a weekly instrument take-home grade.  We have reminded the students of this daily in full group and individually.  It is crucial students continue to practice good habits and fulfill band class expectations so we are prepared for our Spring Concert!  

• SAVE THE DATE - SPRING CONCERT Our Spring Concert will be Tuesday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Huntsville High School.  This will be a required event for all students and will also include a celebratory reception following the program. 

• SAVE THE DATE - CULVER'S We will have another Spirit Night at Culver's on Monday, April 28.  Our Jazz Band has been invited to perform as well.  Please save the date! 

• SUPPLIES Please be sure your student has all necessary items for band class, especially as we prepare for our big holiday concert.  Clarinet and Saxophone players must have at least 3 good reeds at all times.  Percussion (7th/8th Grade) must have a stick bag, yarn mallets, bell mallets, rubber mallets and drumsticks.  Items may be purchased through the band program if it helps you.  Please email Ms. Parker or Mr. Moran with questions. 

Rising 9th Grade Information - Huntsville High School Band

Important Dates for 8th graders interested in being the Huntsville High Band

**All events take place in the Huntsville High School Band Room unless otherwise indicated**

**All events are required as a member of the HHS Band.  Please email stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org for school related conflicts.  We encourage you to attend if you are "on the fence" or unsure of your plans for next school year.**

**You will receive a band contract at the parent meeting in February and it will be due back at your concert audition in April**

I am a percussionist

Wednesday, April 9 - Concert Auditions for All Percussion 4:00 pm in the HHS Band room

Tuesday, April 22 Spring Training -  4:15-6:00 pm. Music! - NEWLY ADDED DATE FOR PERCUSSION

Monday, May 5 Marching Percussion Placements 4:15-6:45 pm

Tuesday, May 6 Marching Percussion Placements 4:15-6:45 pm

Monday, May 12th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Monday, May 19th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th 9th Grade parent meeting at 7:00 pm (students always welcome)

I am a Wind player - Brass or Woodwind instruments

Monday, April 7 - Concert Auditions for woodwinds  4:00 pm - Clarinets, 4:45 pm - Saxophones, 5:30 pm - Flutes, oboe, and bassoon

Tuesday, April 8 - Concert Auditions for Brass - 4:00 pm - Tuba/Euphonium 4:30 pm - Trombone  5:15 pm - Trumpet and French Horn

Tuesday, April 22 Spring Training -  4:15-6:00 pm. Music!

Tuesday, May 6 Spring Training 4:15-6:45pm. Marching Fundamentals

Monday, May 12th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm. Marching Fundamentals

Monday, May 19th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th Upcoming 9th Grade parent meeting at 7:00 pm (students always welcome)

I am a potential color guard member

April 21-25  Color Guard Auditions 4-6 Freshman Cafeteria

Tuesday, April 22 6:00 pm Parent/Student Meeting for potential new members

May 27-30 (Tues-Friday) Color Guard Camp 9 am - 4:00 pm

Tues, May 20th new member parent meeting at 7:00 pm (all new band members)

Summer Dates (required for all marching band members unless indicated otherwise)

July 9-11 Marching Percussion Camp (Marching Percussion Only)

July 14-18 Band Camp Week 1 - All Day

July 21-25 Band Camp Week 2 - All day

Friday, July 25th  Optional DCI Trip to MTSU (afternoon and evening)

Tuesday, July 29 Rehearsal  6-9 pm

Thursday, July 31 Rehearsal 6-9 pm 

Monday, August 4th First Day of School

Band Parent Meeting Slides