Director's Notes

We’ve had another terrific week!  Thanks to all who came by for Open House!  

• 6th Graders (Beginning Band) have done a wonderful job with instruments this first week!  Very proud of their progress.  

  • Please be sure that your student has a copy of their Red Tradition of Excellence Book 1 for their instrument (with their name on it) for class each day!  These are available at all of our local music stores and on Amazon. 

  • Instrument nametags have been handed out in class.  Please be sure your student has a filled out nametag on their instrument as well!  It really helps us keep up with everything.  You may also want to put a “piece of flair” on the case to better distinguish it from others.

  • I will be posting some links to YouTube for each instrument on Schoology so students can have a reference while they are practicing. There will also be “Beginning Band Camp” videos you and your student can watch about instrument assembly and care. 

  • If your student has not been able to line up an instrument yet, please email me so I can assist you however possible.  

• 7th/8th Grade: Don’t forget to get a flip folder and lyre for your instrument so you will be ready for football games!  These are available at the local music stores.  I highly recommend taking your instrument with you to be sure you get the correct lyre.  

  • 7th/8th Graders will also need the Tradition of Excellence Book 2 (Blue) for their instrument.  Thank you for being sure they have a copy ASAP (with their name on it).  

• Our first fundraiser has begun! We will be doing a “Pay the Date” fundraiser.  Each student will be given a paper calendar and may ask family/friends to choose a date/amount to donate to the band. An information sheet will be attached to the calendar and I will also send it out via email this week for your convenience.  We greatly appreciate your assistance with this fundraiser!  

• Jazz Band (7th and 8th Grade) will kick off on Tuesdays after Labor Day! Our first rehearsal will be Tuesday, September 5 from 3:00-3:45.  Students may still sign up to participate on our original Jazz Band Form. Please do so if you haven’t already so I am sure to have music ready for everyone! We will look at rehearsing 2 afternoons a week after Football Season finishes. Jazz Band Signup Form 

• Our new HCMS Band website launches TODAY! Please check it out at hcovemsband.org  This will be an additional way for us to share band information.  Many thanks to Jen Sandidge and Marcella Funderburg for all their help preparing the website! 

Thank you! 

Emily Parker, Director of Bands

Reminders:

• First Day Packet Signatures. Please return the necessary signature pages from your First Day packets as soon as possible.

• HHS PIT Crew (now Crimson Crew).  Students accepted into HHS Crimson Crew (formerly PIT Crew) should have received an email from Mr. Tankesley.  Please note there is additional information you will need to complete. If you have any questions please reach out to Michael Stahl at stahlm@gmail.com   

• Communications. Please send communications via school email (instead of social media platforms like Facebook Messenger) to help Ms. Parker stay organized and keep up with information and requests.  She does her best to respond to emails within 48 hours (not including weekends).  If you have not received a reply within that time, you are welcome to resend your message to assist her in seeing it more quickly.   Thank you for your assistance with this matter!