February 25, 2024 Newsletter

Director's Notes

• Week-at-a-Glance

  • Tuesday, February 27 - 3rd and 5th Period Band afterschool (3:00-3:30) - Please attend if at all possible to help us combine before contest!

  • Wednesday, February 28th - MPA Contest for 7th and 8th Grade; No Instruments for 6th Grade (Beginners)

  • Thursday, February 29th - Jazz Band (3:00-3:45); No instruments needed for 7th/8th Grade Band class (only Jazz Band members need to bring on this day); 6th Grade (Beginners) will need instruments for a normal day of class

  • Friday, March 1 - Solo and Ensemble Forms Due

• 3rd/5th Period Band Students (7th and 8th Grade): On Tuesday, February 27th we will combine our 3rd and 5th period band classes after school until 3:30.  If your student can possibly attend, we would greatly appreciate it.  It is our only opportunity for them to combine before competition day.  We will finish promptly so that they can get to any other afternoon/evening activities.  

• MPA. On Wednesday, February 28th, our 7th/8th Grade Bands will be performing at Music Performance Assessment at Hartselle High School (1000 Bethel Road, Hartselle). This competition is incredibly important for our program and is a required band event. 

  • 7:30 a.m. Meet in HCMS Band Room - Wearing Concert Uniform (Black Dress/Black Dress Shoe/Black Hose or Tuxedo Shirt/Pants/Vest/Black Socks/Dress Shoes)  - You should be able to arrive at school your normal way this morning.  Please report to the band room when you arrive! 

  • 8:15 a.m. Depart HCMS for Hartselle High School

  • 9:15 a.m. Arrive at Hartselle High School 

  • 9:50 a.m. HCMS Red Band (1st Period) goes to warm-up; HCMS Gold Band (3rd/5th Periods) watches in audience 

  • 10:15 a.m. HCMS Red Band (1st Period) Performs (Followed by Sight Reading) 

  • 11:05 a.m. HCMS Gold Band (3rd/5th Periods) goes to warm-up; HCMS Red Band watches in audience 

  • 11:30 a.m. HCMS Gold Band Performs (Followed by Sight Reading) 

  • 12:00 p.m. Depart Hartselle High School for Parkway Place Mall Food Court 

  • 1:00 p.m. Arrive at Parkway Place Mall Food Court - Lunch On Your Own 

  • 1:45 p.m. Depart Parkway Place Mall for HCMS

  • 2:15 p.m. Arrival at HCMS 

  • Students will either need to bring money for lunch in the Food Court or a sack lunch with them. Parents are more than welcome to come and listen to the performances - but the sight reading room is closed to the public. We are in need of several chaperones - and have room to ride on the bus if you can help! 

  • We are monitoring the weather on Wednesday and will let you know if there are any changes due to weather concerns as soon as possible.  

  • To cut down on traffic in the band room before/after school, 6th Grade will NOT need instruments on Wednesday, February 28th.  

• Solo & Ensemble-All Grades. Solo & Ensemble permission slips have been distributed to all classes.  Each event costs $5 per student involved.  Forms and payments are due Friday, March 1.     Our Jazz Band will also compete in this competition- please check your calendars so we can ensure we have enough participation to do so again this year! 

• Rising 9th Grade HHS Band: Be sure to check out the Google Drive with all important information about the Huntsville High School Band: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WrAl8R35GMiXDiaOI4mN3Nx3HjVKxgFO?fbclid=IwAR26ZV93HTZmd-xqgol2xzaA3rMXzrf-awhL0RvzdjhOZ7oHeof1plDBBQA

  • The steps to joining the HHS Band are:

    1. Register for the correct courses. Concert Band II and Marching Band II (year long class- 1.0)

    2. Turn in a band contract by March 29th (also in the google drive)

    3. Complete a placement audition the first week of May. Audition Music will be released after spring break.

    4. Attend rookie camp (marching band only)

• School Instrument Rentals. Spring Rental fees for HCMS school instruments are due February 1. Checks may be made out to "HCMS Band" and brought to the Band Box in the Band Room.  Thank you for your assistance with this matter!

Thank you! 

Emily Parker, Director of Bands

Reminders

• Volunteers Needed for MPA.  We will need parent volunteers for MPA for our  7th & 8th graders on February 28.  To volunteer please go to: www.charmsoffice.com 

• Spring Concert Date Change.  In order to prevent a conflict with the Athletic Banquet, the Spring Concert will be moved to May 16 at 6:00 (call time 5:30) in the Huntsville High School Auditorium. The Spring Concert is a requirement for all band students.

• 2024-2025 HCMS Band Parent Association Board. 6th & 7th Grade Parents are you interested in becoming a bigger part of the amazing HCMS Band?  Many of our current board members are parents of 8th graders so we will have several positions opening up. These positions have different skill sets and varying levels of commitment.  A listing of our current board members and their responsibilities can be found here.  If you are interested or considering volunteering, please send an email to hcovemsband@gmail.com. 

Important Dates for 8th Graders (Rising 9th Grade HHS Band)

Color Guard Auditions. April 29-May 3, 4:00 to 6:00 PM @ Huntsville High School. For all interested in being in Color Guard

Concert Band Auditions. May 6 - 10, After School @ Huntsville High School. Required audition for placement for all band students

Marching Percussion Auditions. May 10-11, Friday: 4-8 & Saturday: 8:30-12:30 @ Huntsville High School. Required for all percussion in marching band

Rookie Camp. May 28-31, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, @ Huntsville High School. Required for new members, leadership team, Color Guard Camp

Make-up Rookie Camp. July 10-12, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM @ Huntsville High School. New members that did not attend Rookie Camp

Marching Percussion Camp. July 10-12, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM @ Huntsville High School. Required for percussion in marching band

Band Camp Week #1. July 15-19, All Day @ Huntsville High School. Required for all marching band students

Band Camp Week #2. July 22-26, All Day @ Huntsville High School. Required for all marching band students. Band Camp on July 26th will dismiss at noon.

DCI in Murfreesboro (Optional). July 26, Afternoon/Evening, Meet at HHS and ride bus to Murfreesboro. Additional Cost.

For important information about the Huntsville High School Band: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WrAl8R35GMiXDiaOI4mN3Nx3HjVKxgFO?fbclid=IwAR26ZV93HTZmd-xqgol2xzaA3rMXzrf-awhL0RvzdjhOZ7oHeof1plDBBQA