March 31, 2024 Newsletter

Director's Notes

• Week at a Glance

  • Tuesday, April 2 - Jazz Band (3:00-3:45)

  • Thursday, April 4 - Jazz Band (3:00-3:45)

  The Band Room will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 7:30-7:50 for Solo & Ensemble practice if anyone would like to use it.

• Solo and Ensemble. Solo and Ensemble Festival will be Saturday, April 6 at Liberty Middle School.  

  • I’ll be sending home a paper schedule that gives each student’s times and judge number early next week.  You can find the schedule here:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q3PV4e849cCzh0ypM5SNRpivd5Ew09naseeS7C-vZsA/edit?usp=sharing  Please let me know if you see any errors/omissions and I'll remedy those as quickly as possible.

  • I will be at the event on Saturday, but will be assisting the Jazz Band that morning with their competition.  I’ll be sure to hand out all paperwork on Thursday/Friday of this week and students will be responsible for bringing their instrument, music and judge’s packets to the event. 

  • Students are encouraged to dress in nice, casual attire.  Preferably no jeans or T-shirts if possible.  There is no required dress, but dressing a little nicer shows respect for the judges.

  • Directions/Parking. Liberty Middle School is located at 281 Dock Murphy Dr, Madison, AL 35758.  Please park behind the left side of the school. The Lunchroom is open for parents and will have concessions available. We ask that parents remain out of the judges halls, and absolutely no parents or students in the Tabulation/Hospitality Room. 

  • Warm up area is in the gym.  Please no food or drinks in the gym!

  • Evaluation Process. When you arrive at your evaluation room, make sure you have:

    • Your music as well as a copy of the music for your judge.  Your measures must be numbered!

    • Ms. Parker will distribute judge’s sheets and music on Thursday/Friday this week.  

    • Your Gold or Green judge’s sheet that has been given to you by your director.

    • Percussionists need to bring their own snare and sticks/mallets.  

    • You can leave your case and extra items with a parent or in the warm-up area. 

    • WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT PERFORMANCE!  

  • Our Jazz Band will be competing at Solo and Ensemble on Saturday, April 6.  We will be wearing concert uniforms (minus the red vest for those wearing the black shirt/pants).  We will plan to meet in the Liberty Middle School Band Room at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 6 to set up/warm-up.  Our performance begins at 10:45.  Parents are welcome to come in and listen if they wish.  I am planning on everyone being in attendance unless I have received communication from a parent via email.  Thank you for your help with this!

• Spring Fundraiser. Our Spring Fundraiser with Charleston Wraps is well underway and will end on April 6.  Forty percent of the proceeds (35% for personalized items) will go to the band. Register at www.registercw.com. Organization ID is in the packet that went home with your child.    All online orders are directly shipped to the purchaser. 

• Save the Date. The Spring Concert will be Thursday, May 16!  This will be a required performance for all band students.  Please be sure you’ve marked the date!

• Rising 9th Grade HHS Band.  Audition music and other important band information has been posted to the google drive. Auditions are May 6-10.

Thank you! 

Emily Parker, Director of Bands

Reminders

• 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
visit the  google drive.