May 5, 2024 Newsletter

Director's Notes

• Week at a Glance

  • Huntsville High School Band Auditions

  • Tuesday, May 7 - Jazz Band (3:00-3:45)

• Spring Concert and Follow Up - Our Spring Concert will be Thursday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. This is a required event for all band members.  On Friday, May 17, we will need to return all school instruments (except those who have paid for Summer Rental) and uniforms to be checked in at the band room.  More details to come - but just keeping you in the loop!  Thank you for your help with this so that we can complete our inventory and prepare for another school year! 

• School Instrument - Rental Payment reminders have been sent out this week.  Thank you for your prompt assistance in getting those fees paid.  Please contact Ms. Parker if you have any questions or feel you received a message in error. 

• Summer Rental - Ms. Parker will be emailing all returning band students about Summer Rental for instruments at some point this week.  We ask $40 for summer rental.  If your student is planning to continue band and still use a school instrument, it is imperative that they have access to an instrument over the summer to practice!

• Jazz Band Members - Please be sure to make our next two rehearsals as they are our last opportunities to prepare for the Spring Concert!  (I understand some of our brass 8th graders will need to do their auditions for HHS on Tuesday during that time.) 

• Rising 9th Grade HHS Band. Be sure to check out the information below regarding upcoming Auditions.  All important information about the Huntsville High School Band is available on the google drive. See information below for upcoming events (e.g., auditions, rookie camp, band camp).

Thank you! 

Emily Parker, Director of Bands

Reminders

• HHS Band Audition/Placements for 24-25 are coming up soon for any 8th grader planning to continue on with band in High School!  Audition music was sent out after spring break to each middle school director and can also be found by clicking here!  All students in band must complete a placement audition in order to be in a performing band class.  

  • We stagger times to prevent you from having to wait too long to audition.  If you cannot come on your assigned time/date, please email Mr. Tankesley at stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org and we will find a time that works.  Auditions must take place sometime during the week of May 6-10!

    • Monday, May 6 Woodwind Auditions 4:00 pm at HHS Band Room. 

      • Saxophones 4:00 pm

      • Flutes - 4:30 pm

      • Clarinets, bassoon, oboe - 5:00pm

    • Tuesday, May 7 Brass Auditions 4:00 pm at HHS Band Room. 

      • Trombones - 4:00 

      • Trumpets - 4:30

      • Horns/euphoniums/tubas - 5:00 pm 

    • Wednesday, May 8 Make-up Auditions at 4:00 pm HHS Band Room (email director at stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org)

    • Thursday, May 9 Concert Percussion Auditions 4:00 pm at HHS Band Room - ALL percussion! 

    • Friday, May 10 Marching Percussion Auditions 4:00 - 8:00 pm HHS Band Room.  All percussion students who want to be in the marching band must attend both Friday and Saturday to have a spot in the show.

    • Saturday, May 11  Marching Percussion Auditions 8:30 am - 12:30 pm HHS Band Room.  All percussion students who want to be in the marching band must attend both Friday and Saturday to have a spot in the show.

  • After auditions, the next big event is Rookie Camp from Tuesday, May 28 to Friday, May 31 from 8-12 in the HHS Band Room for those planning to be in MARCHING BAND!

• Rising 6th Graders.  Do you know any rising 6th graders who will be joining the band?  Have them check out our website for more information on instrument tryouts, performances, and all things HCMS band.

• 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. 

Reminders for Daily Band Class Success:

• All Band Members: 

  • Ensure your name is on all band instruments, books and supplies. With so many coming in and out of the room each day, it really helps to be sure everyone keeps up with their things!

  • Add Flair to your instrument case to make it easier to find!

  • Don't forget your pencil and band folder.

  • Beginning Band: bring your Red Tradition of Excellence Book 1 daily (Available at all local music stores and on Amazon) 

  • Symphonic Band (7th/8th Grade): bring your Blue Tradition of Excellence Book 2 daily (Available at local music stores and on Amazon)

• Clarinet / Sax Players: Have at least 3 good reeds (strength 2.5) with you

• Percussionists: Bring your drumsticks, yarn mallets, rubber mallets, bell (hard) mallets  and stick bag

Contact Ms. Parker with questions!