October 1, 2023 Newsletter
October 1, 2023
Director's Notes
Very proud of all of our band students for their performance at this week’s game! Special shout out to our 6th graders who joined us in the stands!
FOOTBALL GAME. Our next football game will be Tuesday, October 10 at 4:30 p.m. - the Tuesday after Fall Break! Please remember this is a required event for our 7th and 8th grade band students.
WHO: 7th and 8th Grade Band Students
WHAT TO WEAR: Band T-shirt/Hoodie, Khaki Shorts/Pants, Tennis Shoes
WHAT TO BRING: Instrument (please leave case in car), flip folder with music, lyre, bottle of water
WHERE: Milton Frank Stadium
WHEN: Call Time is 4:00 p.m. - I understand that it is an early game. Please do the best you can to arrive on time! We meet by the Front Gate near the main entry.
Additional Info
We will not be taking a bus to these games. We ask parents to transport their children to Milton Frank Stadium and home afterwards.
Parents - Please sign up to chaperone in Charms. Find our calendar and click the yellow hand icon to sign up. Chaperones will be given free entry to the game.
Parents who would like to attend the game will need to purchase tickets online. (I’d recommend doing this ahead of time!) GoFan
Please remember that Milton Frank has a clear bag policy for all guests!
The game should last until about 6:00 - 6:15 - depending on when we get started. Students may bring phones to text you before the 4th quarter. (Please plan to be in the vicinity for pick-up around 6:00 so we can get all students home in a timely manner.)
Percussion students will get their equipment off of the band trailer when they arrive and are responsible for loading it back up when we leave. Percussion will need to stay until we are sure everything has been loaded up.
Hampton Cove Jazz will rehearse on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 from 3:00-3:45. Thank you for your flexibility as we try to fit in everything with these Tuesday football games.
I have updated grades as much as possible as of noon on Thursday 9/28. I still have a few playing tests I need to hear, and will catch up on those as soon as possible. I will be sure everything is entered in PowerSchool so students receive credit in time for report cards. I have placed a “1” as a placeholder for any assignment I have not yet received. I will correct these and enter grades immediately following Fall Break. Please know it is not a final grade - just a way to draw student/parent attention to the fact that an assignment is missing!
Our ButterBraid Fundraiser will occur from November 6-17 with delivery on Tuesday, December 12. More details to come!
If you did not order a black band shirt or hoodie, we do have some extras available. Shirts are $15 (payable cash/check/MySchoolFees) and hoodies are $40 (payable cash/check to HCMS Band).
Be sure to check out our new band website! www.hcovemsband.org
Thank you!
Emily Parker, Director of Bands
This Week:
Monday (10/2) - Fall Break
Tuesday (10/3) - Fall Break
Wednesday (10/4) - Fall Break
Thursday (10/5) - Fall Break
Friday (10/6) - Fall Break
Next week:
Monday (10/9) -
Tuesday (10/10) - Football Game. HCMS (Away) vs Whitesburg Middle @ 4:30
Wednesday (10/11) -
Thursday (10/12) -
Friday (10/13) -
Additional Opportunities for 7th/8th Grade Band Members:
All-State/District Honor Band. 7th and 8th Grade Band Students are eligible to try out for All-District (Best of Madison/Morgan/Limestone Counties) and All-State Band. Auditions are held in January. The scales, requirements and music are listed at: https://alaband.org/all-state-middle-school-audition-requirements/. Ms. Parker will also prepare packets and information later in the year, but this is a great way to get a head start on preparation. Private lessons are strongly encouraged for students considering All-State auditions - they are very competitive but a great learning opportunity! We will have help sessions available closer to audition time.
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!