October 15, 2023 Newsletter
October 15, 2023
Director's Notes
Our HCMS Football Team has made the playoffs! We will be playing at the game tomorrow. This is not a required game, but it would be wonderful to have as many students as possible to attend! All students who participate will receive a bonus (extra credit) 100 test grade!
Thank you to those who signed up to attend on the Google Form earlier this week. If you missed the form, no worries! Please just come on out!
FOOTBALL GAME. Our next football game will be Monday, October 16 at 4:30 p.m.
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.
After the game, join us at Super Chix for HCMS Band Spirit Night!
Hampton Cove Jazz will rehearse on Tuesday, October 17 from 3:00-3:45.
Our Halloween Concert (7th and 8th grade) will be on Thursday, October 26 at 6 pm at HCMS. We invite students to wear costumes or their football band uniforms—whichever they prefer! More details to follow!
Speaking of Halloween, if you end up with any extra Halloween candy at your home, please feel free to send it to the band room! We appreciate donations to incentivize and reward our awesome students throughout the week!
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 (10/16) - SPIRIT NIGHT! SuperChix & Football Game @ 4:30
Tuesday (10/17) -
Wednesday (10/18) -
Thursday (10/19) -
Friday (10/20) -
Next week:
Monday (10/23) - Possible Football Game
Tuesday (10/24) - Possible Football Game
Wednesday (10/25) - Possible Football Game
Thursday (10/26) - Halloween Concert
Friday (10/27) -
Reminders
City Championship Football Games. In the event our HCMS Bulls Football team is successful in our playoff game this week, our 7th and 8th grade band will play at the next game in support of the team. We don't have the current schedule, but next week's City Championships are slated to occur October 23-26. Be on the look-out for more information!
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!