This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

It's a VERY busy week for the HCMS Band!  Please take time to read through the newsletter!

Remember - there is a secret word hidden in your band's information section!  The secret words are a little better hidden this week. Students who whisper the secret word to Ms. Parker on Monday receive a prize!

Beginning Band

• SOLO PROJECT Since we have had such a crazy schedule this week with delays/weather days, the deadline to turn in Solo Project Forms has been extended to Friday, February 28.  Please be sure to send in your form (and $5/event if you choose to play for the judge at Solo and Ensemble Contest) by Friday so we can get everything registered and scheduled.  Any students who do not submit forms by Friday will be playing their solo for their band class.  As a reminder, the contest (playing for the judge) will be on Satuday, April 5 at Liberty Middle School in Madison.  The secret word for this week is "euphonium."  Students may come whisper it to Ms. Parker at the end of class on Monday.

• FAIR-SHARE PAYMENTS We ask a $25 Fair Share fee for all Beginning Band students.  These funds are used for music, incentives, guest instructors/clinicians and our other expenses for band.  I'll be sending out an email reminder for those who have yet to turn in this payment.  Fair Share payments can be submitted via cash/check (HCMS Band)/MySchoolFees.  Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter! 

• RENTAL PAYMENTS Spring Instrument Rental payments are due for students who are playing HCMS instruments. Payments can be made by cash, check (HCMS Bands) or money order.  Unfortunately, we cannot accept online payments for rentals at this time.  Please communicate if you would like a receipt for your payment and I'll be sure it is sent home with your student. Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter!

• SUPPLIES Please be sure your student has all necessary items for band class, especially as we prepare for our big holiday concert.  Clarinet and Saxophone players must have at least 3 good reeds at all times.  Percussion (7th/8th Grade) must have a stick bag, yarn mallets, bell mallets, rubber mallets and drumsticks.  Items may be purchased through the band program if it helps you.  Please email Ms. Parker or Mr. Moran with questions. 

Symphonic Band

• MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - FEBRUARY 25 Our MPA Competition will be on Tuesday!  Our band students have worked very hard preparing three challenging pieces to share as we compete alongside other bands from Madison, Morgan and Limestone Counties.   Parents are welcome to attend and listen if they choose - there is no charge to hear the competition.  Our band students will perform their three prepared pieces on stage for three judges (who will be recording commentary throughout our performance!).  They will then continue to a second room where they will be given 7 minutes to sight read a brand new piece that none of us have ever seen for a fourth score.  Please be sure to review all the important MPA information below!

  • • WHO: HCMS 7TH/8TH Grade Symphonic Band Students

    • WHERE: Hartselle High School (1000 Bethel Road, Hartselle)

    • WHEN: Tuesday, February 25 (Depart HCMS at 8:00 AM)

    • WHAT TO BRING: Instrument, Band Binder with Music; MONEY FOR LUNCH

    • WHAT TO WEAR: Wear your concert uniform (WITH BLACK SOCKS/HOSE AND BLACK DRESS SHOES!) to school

    • SCHEDULE

      • • 7:30 AM - Students arrive (wearing concert uniform) and report to HCMS Band Room (Students may come at their normal arrival time for school - We just need everyone to be in the band room no later than 8:00 so we can leave promptly!)

          • • • (Black Dress/Black Dress Shoe/Black Hose or Tuxedo Shirt/Pants/Vest/Black

Socks/Dress Shoes)

• • • • • 8:00 a.m. Depart HCMS for Hartselle High School

          • • • Buses are assigned by Instrument; Large Instruments will be on Trailer

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

        • 9:50 a.m. HCMS Red Band (5th Period) goes to warm-up; HCMS Gold Band (4th Period) watches in audience

        • 10:15 a.m. HCMS Red Band (5th Period) Performs (Followed by Sight Reading)

        • 11:05 a.m. HCMS Gold Band (4th Period) goes to warm-up; HCMS Red Band (5th Period) watches in audience

        • 11:30 a.m. HCMS Gold Band (4th Period) 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 (BRING LUNCH MONEY)

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

        • 2:15 p.m. Arrival at HCMS (Students will attend their last class - 1st Period)

          • • Students may bring a change of clothes and anything they need for their 1st period class and leave it in the Storage Room while we are gone.

            • If you wish to check out your student from the trip, we can do that after Gold Band (4th Period) performs around 12:00 p.m. OR at Parkway Place Mall.  All students must be signed out/checked out by a parent/guardian with photo ID.  

• UNIFORMS  Please be sure that your student has all pieces of the correct concert uniform - ESPECIALLY black dress shoes!  Just like in sports, students who are not in full uniform will not be able to compete.  If you have questions/concerns or need assistance in any way, please contact Ms. Parker or the Band Parents.  The secret word for this week is "euphonium." Students may come whisper it to Ms. Parker at the end of class on Monday.

• FAIR-SHARE PAYMENTS We ask a $50 Fair Share fee for all Symphonic Band students.  These funds are used for music, incentives, guest instructors/clinicians and our other expenses for band.  I'll be sending out an email reminder for those who have yet to turn in this payment.  Fair Share payments can be submitted via cash/check (HCMS Band)/MySchoolFees.  Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter! 

• RENTAL PAYMENTS Spring Instrument Rental payments are due for students who are playing HCMS instruments. Payments can be made by cash, check (HCMS Bands) or money order.  Unfortunately, we cannot accept online payments for rentals at this time.  Please communicate if you would like a receipt for your payment and I'll be sure it is sent home with your student. Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter! 

• PERCUSSION PAYMENTS Our 7th/8th Grade Percussionists are asked to pay $100/year for percussion instruction and use of school percussion instruments.  These funds are used to help replace/purchase new equipment for percussion throughout the year.  I'll be sending out an email requesting your payment this week.  Payments can be made by cash, check (HCMS Bands) or money order.  Unfortunately, we cannot accept online payments for rentals at this time.  Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter!

• JAZZ BAND  This week's rehearsal has been moved from Monday, February 24 to Thursday, February 27 (to help us better prepare for MPA).  Thank you for your flexibility!  After this week, we will resume our typical Monday rehearsal schedule.  

• SAVE THE DATE (ALL BAND STUDENTS)  All band students (grades 6-8) have the exciting opportunity to perform at Solo & Ensemble Festival on Saturday, April 5 at Liberty Middle School.  Students may perform one solo (per instrument) and up to three ensembles (duets, trios, quartets) if they so choose!  We will opening the band room for help sessions throughout the Spring.  Please consider this wonderful opportunity!   Forms have been handed out in class and are posted below.  Due to our strange schedule this week, the deadline for forms has been moved to Friday, February 28. 

• PLAYING TESTS Our 7/8 Grade Bands will be assigned several playing tests in Schoology over the next few weeks.  As we do not have a lot of additional scheduled performances this nine weeks, it is imperative students complete these tests to receive their grades!  Deadlines are included on the Week at a Glance section below. Thank you for your help with this matter! 

Rising 9th Grade Information - Huntsville High School Band

Important Dates for 8th graders interested in being the Huntsville High Band

**All events take place in the Huntsville High School Band Room unless otherwise indicated**

**All events are required as a member of the HHS Band.  Please email stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org for school related conflicts.  We encourage you to attend if you are "on the fence" or unsure of your plans for next school year.**

**You will receive a band contract at the parent meeting in February and it will be due back at your concert audition in April**

I am a percussionist

Tuesday, February 18 6:00 pm - Parent and Student Informational Meeting   During February our 9th grade counselors begin to meet with 8th grade students and you will start entering course requests in late Feb/March.

Friday, March 7 - Concert Audition Music given out at middle schools and posted in our google drive.

Wednesday, April 9 - Concert Auditions for All Percussion 4:00 pm in the HHS Band room

Monday, May 5 Marching Percussion Placements 4:15-6:45 pm

Tuesday, May 6 Marching Percussion Placements 4:15-6:45 pm

Monday, May 12th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Monday, May 19th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th 9th Grade parent meeting at 7:00 pm (students always welcome)

I am a Wind player - Brass or Woodwind instruments

Tuesday, February 18 6:00 pm - Parent and Student Informational Meeting   During February our 9th grade counselors begin to meet with 8th grade students and you will start entering course requests in late Feb/March.

Friday, March 7 - Concert Audition Music given out at middle schools and posted in our google drive.

Monday, April 7 - Concert Auditions for woodwinds  4:00 pm - Clarinets, 4:45 pm - Saxophones, 5:30 pm - Flutes, oboe, and bassoon

Tuesday, April 8 - Concert Auditions for Brass - 4:00 pm - Tuba/Euphonium 4:30 pm - Trombone  5:15 pm - Trumpet and French Horn

Tuesday, April 22 Spring Training -  4:15-6:00 pm. Music!

Tuesday, May 6 Spring Training 4:15-6:45pm. Marching Fundamentals

Monday, May 12th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm. Marching Fundamentals

Monday, May 19th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th Spring Training 4:15-6:45 pm.  Marching Fundamentals

Tuesday, May 20th Upcoming 9th Grade parent meeting at 7:00 pm (students always welcome)

I am a potential color guard member

April 21-25  Color Guard Auditions 4-6 Freshman Cafeteria

Tuesday, April 22 6:00 pm Parent/Student Meeting for potential new members

May 27-30 (Tues-Friday) Color Guard Camp 9 am - 4:00 pm

Tues, May 20th new member parent meeting at 7:00 pm (all new band members)

Summer Dates (required for all marching band members unless indicated otherwise)

July 9-11 Marching Percussion Camp (Marching Percussion Only)

July 14-18 Band Camp Week 1 - All Day

July 21-25 Band Camp Week 2 - All day

Friday, July 25th  Optional DCI Trip to MTSU (afternoon and evening)

Tuesday, July 29 Rehearsal  6-9 pm

Thursday, July 31 Rehearsal 6-9 pm 

Monday, August 4th First Day of School

Band Parent Meeting Slides