This Week's Newsletter
September 22, 2024
Director's Notes
HCMS VS HUNTSVILLE JR. HIGH (4:30) - MONDAY GAME - REQUIRED FOR 7TH/8TH GRADE
WHO: 7th and 8th Grade Band Students (Required Performance), 6th Grade/Beginning Band (Optional)
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
Beginners do not need to bring music/binders - We will have posters with their notes for them to read.
WHERE: Milton Frank Stadium
WHEN: Call Time is 4:00 p.m. - We meet by the Front Gate at MIlton Frank Stadium. The game will last until roughly 6:15 - depending on when the game starts. Please do your best to get there close to 4:00 - I know it's a challenge for these early games!
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.
Chaperones - If you are available to chaperone, please email hcovemsband@gmail.com.
Parents who would like to attend the game will need to purchase tickets online at GoFan. Tickets typically "go live" on Go Fan on game days.
Please remember that Milton Frank has a clear bag policy for all guests!
The game should last until about 6:15 - depending on when we get started and whether or not they take heat breaks. Students may bring phones to text you before the 4th quarter. (Please plan to be in the vicinity for pick-up around 6:15 so we can get all students home in a timely manner.)
Beginner Band students who join us will need to remain with us for the entirety of the game. Thank you for your help keeping everyone safe!
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.
Housekeeping issues for football games:
Students should bring a bottle of water for the stands and are welcome to wear sunglasses.
We will not be eating food in the stands and greatly appreciate your assistance with that matter. Please do not bring food up to students during the game.
Please encourage students to use the restroom before the game.
Students may have phones with them so they can notify you when the game is about to end but all phones must be put away during the game itself.
JAZZ Due to our football game conflict, our Jazz Band ("Horns & Hooves") will be meeting on Thursday again this week. I realize this is a change in schedule and some students may not be able to attend - but please do your best so we can continue moving forward. Thank you!
GRADES We will soon be finishing our first nine weeks. 7th and 8th grade students who are missing assignments have been notified and have a "1" marking their missing assignments. Thank you for your assistance encouraging your students to complete these assignments promptly so I can get their grades updated as quickly as possible.
Additional Director We want to welcome Mr. Stephen Moran, who will be joining us starting on Wednesday and following Fall Break. More information to come!
Band T-Shirt Order All hoodies and T-shirts should now be distributed. If you feel you have still not received your order, please email Ms. Parker and we will sort it out. We still have plenty of band shirts ($15 - payable by cash/check/MySchoolFees) and hoodies ($40 - cash/check) if anyone needs one at any point throughout the year.
No Instruments Needed Friday Friday, September 27 will be a half day. Due to the very short class length, we will not need instruments on that day. All students will take them home on Thursday for Fall Break.
FALL BREAK BINGO Fall Break Bingo cards will be available for any students looking for extra things to do over the break. Students who receive a bingo get a Jolly Rancher - and those that complete the full card will receive a full-size candy bar. Not a requirement - just a fun way to practice and keep up skills over the holiday!
FOOTBALL GAMES A HUGE THANK YOU to all who volunteered for the first volunteer football game. They represented us so well! We have one more volunteer football game on Tuesday, October 8. You can sign up on the link below!
Students who volunteer will receive a bonus 100 test grade for each additional game they attend. Students who do not volunteer to participate will not be penalized and will be marked exempt from that performance.
Please sign up here for any additional football games your student can help with https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2gpzaNMvHtSwUH4Nx-RUcGMqcL6AZ_soMg7loSazHp64pBA/viewform
I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing Fall Break! Thank you for your continued support of the HCMS Bands!
Thank you!
Emily Parker, Director of Bands
This Week: Next Week: FALL BREAK
Monday (9/23) - HCMS vs. HJHS** Monday (9/30) -
Tuesday (9/24) - Tuesday (10/1) -
Wednesday (9/25) - Wednesday (10/2)-
Thursday (9/26) - Jazz Band (3:00-3:45) Thursday (10/3) -
Friday (9/27) - Half Day - No Instruments Friday (10/4) -
**9/23 - HCMS vs. HJHS - Required for 7th/8th Grade - Milton Frank Stadium - Call Time 4:00 p.m. - Beginning Band students may also participate if they choose!
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: Be sure you have lined up an instrument AND the red Tradition of Excellence Book 1 for your instrument (Available at 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!