This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

So proud of all of our students who participated in our trip to Pigeon Forge!  They were on excellent behavior and received multiple compliments from many places we visited.  Special thanks to all of our chaperones!  We had a phenomenal team who did such a great job looking after our kids!  Thank you for a special weekend!

We have iReady testing Monday and Tuesday.  Our 2nd and 3rd Period students do not need to bring their instruments those days.  All other classes need all materials for class every day this week so we can prepare for our concert!

Beginning Band

SIXTH GRADE BAND CELEBRATION Our Beginning Band will be going to Main Event on Friday, May 8.  The cost is $20 and includes all activities at Main Event and lunch.  Field Trip forms will be sent home this week and are due Friday, May 1.  This is an optional trip for our beginning band students, but we hope they will be able to attend and celebrate a great year and all of their hard work and progress!  Per our travel expecations, students with 3 or more days ISS or OSS will not be permitted to attend this trip.  I'm also encouraging students to ensure they are not failing any core classes and have turned in all missing work.  

SAVE THE DATE Remember our Spring Concert will be Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. at Huntsville High School.  This will be a required performance for all HCMS Band students.  

MATERIALS Please ensure that your student has their black band binder, red Tradition of Excellence Book and at least 3 good reeds (clarinet/saxophone players only).  

MAKE MUSIC Thanks to a generous grant from the HCMS PTA and our Fair Share donations, we have access to a new software called Make Music!  This software includes our Tradition of Excellence book, several of our songs we are currently preparing as well as HUNDREDS of other fun songs to explore.  Students can listen to and play along with their individual part or the band recording as they practice.  We will be ensuring everyone is signed up this week - please encourage your student to utilize this excellent practice tool at home!  

Symphonic Band

JAZZ BAND Our final Jazz Band practice will be tomorrow (Monday) from 3-3:45. Please note we will need to end a little early so I can coordinate pick-up and beginner instrument testing.   Students must be present at rehearsals to be able to perform with the Jazz Band.  On Monday, May 4 we will be playing for Becoming a Bull from 4:30-6:00 instead of having rehearsal that day.  Please save the date! That will be our last Monday for Jazz Band for the school year.  

SAVE THE DATE Remember our Spring Concert will be Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. at Huntsville High School.  This will be a required performance for all HCMS Band students.  

BAND BANQUET  Our 7th and 8th grade students are invited to join us for our annual HCMS Band Banquet on Friday, May 15.  It will be held in the HCMS Cafeteria from 6-8 p.m.  The cost to attend is $15/person. Parents and family members are welcome to attend as well.  Please register on this form no laterh than May 8. if your student/family would like to attend: HCMS Band Banquet 2026 

FUTURE HHS BAND MEMBERS The Huntsville High School Band is GOING TO ROME December 27, 2027 - January 3, 2028!  Current 7th and 8th grade band students will be a member of the Huntsville High School Band.  If you were not able to attend the meeting or would like additional information on the trip, take a look at our Rome google drive found here.

RISING 9TH GRADERS: Please see below for updates from Mr. Tankesley (Huntsville HS): 

HHS Band 8th Grade Families:

There has been a change of plans for Thursday, April 30th.  Mrs. Flippo, the principal at Huntsville High, spoke to me yesterday and let me know some major sponsorship funding for this event fell through at the last minute.  We are only able to take a smaller pep band of some current Huntsville HS students. We both apologize for those that may have been excited about going this coming Thursday.  Because of this, we are going to cancel all 8th grade Spring Training and Trash Panda activities on Thursday.  You will not need to come at all on Thursday!

The next time we will see you is on Monday, May 11th from 4:30-7:00 pm.  ALL upcoming HHS Band 8th graders should attend.  Please wear clothes to march in, bring a water bottle, and your instrument (we will have percussion, mellophones, sousaphones, and marching baritones).  Percussion students will be starting their placement process for the marching instrument they will play in the Fall.