This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

Our Holiday Concert is Tuesday, December 9 at 6:00 in the Huntsville High School Auditorium!  I'm very proud of all of our students for their preparation and I know you are sure to enjoy!  Please take a moment to read the info below (as well as specific reminders for your student's band below that).  

Hampton Cove Middle School Band

Holiday Concert

WHO: All HCMS Band Members

The concert is free to attend. Friends and family are welcome! 

WHEN: Tuesday, December 9 (6:00 p.m.)  — Call Time for Students is 5:30 p.m.

Please be advised—Highly recommend you arrive early. There are basketball games at HHS as well and parking will go quickly! 

WHERE: Huntsville High School Auditorium (2304 Billie Watkins Drive, Huntsville)

WHAT TO WEAR:

• Beginning Band - Black Band T-Shirt/Band Hoodie, Khaki PANTS, Tennis Shoes

(We have extra Tshirts ($16) and Hoodies ($40) in the Band Room if your student 

needs to purchase one. If you need any help securing these items or khaki pants, please contact Ms. Parker. Happy to help but have to have enough time to be able to do so!)

• Symphonic Band-

  • Black concert dress, pearl necklace, black tights, Black Dress Shoes

  • Black tuxedo shirt, red vest, red tie, Black Tux Pants, Black Socks, Black Dress Shoes

  • (If your student needs to swap out any items please be sure to do that before Tuesday! We will not have access to extra uniform pieces at HHS.)

WHAT TO BRING: Your Instrument and Band Binder! 

• Tuba/Euphonium players will bring home tuba/euphoniums

• Beginning Band Percussion will bring their bell kits from home

Additional Reminders:

• Please assemble your instrument in your car and leave the case in the car.  Tuba/euphonium/Percussion may bring cases inside and store them in the HHS Band Room.  (In case of rain, all students may bring cases to the band room and set up there.) 

• The concert will last about one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes.  All students are expected to be present for the entirety of the concert.  Thank you for helping us learn proper concert etiquette and supporting our classmates. 

• Students have been given seating charts in class for their concert seating spot. Feel free to check it so you can find a good spot to see your child from the audience! 

• Please ensure your student has his/her instrument and music before the concert!! 

Concert Etiquette:

• Please ensure all devices are silenced for the performance.

• Please do not leave the auditorium during a song except in case of absolute emergency. 

• Please refrain from talking during the performance. 

• Taking Photos and video are welcome! Please be considerate of student privacy before posting to social media.  You are welcome to post recordings in our Facebook group (HCMS Band Parents), which is a secure and private account. 

• Our students have worked very hard to prepare this program to share with you. Thank you for respecting their efforts by supporting them! 

Beginning Band (6th Grade)

• CLARINET/SAXOPHONE PLAYERS  Please help us make sure your students have 3 good reeds for their instrument at all times.  We will be rotating through to have three playable reeds all the time.  As they break/wear out over time, we need to be sure they are replaced so students always have a back-up option ready.  

Symphonic Band (7th/8th Grade)

• JAZZ BAND Jazz Band will practice Monday, December 8 from 3-4. This will be our last full Jazz Practice for December.  (Next Monday 12/15 will be a reharsal for just 8th grade Jazz Band so we can read music for the State Capitol Performance in March.) 

• ALL-STATE/DISTRICT HONOR BAND 7th and 8th grade band students have the opportunity to audition for All-State and District Honor Band.  Auditions will be on Saturday, January 31 at a specific time (assigned by the District Band Association).  Ms. Parker has audition packets available for any students who would like them.  Our first help session will be Thursday, December 4 from 3-3:45.  Auditions are $25/student and can be paid by cash/check (HCMS Band) by Friday, December 12.   You can pay via cash/check (HCMS Band) or Square: (with credit card fee included):  All-State Payment - HCMS Band Square

• SPRING TRIP Registration and information for the Spring Trip is available HERE.   We have just opened up a 3rd charter bus so that we can take everyone on the waitlist.  It is not too late to sign up!  Notes from the Spring Trip meeting are included below. Please contact Ms. Parker with any questions or concerns. 

• HUNTSVILLE HIGH INFO Mr. Tankesley and Mr. Kirk from HHS Band have shared their dates for upcoming 9th grade band members in an effort to help you coordinate your spring/summer plans! 

  • • Wednesday, January 28 - HCMS 8th Grade travel to HHS for a special morning and lunch with the HHS Band

    • Tuesday, February 17 - Parent/Student Interest Meeting about Joining HHS Band (6:00 - HHS Band Room)

    • April 20-24 - Color Guard Auditions

    • Monday, July 13 - Monday, August 3 Band Camp (excluding weekends). In order to participate in marching band at HHS, all students must be in town and attend every day of band camp, starting July 13th ( All trips, vacations, camps, etc must conclude before July 13!!). Students who cannot attend band camp in full are still able to do concert band.

• TEXT ALERTS (7th/8th Grade Band) If you would like to sign up for text alerts through Remind, send a text to the number 81010 with the message @hcmsband25.  I'll keep you posted about our estimated time to finish the games.  

• BLUE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE BOOK- We will be using the Tradition of Excellence Book 2 (Blue) in class this year for warm-ups and playing tests.  It is available at our local music stores and on Amazon.  We can also purchase these through the band ($13 for woodwinds/brass, $16/percussion) if you send in payment (cash/check to HCMS Band).  Please help us have these books in class after Labor Day.  

Thank you! 

Emily Parker, Director of Bands