This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

Thank you all for your support at the first HCMS Night of the Arts!  Our Beginners did a wonderful job showing off two new pieces they've only had for a few weeks!  Our 7th and 8th graders got in some excellent practice runs of their contest music, and we were provided with some great feedback to continue our preparations for Music Performance Assessment.  I greatly appreciate your help as we share our talented students with our community! 

Beginning Band

SPIRIT NIGHT Our next Spirit Night opportunity will be Thursday, February 26 at Taziki's (Hampton Cove) from 4-9! 

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).  

REMINDER Our Spring Rental payments for those students renting school instruments are due February 1.  I'll be contacting you soon regarding your payment.  You can also check your My Music Office account.  (Email Ms. Parker if you need help accessing it!) We also ask that you please submit your Fair Share payment if you have not already done so.  Our students greatly benefit from these funds as we provide music, guest clinicians and all of our other purchases through these fair share payments. We will be sending out reminders through My Music Offices over the next few weeks.  Payments can be cash/money order, check (HCMS Band) or on My School Fees.  As always, if you have any financial concerns or questions, please contact Ms. Parker.

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 No full jazz band this week, due to the holiday on Monday.  Our 8th Grade Jazz Band will meet this Wednesday, February 18. Please do your best to attend. Thank you for your flexibility as we have faced numerous scheduling challenges over the last month.  8th Grade Jazz Band - Our performance at the Alabama State Capitol will be Thursday, March 26.  If any parents would like to chaperone, please contact Ms. Parker! We have plenty of room on the bus!

RISING 9TH GRADERS The Huntsville High School Band will be hosting an informational meeting for Rising 9th Grade students and their parents on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m.  Please try to attend so you can get important information about the band program at HHS! They are also having an International Trip (Spring 2028) Information meeting  on March 24 at 6:00 at Huntsville HIgh School.  

SPIRIT NIGHT Our next Spirit Night opportunity will be Thursday, February 26 at Taziki's (Hampton Cove) from 4-9! 

MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT Our 7th and 8th Grade Bands will be competing at Music Performance Assessment on Tuesday, March 3 at Hartselle High School.  Our 7th Period Band is scheduled to perform at 10:25 and our 4th Period Band is scheduled to perform at 11:40.  We will depart first thing that morning, compete at Hartselle High School and then go to Parkway Place mall for lunch on the way home.  Any and all chaperones are welcome to join us--Please tell Ms. Parker if you can assist!  We will return to HCMS by the end of the school day.  Detailed schedule and more information to come.  

CALENDAR CHANGES All Band Students will be performing on Monday, February 9 for our first-ever HCMS Band Fine Arts Night.   We will be cancelling our Lock-In on Thursday, February 5 to accommodate this change. In an effort to better prepare for our Music Performance Assessment contest in February, I would like to have small after school rehearsals from 3-4 with individual sections to help prepare music more quickly and efficiently.  Each student will only have one session to attend - based on their instrument and class period. We will start with Flute/Clarinet the week of January 12 and follow up with brass and percussion after that point.   Thank you for your flexibility on this - just want to be sure we are as prepared as possible!  

February 17 - 4th Period Percussion 

February 19 - 7th Period Percussion

February 24 - Make-Up Session - 4th Period Band (If you did not attend your assigned session day)

February 26 - Make-Up Session - 7th Period Band (If you did not attend your assigned session day)

REMINDER Our Spring Rental payments for those students renting school instruments are due February 1.  I'll be contacting you soon regarding your payment.  You can also check your My Music Office account.  (Email Ms. Parker if you need help accessing it!) We also ask that you please submit your Fair Share payment if you have not already done so.  Our students greatly benefit from these funds as we provide music, guest clinicians and all of our other purchases through these fair share payments. We will be sending out reminders through My Music Offices over the next few weeks.  Payments can be cash/money order, check (HCMS Band) or on My School Fees.  As always, if you have any financial concerns or questions, please contact Ms. Parker.

BLUE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE BOOK Our 7th/8th grade band will be using the Tradition of Excellence Book 2 (Blue) in and playing tests when we return in January.  We still have several students who do not have a copy.  Please take care of securing one over the break! 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).  

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!