This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

We have a busy week in the HCMS Band Room!  Please take a look at this week's upcoming events:  

Monday, February 9 - Night of the Arts at Hampton Cove Middle School 

4:45 p.m. - Call Time for HCMS Beginning Band - Perform in the Gym at 5:15

5:25 p.m. - Call time for HCMS 7th Period (Red) Band - Perform in the Gym at 5:55

6:00 p.m. - Call time for HCMS 4th Period (Gold) Band - Perform in the Gym at 6:35

• This js a required performance for all HCMS Band students.  It has been on the calendar and in the newsletters since December.  Please remember we ask for any possible conflicts to be communicated at least one week ahead of time, so that we can ensure all parts are covered appropriately.  I am more than happy to try to coordinate with HCMS athletics/activities, but I am not provided with rosters for any other HCMS activities and I rely on your communication for potential conflicts ahead of time.  Thank you very much for your assistance with this matter as we try to coordinate for almost 300 students.  

• If you are unable to return your student to school by their designated call time, they may remain in the band room afterschool with me.  Please email me to confirm this arrangement and ensure they have their band uniform ready and with them during the school day so they will be ready for tomorrow night. 

• Students may leave their instruments/music binders at school on this day if they wish.  They will report to the band room to get their instruments/music and then to the Gym to perform.  

• Each band will perform a short program sharing what we have been working on - new pieces for 6th grade, MPA Contest pieces for 7th and 8th Grade.  Once your student's portion of the program is done, you are welcome to enjoy the other parts of the Night of the Arts (Silent Auction, Choir Performances, Art Wall) or you may depart.  

• Students will wear their band uniform for this event:

  • 6th Grade - Black Band Shirt/Band Hoodie, Khaki Pants, Tennis Shoes

  • 7th/8th Grade - Concert Uniform (Black Tux Shirt/Red Vest/Red Tie/Black Dress Pants/Black Dress Shoes/Black Dress Socks OR Black Dress/Pearls/Black Tights/Black Dress Shoes)  Please ensure you have all parts of the uniform and that they are all returned to the red garment bag after the performance, so they are ready for contest in a few weeks!

Thank you for your support of and assistance with this event.  It is new to our school this year and we are looking forward to sharing our progress and arts programs with you. 

Tuesday, February 10 - HCMS Spirit Night at Jim N Nicks (Jones Valley)

HCMS Band will have a Spirit Night at Jim N Nicks in Jones Valley on Tuesday, February 10 from 5-7.  This can be applied to both dine-in and to-go orders.  Please consider grabbing a delicious dinner and supporting the HCMS Band!

Wednesday, February 11 - Band Picture Day

We will be taking our Band Yearbook Photos on Wednesday morning, February 11.  Please wear your black band T-shirt/Band Hoodie or a solid black T-shirt to be included in the photo.  (Any type of pant is ok for this!).  Students must be in one of the three options above to be in the photo.  If you do not have a Black Band shirt/need to replace yours, please send in $16 ASAP and we can ensure they receive one.  (We will also be wearing our black band shirts for the Spring Concert (6th Grade only) and on the Pigeon Forge trip (7th and 8th Grade only) so they will be needed again as well.)

Friday, February 13 - Half Day (No Instruments Needed)

Beginning Band

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 Due to Night of the Arts, we will have Jazz Band on Tuesday, February 10 this week.  Our 8th Grade Jazz Band will meet the following Wednesday, February 18 (due to the President's Day Holiday).   I apologize for the change of date but we want to ensure we have a chance to practice together.  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!

MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT Our 7th and 8th Grade Bands will be competing at Music Performance Assessment on Tuesday, March 3 at Hartselle High School.  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 details to come.  

SPRING TRIP  The absolute final deadline to sign up for the Spring Trip to Pigeon Forge is Monday, February 9.  I will work on applying bedsheet fundraising payments to Spring Trip accounts once have completed Night of the Arts.  

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 12 - 7th Period Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba/Tenor Sax/Bass Clarinet

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)

RISING 9TH GRADERS The Huntsville High School Band will be hosting an informational meeting for Rising 9th Grade students and their parents on Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m.  Please try to attend so you can get important information about the band program at HHS! 

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!