This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

It's contest week for 7th and 8th Grade Band!  Please take a moment to review all of the important information below for your band student! 

Beginning Band

SOLO PROJECT Each year our Beginning Band students learn several solos in band class.  Each student has the choice to perform their solo for their band class OR for a judge at Solo & Ensemble contest.  Solo & Ensemble will be Saturday, April 11 at Liberty Middle School.  Those who sign up for Solo & Ensemble contest can request a time (morning/afternoon).  Students who receive a Superior rating at Solo & Ensemble will be given a medal.  Students also have the option to perform a duet/trio with any other band students if they would like to do so.  We will continue to work on this music in class and there will be additional opportunities for morning/afternoon practice for students who would like it. More information will be coming out this week!  

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 Thank you to all who have sent in rental payments.  My apologies - I've fallen behind on sending out reminders but will do my best to get them to you this week.  I appreciate your help and your patience!  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

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

• WHAT TO WEAR: Concert Band Uniform (including black socks/hose and black dress shoes) - Please wear this to school as we won't have time to change before we leave!

• WHAT TO BRING: Money for Lunch at Parkway Place, Instrument, Band Binder, Change of Clothes (please keep this in your red uniform bag), Anything Needed for 7th Period Class

• Students will report to the band room when they arrive at school on Tuesday.  They can hang their red uniform bags (with change of clothes) on the racks in the hallway.  

• Chaperones - Please come to the band room between 7:30-7:45.  Please check in at the Front Office (through the Raptor System) on your way to the Band Room. 

• Students will be able to have their phones on the bus and at the mall, but may not take them into Hartselle High School.  We have a plan in place that has been discussed in class. 

• Parents are welcome to come and listen to the performances at Hartselle High School!  There is no cost to attend.  If you would like to check out your student (either after their performance at Hartselle OR at Parkway Place), you may do so.  We just ask that you please show ID to check them out, just as we would at school.  

Music Performance Assessment Schedule

7:30 a.m. Meet in HCMS Band Room - Wearing Concert Uniform 

    (Black Dress/Black Dress Shoe/Black Hose or Tuxedo Shirt/Pants/Vest/Black Socks/Dress Shoes)

8:15 a.m. Depart HCMS for Hartselle High School

9:15 a.m. Arrive at Hartselle High School

10:00 a.m. HCMS Red Band (7th Period) goes to warm-up; HCMS Gold Band (4th Period) watches in audience

10:25 a.m. HCMS Red Band (7th Period) Performs (Followed by Sight Reading)

11:15 a.m. HCMS Gold Band (4th Period) goes to warm-up; HCMS Red Band (7th Period) watches in audience

11:40 a.m. HCMS Gold Band (4th Period) Performs (Followed by Sight Reading)

12:00 p.m. Depart Hartselle High School for Parkway Place Mall Food Court

1:00 p.m. Arrive at Parkway Place Mall Food Court - Lunch On Your Own

1:45 p.m. Depart Parkway Place Mall for HCMS

2:15 p.m. Arrival at HCMS

UNIFORMS Our Band Contest at Hartselle High School is coming up quickly on March 3!  Please take a moment this week to ensure your student has all parts of their band uniform (black tux shirt/black tux pants/red vest/red tie/BLACK SOCKS AND BLACK DRESS SHOES or black concert dress/pearl necklace/black tights/black dress shoes) so they will be ready for contest next week!  If your student needs to swap out any of their uniform pieces, please send them in Monday so we have ample time to swap them out!  Please contact Ms. Parker if you need any assistance lining up any parts of the uniform.  We will be scored based on our appearance in uniform so we want to be sure everyone is ready to go! 

JAZZ BAND Our Horns & Hooves Jazz Band will meet on Monday (March 2) from 3-4.  Our 8th Grade Jazz Band will meet this Thursday, March 5. I apologize for an additional rehearsal during the week - but we want to be sure we have all of our music prepared for our performance in Montgomery in March.  Please do your best to attend.  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!

SPRING TRIP  We will have a Spring Trip meeting on Thursday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m.  We will be going over packing lists, final reminders and all other details before our trip on April 24.  Please make plans to attend!  

SPRING TRIP T-SHIRTS  We will be getting a trip shirt to wear for our Saturday at Dollywood.  This helps us keep up with each other easier in the park and allows us to be in "uniform" for our performance.  The cost will be $10.  Chaperone shirts will be provided. More details to come!  

RISING 9TH GRADERS All information for joining the Huntsville High School Band is available HERE.  The next event coming up will be band  auditions April 7-9 in the Huntsville High Band Room.  All future band students must complete the audition.  Audition music will be sent out before spring break.

Tuesday, April 7 - Saxophones 4:00 pm, Flute – 4:30 pm, Clarinet, Bassoon, Oboe – 5:00 pm

Wednesday, April 8th - Trombone – 4:00 pm; Trumpet – 4:30 pm; Euphonium, Tuba, French Horn – 5:00 pm

Thursday, April 9th Percussion Auditions

REMINDER Thank you to all who have sent in rental payments.  My apologies - I've fallen behind on sending out reminders but will do my best to get them to you this week.  I appreciate your help and your patience!  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!