This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

It's already May and this is a very busy week for our Band!  Please take a moment to review all the important information below!

Monday, May 4 - Becoming A Bull (Jazz Band Only)

• Jazz Band will be out front performing for Becoming a Bull Night.  Call time is 4:15 and we will play until 5:30.  Please wear your black band shirt (no specific pant required).  

• Students may stay after school if needed.  We will need to set up outside and I will have to be doing some instrument testing for beginners.  We have one parent chaperone signed up but we could use 1-2 more.  If you can come from 3-4:15 and help out, please email Ms. Parker ASAP. 

Thursday, May 7 - Spring Concert (ALL BAND STUDENTS)

• The Spring Concert will be Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Huntsville High School Auditorium. This is a required (graded) event for our entire middle school band.  Call Time for Students is 5:30 p.m. The concert should last until about 7:00-7:15.  Students are expected to remain for the full concert so we can support each other and practice proper performance etiquette.  

• Beginning Band will wear their Black Band Shirt, Khaki Pants (not shorts!) and tennis shoes.  (If you need a black band shirt, they are available for $16.)

• Symphonic Band will wear their concert uniforms (black tux shirt/black tux pants/red vest/red tie/BLACK SOCKS AND BLACK DRESS SHOES OR black dress/pearl necklace/black leggings/tights and BLACK DRESS SHOES).  

• After the concert, Symphonic Band students should put all pieces of their uniform back into their red uniform bag.  They will bring it to school on Friday to turn in.  No need to wash/clean the items---we will be checking them back in and sending them off to the cleaners.  We could use some volunteers on Friday to assist with this process.  If you can help, please contact emily.parker@hsv-k12.org.  

Friday, May 8 - Beginning Band Field Trip to Main Event

• On Friday, May 8 our Beginning Band will go to Main Event.  We will leave HCMS at 8:30 and return by 1:30.  The cost is $20 and includes a $10 arcade card, lunch and access to all activities at Main Event for 4 hours.  The absolute deadline for forms/money is Tuesday, May 5.  Students must meet all requirements (behavior, grades) to attend.  

Friday, May 8 - Deadline to Sign Up for the Band Banquet

• Friday is the deadline to sign up for the Band Banquet (Friday, May 15).  Please ensure you have completed the Google Form AND paid via Square (or sent in payment to the Band Box).  HCMS Band Banquet 2026 

Monday, May 11 - Beginning Band Performance at HCES

• Monday, May 11 will be the last day with instruments in band class this year.  Our Beginners will be walking over to HCES to do a short performance that morning.  

Beginning Band

SUMMER RENTALS  Students who are participating in band next year must rent their instrument over the summer.  Without access to an instrument over the summer break, students will come back completely behind when we return in August.  If you are renting from the school, summer rental is $40 ($20/month).  Please send in your payment via cash/check (HCMS Band) by May 8 to rent for summer.  

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 Tuesday, May 5. 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.  

SPRING CONCERT 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

SUMMER RENTALS  Students who are participating in band next year must rent their instrument over the summer.  Without access to an instrument over the summer break, students will come back completely behind when we return in August.  If you are renting from the school, summer rental is $40 ($20/month).  Please send in your payment via cash/check (HCMS Band) by May 8 to rent for summer.  

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.