This Week's Newsletter

Director's Notes

Thank you to our 7th/8th Graders for a fantastic first football game!  Special thanks for your patience as we stayed to continue supporting the team through the unanticipated overtime!  

We have our next game on Tuesday, September 16.  This game is required for all 7th and 8th graders.  For this game, our 6th grade Beginning Band are also invited to attend!   Please see the details below. 

HCMS FOOTBALL - HCMS vs. MCNAIR

WHO: 7th/8th Grade Band Members (Required Game)

  Beginning Band Members (Optional to Attend)

WHEN: Tuesday, September 16

Call Time is at 6:00 p.m. - The game begins at 6:30 and lasts until about 8:15/8:30.

Please plan to be in the vicinity of Milton Frank stadium around 8:15 to help us ensure everyone gets home in a 

timely manner. 

WHERE: Milton Frank Stadium (2801 15th Avenue)

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the game. 

           No school transportation is provided for this event. 

WHAT TO WEAR:  Black Band Shirt, Khaki Pants or Shorts, Tennis Shoes

(Beginning Band - Since it is still warm outside, students may wear shorts if they choose to attend this game 

with us.  Please remember for their first concert they must have khaki pants!)

WHAT TO BRING: Instrument, Flip Folder/Lyre (7th/8th Grade Only), Water Bottle (Optional)

Please assemble your instrument in your car and leave the case in the car.

Tubas/Euphoniums will bring their home tubas/euphoniums for the game. 

Beginning Percussion will bring their bell kits and mallets. 

We will have posters with the music notes for this game for the songs the Beginners play on.  

Important Things to Remember: 

• Beginning Band Students participating with the band will get to enter the game for free!  If you are attending with the band, we ask that you remain with the band for the entirety of the football game.  

• Parents who would like to attend the game (but who are not chaperoning) will need to purchase tickets online at GoFan.

• If you are a Beginning Band parent who would like to help chaperone, please contact the Band Parent Association at hcovemsband@gmail.com to see if there are any openings.  

• 7th/8th Graders will check in with Ms. Parker when they arrive at the game.  Beginning band - When you arrive, you will check in with a band parent when you arrive at the stadium so we know you are here with the band.  Then you will find your instrument section and join them for the game.

• Percussion (7th/8th Grade) students are responsible for loading/unloading their instruments from the trailer before and after each game.  

• Please use the restroom and eat before the game.  We will not be going to the concession stand and food is not allowed in the stands while we are playing our instruments.  

• Students may have phones with them to notify you when the game is about to end, but all phones must be put away during the game itself. 

• Milton Frank has a clear bag policy - Please plan accordingly!

Beginning Band (6th Grade)

• GRADES I am in the process of updating grades as quickly as possible.  All grades should be entered and updated by this Friday.  Thank you for your patience!  

• BAND T-SHIRT ORDER Band T-Shirts have been distributed.  If you did not receive a shirt or did not order one, we have plenty of extra.  Please contact Ms. Parker (emily.parker@hsv-k12.org) or send in $16 (checks to HCMS Band).    

• 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)

• GRADES I am in the process of updating grades as quickly as possible.  All grades should be entered and updated by this Friday.  Thank you for your patience!  

• 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.  

• JAZZ BAND We will resume our Monday Jazz Band rehearsals this week.  Rehearsals last from 3-4.  

• 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.  

• CONCERT UNIFORMS We have received our new inventory and all uniforms are ready to be distributed!  These will be issued to students who have turned in their concert uniform rental form and paid their $25 rental fee.   Please be sure your student tries on all parts of their uniform when they bring it home to ensure everything is correct.  If something needs to be swapped out, please email Ms. Parker (emily.parker@hsv-k12.org) and bring the item back in for a change.  REMEMBER: HEMS MUST BE TEMPORARY -- NO CUTTING OF FABRIC!  Instructions for hemming are listed in the Uniform Guidelines file below.  

Thank you! 

Emily Parker, Director of Bands