hhs band weekly newsletter april 24-28, 2023

Things We Like

HHS Crimson Panther Marching Band students got the opportunity to play alongside the Million Dollar Band at Alabama's spring A-Day Game. Pictured left to right: Jayne Hansberger, Iyana Lucas, Jillian Boles, Will Anderson, and present but not pictured Noah Little.

Schedule for the Week

Monday - Symphonic Band 4-5:00 (we will finish early today). Color guard tryouts 4-6 in the Freshman Acad.
Tuesday - Spring Concert and Pictures!  Color guard tryouts 4-6 
Wednesday - Color guard tryouts 4-6 
Thursday -   All State Band at the VBC for those participating.  Color guard tryouts 4-6
Friday - All State Band at the VBC for those participating.  Color guard tryouts 4-6
Saturday - All State Band at the VBC for those participating

Spring Concert - Tuesday, April 25th
The spring concert is coming up Tuesday, April 25th at 7:00 pm in the HHS Auditorium.  

The concert is free and open to the public.  You can share the concert with your family and friends on social media.

5:00 - 6:30 pm - Individual pictures in the lobby.  ALL students must get their picture before 6:30 pm in their concert uniform.   This is very important for our 22-23 composite photo as well as a chance to get a nice photo of your student.
6:30 pm - Symphonic Band on Stage / Wind Ensemble in Band room
7:00 pm - Concert
8:30 pm - Concert concludes

Student Dress:  Students will wear their formal concert uniforms (dresses/tuxes and all accessories).


Color Guard Try Outs and Uniforms
April 24-28 in the Freshman Cafeteria from 4-6 pm.  If you know someone who might want to join us next year, encourage them to try out!

Please return the Fall and Winter uniforms to the band room this week.  Make sure they are clean when returned!

2023 Huntsville High School Band Banquet - A Night On The Red Carpet
Come walk the red carpet and re-live great moments from the year!  This will be a great night to highlight the year and honor our seniors.  
The band banquet is for all band members and their families, seniors attend for free.

When:  Friday, May 12th
Where: The Royal Room at Stovehouse
Time:  Social begins at 6:00, Dinner begins at 6:30 (Digital Photo Booth from 6-8)
Dress:  Sunday Best to Hollywood's Finest - Celebrities Welcome (No jeans or shorts please)
Menu:  Olive Garden Pasta Bar (including salad & breadsticks), Cake, and Drinks
Cost:  $40.00 per person (Seniors are free)  

Please RSVP by filling out the google form below and send payment by cash or check to the band box by Thursday, May 4th.  We will NOT be allowing Band Banquet tickets to be "charged" to a CHARMS account.  
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Link to form:
2023 Huntsville High School Band Banquet A Night on the Red Carpet (google.com)

End of Year Items - Uniforms
Please help our volunteers by getting all uniforms back in a timely manner.
The spring concert is the last time to wear your tuxedo/concert dress for the year.  These must be dry cleaned and returned (with receipt) by Friday, May 12th in the bag that was given to you.  Do not return tuxedo shirts or shoes unless you would like to donate them.  Please help our volunteers by getting these back on time. 

Color Guard needs to return their Marching and Winter guard uniform this week.

Marching uniforms were due back on March 31st.  We are still missing uniforms from the following students.   Please help our volunteers out by getting these back.
Ciena C
DJ C
Ashlyn H
Sheadon K
Kyleigh K
Tara M
Colleen P
Ash P
James S
Jack T
Abigail Vice
Grant Lenard
Iyana L (Shako only)
Alawyn (shako only)
Charles W. (shako only)
Clayton (shako only)
Grace B. (shako only)

All State Festival Information
Congratulations to Tori, Allie, Matthew, Grace, Kristina, Jillian, and Maggie for earning their spot through auditions back in January to participate in this year's Alabama All State Festival.

You will be excused 3rd and 4th block on Thursday and all day Friday from school.  The first rehearsal starts at 3:00 pm on Thursday.  As a reminder, make sure you are on time (10 minutes early) and attend every rehearsal/concert.  

The schedule with locations at the VBC can be found here:  https://alaband.org/all-state-band-schedule/

Audition results and additional instructions can be found here:  https://alaband.org/all-state-2023-results-and-information/

Seniors!
We would like to feature ALL seniors on social media over the next month.  If you would like to be featured, please fill this form out:  https://forms.gle/15ji7wvq5h5FADR39


Make sure you are on top of returning all uniforms and equipment to the band room over the next month.  Make sure all band dues are paid.  

Fine Arts Signing Day (This date may be changing due to an afternoon AP test involving many students) is scheduled for Friday, May 5th around 2:30 pm in the Auditorium.  This is for any senior who has a post-high school plan to participate in the arts (College Marching Band, College Color Guard, Independent or college Indoor percussion/winter guard, college Concert band, college Jazz band, military bands).  Parents should plan to attend.  There will be a ceremony in the auditorium followed by a reception with cake/snacks.  You will be excused from 4th block this day.   We will have an official sign up for this event soon. 

Senior Showcase - Wednesday, May 10th.  This special concert is open to small group and individual performances from our Seniors involved in all performing arts programs at Huntsville High.  Sign up will be soon.  We encourage you to participate.  

FUNDRAISING NEWS
The bricks fundraiser is now live!  To order yours go to www.thatsmybrick.com/Huntsvillehs. These bricks will be professionally engraved and installed in the main courtyard at HHS. These tributes to your student will leave their mark on the grounds of HHS and is a great way to honor their years of hard work!


End of Year Items - Instruments
All students using a school-owned marching or concert instrument (except percussion) are required to take your instrument to Southeastern Musical Services (3308 9th Ave SW / 256-539-5906 - about 7 minutes from HHS) to have it looked at and basic repairs done to make sure it is in working order.  You are welcome to use Gadsden Music as well, but they are less familiar with our process.   The cost of any repairs should be paid for by your family.    Marching band instruments are encouraged to be taken now (during the month of April).  Concert instruments should be taken after your audition are complete in May or after the spring concert (if you are a senior).  Seniors must have this done prior to walking at Graduation.   The earlier you take it, the faster you get it back.  The closer you get to summer, the more they get backed up with repairs!

Once completed, bring your instrument back to to school and give the receipt to a director.

London Connection! (updated 3/26)
Remember, even if you plan to do concert band only, if you are planning to march the parade in London, you need to attend week 1 of band camp!
Click here to see an updated list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

All information on the trip can be found in our google drive:  Click here to access google drive - 

Parent Coordinator
Our parent trip coordinator for London is Karen Hansberger.  If you have specific questions about the trip as we get closer, she will be a great resource.  She will also be helping collect rooming lists, passport copies, bus lists, shipping documents, and more.   Her email is [email protected]
Next Payment
To be included in our travel count with the travel company, each traveler must have paid $1000 at this point.
The next payment of $800 is due September 1, 2023.
What do I need to do right now?
 1.  Get your passport now!  It should be valid 6 months past our return date!  There are major delays with passports - watch this recent news report 
 2.  Investigate your best option for overseas phone possibilities.  Each phone company has different options.  You will need to have access to phone communication while you are in London!
  3.  Research and investigate your credit card and financial options.  Each bank and card is different.  Make sure your card won't lock you out when you get to London 

Upcoming Events
Week of May 1-5 Concert Auditions in Class (after school for 8th graders)
Thursday, May 4th - Percussion / Chamber Music Concert
Friday, May 5th - Senior Fine Arts Signing Day (4th block).
Monday, May 8 - Thursday, May 12 - leadership training for those interested in leadership team.  4-5 pm after school.
Tuesday, May 9 - HJHS Band Concert (Auditorium)
Thursday, May 11 - HCMS Band Concert (Auditorium)
Wednesday, May 10 - Drum Major Auditions
Friday, May 12 - Band Banquet at Stovehouse banquet hall (all band students and families invited)
Thursday, May 25th - Graduation 5:30 pm VBC arena.  All non-graduating Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble members are required to perform.    Dress is business casual (no jeans, no t-shirts, no tennis/athletic shoes).


Band Camp / Summer Schedule 2023
Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2 Rookie Camp (new members only), Marching Percussion Placement Camp from 1-4, and Guard Camp 8-2 (percussion times edited 2/24; guard times added 4/20)
July 6-8 - Leadership Camp (leadership team only)
July 12-14 Make up rookie camp (new members only) and Marching Percussion Camp (8-12).  (percussion times edited 2/24)
July 17 - 21 Band Camp Week 1 - All Marching Band Students + any concert only students going to London that want to march in the parade.
July 24-28 Band Camp Week 2 - All Marching Band Students
July 31 and August 1 - Rehearsals before school starts.
August 1- Marching Band pictures will be made from 2-4pm for the Football Media Guide and for family purchase. This is MANDATORY.
August 2 - 1st day of school

Student involved with marching band are required to attend these dates in full!  Students who miss because of summer activities may be removed from the halftime show.  We have worked hard over the past few years to improve our summer schedule to give a full break and options for camps and vacations.  Our dead time this coming summer is June 3 - July 5 although some students have much longer than this!