HHS Band Weekly newsletter january 23-27, 2023

Things We Like

Congratulations to these former HHS Band Members - for their outstanding marching season at Auburn University! War Eagle! Back Row: Winton Williams, Jackson Miller, Thomas Tonsmeire, Chase Ruffing Front Row: Gabbi Smith, Rylee Carroll, Ashley Ortel

​Weekly Schedule 

Monday - Symphonic Band Rehearsal 4-5:30.  New York Payment Due for Seniors.
Tuesday - Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30   Winter Guard 4-6 
Wednesday - Off

Thursday -  Wind Ensemble 4:00-5:30 
Friday  -  All State Auditions (all hs except flute and clarinet) at HHS
Saturday - All State Auditions (all MS and HS Flute/HS Clarinet) at HHS.  Winter Guard Competition at Mortimer Jordan HS (Bimringham)

VOLUNTEERS!!  All State / District Honor Band Auditions - January 27th and 28th

Thank you so much for those that have volunteered!  There are still a few spots left to cover for both parents and students!

ADULT REGISTRATION AND HOSPITALITY volunteering is posted on charms or by contacting Audrey Beumer at [email protected].  We have the 2 days divided into shifts.  We will do brief training (easy job but still need some instructions) when you arrive.

STUDENTS can sign up to volunteer on our sign up genius link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084BA4A72DA0F85-allstat
All students will be trained on what to do the week before in class.  

 Students Auditioning for All State / District Honor Band Auditions - January 27th and 28th

​Information for your audition can be found here

Winter Camp February 2-4, 2023
Our winter camp is approaching quickly!  Just a reminder that this is a required event for ALL brass, woodwind, and percussion students in band (everyone but color guard).   We invest lots of money to bring in great guest clinicians to work with our students.  It's a terrific experience!

The schedule is the same as it has been in past year.

Thursday, February 2nd
4:00 - 9:00 pm Rehearsal with dinner provided from 6-7

Friday, February 3rd
(all students excused from school today)
8:30 - 11:30  Rehearsal
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch (as you would normally eat lunch at school - no food provided by band)
12:30 - 3:30  Rehearsal
4:00 - 6:00 pm Section Masterclasses

Saturday, February 4th
8:30 - 10:00  Section Master Classes
10:00 - 11:30 Rehearsal
12:00 - 1:00 pm Concert in the Auditorium!

Winter Guard Information
The schedule and information for this week's competition at Mortimer Jordan High School can be found here:  https://www.huntsvillehsband.com/color-guard.html

Address:  1920 Blue Devil Drive Kimberly, AL 35091

Mortimer Jordan HS- Guard only (scgconline.org) 

Transportation: In previous seasons, parents have helped transport students to/ from our competitions.  If you are able to help with transportation of another student, please let Mrs. Jeffress know.  Students who drive may drive themselves to the competition if parents are comfortable with that, but we ask that they not transport any other students. 

Competition and Rehearsal Schedule 
*Every Tuesday from 4-6 pm Winter Guard has rehearsal 
February 11 - Competition at Thompson HS (Alabaster)
February 25th - Bob Jones HS (Madison)
March 25 - Spain Park HS (Hoover)
Marching 27th - Goodies with the Guard at Bob Jones HS (Madison)
April 1 - Championships at Western Kentucky University. (Bowling Green)

Please contact Mrs. Jeffress if you have any questions.  [email protected]

Upcoming 9th grade (current 8th grade) band meeting
Our annual meeting for all current 8th graders and parents interested in the band program is scheduled for Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 pm.   This meeting has been communicated to the HJHS and HCMS bands, but if you know anyone interested, encourage them to attend!  We will need leadership team members this night!

We will talk about the band program as a whole.  
 
Senior New York Trip
Payment #3 of $500 per traveler is due to the travel website by January 23rd and the remaining balance is due February 1st.    

London Connection!
Next Payment
Friday, March 31st is the next Payment- $400 per traveler. 

What do I need to do right now?

 1.  Get your passport now!  It should be valid 6 months past our return date!
 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  

FAQ: 
 Can I still sign up?  
Yes - but you must pay for all missed deposits on your first payment or else you can't be locked into the trip.  At some point, there will be price increases, room assignments done, airline flights arranged, and other logistical things related to the trip completed.  After we do those things, anyone added will just be accommodated the best we can.  Our contract is for 150 people so we must be atleast at this number of travelers.  If you have not signed up, the sooner you can do this the better for us because numbers dictate many things!

When do you have to declare if you are doing land only or full trip?  
I don't have an exact date, but my best estimate is early Fall 2023.

London information can be found in our google drive. Click here to access google drive

Upcoming Events
February 2-4 - Winter Camp for ALL Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble!
February 11 -Winter Guard Competition at Thompson HS
February 17-18 District Honor Band at Grissom for those selected.
February 25th - Mattress Sale!!  Winter Guard Competition at Bob Jones

Band Camp / Summer Schedule 2023
Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2  Rookie Camp (new members only), Marching Percussion Camp, and Guard Camp
July 6-8 - Leadership Camp (leadership team only)
July 12-14 Make up rookie camp (new members only) and Marching Percussion Camp.  
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 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!