HHS BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER July 15 - July 21, 2024

Things We Like

​Our award winning percussion section hard at work!

​Band Camp Schedule and Pictures

The band camp schedule is posted here.  

​Band Camp Pictures: Please note we are not rehearsing, but taking marching band pictures on Tuesday morning, July 23.  Pictures will be in between 7:45 to 9:15.  All marching band students must drop by during this time window for your picture. Make sure you bring your instrument and MARCHING BAND UNIFORM!    We will start rehearsal at 1:00 pm.

Schedule Pickup and Freshmen Orientation:  Tuesday, Jul 23 will also be schedule pick up and freshman orientation, so students will be able to attend these with their appropriate grade level.​

Band Camp Safety

It's been a REALLY HOT summer!  We want to have a successful band camp and that means making sure you take precautions to deal with the heat.   Keep in mind while the directors, staff, and volunteers provide a safe environment by taking precautions and following school policy in the heat, the most effective heat precautions are taken directly by each student.

Band Camp Heat Precautions

• Educating students on heat safety
• ​Throughout band camp we have a first aid tent staffed with parents near the entrance gate to the field.  
• We have tents set up for shade during breaks around the field.  If you would like to bring some to set up, please do!
• In the hottest hours of the day, students have their water with them at all times and are reminded by directors and staff to drink.
• We give short breaks throughout the rehearsal.
• We have extra water jugs and sunscreen for anyone that forgets.
• Provide a cooler with ice for towels

What students can do to ensure a great and safe band camp week!

• Acclimate yourself to the heat prior to band camp
• Do some light to moderate exercise prior to starting band camp.
• Eat and Drink healthy food prior to and during band camp.
• Eat Breakfast Daily during band camp even if you don't usually eat breakfast.
• Do not consume MILK products!
• Every student must have a LARGE (at least half gallon, 1 gallon preferred) water jug with them at all times.  DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!  Supplementing water with Liquid IV or gator can also help some.
• Wear Sunscreen daily and have extra at band camp.
• Wear appropriate clothes for being outside in the summer (no long pants!)
• Wear ATHLETIC shoes - no crocs, open toed shoes, or converse.
• An old hand towel to dip in ice water and place around your neck
• Hats, Sunglasses, mini cooler with cold rags, and creative ways to hydrate, (camelbacks, etc) are encouraged. 

What I need for band camp

• Instrument or equipment and accessories (valve oil, slide grease, etc)
  
• LARGE WATER JUG (1/2 gallon minimum, 1 gallon preferred) - NOT A Dasani water bottle or a small water bottle.
  
• Sunscreen
  
• CELL PHONE (Please download the UDB app - see your section leader for help)
  
• Pencil at all rehearsals 
  
• Binder to keep your music   
  
• Small Bag/Drawstring bag to help carry your things to and from rehearsal

Band camp lunches

Students will not have time to leave campus during their lunch break. If they did not order lunches through the Band Parents Association’s google form, students will need to bring a sack lunch daily. 

If you submitted a lunch order without payment, please submit your payment via Venmo (@HuntsvilleHS-BandParentAssoc) or check submitted to the Band Box. Lunch payment amount is $115. Payment MUST be submitted prior to the start of Band Camp. Students that have not paid prior to Band Camp will not receive lunch. If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected]

Drum Corps International (DCI)Event

On the last official day of band camp - Friday, July 26th - we will end band camp at noon (instead of going until 9:00 pm).  We have 35 spots left for students or family members to attend Master of the Summer Games DCI Competition at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  The cost is $75 per person (cost of the ticket + charter bus).  We will eat a fast food dinner in Murfreesboro.  Our estimated departure time is 2:00 pm.    Our return time will be after midnight (probably 1:30 am)

​We will take the first 50 people (approximately 35 remaining) to turn in money to the band box in the band room or pay through Venmo (@HuntsvilleHS-BandParentAssoc) to go.  Students must have turned in your band paperwork to go as well.  You can not use credits for this trip.   For more information about this event and DCI, visit dci.org

Fittings, Fees, and Forms Night

(FOR ALL BAND STUDENTS - CONCERT ONLY INCLUDED)
Students and Parents should come to their assigned night during Week 1 of Band Camp.  This night is super important in order to accomplish the following list:

• Marching uniform fitting and pickup
• Concert uniforms for seniors fitting and pickup
• Concert uniforms for juniors, sophomores, and freshmen - Jovonne and Martina will be there to answer any questions or assist those needing help deciding what to order via the Demoulin online store
• Submit Mandatory Paperwork 
• Pay band dues #2 ($250) and additional fees
• Order your band polo
• Order a band show shirt 
• Buy band merchandise 
• Update contact information
• Get any questions answered 

​
Concert Uniforms: For seniors, concert uniforms will be fitted and distributed. They do not need to purchase a concert uniform through the online Demoulin Store. For all other concert students, Jovonne and Martina will be there to answer any questions or assist with those needing help deciding what to order. The online store will open back up for concert uniform purchases on July 15th. 

Assigned night:
Monday, July 15th from 4:15-6:30  Seniors and Juniors 
Tuesday, July 16 from 4:15-6:30.   Sophomores
Wednesday, July 17th from 4:15-6:30 Freshmen

Parents and Students should drop by anytime during the 2 hour range of time.  You should not be there the entire time.  If everyone comes right at 4:15, expect long lines.  We encourage some of you to go grab some dinner first.

​**If you can't come to your assigned time, you can come to another grade level's night.  Please email Kelly Parrish at [email protected]

Parents - How to volunteer

Parents, we need you!  We need volunteers to be around band camp to staff the first aid tent and to help serve food at lunch!  Visit your CutTime account or email Helena Johnson at [email protected]

Parent Meeting - Thursday, July 18 at 6:00 PM

Parents of all band students (Concert Band included) need to plan to attend this very important meeting to talk about the upcoming band year.  Students are always welcome to attend.

Paperwork - ALL students(concert only included)

Parents are required to fill out necessary paperwork that are required by our school system and band program EVERY YEAR!  This paperwork needs to be turned in on FITTINGS, FORMS, and FEES Night. The forms are located here.  We will also have the forms at uniform fitting night.  You do not need to fill out the social media form UNLESS you do not want your student's picture on social media.

Freshmen that attended rookie camp may have already submitted this form.  Everyone else needs to fill it out (even if you filled it out last year!)

Family Picnic Night

On Wednesday, July 31st (day before school starts), we will have a family picnic night at the band field.  Bring food, chairs, blankets, your pets, and more and enjoy our final rehearsal of band camp.  Set up off the sidelines or on the adjacent soccer field!  Students should eat BEFORE rehearsal!!

We will go 6-8 pm this night since school starts the next day.

Marching Band Seniors

We need your senior bio (800 character max) by July 19 for the media guide.  Please email these to Kelly Parrish at [email protected]
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This guide will be sold at the football games - please create a quality bio that has been proofread.  Mrs. Parrish has some samples for you if needed!

Schedule of the Week

Monday: Band Camp 8-4.  Junior and Senior Night required for all 11th/12th grade band families (concert only included) 4:15-6:30.  Drop in during this time frame to turn in forms, get tuned into Cut time and the band app, fitted for concert/marching uniforms and more

Tuesday: Band Camp 8-4. Sophomore Night required for all 10th grade band families.  4:15-6:30 pm.  Drop in during this time frame to turn in forms, get updated Cut time and band app info, fitted for concert/marching uniforms, and more.  

Wednesday: Band Camp 8-4. Freshman Night required for all 9th grade band families 4:15-6:30 pm.  Drop in during this time frame to turn in forms, get updated Cut time and band app info, fitted for concert/marching uniforms, and more.  

Thursday: Band Camp 8-4.  Mandatory Band parent meeting for all band families - 6:00 pm
Friday: Band Camp 8-4

**The band room will be open every morning by 7:30 am**