HHS BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER July 8 - July 14, 2024

Good day!

I hope this finds everyone having a terrific and relaxing summer!   We are excited to kick off the 24-25 band year at band camp next week.  Please make sure you read this newsletter in full.   Although this information is mostly geared towards our marching band students, please note that if your student is concert only, there are things here that are very important to you as well such as form, fees, and fittings night and the band parent meeting.
  
Before we get into band camp (starting Monday, July 15th), I want to remind the 9th grade marching band students who didn't attend the first rookie camp to come to the makeup camp this Wednesday, July 10 - Friday, July 12th from 8-12.   Our marching percussion is practicing 12-4 each of these days as well. 


Band Camp Schedule 
The band camp schedule is posted at the link here.  

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.  

Tuesday will also be schedule pick up and freshman orientation, so you will be able to attend these with your 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 preventative measures to heat come directly from each student. 
 
Band Camp 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!

• 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. 

Band Camp Food
Registration for Band Camp lunches has been available the past few weeks. The cost for this year will be $115 and will include Ten (10) total meals.

• Five (5) lunches during Week 1
• Four (4) lunches during Week 2. Note: There will be no lunch on Friday due to the DCI trip.
• One (1) lunch during our Winter Band Camp or Winter Guard Camp.

 Students will not have time to leave campus during their lunch break. If they do not wish to purchase lunches through the Band Parents Association, students will need to bring a sack lunch.
Please complete the Google Survey below by Tuesday July 9, 2024 at 5pm. Upon completion of the Google Survey, please submit your payment via Venmo (@HuntsvilleHS-BandParentAssoc) or check submitted to the Band Box. 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB7IzqX6PGgEKFG-n1XGRjiC1Yqn2Gtb_J43RbUya2pE2pUQ/viewform
Google Survey and 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
New this year - 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

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

 
FITTINGS, FORM, and FEES Night -  (FOR ALL BAND STUDENTS - CONCERT ONLY INCLUDED)
Students and Parents should come to their assigned night during Week 1 of Band Camp.  This is super important.  In addition to fitting your student with a uniform, you will be able to fill out mandatory paperwork, pay band dues #2 ($250), order your band polo, order a band show shirt, buy band merchandise, make sure we have your information up-to-date, and have any questions answered!   If your student is only in concert band, they will not be fitted for a uniform but will need to do everything else. 

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

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
​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 Uniform Fitting 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 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]
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!