HHS Band Weekly newsletter march 15-19, 2021

Calendar for the Week! 

Schedule for the week March 15-19
Monday – Symphonic Band 4:00-5:30.  Winter Guard 4:00-6:00
Tuesday – Wind Ensemble 4-5:30
Wednesday – Off
Thursday – Off
Friday – Trip to Georgia Large Group Assessment for Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.  
Saturday – Winter Guard Alabama Championships – Bob Jones High School

From Stuart.Tankesley@hsv-k12.org & Holly.Connell@hsv-k12.org

Georgia State Assessment Trip – Friday, March 19
We are planning to participate in Georgia Large Group Assessment on Friday, March 19th at Ringgold High School in Ringgold, Georgia.  Please help the directors and booster board out by reading this information completely and submitting the appropriate money and forms in time. 
 
What:  Georgia Large Group Assessment.  This is the equivalent of the Alabama Music Performance Assessment (MPA) that we typically participate in.  Because Alabama's is virtual this year, Georgia has invited us to participate.  
 
When:  Friday, March 19th (less than 2 weeks away!)
 
Where:  Ringgold High School in Ringgold, Georgia.  Approximately a 2 hour drive, just South of Chattanooga.
 
Want to chaperone?  Mrs. Beumer is looking for some chaperones to join us!  Those wanting to chaperone can sign up in charms or email abeumer09@gmail.com
 
COST AND FOOD:
 
The cost of this trip is $13 – this includes lunch and a small upcharge to help with the event cost.  The deadline to submit was Friday, March 12thIn order for your lunch to be complete.  If you have not submitted a form and money at this point, please contact Kim Ejide directly at kimberlyejide@yahoo.com   If it is not submitted to the box with your money for lunch, we will not have a lunch available to you.  The only other option is to bring your own food.
 
 Transportation:
 
We are planning to take 3 charter buses to the event using the credits we had from our Europe trip last year.   The quarantine rule on the bus is the same as other places– 6 feet or approximately 3 seats.   We estimate buses will be 60-65% capacity, but this could be lower depending on who decides to drive.
 
If you are not comfortable with your student riding on the charter bus for quarantine/covid issues, but still want to participate in the event, you can fill out a form to make alternate transportation arrangements.  We will also have extra forms in the bandroom if anyone needs it.  DEADLINE TO TURN IN FORM IS FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH by the end of the day.   You do not have to turn in a form if you are planning to ride the bus.   Although the school system allows for student drivers, we really prefer students do not drive themselves 2 hours to a place we haven’t been before for safety reasons.  It is ultimately a parent decision. 
 
Schedule
 
Friday, March 19th
7:30 am – Arrive at HHS.  Have your concert uniform on.  Guys can bring their jacket on a hanger.  For reasons related to COVID, we will not be able to change clothes on this trip.
8:00 am (central time) – Depart HHS
11:00 am (eastern time) – Lunch (prepackaged lunches from Chik-fil-a or Jason’s deli or bring your own food on the bus).  Planning to eat outside or in a large indoor area.
12:00 pm – Depart Lunch
12:30 pm – Arrive at Ringgold High School
1:00 pm – Symphonic Band Warm up (Wind Ensemble go sit and watch performances in the audience)
1:30 pm -   Symphonic Band Performance
2:30 pm - Wind Ensemble warms up
3:00 pm – Wind Ensemble performs
3:45 pm – Load Buses
4:15 pm (eastern time) – Depart Ringgold
~5:15 pm (central time) – Back at School!
 
Other Information
 
Students will be in CONCERT UNIFORMS (dresses and tuxedos).  Please make sure you have ALL the parts to your uniform before leaving your house.  Guys should have have black socks.  Everyone should have black dress shoes.
 
You are responsible for making sure your instrument gets loaded on the bus.  Make sure you have MUSIC, mutes, sticks/mallets, extra reeds, valve oil, slide grease, or anything else you may need.
 
 
 Covid Protocols and Concerns
This is a huge deal for the band program and it will also give our band students some normalcy.    We believe we can do so safely and give the students a great and memorable experience.   We have planned for this trip based on the students that are continuously participating in in-person activities, but we understand there still may be concerns. We ask that if you are planning to opt out to email Mr. Tankesley (stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org) or Mrs. Connell (holly.connell@hsv-k12.org) so we are aware of this and can plan for the success of each group accordingly.   Letting us know in advance allows us to make decisions for the good of the group in case there are parts in the music missing. 
 
What are we doing to make sure this can be done safely?

• Masks worn at all times except when playing your instrument.
• Students travel in concert uniforms (no need to change clothes).
• 3 charter buses at 60-70% capacity (may be less if any students choose to be driven by parents, or are on quarantine).  HCS allows for full buses (2 to a seat) with masks on – but we are doing less capacity than this.
• As with everything we have done in-person this year, students do not have to go if they are not comfortable with COVID.  It’s very important that we know who would not be able to go as it impacts the whole group’s ability to perform in many cases.  We are in a pattern where we are assuming students that are actively participating in in-person band would participate in this, but we understand that is not always the case.
• If a parent is not comfortable with a student riding the bus, you may ride in a PARENT vehicle (no student drivers).   We would get you the correct paperwork for this.
• Adult/chaperone supervision in addition to teacher supervision for mask wearing and social distancing to the extent possible.
• Prepackaged box lunch for students in Chattanooga. 
• Weather permitting, lunch will be eaten outside.    There will be a backup plan for bad weather.
• Spreading out to a 6 ft distance on stage when performing (this is a requirement of the event)
• Stage (chairs/stands) disinfected between each performance by the event staff.
• Our bell-front instruments (trumpets and trombones) have started wearing bell covers to prevent aerosols from coming out of their bells.
• We may have time to watch some bands perform (auditorium capacity limited to 250), if so we would spread out to the extent possible. 
• Immediate return to campus after the performance

 
Other Band Announcements
 
Band Contracts 21-22
 Band Contracts were given out last week during class and due before Spring Break by March 26th.   You can submit these in person to the band box or electronically to a director.   You can also access the contract through this link:  Band Contract
 
MAKE UP PICTURES / COLOR GUARD PICTURES
 
Color Guard photos and any make up band photos will be taken Monday, March 22 from 12:30 – 2:00 pm (3rd block B day).  Please see a director if you need us to work with a teacher to allow you to come down for a few minutes for the picture.  This is during our normal color guard class.  If you are having your picture made, don’t forget to bring your uniform to school to wear. 
 
Percussion Ensemble and Small Ensemble Concert – Date Change
Due to a conflict, the concert has been changed to Tuesday, May 11th at 7:00 pm in the auditorium. 
 
Percussion Ensemble discussed their uniform this week and decided to wear black dress pants (or your tux pants) with a black button up shirt (or nice black shirt for females).  
 
If any wind players would like to perform a solo that you’ve been working on in private lessons or a small ensemble piece, talk to a director.
 
Class Registration
We hope you are in the process of thinking about your class options for next year.  Below is a list of the classes we prefer you sign up for when you register in inow.  If you submitted something on paper that says something other than this, it’s ok.  I know registration has started for some grades already.  Remember that the titles of these classes do not matter, so just register the number that you see.  Each class represents a semester and 0.5 credit, but the classes are paired together (you have to register for both to be enrolled).  For those doing marching band and concert band you will sign up for a total of 4 numbers.
 
Upcoming Seniors – sign up for the following concert band classes:
Marching Band V
05103G0505
9-12
0.5

Concert Band V
05102G0505
9-12
0.5
 
Upcoming Juniors – sign up for the following concert band classes:
Marching Band IV
05103G0504
9-12
0.5

Concert Band IV
05102G0504
9-12
0.5
 
Upcoming Sophomores – sign up for the following concert band classes:
Marching Band III
05103G0503
9-12
0.5

Concert Band III
05102G0503
9-12
0.5
 
Upcoming Freshmen – sign up for the following concert band classes:
Marching Band II
05103G0502
9-12
0.5

Concert Band II
05102G0502
9-12
0.5
 
ALL MARCHING BAND – INCLUDING COLOR GUARD, WINTER GUARD, PERCUSSION, MAJORETTES
Marching Band I
05103G0501
9-12
0.5

Concert Band I
05102G0501
9-12
0.5
 
 
WE NEED NEWSPAPER AND LARGE GLASS JARS!!
Our percussion ensemble is playing music that requires LOTS of newspaper. We are looking for anyone to donate newspaper to the band.  Just bring it to the band office!  We are also looking for large (1 gallon or larger) glass jars.
 
 
 Upcoming Dates for Spring and Summer 2021 
Performances (edited 3/12 to update percussion concert date)
Saturday, March 20th - Winter Guard State Championships at Bob Jones
Thursday, April 29th - Spring Concert (Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band)
Tuesday, May 11th - Percussion Ensemble and Solo Concert  (Percussionists in 1B Class and others involved)
TBA – Band Banquet
Thursday, May 27th - Graduation at the Von Braun Center.  Time TBA (probably evening)  **Depending on school plans related to COVID for how this will work.  All band students that are not seniors typically perform at graduation.  
 
Auditions for Fall 2021 and Summer Dates
TBA (April)  Drum Major
April 26-30   Color Guard Auditions.  HHS Freshman Cafeteria 4-5:30. 
April 22, May 6, 11, 13  Marching Percussion Camp/Auditions  6:00 – 8:00 pm
May 3-7      Fall 2021 Concert Band Auditions 
May 10-14  Leadership Auditions and Interviews.  Exact events TBA.
Tues-Fri, June 1-4 Rookie Camp (required for all new members and leadership except color guard)  8:00 am - 12:00 pm
June 7-11  Color Guard Summer Camp.  All day.
Tuesdays from 5-8 in June Percussion Summer Camps  5:00-8:00 pm
Wed-Friday, July 14-16 Make-up Rookie Camp (new members).  Please email stuart.tankesley@hsv-k12.org if you need to attend them make up rookie camp (unable to attend in May).  8:00-12:00.  
Wed-Friday, July 14-16 Color guard camp  Times TBA
July 19(Monday) – beginning of Band Camp!! All students that participate in marching band are required to attend.  Any student not attending in full will not have a spot in the marching band.  Please address any conflicts with a director ASAP!  All Day!
 
 HCS 21-22 Calendar:  https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/sites/default/files/2021-22%20School%20Year%20Calendar%20v2.pdf

Band Fundraising!!!

VBC Wristbanders you are desperately needed for the MARCH Havoc Games ... Here is the link. (* you must have completed Vendor Responsibility Training with the VBC in order to sign up)  

HHS Band WRISTBANDER - Havoc Games

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AA29A6F4C70-march

**************************************
VBC Concessions events for MARCH. 

The VBC has opened more volunteer opportunities to the band - please review all of the information below and take advantage of earning money for your student’s band fees!  
Below are LINKS to sign up and work concessions for MARCH. Each event worked will earn money for your student’s band account and the band itself! A great way to earn and pay for existing band fees or earn for future expenses.  TONS OF GREAT WAYS TO EARN MONEY!!
Please note the following information when working concessions at the VBC

• Must sign up through the Sign Up Genius Link below!
• Various shifts available - Read through dates and times!
• Sign in on the HHS Band CONCESSIONS Volunteer Sheet in the Concessions Office
• Must be 16yrs or older to work. No experience necessary, someone from the VBC will train you if necessary.
• If parents or siblings are working on behalf of a band student please note the students name next to your name when signing in on the volunteer sheet.

HHS Band CONCESSION - Havoc Games

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AA29A6F4C70-march1


Additional CONCESSION Opportunities for March
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AA29A6F4C70-hhsband5

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