HHS Band Weekly newsletter march 22-26, 2021

The HHS Band Parent Board of Directors needs YOU!  We have open volunteer position for the 2021-2022 School Year.  We are searching for folks who are eager to push the band forward - with your fundraising skills and leadership skills.  This is a GREAT way to spend time with your student working together on one of the most meaningful parent projects you can do!  Interested?  Contact Darin Miller today! 

Schedule for the week of March 22-26

Schedule for the week March 22-26
Monday –  Color Guard and Make up Band pictures during 3rd block (Bring your uniform to school).  Symphonic Band 4:00-5:30. 
Tuesday – Wind Ensemble 4-5:30
Wednesday – Off
Thursday – Off
Friday – Band Contracts due for 21-22.  Submit these in person to the band box or electronically ([email protected])   

From [email protected] & [email protected]

Message from the Directors

We've had a very busy and successful weekend!  We have so many reasons to be proud of our students.  On Friday, both the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performed extremely well at the Georgia Large Group Assessment at Ringgold High School.  Wind Ensemble received straight superior ratings and the Symphonic Band received an excellent rating. We are very proud of the students for their performance especially given the unique circumstances of this year.  We performed for a great audience and received so many compliments about how professional the students were as well as how well they performed.  It was a great experience being able to play for a new audience, new judges, and we may be the only band from Alabama to ever play at this event!  The performances are available on our facebook page.  
On Saturday, our winter guard gave a fantastic final performance at the Alabama Winter Guard Championships of their show, "Take Me Home" at Bob Jones High School.  In spite of being quarantined for 2 weeks in February, being forced to miss 2 competitions, and dealing with a week of bad weather they were able to place 7th in the state.  They had a 4.5 point jump from their competition 2 weeks ago.  They have worked extremely hard to overcome these obstacles.  I encourage you to watch their performance on the facebook page.
We have 3 students competing in the super solo festival for the state of Alabama.  This past week they've been able to rehearse and record their solo to send to the state panel.  Alton Hudson and Gabbi Smith rehearsed with their pianist and recorded their solos on Sunday and Allie Polzin recorded with her pianist earlier this week.  The top 7 in the state based on the recorded audition will perform a live concert at all state in Mobile.   Wish them good luck!  They sounded great!  They are planning to perform their solos at our percussion ensemble concert on Tuesday, May 11th.  
Keep an eye on the newsletter to make sure you don't miss any dates as we enter a very busy time!  We have 2 big fundraisers coming up - Boston Butts right after Spring Break and a rummage sale at the end of the year!  We need everyone to sell 5 Boston Butts to help support the band program.  They are delicious and give you food for about a week!  We look forward to seeing everyone at our Spring Concert on Thursday, April 29th, our Percussion Ensemble Concert on Tuesday, May 11th, and Band Banquet on May 14th!

OTHER NOTES:  

1) Any student who used a school instrument during marching season should take it to Southeastern Music for repair/ maintenance evaluations.  All school instruments should be returned for inventory no later than May 20 and must include proof of inspection from Southeastern.

2) Tri-M Music honor society induction and performance are scheduled for Thursday, April 8 at 6:30pm in the band room.  Parents are welcomed to attend, but we ask that for social distancing planning that you email Mrs. Connell with the number of people you will be bringing.   

3) While we still have one more concert left in this year, please remember that uniforms must be dry cleaned and returned for inventory by Friday, May 14.  Uniforms must include the dry cleaning receipt to avoid the additional charge.  Uniforms not returned by May 14 will have a hold placed on final report cards. 

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 so you can change.
Band Banquet - Friday, May 14th
The band banquet is set for the evening of Friday, May 14th at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens.  It will be an outdoor event.  Students and families are invited.  We will have BBQ catered by Brent Bourland, a band parent and a part of a BBQ team that competes on the Netflix series "Bama-Q!"  
More information to come!
Drum Major Auditions
 ​Drum Major Auditions will take place Thursday, April 22nd right after school.
Our current drum majors will do a clinic for all those trying out on April 7, 8 and 9th from 4:00 - 5:00 pm in the band room.  You should plan to come to all 3 of these if you are trying out for drum major.
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 and decided to wear black dress pants (or your tux pants) with a black button up shirt (or nice black shirt for females).   Please make sure and have these before May 11th.  
 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.
 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; 3/18 drum major auditions and band banquet added)
Thursday, April 29th - Spring Concert (Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band)
Tuesday, May 11th - Percussion Ensemble and Solo Concert  (Percussionists in 4B Class and others involved)
Friday, May 14– Band Banquet.  Huntsville Botanical Gardens
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 22nd Drum Major Auditions
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 [email protected] 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

VBC Fundraising

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

HHS Band WRISTBANDER - MARCH Havoc Games

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

HHS Band WRISTBANDER - APRIL Havoc Games
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AA29A6F4C70-april

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VBC Concessions events for MARCH & APRIL. 

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 and APRIL. 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.

MARCH - Havoc Games
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AA29A6F4C70-
APRIL - Havoc Games
march1https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AA29A6F4C70-april1
**Special SHOUT OUTS and THANK YOUS to Iyana Lucas and Audrey Beumer they worked concessions during the SEC Gymnastic Championship Meet at the VBC on Saturday....Thanks so much for your help!!**

If you have any VBC questions please contact Sheri at [email protected]!!