HHS Band weekly newsletter march 27-31 2023

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Monday - Symphonic Band 4-5:30.   Goodies with Guard at Bob Jones.  (Winter Guard)
Tuesday - No Wind Ensemble   Winter Guard 4-6.
Wednesday - Off.  
Thursday -  Wind Ensemble 4:00 - 5:30 
Friday  -   LONDON PAYMENT DUE - SEE INFO BELOW!!  BAND CONTRACTS DUE!   Pep Band @Blossomwood Elementary. 
Saturday - Solo and Ensemble for those that signed up - Liberty Middle School.  SCGC Winter Guard Finals @ Western Kentucky University!  Go Winter Guard!   

London Connection! NEW INFORMATION!!!
Remember, even if you plan to do concert band only, if you are planning to march the parade in London, you need to attend week 1 of band camp!

Payment #3 of $400 is due by THIS FRIDAY, March 31st!  For this payment, please also include email addresses of travelers in your party who do not receive our emails.  We need to make sure we have a communication trail to everyone! To be an active member of the trip, every traveler must have submitted $1000 by March 31st.  It's not too late to join.  We are currently at 170 travelers.

Parent Coordinator
Our parent trip coordinator for London is Karen Hansberger.  If you have specific questions about the trip as we get closer, she will be a great resource.  She will also be helping collect rooming lists, passport copies, bus lists, shipping documents, and more.   Her email is [email protected]

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

Performances
The band will perform multiple times in London - the parade being the biggest performance.  We are also planning a concert performance and some possible pop up performances.

Information
We have ADDED A SAMPLE ITINERARY TO THE DRIVE!  London information can be found in our google drive. Click here to access google drive

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!  We will at least be taking additional travelers through Band Camp.  

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.

When do I need my passport by?
We will start collecting passport copies in August.  If you are committed to going, you need to have your passport by then.  We will still be able to add at that point, but anyone going must be able to get a passport in time.  

Will I have free time in London?
There will be a variety of structured and unstructured time in London.   Please remember this is a group band/school trip, not an individual or family vacation.  Those traveling are expected to participate in all group events (unless health issues don't allow).  You should also have plenty of time to move around London in smaller or family groups to do things not on the itinerary (London Eye, show in West end, etc).  Take a look at the sample itinerary in the google drive for a better idea.   You will have plenty of time to see and do what you would like to do!  Some things in London are better experienced in small groups rather than large groups.  More about this later....

Rooms
Because of the size and nature of hotel rooms in London, hotel rooms will be 2 people per room (2 single beds or a double).  Some hotels have limited family rooms available, but we can't guarantee there will be enough to accommodate all family situations.    We will be collecting room requests in the Fall.   We will know our hotel by Fall.  

Final Fundraiser of the Year 
The crazy sock fundraiser is currently in progress.  All students were given a sheet of information on how it works and we had a kick-off meeting last Wednesday.  There will be a 60/40 split on this fundraiser with 60% going towards your individual account and 40% going to the band.  As always we appreciate your help to raise money for your account and the band!

Encourage your student to load as many contacts as possible into their account and share it on text messages, email, and social media!

The deadline is Friday, April 7th.  

COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS!
Be on the lookout for the link to order your commemorative bricks next week!  These bricks will be professionally engraved and installed in the main courtyard at HHS. These tributes to your student will leave their mark on the grounds of HHS and is a great way to honor their years of hard work!  

BAND BANQUET!  Mark your calendars for the best Band Banquet ever!  See you Friday Night, May 12 at StoveHouse!  Many more details soon to come! 

BAND CONTRACTS!!!
Now is the time to make your commitment for band next year.  The contract is due by March 31 and the latest marching band numbers can be adjusted is audition week (first week of May).  You can fill out and email back or turn into the band box at school.   Remember, even if you plan to do concert only, if you are planning to march the parade in London, you need to attend week 1 of band camp!

Band Contracts can be accessed here.  Hard copies are available at school.  

Winter Guard Information
Information for Goodies with the Guard and SCGC finals are on the website  

Our last afterschool practice for the year will be this Tuesday!

Color Guard Auditions for 23-24 
April 24-28 in the Freshman Academy from 4-6 each day.  We encourage every member to find one current HHS student that you know to come audition.  

Please contact Mrs. Jeffress if you have any questions regarding the schedule or transportation.  [email protected]

Wind Ensemble after school rehearsals
We are going to transition to 1 after school rehearsal per week for Wind Ensemble.
We will rehearse the following dates:
Thursday, March 30th
Tuesday, April 4th
Thursday, April 13th
Thursday, April 20th.

Upcoming Events
Week of April 24-28 - Color Guard Auditions 4-6
Tuesday, April 25th - Spring Concert
Thursday, April 27-Saturday, April 29th - All State Band (for those involved)\
Week of May 1-5 concert Auditions in Class
Thursday, May 4th - Percussion / Chamber Music Concert
Friday, May 5th - Senior Fine Arts Signing Day (4th block).

Marching Uniform Return Procedures:

• All uniform items listed below should be returned by March 31!
• All items should be either dry cleaned or washed.  Washing instructions below
• All items should be retuned in red garment bag distributed to each student with uniform.

Please return:
o   Uniform Jacket (ensure mirrored accessory is on jacket)
o   Uniform Gauntlets (2 pcs)
o   Uniform Shako (hat) in protective plastic carrying case (ensure mirrored accessory is on Shako)

• Please do not return Shoes, Gloves and Socks.  These items should be used for the next band season.  If you will not be participating in band the following year, gently used shoes can be donated.  Please follow donation procedures below:   
• Please do not return Marching Uniform Pants (Bibbers).  This item is yours to keep as it was charged to your charms account.  If you will not be participating in band the following year, gently used bibbers can be donated.  Please follow donation procedures below. If you require a new pair of bibbers, please follow ordering procedures below.

 
Washing Instructions:

• Remove all accessories from Jacket before placing in washer.
• Check pockets in bibbers.
• Recommended detergent: Woolite All Darks or any detergent for dark colors only.
• Recommend to wash uniform separately, do not mix with other clothing
• Wash on gentle cycle only and in cold water
• Hang to Dry…DO NOT TUMBLE DRY!!!

 
Donation Procedures:

• Acceptable Items for Donation
  • Bibbers in good condition
  • Shoes in good condition
• Items to be donated should be brought to the uniform room in a bag clearly marked/labeled “DONATION” by May 15.  Items will not be accepted after that date.
• Bibbers should be cleaned/washed, and shoes should be together to ensure they are kept as a pair.
• A uniform sale will occur during rookie camp and band camp.  Specific dates to be announced.  

 
Ordering Procedures:

• All incoming freshmen will be sized for bibbers and shoes during rookie camp.  If you are anticipating participating in band next year, please ensure you are at rookie camp for sizing.  Specific dates to be announced.
• If you are a returning student and need either bibbers or shoes, you will be sized during band camp.  At that time please let us know if you also need gloves. Specific dates to be announced.

 
Concert Uniform Return Procedures:

• All concert uniform items listed below should be returned by May 5!
• All items should be retuned in red garment bag distributed to each student with uniform.
•  Boys:

o   Concert Items include, Tuxedo Jacket, Tuxedo Pants, Tie and Cummerbund
o   Jacket and Pants must be dry cleaned.  Dry cleaning tag must remain on uniform for proof of dry cleaning.  If item is returned without dry cleaning tag, a $15 charge will be charge to your charms account.

• Girls

o   Concert items include black dress
o   Dress must be dry cleaned.  Dry cleaning tag must remain on uniform for proof of dry cleaning.  If item is returned without dry cleaning tag, a $15 charge will be charge to your charms account.
 


Band Camp / Summer Schedule 2023
April 24 - 28 Color Guard Auditions 4-6  Freshman Academy.
Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2  Rookie Camp (new members only), Marching Percussion Placement Camp from 1-4, and Guard Camp (percussion times edited 2/24)
July 6-8 - Leadership Camp (leadership team only)
July 12-14 Make up rookie camp (new members only) and Marching Percussion Camp (8-12).  (percussion times edited 2/24)
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!
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