hhs band weekly newsletter May 15-19, 2023

Things We Like

The "Red Carpet" Band Banquet was a great culmination to a fantastic year! Many great memories were made this year. Congratulations to all the seniors who participated in the fine arts signing day. So many great things ahead for these awesome students. This accomplished senior class will be greatly missed as will the fabulous Ben Boles. Many, many thanks are due to Ben and Erin for 7 years of tireless and enthusiastic service to the band. You and your family will be greatly missed! 

Schedule for the week

​Monday - Off  Band room open until 5:30 pm for leadership projects.
Tuesday - Off  Band room open until 5:30 pm for leadership projects.
Wednesday - Off  Band room open until 5:30 pm for leadership projects.
Thursday -    Off. Special brass and woodwind quintet performance 
Friday  -  Off

Graduation
This is a reminder that all students who are not graduating are required to perform at graduation on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 5:30 pm at the VBC.   We provide a very important role in the graduation ceremony.  It is our final performance of the year.  

We are working on a plan to take school buses this year to help out parking and transportation issues.  The full schedule will be in next week's email.  

Exams
Students in A2 (Symphonic Band), A3 (Wind Ensemble), and B1 (Marching band class) will rehearse graduation music during their scheduled exam time.  Attendance is required.

End of Year Items
MARCHING UNIFORMS  
These were due back by March 31st and we still have some students who have not returned them.  They must be dry cleaned, a receipt included, and garment bag included.  Don't forget to return your shako and gauntlets.   Detailed instructions were handed to students and included in March newsletters.Questions?  [email protected]

Color Guard onlyPlease return both your marching and winter guard uniform to Mr. Tankesley (or put on the band table with your name on it).   They should be clean when you return them.

If you have any additional equipment that belongs to the band other than our stand equipment that stays in the guard room, make sure we check that back in.
Questions?  [email protected]

Concert Band Uniforms
These were due back Friday, May 12th.  Do not turn in tuxedo shirts or shoes unless you would like to donate them.
Questions?  [email protected]


School owned instruments
Students who played a school owned instrument (concert or marching) excluding percussion need to take these to Southeastern Instrumental Services to have them evaluated.  You are responsible for any repairs made.  Seniors need to do this now.  Everyone else should do it after they audition next week.  Marching instruments can go now.    Do not wait to long on this as Southeastern gets backed up with repairs in the summer.  The longer you wait, the longer it will take to get it back.  You are also welcome to use Gadsden music to do repairs, but they are less familiar with our process.  We need this done prior to the last day of school on May 24th.

Southeastern Instrumental Services
3308 9th Ave SW
Huntsville, AL 35805
+12565395906
8:30 am - 5:00 pm M-F

After you have done this, check in your instrument with Mr. Kirk.  Make sure you include the receipt given to you by Southeastern.  Questions?  [email protected]


Music/other items
If you have original music or other items that belong to the band, please make sure they get returned.

Seniors!
If you haven't turned in a uniform or equipment to the band room, we will be reporting it to the school next week.  Anything not returned or unpaid would prevent you from walking at graduation.  

Band Fees 23-24
The first payment of band fees is due by the last day of school (May 24th) of $250.  Upcoming freshman's first payment is due by the end of rookie camp.   If you want to pay the full amount of $750, there is a 5% discount ($712.50)

Letterman Jackets
Lee’s Sporting Goods has opened an online “store” for us to purchase letterman jackets. This is organized by parents and is not school sponsored. Just a fun way to bring back tradition and boost school spirit! If interested, the link is below and will be open until May 20. The letter options for band is a treble cleft or the word “BAND”. Please contact Lee’s directly with any questions about your order.
Link:
https://hhsletterman2023.itemorder.com/shop/product/31728185/

London Connection! (updated 3/26)
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!
Click here to see an updated list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

All information on the trip can be found in our google drive:  Click here to access google drive - 

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
To be included in our travel count with the travel company, each traveler must have paid $1000 at this point.
The next payment of $800 is due September 1, 2023.
What do I need to do right now?
 1.  Get your passport now!  It should be valid 6 months past our return date!  There are major delays with passports - watch this recent news report 
 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 

Upcoming Events
Thursday, May 25th - Graduation 5:30 pm  VBC arena .  All non-graduating Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble members are required to perform.    Dress is business casual (no jeans, no t-shirts, no tennis/athletic shoes).
May 30 - June 2 - Rookie Camp (8-12), Guard Camp (8-2), Percussion Camp (1-4)

Band Camp / Summer Schedule 2023
Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2 Rookie Camp (new members only), Marching Percussion Placement Camp from 1-4, and Guard Camp 8-2 (percussion times edited 2/24; guard times added 4/20)
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 1- Marching Band pictures will be made from 2-4pm for the Football Media Guide and for family purchase. This is MANDATORY.
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!