HHS BAND WEEkly Newsletter november 11-17, 2024

Things We Like

​Weekly Schedule

Monday: No School.  Veterans Day Parade (marching band).
Tuesday:  Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 4:00-5:30 pm
Wednesday:  Off
Thursday:  Off
Friday:  Basketball Game Pep Band 7:00 pm 

St. Louis Trip Update! Thursday May 1 - Saturday, May 3.

We need students to pay their initial deposit and register for this trip if it's going to happen.  Please do so ASAP. We had around 100 students indicate they wanted to go on this trip on the google form.  We need a minimum of 90 for the trip to happen (this also can include chaperones/family members paying).  We should be in very good shape, but we just need you to register on the website and pay the initial deposit!  We should know details about the St. Louis Cardinals game soon....

Based on the survey sent out, we have over 90 students interested in the trip, so we are confident we will have the number to support 90 paid travelers. All students in the Huntsville High School Band (which includes concert only students and color guard members) are welcome to join us!

To sign up and make a deposit, please click on this link to make an account - https://urtoursandevents.wetravel.com/trips/huntsville-high-school-band-trip-ur-tours-and-events-84984574  All payments for the trip will be made through this portal, directly to our travel company, UR Tours. There is also an option to mail a check directly to them.

UR Tours offers OPTIONAL "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through a 3rd party provider.  Information on travel insurance can be found in the portal or by going to this link: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=158894&guid=06909dd1c24a4008bc2d21d72663716e

Payment Schedule
$150.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST TO CONFIRM TRIP DETAILS
$200.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2024
$250.00 PER PERSON ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025
BALANCE DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 14, 2025


Huntsville Veterans Day Parade - required marching band performance
Schedule
9:00 - 9:30 am - Band Room open for anyone that forgot anything
10:00 am - Meet in Parking Lot K (parking area across from the Clinton Ave post office).   Look for the band truck!!
You can drop off in the right lane of Clinton Ave by the bridge and cross the road (they usually have a police officer there).  You cannot drive into Parking Lot K.  Leave as much as possible in your car including cases (if there is little to no chance of rain).  City Parking garages offer free parking for the parade.  Give yourself ample time to park and walk to our spot!
11:11 am - Parade starts.  We are in the "blue" section of the parade - in the first half.  This year the parade begins and ends at Parking Lot K across from the Clinton Ave post office.  
12:30 pm - Finish the parade and dismiss.  Load the truck or take your instrument with you.  
Uniform
Full Band Marching Uniform - please arrive in your uniform (don't bring your garment bag to the meeting spot)
Color Guard will be in their school color guard uniform that matches the band.
Other information
Here is a news article that shows a map of the route.

Holiday Gifts
Do you ask your student what they want for Christmas and they tell you "I don't know."   Do you need a stocking stuffer?  We have solutions!  Instrument accessories and even upgraded instruments make great holiday gifts!    Most of the items below can be found locally at Gadsden Music or Hallman's Music or also on Amazon or you can order from the links provided.    
For Clarinets and Saxophones - a box of new reeds is always needed and can fit inside a stocking.  Students are supposed to be rotating between about 4-5 reeds at a time.  We recommend Van Doren 3 or 3.5 strength reeds.  The v21 model of reeds is even better!  You may need to ask your student what reed they like to play on as it varies and if they plan on getting a harder strength reed next time.  
Neck Strap (saxophones only).  You may have lost yours or want a more comfortable/upgraded one.  
For Trumpets, Trombones, and French Horns:  Mutes make great gifts.  All students should have a straight mute and all straight mutes are not equal.  Straight Humes and Berg stoneline mutes (the white and red ones) are cheapest but don't play in tune very well.  We recommend a metal mute.  Good brands include Tom Brown, Dennis Wick, and Jo-Ral.
If you are in wind ensemble and already have a good straight mute, a cup mute (any brand - even the red and white stoneliner) is a good purchase.  
Practice mutes are also valuable if your student plays at home and it's too loud!
Percussion:  Sticks, Mallets, practice pads, a new/upgraded stick bag, 
All Brass:   Tuning Slide grease, valve oil, trombone slide grease, and polishing clothes (there is a different cloth for SILVER instruments) make great stocking stuffers! 
Woodwinds - new Cleaning rod/cloth/swab, cork grease.
All Instruments:   Does your student own a metronome/tuner?  Many students like to use apps on their phone, but with our school policy of no cell phones and if your student gets their phone taken away from them, then having a metronome/tuner comes in very useful.  This is on the cheaper end of tuner/metronomes but would do great Tuners & Metronomes | Music & Arts.  There are more fancier ones if you want.  
Do you have a folding stand at home for practicing?  Not using a stand can create bad habits.   You can also invest in a real stand but they are more pricey ($50). folding stand results | Music & Arts
Instrument Upgrades  If you are playing on a beginning instrument that you played on in 6th grade, it's time for a new instrument.  If you plan to play on your instrument through college and beyond, it may also be time to invest in a professional level instrument that will remain with you as long as you want to play.  We can help!  If you plan on purchasing a new instrument whether at Christmas time or during the year, please consult with band directors and private teachers!  We will help find the right one for you - including buying a used one for a better price.  
While specialty/toy instruments are fun to own, upgrading your current instrument is always better.  There is often little use for a pocket trumpet, soprano trombone, soprano sax, etc in band other than playing it at your home.  
Novelty items (all instruments):  Lifestyle | Music & Arts

Winter Guard 
Every newsletter will have a winter guard section for upcoming events and schedules for our color guard families.  Our schedule has been confirmed and no changes have been made from the original. The schedule can be viewed here.  
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Winter Guard Uniform 
Now is the time to order your students winter guard uniform! As communicated in the cost section of the Color Guard contract, at the beginning of the year, parents are responsible for the cost of the winter guard uniform. The store linked below is open and will be through Friday, November 15th. Please place your order before then. 

Please contact Nicole Gorman if you have questions about what size to order, she can give you your students measurements.  You are responsible for ordering your own uniform through the following link:  Huntsville High School Winter Guard November 2024 | DeMoulin Bros. & Co. | powered by OrderMyGear

Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, December 10th - Winter Concert

Questions/Concerns?  Please contact the following:
Grades, missing rehearsals/absences, conflicts, instruments, general band questions - [email protected] or andrew.kirk@hsv-k12.org

If you have any of the following issues, please direct your questions to [email protected]. They’ll be able to guide you to the appropriate point of contact.

• Band Student Account Balances, band fees
• Business or Individual Sponsorships
• Fundraising Questions 
• Volunteering/Chaperones 
• Cut Time, Band App, or Social Media Questions 
• Senior Night 
• Uniforms (except color guard uniforms)  
• Color Guard including uniforms (except for absences, conflicts, or grades) 
• Percussion 
• General Band Boosters Questions 

 A Big Thank You To Our Sponsor, The Biscuit Express