H

This Week's News

*   Booster Executive Board Changes:  At the last HHS Band Booster Executive Board meeting held Monday, August 11, the Board accepted the resignation of Co-President Kurt Frederick.  VP for Ways and Means, Cindy Smith, will fill the Co-President position and Parliamentarian Jody Gregory was moved to VP for Ways and Means.  The position of Parliamentarian is now open; interested persons should contact Co-Presidents Reggie Gaulle or Cindy Smith for more information.

*  We're looking for an ATV or Mule to pull Pit equipment during football games and contests.  If you, or someone you know, has one we could borrow, please contact someone on the Executive Board.

*  The visitor side concession stand was opened for the first time Saturday night. It will be open five more times this season.

*  Our first home football game is Friday night and there will be a LOT of support needed that night.  If you are able to help with concessions, hospitality, or (pit) logistics this weekend, please reply so we can count on you.  Other parents, if you are available to help in any capacity, please come on over by 5:30 PM to sign in and get your assignments.

*  For those attending football games: we noticed that the gate fee this year is $6 per adult.  Don't forget your gate fee Friday night!

*  Mr. Chester will send out a gig sheet for Friday night later this week.  It will outline call time, uniform needs, and other pertinent information.  Please look for a hard copy from your child, or email from Mr. Chester.

From Mr. Chester:

 --  We will wear the casual uniform for the next two football games. The Hillwood High School Band Casual uniform is khaki pants (no shorts, no capris) tennis shoes (no open toe sandals, flip flops or house shoes), and the black Hillwood Band golf shirt. New students are issued one for free. For those who have lost their shirts the replacement fee is $15.00. The students will wear this uniform after all contests and at special performances throughout the year.

--  It's time to get a jump on band shoes. New members (or returning members who have misplaced their shoes) will need to purchase band shoes available from the band office. The cost is $30.00. The shoes fit like regular tennis shoes so please make sure your child knows what size they wear. We will place orders by Tuesday afternoon so please make sure we get your order in.

--  Please make sure your child has a copy of the Foundations for Superior Performance for their instrument. It is the same purple book your child used in band last year (if they were a member of Hillwood, H.G. Hill, or Bellevue Band Programs). If you have any problems obtaining a copy please contact the band office.

--The band students will be given weekly practice objective sheets. Please make sure to talk with your child about their practice habits. The students will turn the sheets in every Monday morning for a grade and will receive a new one for that week. The sheets will be available online in a matter of days for student convenience. Percussion students will have a slightly modified sheet that will be signed by the band directors and given to parents to sign as well (since most of our percussion students don't have access to the kinds of equipment they need to practice at home) Please encourage your child in their practice habits.

WHAT A WEEK!!!  I don't know if you all are as tired as I am, but, phew!  I just couldn't muster up enough energy to get an email out last week.  And then there were the changes . back to school, running to get additional school supplies, looking for that non-existent book at all the book stores in town.  Not to mention all the changes for the kids at school . new teachers, new principal, new classrooms, and HOMEWORK!  Hopefully we can all get settled in.

Being a "band parent" means many things to many people, and marching season brings on a whole different perspective.  The kids will have to manage school work and rehearsals and we'll have to manage odd dinner times and carpools.  As a parent, I can tell you that marching season is the most fun, the most exhausting, but the most fun.  I made many close friends running from here to there and stacking helmets, bringing things to concessions.  I hope you are able to find your place in our family and look forward to seeing you as much as possible.

Friday night football games are very different from contest Saturdays, and I'm sure you're wondering what to expect.  Call time varies from game to game, depending on the location of the event.  Student should be fed prior to arriving at the school.  In the past, we have been able to pre-order pizzas for $5 a pizza or $2 a slice.  (I may be wrong, but will let you know later this week.)  So, if you can't feed your child before hand, please make sure they have pizza and drink money.  Students will gather in the rehearsal hall and parents will be busy running from here to there getting things taken care of for the directors.  Half-time is a wonderful time to see the performance, but we'll still need volunteers at the concession stand and equipment helpers for the Pit.  3rd Quarter we always have a "hospitality" room in the school lobby where we provide snacks and drinks for the visiting band and the kids can mingle. The kids will return to the stands for the last quarter of the game and will march back to the school after playing the school song for the football team.  Students will need to stick around long enough to help put things away and clean the school before being released.  Parents, you'll need your green HHS Band shirt if you are going to volunteer.  We still have a few of these available for sale, but you may want to find a "kelly green" shirt just in case...

This is my editorial comment. Each year we have parents who feel they shouldn't have to pay to watch their students perform at half-time, and in the past, we've been able to accommodate those who volunteered for the band.  We have a new administration this year and are not quite sure how things at the gate will change.  I feel it is only fair for us to pay for the football games, just as it is fair for the football parents to pay.  Please don't put additional pressure on the band directors asking for free admission to the games - they will have enough on their minds getting the students ready for the performance.

Look for part 2 of this week's news later this week!