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This Week's News

* Congratulations to our band students!  TEN of our members auditioned for (and made!) the Nashville Youth Orchestra Program.  CURB YOUTH SYMPHONY (CYS) members: Rachel Smith, Scott Franco, Brent Ottarski, Reed Owens, Brian Allen, Justin Baker, and Blake Roan.  Also securing a spot on cello is Barrett Frederick, brother of Jordan Frederick.  NASHVILLE YOUTH REPERTORY ORCHESTRA (YRO) members: Shelby Rosenberg and Joe Dansby.  This is the largest Hillwood representation we've ever had.  Congratulations talented young people!

* Pinning Ceremony Friday, September 12. The pinning ceremony will begin at 7:00 in the HHS auditorium, followed by a brief reception in the lobby. Weather permitting, the band have a full dress rehearsal beginning at 8:30 (location TBD). Students will need to have ALL uniform parts by this time. Failure to do so will result in failing inspection for the evening.

* Smart Card sales are wrapping up.  All money and/or cards need to be returned to Cindy Smith by Tuesday, September 9th.

* Central Parking fundraiser is starting soon.  If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser, please let us know ASAP.  We're putting together a mailing list of interested volunteers.  Volunteers will need to check their email for last-minute date openings or changes. More information will be posted on the Hillwood High School Band website <http://www.hillwoodband.com> .

* Uniform update.  All students will need to purchase BLACK SPORT HEADBANDS by next Friday; these are considered part of your uniform. Students need to bring an extra pair of black socks available for emergency use.  Look for a handout attached to next week's email for more information.

* ALL parent volunteers need to have green golf shirts when representing the Hillwood High School Band.  This year we're going with Forest Green instead of the current Kelly Green shirts.  If you were unable to purchase your golf shirt earlier, or would like to purchase the darker green shirt, please let Cindy Franco know.  We need a minimum of 36 shirts before we can order them.  Please preorder your shirt as soon as possible.  There is a 2-week turn-around time, so the sooner your orders are placed, the sooner we can get the shirts in.

* REMINDERS:
     1) Under armor shirt money ($10) by Monday, 9/8
     2) Syllabus (page 4) signed and returned by Tuesday, 9/9
     3) Turn in Smart Card money by Tuesday, 9/8
     4) BOA Grand National Championships vote by Tuesday, 9/9
     5) Purchase black sports headbands by Friday, 9/12
     6) Turn in an extra pair of black socks by Friday, 9/12

* FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES:
     1) Kroger cards (ongoing)
     2) Central Parking (starting soon)
     3) Fruit sales (2 sales for Thanksgiving and Christmas delivery)
     4) Car wash (possibly September 21)

From Mr. Chester:

-- Don't forget to read the syllabus and turn in the last page signed by the band member and his/her parent/guardian by Tuesday, September 9. 

-- Please turn in your vote (for OR against) the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN by Tuesday, September 9.  At the Band Booster meeting Tuesday night, parents requested that more information be made available so families can make informed decisions about attending the event.  The cost of the event is above and beyond the regular band fees, and the opportunities garnered from this event are incomparable. Every parent/guardian should consider this opportunity and respond (either for or against) the event.  Please remember that to make this event a positive one; if the majority is in favor, then we still need all students to attend the event.  Students are individuals, but individuals make up the band, and we the band to make the performance a success.  Votes can be submitted to Mr. Chester at michael.chester@mnps.org.

-- The gig sheet for Hendersonville will be sent out later this week.  We're looking at an afternoon call time, with a 2-hour rehearsal Saturday morning.  Specifics will be included in the gig sheet.

If you can make arrangements, you simply must attend the Pinning Ceremony.  It is a very special this moment for the kids, especially the first pinning.  We'll have plenty of cameras around if you miss it!  I'd say more about it, but I don't want to spoil it for you.  All I can say is that each person has a different experience and you'll need to create your own.

What can you expect at the Pinning Ceremony?  After a brief rehearsal, students will begin getting dressed around 6:15 while parents and family members gather in the HHS auditorium.  At 7:00, the directors will bring in the band in full uniform.  Each band member is called forward and parents/guardians will pin a silver star on their uniform.  After the pinning, everyone will gather in the lobby for a brief reception (nothing messy so the uniforms don't get dirty!), followed by a dress rehearsal around 8:30.  After the rehearsal, students will learn how to care for their uniforms - how to correctly hang them on hangers, where to put (or not to put) shoes and accessories, etc.

We'll have more on the Hendersonville event later this week when the gig sheet is ready.

Have a good week and hope to see you Friday!

September Calendar:

Sep 8 (Mon)

- Color Guard Rehearsal 2:30 - 4:00

Sep 9 (Tue)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sep 10 (Wed)

- Rehearsal 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Percussion and Brass)

Sep 11 (Thu)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sep 12 (Fri)

- No game; Special Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

-7:00 PM Pinning Ceremony & inductions to TRI-M (select students)

Sep 13 (Sat)

- HGI at Hendersonville (competition)

Sep 15 (Mon)

- Color Guard Rehearsal 2:30 - 4:00

- Next Payment Due ($125 or $75 for the second student)

Sep 16 (Tue)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sep 17 (Wed)

- Rehearsal 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Percussion and Woodwinds)

Sep 18 (Thu)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sep 19 (Fri)

- Football at Hendersonville

Sep 20 (Sat)

- Special Rehearsal 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Sep 21 (Sun)

- Car wash possible(in the afternoon)

Sep 22 (Mon)

- Color Guard Rehearsal 2:30 - 4:00

Sep 23 (Tue)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sep 24 (Wed)

- Rehearsal 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Percussion and Brass)

Sep 25 (Thu)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Sep 26 (Fri)

- Football at Hillsboro

Sep 27 (Sat)

- MTSBOA and CIMC at Columbia (competition)

Sep 29 (Mon)

- Color Guard Rehearsal 2:30 - 4:00

Sep 30 (Tue)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Oct 1 (Wed)

- Rehearsal 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Percussion and Woodwinds)

Oct 2 (Thu)

- Rehearsal 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Oct 3 (Fri)

- Football at McGavock

Oct 4 (Sat)

- TRI at Overton (competition)