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Weekly News

* Band Booster meeting Tuesday, March 3.  Join us at 6:30 PM in the rehearsal hall to learn more about what will be happening in the coming months.

* Solo & Ensemble registration deadline extended. The MTSBOA Solo and Ensemble (including Jazz Band) deadline has been extended until Thursday Morning, March 5th, 2009 by 7:05 AM.  This year's Nashville Solo and Ensemble festival is set for April 4th, 2009 at Croft Middle School in Nashville, Tennessee.  Cost per entry is $7.00 and checks should be made out to the Hillwood High School Band Boosters.  See application attached for more information.

* Special THANK YOU to all the students and parents who helped make the middle school concert a success!

Carol Crittenden, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for MNPS, was onsite February 20 for the Middle School concert and had many good things to say about the Hillwood Band program.  In an email to the directors, she praised the parents and students for "those things that you seemingly did without effort" (welcoming the kids, putting the program together, and the reception at the end), wished other high schools could have witnessed the same, and noted that the students "could not have had a better experience performing for a packed house in a venue that wholeheartedly welcomed them."

Ms. Crittenden went on to say that, though many people think bands get the best and brightest students, it is "what great citizens, musicians and students you (the directors) help them all become that defines a quality band program."  She goes on to thank the directors for "holding the expectations high for all of your students" and notes that "by observing them in all aspects of their band life, they are certainly rising to those expectations."

* Hillwood Band students enjoy movie day. This past week the members of the Hillwood High School Band were tested on their major scales and arpeggios studies on their major instrument.  The students had to perform all 12 of their scales and arpeggios two octaves and make a minimum passing score of 85.  As a result of their hard work several students were treated to movie day this past Friday, February 27, 2009 as a reward.  The information from the scale tests will be placed into the students individual portfolios.

* Hillwood Band Students Begin Composer Projects. The members of the Hillwood High School Band were given a special task this week.  The students have been asked to complete a brief one-page report over a composer that we have been studying this quarter.  Today the students drew names to choose their composer.  In addition the students were given a green form that lists the requirements for the report as well as some other guidelines.  If you get a chance ask your child about it.  Reports are due this Friday, March 6th, 2009.  If your child needs additional help with this, or is having trouble finding resources please contact the directors as soon as possible.


* PayPal now accepted! Band fees can now be paid by using PayPal.  Don't forget donations!  We have a place for that now, too.  Visit the HHS Band website at www.hillwoodband.com to see (and use) them.

* FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES:
     1) Kroger cards (ongoing; contact Mrs. Marcie Allen)
     2) Central Parking (ongoing; contact parking@hillwoodband.com)

From Mr. Chester and Mr. Shepherd:

SOLO and ENSEMBLE REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED!

The MTSBOA Solo and Ensemble deadline has been extended until Thursday Morning, March 5th, 2009 by 7:05 AM.  This year's Nashville Solo and Ensemble festival is set for April 4th, 2009 at Croft Middle School in Nashville, Tennessee.  Cost per entry is $7.00 and checks should be made out to the Hillwood High School Band Boosters. 

Students' individual times will be generated by a computer.  The students will be asked to choose whether they wish to have an AM spot or PM spot.  As soon as all the information is collected the students will be given their individual times.

Students are highly encouraged to participate in this event as the results of this external assessment will be used for the students' individual portfolios.  Participation in this event is not mandatory however it will effect whether or not a student is nominated and chosen for any of the 2009-2010 honor band events. 

Important Information regarding Honor Band Nominations for the school year 2009-2010 Any student who wishes to be nominated for any of the honor band events (TTU Symposium, MTSU Wind Band Conference, TTU Honor Band, UTM Honor Band, MNPS District Honor Band, etc) for the 2009-2010 school year, and who meets other eligibility criteria will need to participate in an MTSBOA sanctioned solo and ensemble festival.  This entry can consist of a solo, duet, trio, or quartet to qualify.  Jazz Band will not count since it a large ensemble entry.  If there is a conflict with this event and the student wishes to participate, please contact the director immediately so that the student can register for the April 25th, Solo and Ensemble Festival at Oliver Middle School in Nashville.

No comments this week . look for more next week!

March Calendar:

Mar 3 (Tue)

- Band Booster Meeting in the rehearsal hall (6:30 PM)

Mar 4 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)

Mar 15 (Sun)

- Final "Fair Share" payment due

Mar 16 (Mon)

- SPRING BREAK

Mar 17 (Tue)

- SPRING BREAK

Mar 18 (Wed)

- SPRING BREAK

Mar 19 (Thu)

- SPRING BREAK

Mar 20 (Fri)

- SPRING BREAK

Mar 25 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Mar 28 (Sat)

- Possible Car Wash

April Calendar:

Apr 1 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Apr 4 (Sat)

- Solo & Ensemble at Croft Middle (all day; select students)

- Jazz Band at Croft Middle (TBD; select students)

Apr 7 (Tue)

- Band Booster Meeting in the rehearsal hall (6:30 PM)

Apr 8 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Apr 10 (Fri)

- HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL

Apr 15 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

- All-State Band (select students only)

Apr 16 (Thu)

- All-State Band (select students only)

Apr 17 (Fri)

- All-State Band Concert (select students only)

Apr 22 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Apr 24 (Fri)

- Possible Jazz Band performance at airport (time TBD)

Apr 28 (Tue)

- Possible Jazz Band performance at airport (time TBD)

Apr 29 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

May Calendar:

May 2 (Sat)

- Murfreesboro Jazz Festival (if accepted)

May 4 (Mon)

- Curb Youth Symphony Concert (Blair; 7:30 PM)

May 5 (Tue)

- Band Booster Meeting in the rehearsal hall (6:30 PM)

- Nashville Youth Repertory Concert (Blair; 7:30 PM)

May 6 (Wed)

- Jazz Band Rehearsal (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)

May 8 (Fri)

- Jazz Band Concert  (call time 6:00 PM; performance 7:30 PM)

May 9 (Sat)

- Steeplechase Fundraiser (all day)

- HHS Marching Band auditions

May 11 (Mon)

- AP Music Theory Test

May 15 (Fri)

- HHS Band Spring Concert (7:30 PM)

May 17 (Sun)

- HHS Baccalaureate

May 19 (Tue)

- HHS Graduation; Libscomb Allen Arena

May 21 (Thu)

- Nashville Symphony/Curb Youth Symphony concert (7:30 PM)