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Weekly News Update

* Competitive Marching Band and Concert Band Auditions to be held Saturday, May 9, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM.  Auditions for the 2009-2010 Hillwood High School Competitive Marching Band will be held Saturday, May 9th in the Hillwood High School auditorium lobby.  Any and all students wishing to participate need to be present. There will be a parent meeting at 8:00 PM. Please see note below for more information. 

* Steeplechase Fundraiser Opportunity Tomorrow.  In case you missed it, a copy of the email Cindy Smith sent out this morning is included below.

*Annual Band Banquet to be held Saturday, May 16, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The annual Band Banquet has been set and will be the evening of May 16 at the Holiday Inn-Vanderbilt.  (Doors will open at 5:30 PM.)  Tickets ARE required and cost $12.50 per person; children 5 years old and under are free.

Tickets can be purchased from Mrs. Reeder or Mr. Chester.  There are still plenty of tickets, but they will be ONLY BE SOLD UNTIL Friday, May 8!

* Parking Opportunity: 2009 CMA Music Festival (formerly known as FAN FAIR). Many more opportunities will come, but this is the next big one.  If you are interested in working, please send an email to parking@hillwoodband.com with the dates and times you are willing to work. 

   - June 11 through June 14
   - 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 
   - 4 hour blocks with no limit on how many hours you can work
   - $8.50 PER HOUR
   - LP FIELD (lot A)

* 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)
     3) Steeple Chase (information coming)

From Mr. Chester and Mr. Shepherd:

Just a reminder that the auditions for the competitive marching band and concert band will be held at Hillwood High School on Saturday, May 9th.  Registration will take place at 5:30 PM in the auditorium lobby.  Students can be dropped off but please make sure they have the following:

-  $25.00 for audition fees (Checks made payable to the Hillwood Band Boosters; if you would like to use your positive band account balance, you will need to submit authorization in writing as you would cash or check. )

-  Comfortable clothing and tennis shoes (no flip flops or house shoes)

-  Instrument (Those auditioning for percussion will need to have sticks and/or mallets; percussion equipment will be furnished.  Those auditioning for color guard will have equipment provided.)

-  Current mailing address, parent email address, student email address, parent home and cell phone numbers and student cell phone number

After registration and introductions, the students will break out into their section for the duration of the evening.  We will then reconvene at around 7:45 PM to perform in show and tell.  This will give everyone a chance to see what the other sections have worked on during the camp. 

At 8:00 PM students will then be treated to our signature Hillwood High School Band Hospitality.  We will have hamburgers and hotdogs grilled and students will be able to meet and greet as future band members.  Additionally, we will have a parents meeting in the auditorium to give an overview of the program and to answer any questions about the season.  We will end at or before 8:30 where the students will be dismissed.  Auditions for field conductor will then take place at 8:35 and end at 9:00 PM.

If there is an unforeseen conflict please contact me as soon as possible at michael.chester@mnps.org .  We will need to finalize our drill spots for the 2009-2010 school year and we can arrange a private audition. (Thanks to those of you who have already contacted me.)

Thank you so much for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you at our auditions!

Warmest Regards,
Michael Chester
Director of Bands,
Hillwood High School

From Cindy Smith:

Hello everyone,

The Steeplechase will definitely go on Saturday, May 9th rain or shine.  We will need to report at 8:30 am in Lot 7, not where we park cars, but the field next to it.  We will walk over the bridge to the top half of Lot 7.  Half of us are again directing parking of cars in Field 7.  The other half will be working in Lot T parking cars.  Lot T is over by the ball fields on Vaughn Road.

The fields we are working in will be muddy!  Wear galoshes or shoes that will protect your feet.  Your feet will get wet!  Also, right now we have a 60% chance of rain--bring a poncho to help you stay dry.  We may also have peeks of sun.  Bring sunscreen in case.  There also may be bugs.  Bring repellant if you are sensitive.

We will have lunch provided by Swanky's Taco House.

I have t-shirts and volunteer wristbands for you that I will bring to school on Friday for the students.  You must wear these shirts on Saturday.

Remember, if asked, every student working is at least 16.

This event is promoted as a volunteer assignment, but remember, our band gets $2,250 in fair share money for this.  It is a job and I need all students to act responsibly.  We are not there for fun, we are there to work.  Please act accordingly.  Do not embarrass your band or yourself.

If there are any changes, and there still may be, I will let you know.  If you have any questions, please call me at 352-2070 or email me.

See you Saturday.
Cindy

May Calendar:

May 9 (Sat)

- Steeplechase Fundraiser (all day)

- HHS Marching Band auditions (evening)

May 11 (Mon)

- AP Music Theory Test

May 13 (Wed)

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

May 15 (Fri)

- HHS Band Spring Concert (7:30 PM)

May 16 (Sat)

- Band Banquet (6:00 PM; doors open at 5:30 PM)

May 17 (Sun)

- HHS Baccalaureate

May 19 (Tue)

- HHS Graduation; Lipscomb Allen Arena

May 21 (Thu)

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