Dear Parents,
Welcome to another school year! I have sent home a lot of band information on Tuesday, September 6th with all of the band students. This information includes band dates for the entire school year, a September calendar, volunteer form, handbook contract form, website release and publicity release form, and practice records. All of the information has been copied on various colors so that the students may return the required forms by Friday, September 9th.
Band fees will be due on Tuesday, September 20th. Please note that fees did not go up this year - $30 for sixth graders and $35 for seventh and eighth graders. If you need financial assistance, please just send a letter to me making that request. Also, this year there are a few changes regarding the handbook.
Please read the handbook online. This will save the band at least $400 of printing expenses for the handbooks. We can better use this money for music, instruments, etc. If a person does not have access to a computer or Internet, they may request a hard copy.
Marching Band notice: all 7th and 8th grade band students are expected to participate in the Marching Band. The Marching Band practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:15pm.
THE FIRST MARCHING BAND PRACTICE WILL BE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH FROM 4:00 TO 5:15PM. WE WILL ALSO HAVE GUARD AND PERCUSSION FROM 5:15-6PM STARTING THAT DAY.
Occasionally, we will have practices on Mondays as needed due to holidays, conferences, or performances. In the event of rain, we still have marching band practices indoors. Please make sure that you pick up your child PROMPTLY by 5:15pm. Last year late pickups were a problem. Therefore, this year all students MUST be picked up within 5-10 minutes of practice. Only one warning will be given if a student is picked up late. A student will not be permitted to stay for any after school rehearsals if late pickups occur. It is not fair to the parents, the teacher, or even the students if they are not picked up on time.
Please understand that your support of the band program and your student is imperative to make our band a success!
All-West information is available from Mrs. Seek. Seventh and eighth graders are strongly encouraged to audition for this honor band. Auditions will be Saturday, December 3rd. If a student is selected, he or she will attend clinics and a concert over a weekend in January. This is a tremendous opportunity for the students to represent Elmore Park in a band comprised of students from all over West TN. The students must learn scales, prepare 2 pieces, and sight-read for the judge. The entry fee is $5. Any interested student should see Mrs. Seek now so they can start practicing! This is a GREAT honor for any student and I STRONGLY encourage all seventh and eighth grade band students to audition.
Please be sure to check-out the dates to remember on the last page of the handbook. We will also have them posted on the website. The handbook has all concert dates, all mandatory after school rehearsals to prepare for the concerts, and other performances. Please mark your calendars now! You can also check out the calendar section of the web site. Please check the web site regularly for any updates or changes!
You can email me if you have any questions.
Have a GREAT day!
Sincerely,
Steffanie Seek
Band Director
Elmore Park Middle School
Please check the web site regularly for any updates or changes!
