Advance Band Summer Letter.pdf

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McDonald Middle School Band Mike Major • Director

Dear McDonald 8th Grade Band Students and Parents,    Can you believe that it is almost July already? The summer is flying by. I hope that you are having a GREAT summer!!I have been getting things ready for you guys so that we can get started as soon as possible when we come back to school. Being 8th graders holds lots of changes.    I hope that you have been practicing over the summer. If you haven’t, it is time to get your instrument out and start working so that we can be successful as soon as school starts. Our first performance is in September. Very soon!!!    Please log into Charms and check your information and make sure that it is current and correct. We will be doing lots of communication by e-mail as well as handouts this year. We will even be doing our practice records through Charms again. I will be using the e-mail through Charms, so please make sure that it is correct. If you have a friend who did NOT get this letter, please share it with them. There will be no letter mailed.    Let’s talk about summer band. Coming up the week of August 7th – August 10th   (Monday - Thursday). We will be having individual instrument rehearsals during the afternoon at the Vanston band hall. The schedule is as follows: Flutes - 1:30 - 3:00

Oboes - 3:15 - 4:45

Bassoons - 12:00 - 1:30

Clarinets (All) - 3:30 - 5:00

Saxes (All) - 12:00 - 1:30

Trumpets - 1:45 - 3:15

Horns - 12:00 - 1:30

Trombones - 3:30 - 5:00

Euphoniums - 10:00 - 11:30

Tubas - 10:00 - 11:30

Percussion - 5:15 - 6:45

We will be using these rehearsals to get the foundation laid for the year. I know that some of you have plans, try to make it. This will set us up for a great year. So, please make plans ahead to be at every day’s rehearsal. Because, if you come to summer band you get to go to….

2930 Town East Dr. • Mesquite, TX • 75150 Phone: (972) 882 – 5718 • Text (470) 222 – 6312 • Fax (972) 882 - 5710 http://www.mcdonaldband.com • [email protected]

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On Friday, August 11 , we will be taking a trip to Hawaiian Falls, Garland. We will be leaving around 9:30 and returning around 6. The cost will be $25 and will include transportation to and from the park, admission, and lunch. All of the details will be given to you on the first day of Summer Band. A few words about bathing suits: Boys, your bathing suit needs to be correctly sized. I don’t need to see your undergarments. And, it actually needs to be an actual bathing suit. Not shorts. Girls, modesty is your friend. A one-piece bathing suit is acceptable. A two-piece bathing suit is acceptable with a t-shirt over it. Boys and girls, if your bathing suit is deemed inappropriate, I will have t-shirts that you can wear. Nasty, old, gross band t-shirts that you won’t want to wear. So, please plan appropriately.      Parents, we will need some chaperones to go with us. I do not have volunteer information yet, but I will have it at the end of July. I do know that it will be $25 for you also.    Another new thing is a bigger binder fee. This binder fee will cover the following: ● New Band Binder ● 4 Pencils ● Tuner (used throughout middle school and high school) – not needed for percussion - Bulk   of   cost   here ● Tuner Pickup (used throughout middle school and high school) – not needed for percussion ● Foundations of Musical Performance Book (used throughout middle school and high school) ● New Nametag for your instrument case ● Binder Bag (to carry everything in your binder)    Alone, these retail for almost $70. But, since we are buying them as a group we will be getting them for $45 or under. I am still negotiating the prices to get them down as th

2930 Town East Dr. • Mesquite, TX • 75150 Phone: (972) 882 – 5718 • Text (470) 222 – 6312 • Fax (972) 882 - 5710 http://www.mcdonaldband.com • [email protected]

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cheap as they can go. This will be due at the beginning of September. Here is a list of fees for the entire year of band so that you can start planning now:    ● Continued rental of Instrument – Depends on instrument   ● Reeds – Varies by instrument ○ Clarinet / Alto Sax - $3 ○ Tenor Sax / Bass Clarinet - $4 ○ Bari Sax - $5 ○ Oboe / Bassoon - $15 ● Binder Fee - $45 or less – September - Covers replacement binder, accessories bag, & name tag, 8th grade band method book, Tuner, pickup, and band pencils ● Band Hoodie (OPTIONAL) - $30 or less ● Tuxedo Shirt - $25 or less – November – part of the band uniform ● Solo Piano Fee - $15 – January – payment for piano player for solo ● Band Trip (OPTIONAL)- $45 or under – payment for end of year band trip. I hope that this will help you plan for the year. The only exception would be if we go to CiCi’s or something like that. And, you will get lots of notice about it.    The next event on the horizon for us is Tuesday, September 5. We will be having our one and only parent meeting for the year. It will start at 6:30 and be over around 7:00. We will discuss the year and our expectations. Please make plans now for you (the student) and at least one parent to come to that meeting. I PROMISE get you out of there as soon as I can. However, it is the only time that we will do this, so please make sure that you are there.    If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (972) 882-5718 or e-mail me at [email protected] I will tell you that the best way to get me is through e-mail. I will be in and out of the office. But, I will always check my e-mail. Enjoy the rest of your summer and see you on August 7!!! I can’t wait! It’s going to be an AWESOME year!!    Sincerely, Mike Major Director of Bands McDonald Middle School 2930 Town East Dr. • Mesquite, TX • 75150 Phone: (972) 882 – 5718 • Text (470) 222 – 6312 • Fax (972) 882 - 5710 http://www.mcdonaldband.com • [email protected]