COMMUNICATION
*Best place to RECEIVE news is through Remind & the website.
*Best place to ASK questions is through email to katie.codina@apsb.org.

• Remind…  Text to 81010
  • 6th Grade - @cmband6
  • 7th Grade - @cmband7
  • 8th Grade - @cmband8
• Email katie.codina@apsb.org
• Website www.cmsmustangband.com
• Facebook

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Reeds - Vandoren 2.5 or 3
• Korg Metronome and Tuner Combo with contact mic
• Instrument & sticks should be labeled with name
• Flip folder & Music lyre
• Cleaning supplies
• *Optional*  Music stand for at-home practice

 
 
REQUIRED BAND UNIFORM

• Maroon band polo (available for $20)
• Black dress slacks (no black jeans*, leggings, or joggers)
• Black tall socks
• Black shoes (closed toe)
• Black belt
• Hoodies can be worn to school but are not part of the performance uniform.  We do not currently have an ETA on these, although they have been ordered.

GRADING POLICY

• Combination of attendance at performances, rehearsals, daily participation, playing tests, quizzes, and at-home practice assignments.
• Attendance at all performances are mandatory and for a grade.

 
PRACTICING HABITS  Instruments should go home daily!

• 3-4 times a week, especially on the days they DON’T have band
• Structured just like class
• Online play-along tracks
• Needing motivation?  Contact me!

 
CALENDAR

• Posted online at www.cmsmustangband.com/calendar, Click + icon to sync to your google calendar 

BOOSTER BOARD

• Kayla Daigle, president
• Jessica Ockman, VP
• Yvette Froisy, treasurer
• Angela Stanga, secretary
• Katie Aucoin, recorder/pr
• Caress Tureau, member at large
• Kayla Lafleur, member at large

WISH LIST

• 100 music stands & carts approx. $6,000
• 100 music chairs & carts approx. $6,000
• Percussion instructor (regular basis) and other instruments on as needed basis
• Vibraphone and/or marimba
• Paper towels
• Kleenex
• Pencils
• Valve oil
• Clorox wipes
• Cleaning rags/old towels/old t-shirts cut up

 
FUNDRAISING

• World’s Finest Chocolate - Do we want to change this?
• All students MUST participate in the fundrasier.  If you do not wish to sell items, you may pay the opt-out fee. 

HOME FOOTBALL GAMES

• Thursdays, Sept 20, Sept 27, Oct 18 (8th Grade Recognition AND Only “required” game for 7th grade)
• Do we want to do something for the 8th graders on recognition night?
• Report NLT 4:30 pm in Band Uniforms
• Transportation
• Donations of snacks/water
• Volunteers to hand out water, monitor students during breaks, etc.
• 7th Graders wanting to attend the September games will be required to attend after school practices on:
  • Wednesdays, Sept 5, 12, 19 until 4:00

 
BEGINNER CONCERT

• Tuesday, October 9
• Report 6:10 pm, Concert 6:30 in CMS Gym
• Band uniform
• Purpose of the concert
• Guest performers?!?

 
8TH GRADE NIGHT

• Required for all 8th graders (including cheer, dance, and football)
• 8th graders will perform with the H.S. in the stands!
• Band uniform
• Report NLT 5:20 pm at the Gonzales Primary Gym next to the EA stadium
• EA will provide pizza and water

 
FALL CONCERT

• Required for all 8th Graders
• Wednesday, October 24 – Report 6:10 pm, Concert 6:30 pm
• Students wear Halloween costume OR band uniform, audience is also encouraged to wear costumes
• Trick-or-treating - How do we want to handle candy for this event?
• Backdrop Committee

 
LMEA STATE CONFERENCE (Warm-up Demonstration Clinic for Band Directors throughout the state!)

• 8th Graders and Invited 7th Graders                  
• Monday, November 29 (first Monday of Thanksgiving break), Report TBA, Perform 8:00 am
• Crown Plaza Hotel, BR - We will do busses

 
WINTER CONCERT

• Wednesday, December 12 - 6th Grade Concert 6:00 pm - 7th & 8th Grade Concert 7:15 pm

 
HONOR BAND

• Auditions are held in December to select participants
• 8th Graders are required to audition, 7th graders are encouraged to audition
• Auditions Saturday, Dec. 8 at EAHS, individual times will be assigned
• Sign-ups will go out in October, $10 to audition
• Afterschool help sessions will be offered to work on the music

 
CHRISTMAS PARADE

• Sunday, Dec 9 - Report 11:00 am

 
NEXT MEETINGS

• November 27
• February 26 -  In conjunction with Solo & Ensemble Concert
• April 30 - Elections

The 7th & 8th Graders perform at the home football games.  8th graders must attend all 3 home games.  The 7th graders are only required to attend the October game.  (Exception: the drumline members attend all games)  The 7th graders are allowed to play at the September games but ONLY if they attend after school rehearsals.  These rehearsals are open to 8th graders as well.  In fact, they are strongly encouraged to attend in order to help the 7th graders learn the football music.  Read on for details…

Thursdays, Sept 20 (8th & drumline mandatory, 7th optional) 
Thursday, Sept 27 (8th & drumline mandatory, 7th optional)
Thursday, Oct 18 (ALL 8th & 7th mandatory, 8th Grade Recognition)

*All mandatory performances are for a grade.  Cheer, dance, and football members are excused as long as they are reporting for their duties to those teams.

REPORT TIME
No later than 4:30 pm in Band Uniform (maroon band polo, black pants, tall black socks, black belt, black shoes) at CMS

PICK-UP TIME
Games are typically finished around 6:30.  We send a remind message in the last quarter to let you know when to pick-up.  But…. STAY and watch the kids play!  We play a lot of music and have a great time!

TRANSPORTATION
Students are required to go home and come back for the 4:30 pm report time.  Many students will arrange to go home with a friend that has a parent available to drive them back for 4:30 pm.  As always, CONTACT ME If you are having trouble getting transportation sorted out and I will help you find a solution!

DONATIONS OF SNACKS & WATER
We appreciate any donations of individually portioned chips, cookies, etc. to have as a snack for the students during half time.  We are also in need of bottled water donations.  Mrs. Lafleur has volunteered to contact Ralph's to ask for donations of bottled water.

VOLUNTEERS NEED
Volunteers to hand out water, monitor students during break, etc.

AFTERSCHOOL REHEARSALS
The 7th graders are allowed to play at the September games but ONLY if they attend after school rehearsals.  These rehearsals are open to 8th graders as well.  In fact, 8th grade are strongly encouraged to attend in order to help the 7th graders learn the football music.  
Wednesdays, Sept 5 – after school until 4:00 
Wednesday, Sept 12 – after school until 4:00 
Wednesday, Sept 19 – after school until 4:00 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

It was a pleasure getting to see so many of you tonight at Open House!  I would like to invite all of you to the first Band Parent Booster Club Meeting of the year next Tuesday, August 28 at 6:30 pm in the band room.  I know unfortunately that there are several meetings/Open Houses going on in the community that night but hopefully we can still get a good turn out of parent support at this very important meeting.  

Our agenda will include:

• Band “need-to-knows” such as necessary supplies, uniforms, practice tips, etc.
• Details and needs for upcoming performances and concerts, including:
  • Beginner Demonstration Concert in October
  • Football Games
  • Fall Concert for 8th Graders in October
  • LMEA State Music Conference Performance
  • 8th Grade Night at EA
• Fundraising
• Volunteers opportunities

Other Reminders:

• $35 Band Fees are due.  Students must have this fee paid in order to receive their band books.
• 7th & 8th Graders should have a flip folder & lyre for games/parade.  If you did not order one through us, you can get them at Alison’s or Zeaglers.  Expect 1-1.5 weeks for delivery.  
• Sweatshirts/Polos have been ordered.  Expect 2-3 weeks for delivery. 
• Check www.cmsmustangband.com often for updates
• Students should be bringing their instruments home and PRACTICING at least 3-4 times a week.  The instruments can remain on the shelf during the school day, however, students should pick them up on the way to their busses.  I will often check the cubbies on Friday afternoons to see if they have gone home and give a “shelf” grade!  Check the band website if you can’t remember if it is an A or B Day, but when in doubt, bring it!

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 6th Gr Trombone Help Session – Wednesday, Aug 22 until 4:00 pm
• 6th Gr Clarinet Help Session – Thursday, Aug 23 until 4:00 pm
• Drumline Practice – Monday, Aug 27 until 4:00 pm (and every Monday through FB season)
• 6th Gr Trumpet Help Session – Thursday, Aug 30 until 4:00 pm
• 1st Home Football Game – Thursday, Sep 20, Report 4:30 pm at CMS
• Check www.cmsmustangband.com/calendar for more dates!

E-mail is the best form of communicating with me!  Please let me know if you have any questions.  katie.codina@apsb.org

ATTN: 6th Grade CLARINET Parents

I will be hosting (optional, but highly recommend) after school clarinet help sessions for our 6th Graders.  I am going to strongly encourage that all 6th graders attend this.  This will be our opportunity to work with the clarinets by themselves to help them get off to a solid start.  

I have one on the calendar right now and will let you know when I schedule more:

Thursday, August 23, after school until 4:00

Pick-up in the back by the band room.

If getting a ride is an issue, let me know and we will try to get something worked out for them!

ATTN: 6th Grade TROMBONE Parents
I will be hosting two (optional, but highly recommend) after school trombone help sessions for our 6th Graders.  I am going to strongly encourage that all 6th graders attend this.  This will be our opportunity to work with the trombones by themselves to help them get off to a solid start.  
We just finished a trumpet one today and we had a great time!!!  
The dates are:

• Wednesday, August 22 – Afterschool until 4:00 pm
• Thursday, Sept 6 - Afterschool until 4:00 pm

Pick-up in the back by the band room.

If getting a ride is an issue, let me know and we will try to get something worked out for them!

Other upcoming important dates:

• $35 band fees should be paid online ASAP
• Sweatshirt & Polo orders due – Friday, August 17
• Booster Club Parent Meeting – Tuesday, August 28 6:30 in the band room 
• Demonstration Concert – Tuesday, October 9 6:30 pm in the gym

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ATTN: 6th Grade Trumpet Parents
I will be hosting two (optional, but highly recommend) after school trumpet help sessions for our 6th Graders.  I am going to strongly encourage that all 6th graders attend this.  This will be our opportunity to work with the trumpets by themselves to help them get off to a solid start.  
The dates are:

• Thursday, August 16 - Afterschool until 4:00 pm
• Thursday, August 30 - Afterschool until 4:00 pm

Pick-up in the back by the band room.

If getting a ride is an issue, let me know and we will try to get something worked out for them!


Other upcoming important dates:

• $35 band fees should be paid online ASAP
• Deadline to have instruments – Tuesday, August 14
• Sweatshirt & Polo orders due – Friday, August 17
• Booster Club Parent Meeting – Tuesday, August 28 6:30 in the band room 

ATTN Drumline!!!!!
(For those students NOT participating in football)

We had a great show of effort today at the drumline auditions.  We are happy to have our drumline set for the 3 football games and pep rallies this fall.  We will continue to hold practice and get together every Monday to get all of the drumline cadences together.  Those dates are:

• Aug 20
• Aug 27
• Sept 10
• Sept 17
• Sept 24

We will end at 4:00 with pick-up in the back by the band room.

Please let me know if you are having trouble arranging rides and we will do our best to help you out!

Today was a great first day back, it was very obvious that this is going to be a GREAT YEAR!  8th Graders are already diving right into the Football Music and 7th Grade will start reviewing 6th grade skills and begin on Football Music next class!  Please encourage the 7th graders to play some of their favorites out of their old band book in the next few days so they are brushing up their skills and getting primed for new music! 

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, here are a few housekeeping items to ensure a successful start of the year:

• INSTRUMENTS
  • All 7th & 8th Graders should be bringing their instruments back and forth to school, they should not be left in the band room overnight (exception: tuba, baritones, bell kits).  I often do “shelf checks” to make sure instruments are going home so students can practice.  If they chronically leave their instruments on the shelf, they will lose that privilege and have to carry it around!
  • All instrument cases/drum sticks/flip folders/lyres should be clearly labeled with the student’s name on it.
• CALENDAR - important dates available online
• BAND FEES
  • $35.00 band fees are due ASAP  (check payable to CMS Band Boosters, cash, money order, or credit card).  
  • Band binders and necessary music will go out next week.  Students will not receive these materials until fees are paid.
• POLO & SWEATSHIRT ORDERS
  • Please check to see if polos still fit!  If not, purchase a $20.00 band polo by Aug 17 so that the students will have them for the first football game.  
  • $25.00 sweatshirt/jacket  orders also due by Aug 17
• FLIPS & LYRES
  • Flip folder and lyre to hold music, needed for football games, pep rallies,     parades, and other performances.  These are available at the local music stores, but you can order through us as well. 
• HANDBOOK
  • Handbook agreement forms will go home with students that did not attend Prep Day.  Please sign and return these ASAP.

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Upcoming Important Dates (Aug/Sept)

• Drumline Auditions – Monday, Aug 14 until 4:00 in the Bandroom 
• Open House – August 20
• Booster Meeting - August 28 @ 6:30 pm in the Bandroom
• Home Game v. Prairieville - September 20, Report 4:30 pm in the Bandroom (8th Grade only, all drumline)
• Home Game v. St. Amant - September 27, Report 4:30 pm in the Bandroom (8th Grade only, all drumline, 7th Grade optional)

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Stay Connected!

• 7th Grade - Text @cmband7 to 81010
• 8th Grade - Text @cmband8 to 81010

Check the website calendar and news section often for important updates!

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Thanks for your continual encouragement with your child’s music education!  As always, if you have a question, e-mail katie.codina@apsb.org!