Thanks to those who came out last night to the booster meeting!  These are the big “take-aways” if you missed it:

Christmas Parade - 7th & 8th Grade

• We need volunteers to walk with the band for the Christmas Parade, e-mail the2holladays@gmail.com to volunteer.
  • In need of donations of chips/snacks for the end (we have plenty of water already), send to band room 
  • After school band practice this Wednesday (11/29) & next Wednesday (12/6) until 3:45 pm

Honor Band Auditions - 7th & 8th Grade

• Auditions next Saturday Dec 9 at EA!  Students that did NOT pay to pre-register can still audition by going the day of the audition between 8-10 am, pay the $15 “late registration” fee, and sign up for a time.  
  • Help Session this Thursday after school until 3:45 pm

Winter Concert - All Grades

• Space in the gym/parking lots/etc. is a concern, so there is a new time change:
  • 6th Graders will perform at 6:00, report time NLT 5:45
  • 7th & 8th Graders will perform at 7:00, report time 6:40
  • 6th graders can stay to see the older students perform, but they will also be able to see them perform at the Talent Show.
• Anyone interested in helping to decorate, e-mail the2holladays@gmail.com
• Seeking donations of color printing services to do the COVERS of the programs.
• Band Uniform -  Black pants (no leggings, jeans, or joggers), Black belt, TALL Black socks, ALL Black closed-toe shoes, Maroon Band Polo ($20)
• Donations will be taken at the door to help support our instructional staff.  
  • We’ve been fortunate to have instructors come and work with the kids in all areas of the band, but most particularly percussion and brass.  This has helped us to break up our very large classes so that we can give more individualized instruction.  We are interested in seeing this process grow and flourish as we are seeing the results in our kids’ performance.  Please donate if you can to help us sustain this until our fundraiser begins next semester.  Many of the instructors are paid $25 per class they teach, so please consider “sponsoring a class”.  If you would like to donate to this cause before the concert, you are welcome to send a check made out to CMS Booster Club to school.

Other thoughts:

• World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser will be when we return from Winter Break 
  
• Pictures from the Fall Concert are online at http://www.cmsmustangband.com/2017-2018.html

​Thanks again for all you do to support your child in their musical endeavors.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

•  Drop off:  11:15 a.m. in the back parking lot of Central Middle School
•  Uniform:  We will let you know via Remind text which top we will wear.
  •  If it is cold - Band Tunic Top, supplied & issued by school with student supplied white t-shirt underneath
  •  If it is warm – Maroon Band Polo
  • Black pants (NO faded black jeans, joggers, or leggings)
  • Black belt
  • Tall black socks
  • All black shoes
• Bring:  Instrument in case, flip folder, lyre, and music.  PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR CHILD THAT THEY HAVE THEIR LYRE AND FLIP FOLDER – they may have misplaced these since football
• Pick-up:  Central Middle School back parking lot at approximately 4:00 p.m. (REMIND message will be sent when we are leaving the route, text @cmband7 or @cmband8 to 81010 to sign up).  Due to safety concerns, we will not be releasing the students at the end of the route.  Please pick up at the school.
• Rehearsals for the Parade:
  • DRUMLINE ONLY – Tuesday, Nov. 28 – 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
  • All 7th & 8th Graders - Wednesday, Nov. 29 – 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
  • All 7th & 8th Graders - Wednesday, Dec. 6 – 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. 
• All rehearsals and performances with the band are mandatory and for a grade. 

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To encourage at-home practice over the Thanksgiving Break, the students have been assigned a PRACTICE CHALLENGE (attached).

They can choose activities on each day of Thanksgiving Break with the goal being to accomplish as many activities as possible.  A minimum of 12 will be required to receive an "A”.  A parent signature will verify completion of the activities.  

Prizes will be given for students going above and beyond the requirement!

Just in case you will be out of town for Thanksgiving week, students can begin now and this chart will not be due until December 1.  The activities can be completed in any order and on any day, the calendar is just a suggested timeline.  

The activities are designed to encourage repetition – an important component of practice – but also to encourage them to explore some new music.  Hopefully they will have fun with this assignment!

They will receive a copy of this assignment in band class, but it is also attached.

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Other Reminders:

• Booster Parent Meeting – November 28 at 6:30 in the CMS Bandroom
• Winter Concert – December 12
• Students will need their band uniform for the concert:
  • Maroon Band Polo ($20 purchased from the Band Boosters)
  • Black pants (no leggings, joggers, or faded black jeans)
  • Black tall socks
  • Black shoes
  • Black belt