1. AISA Honor Band
I realize this is late notice for parents, but I have announced this in class to the students a couple of times. Friday, Jan 31st is the deadline to signup to participate in the AISA Honor Band. There is NO audition and NO fee to participate (aside from the cost of part of a hotel room & meals). This would be the perfect "first honor band" for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. This would also be the perfect honor band for our older members to try to make first chair in an honor band. Since we did not get to go to the All-Star game, I would like for us to have a good representation of students in our group. Parents, if you would like for your child to participate or if you know your child is definitely interested, please let me know. More detailed info on the schedule, chair audition materials, etc. is on Members Only. Ask me for the password.

2. Band Fees, Charges
Please see the most recent email and attached document to see if you owe for any fees, supplies, etc. Please pay your balance as soon as possible.

3. Concert Attire
Girls, if your concert dress does not fit or if you do not have one, please let me know asap. We will have a fitting day soon (I will need a mom or two to help with this when the time comes). Remember that you will also need dark shoes (preferably flats). Guys, you will need a solid black button-up shirt, black slacks, black socks, and black shoes.

4. Tryouts
The drum major & majorette tryout meeting for candidates and parents scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3 is postponed to Thursday, Feb. 6 at 5:30 in the band room. Mock tryouts for drum major and majorette will be at 6:00PM Friday, March 14 and tryouts will begin at 9:00AM Saturday, March 15. A signup sheet for drum major & majorette tryouts will be posted Monday through Wednesday (Feb. 3-5) on my office door. Deadline to signup for tryouts is 4:30 Wednesday, Feb. 5.
*For those interested in color guard, a separate signup sheet will be posted later like we did last year.*

5. After-School Rehearsal
We will begin rehearsing on Wednesdays until 4:30 starting next week. THESE ARE MANDATORY REHEARSALS AND ARE ON THE CALENDAR I GAVE YOU AT THE END OF JULY. If you miss for any reason, you will need to make up the time with me or your section leader. Wednesdays are still sacred band days - please make appointments, etc. for Tuesdays.

6. Upcoming Band Performance Events
Our first performance will be Music Performance Assessment (MPA) on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Moody Music Building at UA. The AISA State Band Festival is Friday, Feb. 28 at Huntingdon. BOTH OF THESE ARE MAJOR REQUIRED PERFORMANCES AND ON THE CALENDAR I GAVE YOU AT THE END OF JULY.

7. Passoffs, Homework
The deadline for Passoff #1 and Homework #2 has been extended to Monday, Feb. 3. Homework #3 is also due Feb. 3. Passoff #2 is due Monday, Feb. 10.
If you ever need information about any assignments, check Members Only. Ask me for the password.

8. Text Message Reminders
Parents, if you are not on my text reminder list, text  @201314band  to (415)702-3522 and follow the instructions. It is very easy and FREE!

Passoff & homework assignment info is posted on Members Only. Remember that passoffs are worth 100 points each and homework assignments are worth 25 points. There is a penalty of 20 points per day for late passoff submissions and a penalty of 5 points per day for late homework. Your first homework assignment is due by Tuesday, Jan. 21. Your first passoff assignment is due by Monday, Jan. 27.
PLEASE ASK IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable and refreshing Christmas break and a great first week back! We are hitting the ground running this semester preparing for MPA and the AISA state festival. After yesterday's and today's rehearsals, I am feeling confident!

1. Concert Band Camp
Remember that our Concert Band Camp is next weekend. Back in July, I planned it for this weekend, but I changed it because of the Disciple Now retreat also happening this weekend. We will rehearse Friday the 17th until 6:00 and Saturday the 18th from 9:00-3:00. Chili lunch will be provided on Saturday! The Band Council is feverishly compiling boocoodles of fun and exciting games and activities for us to do both days. Let them know if you have an awesome idea. They are also open to average ideas.

2. All-State
Last call for anyone signing up to audition for All-State! MONDAY is the absolute LAST day to bring me your $10 fee. Auditions are Feb. 1 at TCHS.

3. Materials for Class
I'm pretty sure most students already have these things. I will check to see that you have them in class on Friday the 17th for a grade. -2 points off your daily grade (10 pts) for each item you are missing. I let you know you needed these things before we got out of school for Christmas.
1. Bread bag (long empty bag that a loaf of bread comes in - no bun/roll bags) - Percussion does not need
2. PVC breathing tube that I handed out Thursday or that you have from last year. Get it clean enough to put in your mouth. - Percussion does not need
3. Solid black 1" binder - Do not write on or decorate. I will give you a label for your name.
4. 8 section dividers for your binder, labeled and in this order:
-- PASSOFFS - empty for now
-- HOMEWORK - empty for now
-- FLOW STUDIES - purple sheets (percussion leave this section blank for now)
-- TECHNIQUE WARMUPS - white scale sheet & green sheets
-- R.R.P. (Rhythmic Rest Patterns) - yellow sheets
-- CHORALES - pink sheets
-- CONCERT MUSIC - white sheets
-- MISCELLANEOUS

4. Text Message Reminders
Parents, if you are not on my text reminder list, text @201314band to (415)702-3522 and follow the instructions. It is very easy and FREE!
Students, text @201314ban (no "d") to be added to the student list.