1. Grading Policy
Please find the 2013-14 Band grading policy under the Documents tab. These went into effect Wednesday, August 21st. Your child brought home a copy of this document Wednesday afternoon.

2. Monday
We will go to the field during 7th period on Monday. Bring appropriate shoes, etc.  

3. Bus Seats
We still have 2-3 extra seats on the bus this Friday. If you would like to claim one, I will take whoever contacts me first. They are $20 each.  

4. Sparta Details
We will NOT wear our marching band uniforms this week or next week. We will wear our new band polos (to be passed out later this week) tucked in, with khaki pants, belt, socks, and shoes. Wear this to school on Friday morning. Bring a sack lunch to eat after the pep rally on Friday. Do not wait on someone to run to the Pizza Dr. to bring you something to eat. We will leave on time whether you have eaten or not. We will only stop on the way to and from if the bus driver needs to stop. All band members must ride the bus TO Sparta. Anyone not riding the bus home must be signed out. If you will be riding home with someone other than a parent/guardian, I need a note before we leave the PA campus at 12:30 Friday. A detailed itinerary was emailed to all band members.

For new members (and parents) - do not stress or worry about this first trip and performance. Show up, stay with the group, and I'll take care of the rest.  

Have a great week!

Congratulations to Jenna, Chip, Mary Pat, and Natasha for being selected to attend the 2013 Auburn University Marching Honor Band!

The link to the 2014 All-State prepared pieces and audition requirements is under the Documents tab. Auditions are in January at Tuscaloosa Co. HS. Start practicing!

Welcome back to school!
I hope everyone has had a great first week so far. Below are a few announcements about the jamboree tomorrow night (your child should have filled you in on all of the info about that) and a few other on-going items regarding attendance, scheduling, and practicing.

1. Jamboree - Friday, Aug. 16th
Please be in the band room by 5:45 Friday evening. We will wear either your '80s halftime shirt from last year OR any blue PA shirt with jeans. Remember to wear socks and tennis shoes. The game will start at 6:30.

2. Practices/Scheduling
Parents, please make every effort to ensure that your child will be at band every Wednesday of the year. Wednesdays are sacred Band Days. This is the only day of the week that I am able to get all students together at the same time to practice. It is absolutely imperative that I have everyone from 2:00-5:00 on Wednesdays and 3:00-5:00 on Thursdays. 6th graders will come to band during PE every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please schedule orthodontist, doctor, etc. appointments for Tuesdays. If Tuesdays are not available, Mondays would be the next best day. Please familiarize yourself with the Attendance policy on pages 6 and 7 of the Band Handbook.

3. Progress
Our progress since the first day of band camp has been truly fascinating! We have had a few set-backs along the way, but we are continually improving. Please remember to practice your instrument at home on a DAILY basis. Coming to band does not count as part of your daily practice. If you only come to band a few days a week because of athletics or other scheduling, it is especially important that you practice to make up for the time and instruction you are missing.

4. Fundraising
Remember to sell magazines and calendars! I have had a few people in the community ask me if we were still selling these things. PEOPLE WANT TO BUY THEM, so sell, sell, sell!

Our first Booster meeting will be Monday at 5:00 in the auditorium. This will be a mandatory meeting. Parents will sign up to work the concession stand and we will distribute calendar & fundraising packets.

Immediately following the meeting, we will clean up the concession stands at the football field. (This was originally scheduled for Tuesday.) We will be completely finished no later than 8:00. The more people who show up to help, the quicker we will be done!

Looking forward to seeing everyone!