Directors Newsletter #34, May 13

Directors Newsletter #34-17, May 13, 2018

Hello Subscribers,

Happy Mother’s Day to all our wonderful Band/Guard Moms! Thanks to the Band Boosters and the parents who volunteered to help with the Teacher Appreciation luncheon on Thursday. A huge THANKS to Courtney Owens and Nancy Wood, hospitality co-chairs, for all of their work organizing the event. The BHS administration and staff were very grateful for the food, desserts, and soft drinks. I can speak on behalf of the teachers and say that the meal was delicious and very much appreciated. Since we are on the subject of APPRECIATION, a huge THANKS goes to everyone who volunteered to work the parking lot at the Cornyval festival. A Special THANKS to Keith Kouba for planning, organizing, and chairing; and thanks to his committee and supervisors, for executing this very profitable fund raiser for the Band Boosters.

I hope you had a chance to attend and listen to our very talented students at last Thursday’s Jazz Band concert. Thanks to our featured guest artist, Matthew Maldonado, for performing with our students. It was great to hear the Jazz Bands from Garcia and Stinson. The Jazz Combo will perform for the NISD Retirement Ceremony on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Cuellar will give details of the performance on Monday.

On Thursday, we continue with our end of year concerts with the Spring Band Concert on Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium. Students are to dress in tuxes for the guys, and black formal dresses for the girls. Students will be turning in the tuxes/formals after the Band concert, so they will need to bring clothing to change into at the end of their performance. Students in A1 will turn in uniforms after their performance at YOSA Invitational at The Tobin Center. The 2nd and 3rd Period Bands will be rehearsing on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m. to prepare for the concert. Please be sure your child makes it to those two rehearsals. Both the Spring Band Concert and Tobin concert are free to the public, so I hope you can attend.

On Monday, we have students taking the AP Music Theory test in Band Hall 2 with check-in at 7:30 a.m. and the test beginning at 8 a.m. Access to Band Hall 2 will be closed from 7:30 a.m. through 5th period for testing administration. All band classes will be held in the main band hall until BH2 becomes available. We begin rehearsal with the 2018-2019 Guard spring camp from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. All students interested in being a part of the Color Guard for next year should attend.

The Booster Board will meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m. I invite the Elections Committee to report on the ballot of candidates for the 2018-19. Also, if you hosted a spring event be prepared to give a report. If you volunteered to serve on the Band Booster Scholarship Committee, Mr. Cuellar will have the documents that students turned in for you to review and select the winner.

Also on Tuesday, the Band Boosters will have their final meeting of the year at 7 p.m. in the main band hall. This meeting will be our elections meeting where members will vote for next year’s board and appoint co-chairs. I hope you can attend to vote or perhaps volunteer to serve on any open committee that still needs to be filled. Don’t forget to bring a potluck dish to share with the boosters.

On Friday, we will celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of the year at our annual Band Banquet. This year’s banquet will be held at Pedrotti’s from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Phantom of the Opera”. Thanks to 2nd Vice President, Jonnie Tristan, and her committee for organizing the Band Banquet. We have a few tickets left, but must be purchased by Monday. The cost is $55 per person.

Lastly, thank you to all the students, parents, and directors for the wonderful retirement surprise party given to me last Friday. I can’t believe I didn’t know or learn about this, since I usually know everything that is going on with the band program. You folks sure know how to keep a secret! I appreciated the kind words spoken at the event. So, a warm and heartfelt thank you to all of you wonderful people. I invite all of you to attend the NISD Retirement Ceremony on Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a meet and greet in the BHS Cafeteria and the ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium.

Be sure to review the weekly schedule to help your student be where they need to be, on time and ready to work. I hope you can attend the Spring Band Concert and send off the Class 2018 with their performance of “Stars and Stripes”. As always, thank you for your support of the “Spirit of Brandeis” Bronco Band.

Mr. H

Monday, May 14

7:30 am – AP Music Theory in BH2

4:30 pm - Jazz Combo Rehearsal

4:30 pm – Guard spring camp

Tuesday, May 15

7:30 am – 2nd/3rd Period Band Rehearsal

4:30 pm – Full Jazz Band Rehearsal

4:30 pm – Guard spring camp

6:00 pm – Booster Board Meeting

7:00 pm – Band Booster Meeting & Potluck

Wednesday, May 16