Calendar / Band Camp Dates / MB Photos

Hello band families!

Below is a list of due dates and band events happening from now until December (and band camp dates):

October
31st:  Marching Band Photo Orders & Payment Due (see below for order form)

November
1st:  1/2 day school
5th:  New York Trip - Chaperone Interest forms due
6th:  New York Trip - Student deposit of $255 due to reserve spot on trip
6th:  Band Booster Meeting at 6:30 pm in the band room
7th:  High school conferences 4:30 to 7:30 pm
8th:  Boon Fundraiser orders and payment due (due date extended)
8th - 10th:  Peter and The Starcatcher presented by HHS Drama in the Rod Bushey Auditorium
19, 21, 25:  Fantasy of Lights Parade practice
26 - 29:  No School - Thanksgiving break
29:  Fantasy of Lights parade

December
10th:  Holiday Concert at 7 pm in the Rod Bushey Auditorium
23rd - Jan. 5th:  Holiday Break - no school!

August 2020 (we've had a few people ask so they can plan summer vacations)
9th - 13th:  Marching Band Camp
19th:  First day of School (yes - we start on the 19th in 2020!)

Marching Band Photo Orders

ORDERS & PAYMENT DUE THURSDAY - HALLOWEEN!  Dan Zeppa from DZ Productions/Photography took photos of our entire marching band and individual photos, if requested.  If you are ordering individual photos, please include your image number on the order form!

MB Photo Order Form 

New York Trip Update

74 students signed up and deposit paid - Only 61 spots still available!
82 students signed up and deposit paid - only 53 spots still available!

See the October 22nd blog post for information and forms:

http://hhsbands.blogspot.com/2019/10/new-york-city-trip-packets-shirt-jacket.html

Thank you!

Hello band families!

Thank you to Jamie Miller, Dana Sleder and Christyne MacDermaid for putting together an awesome senior night celebration for our marching band! Thank you to EVERYONE that helped this marching band season! So many of you that helped make it a successful mb season by preparing food, donating water and supplies, volunteering your time to help with uniforms and/or the tailgate - we couldn't do this without you! Everything ran smoothly all season thanks to our wonderful band families :)

Thank you to our band camp staff and chaperones! You helped get this marching band season off to a great start and continued to lend your support all season long.  Thank you to our mb staff:  Ashley Quick- Drossart, Abby Gamache, Shaun McDonnell and Nicole Prewett as well as Jacki Mrakitsch, Jen Esch and Mrs. Gray.

Thank you to drum majors Kyle Brinker, Jacob Drotos and Kay Lama and all our great squad leaders!  Your leadership on and off the field was outstanding!

Last, but definitely not least, thank you Mr. Smigell!  Your dedication and caring for your students and their families shows in all you do.  Thank you for helping our bandos make wonderful, beautiful music and for a fabulous marching band season!

With much gratitude - Laura

New York City Trip Packets / Shirt, Jacket, Vest Fittings / Senior Night

Band Program - New York City Trip Forms:

If you weren't able to make it to the meeting this evening, that's okay!  Here are the forms and info on how things will work for the New York City Band trip:

• Payments are being made directly to the trip company.
• Students can start signing up online today - limit of 135 spots for students.  See Student Packet below for detailed information!
• Students also need to fill out the Student Information Form and Health Info form which gets mailed to the high school or turned in to the band room mail box. Charms monies can only be used for 3rd and/or 4th payments.
• Limit of approximately 15 chaperones for this trip.  Chaperones will be selected via a lottery procedure if more than 15 people are interested in being a chaperone.  Details in the Chaperone Packet.
• Please follow the instructions in the "Chaperone Packet" below!
• If someone signs up online as a chaperone before November 8th and/or before they are confirmed as a chaperone, you will be moved to the trip wait list and then removed from the trip if not selected.

Student Forms and Information Packet:

Student Packet Here!

Chaperone Forms and Information Packet:

Chaperone Packet Here!

Concert Shirt, Jacket & Vest Fittings

Fittings are being done during class this Thursday, October 24th by Brighton Tux.  See October 19th blog post below for detailed info!

Senior Night 10/25 & Senior Google Form

See the October 19th blog post below for detailed information about Senior night for marching band.  Please note earlier start times for this evening!

Help and some food donations are still needed also.  Sign Ups for what is needed for the tailgate are here:

TAILGATE SIGN UP!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Seniors!  Google form needs to be submitted NOW!

Seniors - please fill this out to the fullest. This on-line form is due by Wednesday, October 23rd. This gives us enough time to compile and hand in Friday morning.

SENIOR INFO SHEET - GOOGLE FORM

Senior Night 10/25 - Info & Google Form

Senior Night - vs. TBD:

Friday, October 25th @ 7pm

PLEASE NOTE:  Earlier report times!  It's senior night!

Report Time: 4:00pm ON THE FIELD*** (Please try not to be late, we only have enough time to run through the whole thing a couple times)

Tailgate: 4:45 (If you or your parents volunteered to bring stuff for it, please remember ^.^)

Uniforms / Senior Pictures: 5:30/5:45 pm

Step Off: 6:00pm

Senior Family Meeting Up: 6:10pm* at the Gate near the Scoreboard

Senior Walk: 6:15pm

Pregame: 6:45pm - MB Performs Pregame Show

Kickoff: 7:00pm - MB Performs During Halftime

Game Ends: ~9:00pm-ish (Depending on timeouts, injuries, etc.)

* - If you are walking/want to walk with the band over to the field - you still have to pay admission at the ticket booth before you can meet up with your Senior student at the Scoreboard gate. It is important to be lined up before the Senior Walk starts to prevent any issues.

Tailgate for Friday, October 25th @4:45pm:

Everyone needs to bring $3 per person please if you are not donating something or helping with something (listed on the Sign Up link). You can drop off money early in an envelope in the mailbox in the band room w/your name (and your families names) on it. This helps with the extra costs needed to feed everyone. Thanks!

Sign Ups for what is needed for the tailgate is here:

TAILGATE SIGN UP!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Senior Show Line-Up Survey:

Seniors - please fill this out to the fullest. This form is due by Wednesday, October 23rd. This gives us enough time to compile and hand in Friday morning.

SENIOR INFO SHEET - GOOGLE FORM

SEE BLOG POST BELOW for info on concert shirt fittings and the NYC trip meeting - all happening this week!

Pep Band / Shirt Fittings / NYC Mtg. / Fundraisers

* Pep Band - Friday, October 18th:

When: Friday Night - October 18th @ 6:30pm - End @ approx. 9 pm (depending on if a shut out, weather, time outs, etc.)
Where: Brighton High School - 7878 Brighton Rd, Brighton, MI 48116 // Meeting at Visitor Gate
What (to wear / bring): Instrument, Flip-Folder of Music (Upperclassmen bring any extra music you have from the past yrs to help with the new members), W/E your instrument may need (extra reeds, valve oil, etc.) and you MUST wear this seasons' MB shirt (Cirque Du Howell)

Pep Band is not required - it goes towards your band letter / medals and it is fun. ^.^ You meet Mr.Smigell at the gates at 6:30pm to get in free (for students - parents must pay ~$5 at the admission gate to enter). Mr. Smigell will be at the game the whole time. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Brighton HS (ask if you need a ride - Smigell will help you find a ride with another student (don't be afraid to ask)). Be sure to bring home your instrument Friday after school - there will be no way to get into the band room Friday evening (and remember to bring them back to school on Monday). Parents are welcome to cheer on the band / football team.

* Concert Shirt Fittings:
This refers to any 9th grade, new student to the program or any student needing a new shirt.  This shirt and tie are part of your "concert uniform" for high school band.  Click here for uniform requirements:  UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

Mr. Bourbonias from the Brighton Tux Shop is coming next Thursday, October 24th during 7th hour to do white, formal shirt fittings for concert band.  He will also be in 1st, 2nd and 3rd hour on the 24th if anyone needs a new shirt.  The shirts / ties will come in around the end of November.

PLEASE - order your shirt and tie on Thursday if you are a freshman or need a new shirt!  Mr. Smigell would like all the shirts to be the same and ordering them all from Brighton Tux ensures they will be.  These prices are also less than you can find at most places.

Prices are:

White Formal Shirt - $18
Black Tie -$5
Combo - $22 (Shirt + Tie)

You pay by cash or check made to Howell HS Bands. Payment can be made on Thursday or when the shirts come in.  Formal shirts and ties will be worn at the next concert on December 10th.

Wind Ensemble Jackets and Highlander Band Vests
We will be fitting Wind Ensemble for their jackets and Highlander Band for their vests on Wednesday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 24th during class time.  There is no cost for the jacket or vest - Like our marching band uniforms, the jackets and vests will be turned in after each concert and stored in the band room.  Students in Wind Ensemble and Highlander Band will be assigned a jacket or vest for the school year.  All bands wear their white formal shirt and tie for concert performances.  Concert Band and Symphonic Band do NOT wear a jacket or vest.

* Band Program Trip - New York City Info Meeting:

• Tuesday, October 22, 2019
• 7 pm
• High School Band Room

It's been a Howell Bands tradition that every two years Mr. Smigell takes a trip to another city to expand the horizons of the bandos. Highlights include taking in the city sights, good eats, a ball game, a play or museum, a symphony performance, and a clinic opportunity with a luminary of the music world. During our last NYC trip, the clinician was Michael Adelson, the cover conductor for the New York Philharmonic and Conductor of the Auros Group for New Music in Boston. Typically, each student has a chance to go on two trips, usually New York and Boston.  We were last in NYC in 2016.

Please attend if you are interested in the trip this school year.  There will be information for students and interested chaperones.  There are a limited number of student and chaperone spots.  Instructions will be given at the meeting for signing up and the process for potential chaperones.  Below are a few details about the trip:

• NYC OPTIONAL trip - open to all current Howell Bands students
• Depart HHS April 23rd at 4:30 am
• Return to HHS April 26th around 9 pm
• Cost:  APPROXIMATELY $1,050 per person plus $61.50 for travel insurance 

*  FUNDRAISERS

BOON SUPPLY

Catalog fundraiser featuring great bags, totes, lunch boxes, candles and lots of other items.  Catalogs and order forms are available in the band room.  Checks payable to "Howell Band Boosters" and orders due Friday, November 1st.  Questions?  Contact Monica Hacker at hackerm@howellschools.com

SCRIP PROGRAM

PAY FOR NYC TRIP, BAND CAMP AND OTHER BAND EXPENSES BY SHOPPING!

How much money do you spend in a month for regular expenses-  $600 for groceries, $200 for gas, $100 dining out…?  If you paid for those regular expenses using a gift card purchased from the HHS Band Scrip Program, you would get a rebate on each purchase, a rebate that  goes straight into your student's CHARMS account. You could easily pay your entire Band Camp bill just by spending the money you have to spend anyway- for whatever you need wherever you normally shop.

HHS Band Scrip uses the Great Lakes Scrip Center for ordering cards. Click on this link for information!

SCRIPS INFORMATION!

Nancy Stebbing is in charge of the SCRIPS program - you can ask her questions at the NYC Information Meeting on Oct. 22nd , or email her at  howellbandscrip@gmail.com

Once you learn how the ordering system works, this is the easiest money you will ever earn for band expenses. And you earn the rebates on money you have to spend anyway. Put your spending to work for you!

Marching Band Practice Cancelled Weds. Oct. 16th

Marching band practice is cancelled for Wednesday the 16th!

There is practice on Thursday at 2:30 and optional Pep Band Friday at Brighton High School - report time 6:30 at BHS football field. More details to come!

1st Concert & Basket Raffle - Tues. Oct. 15th

First Band Concert - Tuesday, October 15th
First band concert is Tuesday, October 15th at 7pm in the HHS / Rod Bushey Auditorium.  Report Time For All: 6:30pm - Show up already in your nice outfit. :)  The concert will show all the concert ensembles, including the marching band.

Dress Code: "Dress nicely". This means NO T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS/PANTS, JEANS, OR TENNIS SHOES. This also means that all clothing needs to be school appropriate as well. Gentlemen - a nice shirt and tie with slacks or khakis will do. Ladies - a nice blouse or sweater with a skirt or slacks put you in the clear. Marching band members - you will be changing into your uniform during the concert after you perform, so bring your marching uniform (the season's black, fitness / shorts, all black socks and all black shoes).

Help Needed!

Help is needed immediately after the concert in the band room for marching band uniform turn in and also to put away the rain coats from Friday's game.  Please text Christyne MacDermaid at 734-476-0312 or email Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com if you can help.

Basket Raffle - Tuesday, Oct. 15th

Thank you Lisa Grager for organizing what promises to be another great basket raffle! This is the biggest fundraiser for the band boosters and helps fund band needs like concert jackets/vests and band camp scholarships.  Tickets will go on sale at 6:00 in the lobby. They are $1.00 each, 6 for $5.00 or arm length for $10.00. To speed things along during the concert we have you write your name on the back of the ticket or stick an address label on if you have them VS. looking for the matching ticket number. Winners can pick up their prize after the last performance.

Baskets can be delivered to the Band Room any time. We need them there by 4:30 the night of the concert so we can get them displayed. Those of you who volunteered to help, we start at 4:30 in the Band Room getting tables and the baskets to the lobby, if you can't make it at 4:30 that's OK come later. It takes us until 6:00 to set up and then we start ticket sales until the concert begins. We also need some help after the concert to get all the tables back to the band room after baskets are picked up. On behalf of the Band Boosters - Thank you for your support 🙂

Questions? Contact Lisa Grager at lgrager@live.com

Basket Themes:

Barron Family - Game Night
Benn Family - Wooden Crate with Howell Fight Song  

Birch Family - Yoga 

Brunks Family - Cold Winter Comfort   

Catlett Family - Handcrafted Diamondwood Leather Items

Cole Family - Witch's Hat Brewing Membership Package ***Must be 21 to Win***

Creed Family - Seasonal Centerpiece
Dahline Family - Crosswinds Aviation Discovery Flight
DeWitt Family - Handmade Bench and Crafts

Fyke Family - BBQ Rib 

Gomez Family - Dog 

Grager Family - Winter Let it Snow 

Griffin Family - Handcrafted Wooden Light Up Pumpkin Lantern
Harbison - 31 Jewelry Holder with Earrings and Necklace

Harlow Family - Movie Night

Janssen Family - Hair Care & Styling Products

Macaluso-Dersch - 2 - Green Zip Up Hoodie Sweatshirts (S & XL) with Handstitched Howell Bands Embroidery

McLarty Family - $50 Mexican Fiesta Gift Card

Merucci Family - Hot Chocolate 

Patterson Family - Starbucks

Perrin Family - Lottery Tickets

Reder - Cozy Time

Roberts Family - Halloween Seasonal
Sheets Family - Coffee

Sleder Family - Keurig  

Walker Family - Spring Garden

Yacks Family - Tailgate Setup

Local Business Contributions:

Allen K Ryan's Chicken - 2 - Family Value Buckets

Aubree's - 2 - $25.00  Gift Cards
Biggby - Biggby Basket

Bordines - $25 Gift Card

Brighton Tux Shop - Prom 2020 Tuxedo Rental Value - $175.00

Ceramic Studio - $25.00 Gift Certificate

Culvers - 50 - Value Basket Coupons 

Dairy Queen - Ice Cream Cake
Derrick Brown - $50 Panera Gift Card (Supervisor at Panera was in band as a kid and wanted to personally support the band program)

Dragon Fly Emporium - $25.00 Gift Card
Heart of Michigan - Made in Michigan Products

Howell Soft Cloth Car Wash - 20 Car Washes

Jimmy Johns - 10 free Sandwiches 

Jonna's Market - $25.00 Gift Card

Leppek Nursery - $50.00 Gift Card
Panera - 5 - You Pick 2 Meals

Schafer's House of Music - $30.00 Gift Certificate

Specialty Growers - $20.00 Gift Card

Spirit of Livingston - $25.00 Gift Certificate

Steve MacDermaid of the Fowlerville Edward Jones - It's a Surprise

Tim Hortons - 2 - $10.00 Gift Cards

Tomato Bros. - $35.00 Gift Card
Tropical Smoothie - Tropical Smoothie Basket

Wolly Bully's - $25.00 Gift Card

Home Game #4 - Friday schedule

Home Game #4- vs. Canton:
Friday, October 11th - @7pm

Report Time: 4:30pm ON THE FIELD*** (Please try not to be late, we only have enough time to run through the whole thing a couple times)
Tailgate: 5:15 PM (if you signed up to bring something, please bring with you)
Uniforms:  5:45 PM - marching band tshirt (wear under uniform), solid black shoes and black socks

Step Off: 6:30pm
Pregame: 6:45pm - MB Performs Pregame Show
Kickoff: 7:00pm - MB Performs During Halftime
Game Ends: 9:00pm-ish (Depending on timeouts, injuries, etc.)

Rain is currently in the forecast. Hopefully it doesn't rain but, if it does, we have marching band rain coats for all students. We will play at the game if it's just rain. Check the blog or facebook page for updates or schedule changes.

Tailgate for the 4th Game* - Friday, Oct. 11th @ 5:15 pm:

Before each football game, the band boosters organize a tailgate for the marching band. We're having hot dogs, chips and a variety of sides! If you'd like to donate and/or volunteer to help, click on this link to sign up:

https://signup.com/go/BtjrDLi

Please bring $3 per person if you are not donating something or helping with something (listed on the Sign Up link). You can drop off money early in an envelope in the mailbox in the band room w/your name (and your families names) on it. This helps with the extra costs needed to feed everyone.  Thanks!

Marching band photos Oct. 8th / Oct. 11th Tailgate Sign-up

Thank you to everyone that helped at Homecoming! It was a busy, fun day and we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks to the McLarty family for organizing a great pizza tailgate! Next week, the 11th, is a home game vs. Canton. Please sign up if you can help!  

https://signup.com/go/BtjrDLi

Marching band photos are being taken Tuesday after practice (the 8th). Please contact Christyne MacDermaid if you can help with uniforms from 2:45 until 4 or 4:30 - christynemacdermaid@gmail.com or text 734-476-0312

See the Sept. 28th and 22nd blog posts for the October calendar, marching band photo order form, first concert details, basket raffle info and more! 

Thank you! - Laura

Marching Band Cancelled Today 10/2

Due to rain, marching band practice is cancelled today 10/2. There will be practice tomorrow 10/3 rain or shine!