NEW YORK UPDATE PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS

Hello everyone,

I think this comes as a surprise to no one that we are finally cancelling the trip to New York.  If you don't feel like reading a lot and want the TLDR (too long, didn't read) version, scroll down to the asterisks for the important information.

First of all, I feel horrible about this.  I know that everyone was really looking forward to it and that you had set aside a lot of money to make this happen, but the conditions both here and in New York now make this trip impossible.  I held out as long as I could to see if things might have turned around, but I think everyone just wants a decision one way or the other.  I've decided to start the process of trying to get as much money back as possible for both insured and un-insured participants. 

We will not be trying to reschedule this trip during this school year or this summer, as we have no idea when we will get back or when the events that we previously booked will be available again.  Seniors, I have a lump in my throat about this.  I am so sorry.  Everyone else, although it is dangerous to speculate, I have a feeling we will take a survey next school year to see what everyone's feelings are about travel and restart the planning process for a trip during the 2020-2021 school year.  To predict any further than that would be irresponsible. 

FOR EVERYONE:   Educational Tours has assured us that they will do all they can to refund as much money as possible.  As stated in the original trip packet, the maximum refund is "monies paid.....less any non-refundable payments made on the trip's behalf".  When the money is refunded, it will be in a lump sum check to the school district, and will be distributed back to you in the form of a check from the district.  This obviously is going to take some time, so please do not call or email us asking for the status of your money yet.  Remember, the money has to get back to the tour company from the vendors, then back to the district from the tour company, then back to you from us in the form of 150 checks, written individually by our SINGULAR bookkeeper at the high school (A fantastic lady, whom I'm sure will be thrilled about writing all these checks and getting them to the right people). 

If you purchased the supplemental insurance, DO NOT FILE A CLAIM INDIVIDUALLY YET.  You will not get your money back any sooner, and you will most likely get less because filing the claim before then makes you ineligible for any refunds from the trip company.  We will notify YOU when you can make an insurance claim and also provide you with policy numbers and contact information for Travel Insured International.  

In the meantime, we ask you to please be patient, and not contact Educational Tours or the insurance company.  ETI has asked that one representative for each group do the communicating.  That person is me :)  If you have any questions You can direct them to myself (smigellj@howellschools.com) or to Mrs. Allegoet (allegoel@howellschools.com).  BEFORE ASKING US QUESTIONS, PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE LETTER as it contains all of the information we know right now.  I promise you we will keep you updated.

OK, that's about it.  This is a tough pill to swallow, but there has been a heavy dosage of tough pills lately.  Hang in there highlanders.  The sun will shine again.  We will come together again.  We will make music again.

-Smigell
*********************************

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THIS LETTER:

-WE ARE CANCELLING THE TRIP

-WE WILL BE GETTING MONEY BACK.  WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH, BUT IT WILL BE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

-IF YOU BOUGHT THE INSURANCE, DO NOT FILE A CLAIM YET ON YOUR OWN.  WAIT UNTIL YOU GET INSTRUCTIONS FROM US.

-DO NOT CALL THE TRIP COMPANY, THEY ARE TRYING TO GET OUR MONEY BACK. LET THEM WORK ON THAT.

-WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE MONEY IS COMING BACK.  GIVEN THE CURRENT SITUATION, IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE LONGER THAN YOU WOULD LIKE.  WE ARE WORKING ON THIS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

-WE ARE NOT RESCHEDULING THE TRIP FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR OR THE SUMMER.  WE WILL CONSIDER THINGS NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

-YOU CAN EMAIL MYSELF OR MRS. ALLEGOET WITH QUESTIONS, BUT PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS BEFORE YOU DO.

-MY HEART IS JUST AS BROKEN AS YOURS IS :(  I AM SO TRULY SORRY IT WORKED OUT THIS WAY.  WE TRIED OUR HARDEST.   

If you are reading this post, it probably means you are healthy.  I am glad for that :)

Smartmusic! Check your email kids!

Hello everyone!

First of all, check out the previous post on meal kits and how to SUPPORT HALEY SMITH, our SENIOR SURVIVOR! (Go team SHAEdy!)


OK on to my part of the business,  I have the authorization from Smartmusic to begin filling the classes and for you to get your FREE ACCOUNTS to Smartmusic! (You really are gonna like it!!)

Kids, you will be receiving an EMAIL from mrs. Allegoet's school email.  The email is actually from smartmusic.  There should be a LINK to goto and a CODE to use when you make your account.  I'm not sure what happens next, we need people to follow through with it and sign up.

The good news is that for digital savvy kids (i.e. all of you) the interface is super easy to use.  Parents there is also a big section of decent tutorial videos under "SMARTMUSIC ACADEMY".

If you did not receive an email, or if you are having trouble getting on, or have any QUESTIONS AT ALL ABOUT ANYTHING.  Please email me, I'll get back to you pretty quickly!

Ok, that's it for now.  I'm pretty excited about this.  It normally costs a kid $40 a year to have this account, I'm really pleased that they are doingthis for everybody

-Smigell

Meal Kits & Spirit Week

Student Council has started an at-home Spirit Week!  Also....if you are in need of meal kits for the week, pick up is today (Monday, March 23rd) from 4 to 6 p.m. by the rock at the high school (circle drive that faces the football stadium).  The next meal kit pick up is Monday, March 30th from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Here's how to support bando Hailey Smith of TeamSHEAdy:

HPS Home Spirit Week starts... NOW!

• This is the first 2020 Senior Survivor challenge!! The survivor who gets the most people to participate and use the hashtags #TeamSHEAdy and #HPSHomeSpirit2020 will win $100 towards their bucket! I am the only senior survivor band representative this year so I really need your help!!

See above for each day's theme!
Post a picture on Instagram or Twitter (no Facebook!) of you in your best superhero outfit along with the hashtags #TeamSHEAdy and #HPSHomeSpirit2020 !!!
* Please include the hashtags on your post for it to count! *
-- Each day's Senior Survivor winner is announced by the end of that night! --

You can also watch this youtube video for more info and support your Senior Survivor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=EjKqhY-7q_8&app=desktop

Smartmusic update, a resource for learning to read music, and other cool places on the internet.

Hello Everyone!

COVID-19 (There's a word I can't wait to stop using) is already here :( but something else is coming...

Something wonderful..

SMARTMUSIC is coming!!!!

Before I tell you about Smartmusic, scroll toward the end if you are one of the kids who has TROUBLE READING MUSIC* (or want to become theory wizards)

Smartmusic is piece of software (but can also be browser-based for Chromebooks) that has HUNDREDS of PIECES OF MUSIC for EVERY INSTRUMENT type for you to play along with.  You can also record yourself AND IT CAN GRADE YOUR PERFORMANCE for right notes and rhythms.  So here are some of the things I see us doing:

-You (the kids, and maybe even musician parents) being able to browse and pick out pieces of music to play for FUN!  I just checked and even with the free version you can play along with the accompaniment.  You can also have the computer play your part too if you are not sure how it goes.  If you like you can record it (This might be a way for people who got caught without their enrichment project done can fulfill it! ;)

-I can assign an etude for our audition pieces. If you have a microphone you can record it and send it to me.  The difference is that you can HAVE THE COMPUTER CHECK YOUR WORK, so you will be able to be a whiz!  I still am not sure if this is going to work the way I want it to, but its a start.  This particular thing would not be happening for at least a little while because we can't actually assign graded work just yet, so don't get worried (In this crazy new world, we all have bigger things to worry about than auditions so simmer down all you FELLOW ANXIETY BUNNIES!).

-If this quarantine goes for a long time I can, wait, WE can choose FULL BAND PIECES and PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES to rehearse separately and put together when we all return.  The software allows you to isolate your part, then play your part with the full band accompaniment.  It's a little "Texas" but it's still extremely cool!

The site is simply called SmartMusic.com, but it looks like I have to invite you. You know by now that I am a bit of technophobe so this will definitely be OUR journey.  Kids, as usual you will be helping me learn this software as we go.  It'll give us something to do!  We shall do it the way bandos do things: TOGETHER.  My application for smartmusic is pending so expect this to go up PROBABLY MONDAY.

*HAVING TROUBLE READING MUSIC?  I know there are kids in our program that really have trouble reading music.  You know who you are.  It's ok! But hey, wouldn't band be a lot more FUN if you weren't so FRUSTRATED keeping up when we are sight reading? Time to make something USEFUL out of the quarantine! https://www.musictheory.net/exercises this website has been around for a while, and it provides free lessons and exercises for reading music.  For those of you wanting to learn about theory it also has way MORE ADVANCED stuff as well.  If you really want to learn to read music better EMAIL ME and I'll work out a plan for you.  A little each day is the way!


Ok that's about it. I miss you folks so much.  I can feel you all bouncing off the walls wanting to get the heck out of the house.  Just remember you aren't being careful for YOURSELVES, you are being careful for EVERYBODY.  I know you can do it.  Hope is an important part of making it through a crisis like this.  You need to have something to look forward to.  I find that one of things I hang on to is that WE WILL COME TOGETHER AGAIN.  WE WILL MAKE MUSIC AGAIN. Count on it.

Now hurry up and sit there and be safe!
-Smigell

p.s. I check my email once a day, if you need to talk to me, just drop me a line.  If you're one of those kids that likes to "check in" every day, you still can :)  I'm not gone, I'm sitting in my house, just like you!

DSO STREAMS BEETHOVEN'S 5TH TONIGHT!!!! MUSIC TRIUMPHS!!!!! (and a note about getting into the building)

Hello Bandos,

A unique opportunity (although hopefully one of many) is happening tonight.  Like many musical organizations, the DSO is live streaming a concert tonight!  The difference is, it is BEETHOVEN'S 5TH SYMPHONY!!  one of the most widely known and beloved pieces of music in all of western history.

This will occur TONIGHT AT 8PM on Facebook live (I don't know how to do that since I stopped doing Facebook a long time ago.) and with their proprietary streaming service below:

https://www.dso.org/watch-listen-and-connect/dso-replay/


Believe it or not, it's a rare opportunity to hear it "live" since orchestras don't play it that often (It's kind of like not wanting to sing "Piano Man" if you're Billy Joel).

C'mon, haven't you ever been curious about hearing what comes after "DA DA DA DUMM"?

(It's not like you had that much to do right now anyway ;)

I really like what the DSO said in their promo email for this:

" Music is courageous, healing, unifying, powerful, calming, and important, and it can’t be silenced in times of uncertainty."

Yes, it is all those things...  Not sure why the text got so small... oh well.



ONE NOTE ABOUT GETTING INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR YOUR STUFF:

I unfortunately have no idea when there will be another opportunity to get in the band room or the building, but there will be one.  I am going to try and get ahold of admin and see about getting an opportunity where we get to let people know in advance.  I apologize about the jerky-jerky manner that this has been happening, but I think we all have to get used to it for at least a while.  I will say this, it doesn't pay to be a space cadet these days.  Kids, if you are normally someone who "misses the boat" on things, time to start checking the dock more often.  This is coming from Colonel Smigell of the space cadet corps himself before you get salty :D

Ok that's it for now.  Stay safe, follow the Governor's orders, practice good pandemic hygiene, and blessings to you all.

-Smigell

Hi Everyone! This is little update post during the COVID-19 downtime.

Hey folks!

I wanted to let you know I am still looking at some ways for you (the kids) can enrich yourselves in this interim period.  I bet your are getting bored.  This crisis has hammered home just how precious making music with people is to me.  Maybe one positive of having one's life brought to a crawl is that you learn what is really important to you. For me helping people is important, learning is important, and MUSIC IS IMPORTANT.

I hope everyone was able to get their instrument from the building.  Special thanks to Laura Allegoet for helping make that happen on Monday! If you didn't, I am not sure when the next opportunity will be.  Please email me and I will see what I can do.

This week I am putting together a "music stimulus package" with links to all kinds of cool stuff from theory lessons to online sheet music.  look for that in the next couple of days.

Parents, I urge you to realize the importance of some kind of normalcy to your child. This unfortunately might mean letting them practice in the house for a bit during the day even though everyone is home.  😉

Finally, you are all very important to me.  Please take care of yourselves and follow the Governor's orders.  I have faith in humanity, and I think we will come out of this stronger and wiser.  Don't watch too much of the news, be good to each other!

-Smigell

BAND & SCHOOL UPDATE 3/16

Please see the latest update from Howell Schools:  TODAY from 4 to 6 p.m. is the last day to pick up items from school:

http://howellschools.com/cms/one.aspx?pageId=14312180

The band room will be accessible if you need to get your instrument.

Take care - Mrs. Allegoet

MEAL KITS AVAILABLE 3/16, 23 & 30

On Monday, March 16, Monday, March 23, and Monday, March 30, from 4 to 6 p.m., our Food Service Department will be providing free meal kits to any families who need them. There is no ID or income requirement to receive a meal kit. The kits will contain seven days of breakfast and lunch foods. The meal kits will be available for pick-up from 4 to 6 p.m. in the circle driveway on the north side of Howell High School (near the rock).

For families who are unable to secure transportation to pick up a kit, the district will offer delivery. If you need a kit delivered, please visit https://forms.gle/Y8k9Bke2ccotusjJ9

BAND CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 3/13/2020

HI EVERYONE!


I know that all these updates can be confusing, but I want to make sure you are all as informed as possible.  Here is the latest Howell Band news as it relates to the district, your children, and this crisis:


-Please make sure to read the latest update from the district (I'm not putting a link since it changes every few hours)

-All in-person practices for any Instrumental Music activities at Howell are cancelled until we get the "all clear" from the district.

-The school and the band room will be open today (3/13/2020) until 3pm.  Mr Schrock has also told me that he will be here on MONDAY (3/16/2020) 8-noon in case you were unable to come get your instrument. (No longer true)

-Everyone can get their instrument, including drumline, tubas, and school owned "borrowers".  If you are picking up an instrument for a friend, please make sure they know you are doing so.

-If you are a percussionist and want to borrow an instrument, call me first (Get my number from another parent or kid, about 60% of the band populace has it).  Call me twice so I know you're not a robocall)

-Make sure to check the blog every couple days.  I have some exciting ideas about distance learning that wil help you keep "the coronavirus blues" away! expect that update some time next week.

Ok that's about it.  ANY OR ALL OF THIS MAY CHANGE.  I urge you to be careful, be smart, and come back safe. Love you guys.

Mr. Smigell

COVID-19 Update!

March 12, 2020

Hello instrumental music family, 

These are interesting times we are living in.  Before we go any further, be aware that this current update may only be current for a few hours, as this situation with COVID-19 may literally change minute by minute.

First of all, please read the official statement put out by the combined superintendents of the Livingston County School Districts. 

Letter from Livingston County School Districts

Now, this is how these statements currently affect the instrumental music department:

-All performances from now until April 3rd 2020 are cancelled.  This includes Howellpalooza, Collage, and State Solo and Ensemble. 

-Pit rehearsals for Secret Garden are currently scheduled to continue next week.  

-Drumline auditions and practice are scheduled to continue.  

-The New York trip falls outside the current mandatory cancellation order, so it is still currently scheduled.  As stated many times before, this could change.   

I am heartbroken just like everyone else that we have had to cancel many of these performances, but I truly believe it is for the best and will aid us in stemming the spread of the virus.  One of the most frustrating things about our current situation is how uncertain things are right now for everyone.  Please know we are trying our very best to keep you current on all information regarding COVID-19 and Howell Public Schools. 

If you have any questions, you can email me at smigellj@howellschools.com .  I will do my very best to answer if I can.  Having said that, please do not ask me to speculate or predict what is going to happen after April 3rd, as I have no idea.  As always, the safety and well being of your children is our highest priority.  Lets all do our best to face this challenge and get through it together.

Sincerely,

Jason Smigell

Director, Howell HS Instrumental Music

BAND CAMP FORMS / SCRIPS FUNDRAISER INFO / UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCHING BAND / CAMP
Good Evening!!  As promised all of the paperwork from the band camp meeting is now here for your use.  Please click on what is needed, print it, fill it out in full and turn it in by the due date. Band camp forms are also available in the band room.  Please do not hesitate to ask questions of the people that are mentioned as helpers in the Marching Band Packet.  There are no silly questions.  Marching Band and Band Camp are AWESOME!!

MARCHING BAND STUDENT PACKET

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION - DUE APRIL 8TH

MARCHING BAND CHAPERONE PACKET

8TH GRADE INFORMATION

DRUMLINE INFORMATION

SCRIP PROGRAM

PAY FOR 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 fundraising account. Earn money for band camp, instrument lessons, future band trips, etc.

HHS Band Scrip uses the Great Lakes Scrip Center for ordering cards. They have this great YouTube video that explains the basics of the program:

               

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwkeGiRuYVY&list=PLB05706667A3B6471

You can sign up right away using enrollment code C436CCB458883 (to get to the Band Account).

Questions?  You can email our SCRIPS coordinator, Nancy Stebbing, 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!

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 17th - Howellpalooza at 7 p.m. (concert featuring Rock Class, Jazz Band, Perc Ensemble and other non-traditional performing groups)

March 19th - Drumline Leadership clinic & auditions:  from 6 to 9 pm

  (returning members in grades 10 - 12, if interested in a leadership position)

DRUMLINE CLINICS

March 21st from 10 am to 4 pm - Drumline clinic (see this blog post for detailed drumline information:  http://hhsbands.blogspot.com/2020/03/help-needed-band-camp-drumline-mtg.html)

March 24th from 6 to 8:30 pm

March 26th from 6 to 9 pm

March 25th - Collage Concert at 7 p.m. (featuring Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Perc Ensemble & Choir)
March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break
April 8 - Need-based Scholarship applications due
April 10 - No School!
April 17 - 19 - The Secret Garden musical at Rod Bushey Auditorium
April 23 - 26 - New York Trip (for those that have already signed up!)
May 1 - 1/2 day of school
May 5 - Band Banquet (awards ceremony) at 7 pm in the high school cafeteria
May 15 - Lock In
May 19 - Spring Concert at 7 p.m.
May 20 - Last day of school for seniors
May 25 - Memorial Day Parade (marching band) & No School!
May 30 - Graduation at MSU Breslin Center
June 4 - Last day of school

BAND CAMP MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 7 P.M.

BAND CAMP MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 7 P.M.

* Informational meeting for Marching Band Camp:

Tuesday, March 10th at 7 p.m. in the band room

This meeting is optional. Registration forms and detailed information will be available in the band room and on the band blog after the meeting if you can't attend.

Band Camp is Sunday, August 9th to Thursday, August 13th.  Squad leader day is August 6th and Newbie day (for all new marching band members) is August 7th.

FESTIVAL PERMISSION SLIP - DUE NOW!

If you still need to turn in a Festival permission slip for your student, here it is:

FESTIVAL PERMISSION SLIP

Students can turn them in tomorrow (Friday) or email to me at ALLEGOEL@HOWELLSCHOOLS.COM  We MUST have a permission slip for every student in order to attend Festival!

Detailed Festival info can be found on the February 28th blog post:  http://hhsbands.blogspot.com/2020/02/band-festival-march-6th-7th.html

HELP NEEDED / BAND CAMP & DRUMLINE MTG.

HELP NEEDED!  FESTIVAL CHAPERONES for WIND ENSEMBLE!
* Chaperones are still needed to ride the bus to and from the event AND help students and Mr. Smigell once you are at Festival.  ***If you can chaperone, please sign up by clicking on the Sign-Up Link below. 

CHAPERONE SIGN-UP LINK

All chaperones must have completed a "Volunteer Release Form" with the high school this school year in order to chaperone.  This form is available here Volunteer Release Form and may be returned to the band room or emailed to me at allegoel@howellschools.com by Wednesday, March 4th!  If you've already completed this form during the 2019-20 school year, we do not need you to fill it out again.

*  Detailed Festival schedule and info can be found below on the February 28th blog post!

FESTIVAL PERMISSION SLIPS:  Permission slips are due on Thursday, March 5th!  We are sending them home with students on Tuesday but, if you need a copy, you can find one here:

FESTIVAL PERMISSION SLIP

BAND CAMP MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 7 P.M.

* Informational meeting for Marching Band Camp:

Tuesday, March 10th at 7 p.m. in the band room

This meeting is optional. Registration forms and detailed information will be available in the band room and on the band blog after the meeting if you can't attend.

Band Camp is Sunday, August 9th to Thursday, August 13th.  Squad leader day is August 6th and Newbie day (for all new marching band members) is August 7th.

DRUMLINE MEETING & AUDITIONS

Drumline is our first marching band group to get started for the 2020-21 season!  Below is a schedule of events:

Leadership clinic & auditions:  March 19th from 6 to 9 pm

  (returning members in grades 10 - 12, if interested in a leadership position)

Audition Clinics:  March 21st from 10 am to 4 pm

                           March 24th from 6 to 8:30 pm

                           March 26th from 6 to 9 pm

All clinics are held in the high school band room.  You must attend all of the audition clinics and band camp in order to be a member of drum line.  Drumline members will be announced at the end of the last clinic.  See the link below for detailed info:

DRUMLINE CLINIC & AUDITION INFO / DATES