Here are the week3 Band zoom meeting notes on youtube!

This is the link to the week 3 meeting and lesson notes!

Here are the weekly zoom meeting notes, announcements and assignments for week 2

Hi Everyone!

In case you couldn't make it to the meeting or just wanted a reminder, this is a video of me going over what we covered.

Week 2 ZOOM Meeting notes video.

Drumline & Marching Band Info

DRUMLINE 2020-21
If you are interested in auditioning for the 2020-21 Drumline, please contact our fabulous drumline coach, Shaun McDonnell, if you haven't already done so.  His contact and other information is here: DRUMLINE WELCOME LETTER / INFO

A Note from Shaun:
Obviously, due to COVID-19 everything has changed as far as dates are concerned.  However, I did want to take some time and let you know that the student leadership for the 2020-2021 HHS Drumline has put together some material to help you start practicing.  Contact me for the Google link.

As far as the future is concerned and when we will start practicing and holding the full line auditions I just don't know.  We will adhere to instructions sent out by all school and government officials and only when they and Mr. Smigell approve of us getting together to practice is when we will start but not before then.

We were able to hold section/squad leader auditions via video and things are slowly starting to come together.  I honestly look forward to and am excited about what the 2020/2021 marching season will entail.  Please let me know if you have any questions and never hesitate to contact me at any time.  

Shaun McDonnell

Howell High School Drumline Instructor

407.319.5858

MARCHING BAND
Please see this previous blog post for marching band info and forms:

http://hhsbands.blogspot.com/2020/04/marching-band-camp-new-due-dates-forms.html

Meeting times for ever and ever

Hello All!

The first zoom meetings went really well I thought.  I wanted to let the parents know that I will be communicating with the kids ALL THROUGH GOOGLE CLASSROOM from here on out. 

I wanted to fill you in a little bit on how these weeks are going to work:

My lesson content is going to be posted in google classroom and explained at weekly zoom meetings.

Here are the hours that they will occur each Monday:

Concert Band: 10am-11am

Symphonic and Highlander Band: 11am-noon

Wind ensemble/Percussion ensemble: Noon-1pm

Kids will be sent zoom invites a couple of days in advance through their school emails.  I am not posting them for the public to cut down on hackers. 

I will be having my office hour EVERY WEDNESDAY from 11am-noon for people that could not make the Monday lesson, need help, or just want to hang out. 

If people want supplemental help or time, I will happily make smaller appointments on an individual basis. 

Ok that's about it.  Here's a video of my notes from the first meetings yesterday.

https://youtu.be/Ue6luS1_GyU

ZOOM MEETING FOR STUDENTS AND THE ACTUAL START OF THINGS!

Hello All!


This is mostly for the kids. 


KIDS.... CHECK YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL.  You will have an invite for the zoom meeting that will be happening for multiple classes on MONDAY APRIL 13th, AT THESE TIMES.


Concert Band  11AM-11:45

Symphonic/Highlander  NOON-12:45

Wind/ Perc Class  1PM-1:45PM


NEXT... GOTO YOUR GOOGLE CLASSROOM FOR OUR CLASS AND WATCH THE FIVE MINUTE VIDEO I MADE FOR YOU.

ok, that's about it. 

Sending good vibes,

-Smigell

MARCHING BAND CAMP - NEW DUE DATES & FORMS

Hello band families!

BAND CAMP UPDATE
With all the recent changes and events, we have updated the due dates for Marching Band Camp.  We hope this helps!  IF you already have the student camp packet with forms, you do NOT need to reprint the forms.  Only the due dates, amount due ($350 discounted rate for everyone) and where to mail / send things have changed.  The same goes for the scholarship application and chaperone packet.

Revised due dates:
Scholarship Applications Due:  FRIDAY, MAY 1ST
Band Camp Forms and $350 Payment Due:  MONDAY, JUNE 1ST

Cost of Marching Band / Camp:  $350  ($350 is the discounted amount and applies to everyone. Only one payment due date - no deposit due before June 1st)

Mail payments and forms to:

Howell Band Boosters
ATTN:  BAND CAMP
P.O. Box 2113
Howell, MI  48844

You can also email forms to:  Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com  Payments may also be made via PayPal through Charms - see page 3 of the student packet for instructions.

MARCHING BAND/CAMP STUDENT PACKET - REVISED & DUE JUNE 1ST

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION - DUE MAY 1ST

BAND CAMP CHAPERONE PACKET

Take care - Laura

This is the Pre-Governor's-Order update

Hello all,



If you want the TLDR (too long didn't read) version, basically I am going to tell you nothing until after the Governor's announcement (there really isn't a point since that announcement will change and finalize a lot of things) this is basically an update to tell you all I haven't forgotten about you, and that we are working on all kinds of stuff. Please bear in mind that after the Governor's order (Which I now will refer to as ATGO) it will take a little time to formulate plans that comply with what the school is going to do in response.


Ok... On with the update!

Let me start by saying that I miss you all terribly (kids AND parents).  I have been ill (ironically) with H1N1 infuenza (was tested) which although is not COVID-19, is not a picnic and am just starting to feel about 80%.  I just picked up my horn yesterday for the first time, found a good reed, and started playing things.  Now that I am back on my feet I can start dealing with all the things that are coming up:

ITEMS ON THE BURNER:

-Band camp: We will know much more ATGO.  We still intend on going to Eagle Village for the full amount of days at this time.  Deadlines for money and scholarship applications will probably be extended, but we cannot be sure.  THERE WILL BE MARCHING BAND, DON'T WORRY.

-Drum major auditions, color guard, and drumline announcements on how to proceed will be made ATGO.

-Getting your instrument or returning your instrument if you are a senior: The school will have a formal plan in place ATGO for students to enter the school and get belongings (including instruments) that they might have left at school. YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS SO YOU DON'T MISS THE BOAT.  There will most likely not be many more opportunities to get in the building, we will try and help you as much as we can. 

-Placements for next year:  First of all, if you were planning on doing marching band and/or taking band during the day PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE SIGNED UP FOR IT.  All the same great music, concerts, and wonderful things that are band will be back next year.  They can't keep us at home forever, and there will be band.  I will be back, Mrs. Allegoet will be back, I'LL BE THE SAME GUY YOU ENJOYED SEEING EVERY DAY AND YOUR FRIENDS WILL BE THERE TOO! We will make music and laugh and learn together (I might have to scold you a little but not much, you know that :) Anyway, for placements next year I still plan on having some kind of audition process.  I would like to involve Smartmusic because I think it might make the process easier for everyone (more on that in a sec).  Any way you slice it, I will make sure that the process is as fair as possible and in your best interests.

-Connecting with students:  I MISS YOU FOLKS A LOT.  Now that I am feeling better, I will be setting up meetings online.  I haven't decided whether to use Zoom or Google hang out.  We most likely will be using Google classroom to help keep track of people.  I definitely want to talk with as many of you as possible, whether that is in the form of group lessons or just chatting.  A plan will come out ATGO.  SENIORS YOU ARE INCLUDED! I feel so bad for you guys and gals, there's no other way to put it.  Try not to dwell on all the crappy stuff that this *&%&$# disease has caused.  We didn't ask for this, but we all have to deal with it.  Unfortunately some of our burdens are going to be heavier than others.  If you are feeling particularly pooey about this, PLEASE CONTACT ME.  Sometimes just talking it out can help.  Please don't be shy about reaching out.  YOU KNOW I WILL TALK TO ANYBODY.  Email me at smigellj@howellschools.com for starters.

-NEW YORK.  Mrs. Allegoet is going to have a form for all the people that bought the insurance to fill out.  I hear that the money is going to take some time to get back to us (stinks but at least it's coming back).  Stay tuned.

-Smartmusic is really cool but really clunky and has been paralyzed by all the free traffic on the website.  Once it calms down it should be really cool I NEED EVERYONE TO CHECK THEIR EMAIL FOR THE EMAIL MRS ALLEGOET SENT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO AND ACCEPT THE INVITATION.  I have talked with a couple of students trying to use it and it is actually pretty easy to poke around on it.  If you sign in and go to the "find music" section and select solos, you can find pieces of music for your instrument.  Try the jazz section too, it has backup tracks where you can practice improvisation.  MORE ON THIS WILL BE HAPPENING AS THE SERVERS CATCH UP WITH THE TRAFFIC.

-Finally, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN OR SHOULD BE DOING FOR YOU?  Again, now that I am up and running, I know some kids asked for letters of recommendation or advice or correspondence.  COULD YOU PLEASE EMAIL ME AGAIN?  I'll go back and check what I missed but I would hate to overlook something.  As I understand it, a lot of scholarship deadlines have been extended. 

Ok.. that's about it.  By the way, I don't think I've told you lately...


YOU ARE GOOD KIDS AND I'M STILL PROUD OF YOU.

Stay strong.  We will get through this.  Follow the Governors orders, come back safe to me!

-Smigell

Hello! and updates......

Hello bandos and families! I sure do miss the band room, all of you and your music!

With the recent extension of social distancing, Mr. Smigell and I will be formulating plans soon for how to proceed.  A few things you may be wondering about:

Marching Band Camp:  Deadlines will likely need to be revised. More details to come soon.

I need my instrument from school: We will investigate and see what we can do.

Auditions for next year class placements:  Mr. Smigell already has his thinking cap on and will figure out a plan :)

New York Trip refunds:  Detailed information coming soon with a little paperwork I will need.  Please know that the trip company is working as fast as they can to obtain refunds.

Thank you to everyone for your support and patience! Mr. Smigell and I are here for you if you have any questions and will continue to keep you updated as much as possible.

Peace and health! - Laura