Friday, April 27, 2007

Don't pass up opportunities for your student to earn money to pay for band camp (August 6-10) or help pay for the New York trip next year. The balloonfest needs parking volunteers. Your student can park cars in the name of the Howell Band Booster Association, and we in turn will bank that money for your student's account. The balloonfest is June 22-24. According to the Howell Chamber, some organizations earn thousands of dollars doing this. Shifts are for 4 hours. Contact the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce at 546.3920 for more info. Volunteer Parking Forms can be downloaded at michiganchallenge.com For your form, you need to designate the Howell Band Booster Association, PO Box 2113, Howell, MI 48844, as your nonprofit organization.

We also need parent volunteers to staff our balloonfest concession trailer that weekend. Pam Glynn is the chairperson and will be setting up a schedule soon!

CruzNExpress is willing to let us hold a car wash at their location. This could be a great fundraiser for your student also. We are still waiting for a parent to step up and organize the car wash.

Margaret Bigham
blkhorse@cac.net or 548.2324

Sunday, April 01, 2007

HOWELLPALOOZA DRESS REHEARSAL is Monday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Come see Battle of the Bands tomorrow (Thursday 3/22) at 7:00 in the auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at the door before the event for $5. The band that takes 1st place will win $500, 2nd place will win $400 and 3rd place will win $300! Help choose the band that will win the People’s Choice Award! T-shirts are also on sale for $10 and will be sold at the Battle of the Bands event too. Bands participating will be selling merchandise at the event. Come support your Howell High School Bands!

Margaret Bigham

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Lock-in this Friday March 16! We could use a few more chaperones, especially during the graveyard shift, 1 am to 5 am (3/17). Parents, if you can help, please contact me. 8th grade parents welcome!

Margaret Bigham
blkhorse@cac.net
548.2324

Thursday, March 08, 2007

IMPORTANT MEETING TO ATTEND!

There is a flex scheduling/Parker High School presentation, Tues. March 13th, in the auditorium of the high school. Times to attend are 5-6 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. If you have not attended any of these or have questions that will affect your child academically or musically, try to attend. If you are unable to attend, Mr. Smith can be reached directly at smithw@howellschools.com and will address your questions or concerns within a reasonable time. FYI...The junior class is meeting with counselors the week of March 19-23 to consider their classes for next year and will be sent home with a copy of their classes for approval of the parents. They are hoping to achieve the master schedule before they leave school in June. Check with your child's counselors to get more information.

Immediately afterward, come to the band booster meeting which starts at 7:00 in the band or choir room. There are some great things coming up between now and the end of the year, to help raise money for needed items for the instruments, etc. off Mr. Smigell's wish list. Coming up April 3rd is HOWELLPALOOZA! There will also be some OTHER fundraisers to help for the upcoming band camp expenses and even to start planning on next year's trip!

Also the band room is moving immediately after school is out and Mr. Smigell has asked for our help! Hope to see you there!

Julie Dennis
517.303.4850 cell

Sunday, March 04, 2007

HEY EVERYBODY!!!

It was a big weekend for Howell High School Bands!! Everybody did very very well at festival. Here is the breakdown:

Concert band:

Concert scores 2, 2, 3 Sightreading score 3 OVERALL RATING: 2 (red medal)



Symphonic Band:

Concert scores 2,2,2 Sightreading score 2 OVERALL RATING 2 (red medal)


Wind Ensemble:

Concert scores 1,1,2 Sightreading score 1 OVERALL RATING 1 (blue medal)


We have never had all three groups earn a medal before. I am so proud of everybody!! GRRRREEEEAAT JOB!!!


Special thanks goes out to:

Jack Palmer
Brian Roskamp
Gary Schomberger
Matt Ogg
Kat Jakczrewski
Jess Kobylarz
Brianne Noel
Kim Hagadorn
Michelle Garrett
Laura Cuthbertson
Jason Simmerman
Mrs. Bigham
Mrs. Dennis
Mrs. Chappel
Mrs. Stone
Mr. Garrett
Mrs. Denzel-Jacobsen
Mr. Kobylarz
Mr. Doefer (especially for waiting 4 hours with me to get the truck fixed!)
My Wife for being patient
Mrs. Hordos
Custodial Staff

Lots of stuff going on, but a big one is that TUESDAY MARCH 6th is the day that pizza kits are being delivered... right after school!!! please pass this on!!!!

see you tomorrow!!

-Smigell

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Hi everyone! The coolest and most creative concert of the year, Howellpalooza! will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 – only about 4 weeks away!

We are having a planning/brainstorming meeting on Monday, March 5, at 4:30 p.m. in the band room. We welcome your ideas to make this event successful and get a sellout crowd. At this concert, we charge admission to raise money for the band program. Students are welcome to attend the meeting.

If you can’t make the meeting, but would like to pass on any ideas, please send them to me by email, or phone at 548-2324. We could really use your help!

Thanks,
Margaret Bigham
Hello All!

Here is the information you have been waiting for!!

Festival information!

Hooray!


DUTY ROSTER FOR FESTIVAL 2006-2007
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL BANDS
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!

Chaperones who want to come with me on any of these trips please email me one more time at smigellj@howellschools.com for final confirmation.

Wind Ensemble: Performance date is Friday March 2nd, 2007
Uniform:Standard. Gentlemen: band tux. Ladies: band skirt and formal shirt w/ bowtie
Large instruments and percussion load the truck at 2:30pm
REPORT TIME: 5:45 PM
Depart for Groves High School:6:15PM
Arrive: 7:45 pm
Perform: 8:45 pm
Stage crew: Gary Schomberger and friends
Chaperones:TBA
Depart for home: around 10PM
Arrive Howell High School: around 11pm


Concert Band: Performance date is Saturday March 3rd, 2007
-Uniform: Standard. Everyone wears the white formal shirt and bowtie with black on the bottom and black shoes
-Percussionists and large instrument personnel secure what is going to Groves in the truck at 2:30pm on Friday, march 2nd
REPORT TIME:9:15 am
Students should eat breakfast beforehand and bring a few dollars for the concession stand. They can also bring a lunch if they don't want to bring money.
Depart for Groves High School: 9:45 Am
Arrive: 11:00AM
Perform 12:00 AM
Stage crew:TBA
Chaperones: TBA
Depart for home: 1:10 PM
Arrive HHS: 2:20 PM


Symphonic Band: Performance date is Saturday March 3rd, 2007
-Uniform: Standard. Everyone wears the white formal shirt and bowtie with black on the bottom and black shoes
-Percussionists and large instrument personnel secure what is going to Groves in the truck at 2:30pm on Friday, march 2nd
Students should eat lunch before they come to the school. There will be a concession stand there, but it will be on a catch as can basis.
Report time: 11:15 am
Depart for Groves 11:45am
Arrive: 1:00PM
Perform: 2:00 PM
Stage Crew: Gary Schomberger and friends
Chaperones: TBA
Load and depart: 3:45 PM
Arrive at home 5:00pm

Monday, February 19, 2007

IMPORTANT CHANGE IN STATE S&E SITE:

This just in: The State Solo and Ensemble location for Howell High School (on March 24th) will be CHELSEA HS, not Walled Lake Northern. Please make a note of it.

Thanks,

-Smigell
IMPORTANT CHANGE IN STATE S&E SITE:

This just in: The State Solo and Ensemble location for Howell High School (on March 24th) will be CHELSEA HS, not Walled Lake Northern. Please make a note of it.

Thanks,

-Smigell

Sunday, February 18, 2007

The next band booster meeting is Wednesday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the band or choir room. Hope to see YOU there!

Margaret Bigham

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

The Band Booster Meeting Has Been Called Off!!!! Please check the posting here to find out when the reschedule date is.

Julie Dennis
WINTER STORM EDITION!!!


Hello everyone. Becuase of the impending winter storm, and because I have to make the decision right now (in time for the bus drivers), we are canceling the trip to Port Huron today. I do this with a heavy heart, since it is a good clinic. However, the potential for delays and, more importantly, the consideration of safety is my first priority. Hopefully this is soon enough for everyone to change their plans. EVERYTHING ELSE FOR RIGHT NOW IS STILL ON......


-Smigell

Sunday, February 11, 2007

FESTIVAL CRUNCH TIME EDITION OF THE BAND BLOG!!!!


Hello everyone and welcome back to the band bliggity blog!!! We are chugging along in our preparation for festival (despite all the snow days) and I thought I would fill you in on all the information I know so far about everything:

I just registered 17 events for State Solo and Ensemble!!! I think that this might be a record!! Hooray. Congratulations to those going on:

Scott "No longer the Loser" (yes, I changed it for you) Archer
Sam Ryan
Rayna Glynn
Vonnie Bigham
Kim Chappel
Libby Hobson
Nora Kandler
Michelle Garrett
Autumn Reynolds
Kat Jakrzewski
Jessica Kobylarz
Andrea Fosshage
Jeremy Ellens
Holly Williams
Mike Block
Paul Clifton
Josh Fenn
Eric Stants
Brittany Green

Schedules will be printed and distributed soon, I have requested WALLED LAKE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL as our preffered site. All State S/E events will occur on march 24, 2007


All of these people need to PAY ME for the events that they have entered:
$12.50 for a Duet
$14.00 for a trio
$16.00 for a Proficiency Solo
$12.00 for a ninth grade solo

Wind Ensemble is going on a field trip to Port Huron this coming tuesday, feb 13 2007. They are attending the annual Port Huron Music Center band clinic to help us get ready for festival. They will leave before school ends, and will perform at 4:30 in Port Huron... I need 2 chaperones for this trip if anyone is interested. Street clothes is perfectly fine for the students for this one. We will be returning around 8:30pm or so....

Our own annual Pre festival clinic/concert is this thursday, Feb 15, 2007 at 7:00 PM. Report time for everybody is 6:30. Dress is the same as the first concert of the year. "Something nice". This means NO jeans, tshirts, sweatshirts, shorts, tennis shoes, jogging pants, etc. School appropriate skirts, dresses, blouses, slacks, shirt and tie, sweater, and nice shoes ARE appropriate. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Cliff Chapman coming to work with us. Thank you very much to the Band boosters for supporting us and sponsoring this concert!!!

Festival for the Wind Ensemble is MARCH 2nd 2007 in the late-ish evening in Birmingham.

Festival for the Concert and Symphonic bands will be in either the late morning or the early afternoon on Saturday, MARCH 3rd in Birmingham.

We need 3 chaperones for each of the bands... If you are interested, please email me at smigellj@howellschools.com

Yes, Birmingham is a long way away (approx 50 minutes by bus). Originally, this was a mistake I made, but after looking at the lineups (the bands that go before and after us) I like it much better. I honestly feel that this is a blessing in disguise. We have been going to the same place now for 3 years getting judged by the same 3 or 4 judges with the same results. Well, this year, things are different, and I would rather have different judges and a different venue.

Howellpalooza is April 3rd!!! We are going to have a fantastic lineup!!! We really need a lot of people to come out to this one because we need to pay for some of the acts that we are putting on. Admission will be $4.00 adults, $3.00 children and students, and seniors. If you have an interesting talent (could even be non music related), we would love to see what it is!! maybe you could be a star!!

Yes, there is Jazz band tomorrow from 2:45 to 4:15PM. We will be putting on a big shebang later in the spring.... more info to come!


OK... that is all I can think of for right now...

-Smigell


Friday, February 02, 2007

Good luck everybody at the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival. We have 42 entries from HHS - is that a record? It is at Farmington Harrison High School, Feb. 3. Maps and event list are on the piano in the band room. I have a list if there are any questions.

Senior Pictures - Thank you Aimee and Sam for your pictures! The rest of you, please get them turned in to the envelope on the booster board in the band room. You don't want to be left out of the presentation at the band awards banquet in May.

Fundraiser for band - Mr. Smigell asks that you please turn in your checks ASAP, payable to HHS Band, for the pizza fundraiser from Century Resources.

Congratulations to all the Livingston County Honors Band members. I heard it was an absolutely fantastic concert.

Margaret Bigham

Sunday, January 21, 2007

NO JAZZ BAND!!!

Hello everyone... long time no blog... Anyway, I have an important announcement for JB people. There will be no Jazz band this Monday Jan 22, or Monday, Jan 29 This is due to the Livingston County Honors Band rehearsal and concert on those dates.


Sorry,

Smigell

Monday, January 15, 2007

Hi all! There is a fundraiser currently going on to raise money for the band. Your student should have given you the order form and details, but in case they did not, here they are:

The band is selling pizza, stromboli, breadsticks and similar items from Century Resources. Order forms are due back on Monday, Jan. 22. The delivery will be the week of Feb. 12-16. The Howell High School Band's customer number is 30721. You can also go on-line and place orders at www.centuryresources.com using the band's customer number of 30721.

Checks should be payable to Howell HS Band. All profit goes to the band, and in these tough days of budget cuts, these funds will help fill the gap. Thanks!

Margaret Bigham

Monday, December 18, 2006

IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH!!!!!


Item #1: Tomorrow there is an assembly in which the wind ensemble and the percussion ensemble will be performing. All members of those ensembles are expected to show up 1st hour tomorrow ready to go (in concert attire, the stuff you wore last tuesday). We will be playing Homage to perotin, charlie brown christmas, and carol of the bells.

Item #2: There will be no Jazz band rehearsals until Jaz 8th 2007. At that point we will go back into full swing.

Item #3: The Drumline meeting for tonight is cancelled and will take place monday, January 8th from 4-6 PM. a parent question and answer session will take place after the practice. It is intended to be informational for all, and it is not an audition (those will occur later).


Ok.... that's it!

SMigell

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Hey all!


Sorry about being out of school for the past 2 days... Very bad stomach flu. What a great concert we had! I was very proud of everyone. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen and those who came out so see us.

Couple pieces of information:

Howell Drumline informational meeting will be help next Monday from 3-5PM. All interested students and parents (especially 8th graders!) are invited.


RESULTS FOR THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY HONORS BAND
Special thanks to Mrs. Bigham, Kat, Michelle, Big J, and anyone else involved in pulling it off while I was sick!!!

Ho.= Howell

Flute (6)
Scott Archer, Ho.
Natalie Bisaro, Br.
Jennifer Slack, Br.
Samantha Strasser, Br.
Nicole Kirasic, Br.
Heather Dorer, Ha.

Oboe (3)
Kate Mortensen, Br.
Michelle Garrett, Ho.
Ansel Courant, F

Clarinet (9)
Leeza Paprocki, P.
Brad Grasl, Br.
Courtney Trantham, F.
Heather Poplinski, Br.
Kelly McClure, Br.
Katherine Jakrzewski, Ho.
Brittany Green, Ho.
Sarah Fraser, Ha.
Megan McGuffin, P.

Alto Clarinet (2)
Mollie Hall, P.
Lydia Daroczy, Ha.

Bass Clarinet (2)
Alexandra Dinello, Ha.
Mandy Griffin, F.

Eb Contra Bass (1)
Adam Mayle, Ha.

Bb Contra Bass (1)
Darren Teal, Ha.

Bassoon (1)
Christian Green, Br.

Alto Saxophone (2)
Jeremy Helens, Ho.
Olivia Courant, F.



Tenor Saxophone (1)
Mike Leasia, Ha.

Baritone Saxophone (1)
Tanner Gallant, Ha.

Trumpet (8)
Kevin Fitzgerald, Br.
Sally Beth Sharp, Br.
Kristy Price, Br.
Sean Hickerson, Br.
Holly Williams, Ho.
Chad Snider, Ha.
Mike Block, Ho.
Scott Osdras, Ha.

French Horn (3)
Devin Cobleigh-Morrison, P.
Kristin Rhine, F.
Paul Clifton, Ho.

Trombone (4)
Ben Krinke, Br.
Jason Wagnitz, P.
Tim Bay, Ho.
Eric Stants, Ho.

Baritone (?)
TBA

Tuba (3)
Charlie Lukkari, P.
Matt Ogg, Ho.
John Legg, Ha.

Percussion (3)
Chris Heuser, Br.
Laura Cuthberson, Ho.
Tim Bay, Ho.

A nice group of people... 13 total from Howell, I think that is a new record. Very cool!


Smigell

Monday, December 11, 2006

HHS Bands Blog!

Holiday Concert tomorrow, Dec. 12, at 7:00 pm - We will have 50/50 raffle, refreshments before and after the concert--invite all your family and friends to hear some great music!

If you have done some holiday baking and would like to share, bring your goodies to the auditorium lobby. See you tomorrow!

Margaret Bigham blkhorse@cac.net ; 517.548.2324