Fantasy of Lights Parade

Report time for the parade is at 5:30 pm at the Band Room (Bus will take us to and from the parade). Bring white marching gloves if you have them, as we have about 50 and need just a few more to make it work.

Be sure to dress warm and wear layers under your uniform. No jeans under your uniform please, long underwear or something of that nature would be better. See you all Friday, November 27!

Make sure your family and friends visit our Band Booster Booth in Christmas Alley. Boosters will be selling pretzel goodies from the Great American Pretzel Company for $4.00 a piece.

Barnes & Noble Book Fundraiser

Please distribute the flyer (Find in the Handouts tab in Charms http://www.charmsoffice.com/ ) to all of your friends and family.The Band Programs will receive 10% of all purchases made with the flyer on December 5th.

We're also looking for parents and students to volunteer their services at the free gift wrapping station that day. A sign-up sheet has been posted in the band room. Barnes & Noble will provide a tip jar and the tips will be divided among all the students participating. We're also looking for students to play Holiday music at various times throughout the day. If you're interested, please check with Mr. Smigell. . .. .By the way, plan on shopping around 11:00 a.m. and you can listen to story hour featuring. ... MR. SMIGELL.

Holiday Concert

Mark your calendars for the Holiday Concert, Thursday, December 10th at 7:00pm.

The report time for all band members is 6:30 pm. There may be an earlier report time for members of the Jazz Band and Percussion ensemble, as they have some special things to prepare in advance. Uniform is our standard concert uniform. This consists of the following:

Concert band: A standard white formal shirt (with medium pleats in the front) and black bowtie on top. On the bottom, members should wear either black pants (no jeans or sweats, please) or a school appropriate black skirt.

The Brighton tux shop will be fitting kids 6th hour on the Monday we get back. Anyone that needs a new shirt should come In at the beginning of the hour, and Mr. Smigell will write them a pass. The shirt costs $14.00 and the bowtie costs $3.00. Students can pay in cash or make a check out to: "Howell High School Bands"


Symphonic Band: Same


Wind ensemble: Same except for gentlemen, as they will be fitted with a black jacket and pants provided by the school.


Percussion ensemble: All Black

Bottle/Can Return Update: Just wanted to let you know that proceeds from Melon Festival bottle/can return have been posted to student accounts. Unfortunately, it didn't amount to very much. Most of the items in the bags were plastic water bottles. I added some of my own returns as did Mrs. MacDermaid but even with that, it only brought the total up to $4 per student. . .. there were 560 cans returned. I'm thinking this isn't a fundraiswer we'll want to do again next year. . . it was really messy.

Bear Update: Just wanted to give you an update. Although production was estimated at 4-6 weeks, we just received notification from Beary Thoughtful that our bears won't ship until the first week in December. I'll keep you updated via the blog & e-mail and let you know when the bears are in. We'll certainly be able to have the bears available for pick-up at the December concert at the latest. There will also be bears available for purchase at that time as well.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (517) 672-1236 or by e-mail at cstone827@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Carol Stone

Barnes & Noble: A sign-up sheet for the Barnes & Noble Fundraiser has been posted in the band room. We're looking for parent volunteers and students to sign up for the gift wrapping station on Saturday, December 5th at the Barnes & Noble at Green Oaks Mall. Barnes & Noble would also like student musicians to perform holiday music that day as well. Please check with Mr. Smigell if you're interested in performing. . and speaking of Mr. Smigell. He'll be focusing all of his creative talent on story hour that day. . . . . . Plan on stopping in at Barnes & Noble at 11:00 a.m. for an entertaining break from your Christmas shopping.

Boston Band Trip Information

Cost of the trip: $634(approx. we will know exact cost shortly) which will be broken down into 3 payments of $210 each (with the remainder due in the last payment), the first being due Dec 1- 15th, second:Jan 15th and the 3rd: Feb 23rd. Please Note: The cost of the trip is based on 90 students,16 adults, so the actual cost will be adjusted for more or less students.

• The following is a working itinerary, updates and slight changes to come
  
• Cost for chaperons is the same. Chaperons will be two to a room, students four to a room. If you are interested in being a chaperon, please email Robin Taylor at rl.taylor@comcast.net , so we have an idea how many are interested and follow same payment schedule as students.
  
• Checks should be made out to Howell Bands and put in the mailbox in the Band Room with your child's name on it in memo area.
  
• Breakfast and Dinner is included, but please note that lunch is on their own. Budget $10.00 for each lunch and save $20.00 for the return trip on Sunday.
  
• Allow one suitcase (normal size not Super size) and one carry-on. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing (what the students would wear for a HHS concert-- NO SWEATS!) for the Boston Symphony.

HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT AND JAZZ BANDS, HOWELL, MI

TRIP TO BOSTON – April 14 – 18, 2010

TRIP #10-03109

Contact www.tours-eti.com for more info

***

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

2:30 PM: Two 55 passenger motorcoaches arrive at Howell High School for loading. On departure, please call our 24-hour (1-800-654-4560 then "0") service to let us know your departure time.

3:30 PM: Depart from Howell High School on first class, air-conditioned, DVD and/or VCR equipped MOTORCOACHES. Rest stops and dinner on your own en route at the Director's discretion.

U.S. ROUTE ROUNDTRIP ONLY, DOES NOT GO THROUGH CANADA

***

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Two hours from arrival, please call your escort or our 24-hour (1-800-654-4560 then "0") service to tell your arrival time.

8:00 AM: Arrive in the Boston area; meet your EDUCATIONAL TOURS, INC. ESCORT at the hotel for CHANGING ROOMS and BREAKFAST

9:30 AM: Depart for Charleston Navy Yard

10:30 AM: Arrive at Charleston Navy Yard and visit the USS CONSTITUTION and the U.S. Navy Destroyer Cassin Young

12:30 PM: Depart for Faneuil Hall – The second-floor meeting hall is dubbed "The Cradle of Liberty" because of protests against British policy voiced here. Lunch on your own

Visit nearby Quincy Market – These former warehouses have been transformed into a dynamic shopping & dining landmark.

3:00 PM: Meet at the NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM – Visit this outstanding aquatic zoo featuring a 200,000-gallon circular central tank with Caribbean coral reef.

5:00 PM: Walk to dinner

5:30 PM: Arrive for DINNER at HARD ROCK CAFE

7:00 PM: Depart for the symphony

7:30 PM: Arrive at the symphony

8:00 PM: Enjoy a PERFORMANCE of the BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (subject to 2010 schedule)

10:30 PM: Depart for the hotel

11:30 PM: Arrive at the HOTEL and check-in

***

PRIVATE NIGHT TIME HOTEL SECURITY

***

Friday, April 16, 2010

8:00 AM: BREAKFAST at the hotel

9:00 AM: Depart for your clinic

10:00 AM: Arrive at the clinic site (subject to the schedule of the clinician[s])

ETI MUSIC CLINIC Combined for the Bands

12:00 PM: Depart for The Shops at Prudential Center – This brightly lit mall includes anchor stores Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue, and other nationally known stores. Lunch on your own.

2:30 PM: Meet your OLD TOWN TROLLEYS and begin your GUIDED CITY TOUR of the historic FREEDOM TRAIL – On this two-hour trek, you will visit the State House, Park Street Church, The Granary Burial Grounds, Ben Franklin's Statue, see Cheer's Bull , Finch Restaurant, The Old Corner Book store, The Old South Meeting House, and The Old State House.

4:30 PM: Depart for dinner

5:00 PM: Arrive for DINNER at UNO CHICAGO GRILL (Kenmore Square location)

6:30 PM: Meet at Fenway Park

Enjoy a BOSTON RED SOX MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME (subject to 2010 schedule)

10:30 PM: After the game, depart for the hotel

***

PRIVATE NIGHT TIME HOTEL SECURITY

***

Saturday, April 17, 2010

8:30 AM: BREAKFAST at the hotel and check-out

9:30 AM: Depart for Salem

10:30 AM: Arrive at the SALEM WITCH MUSEUM – See the history of the witch trials of 1692 in an exciting fashion.

12:00 PM: After your visit, enjoy lunch on your own, perhaps at Brother's Deli or one of the local cafes in the area.

2:00 PM: Meet for your WALKING TOUR of SALEM –Your guide brings Salem's history, folklore, and trivia to life as you tour around the city.

4:00 PM: Depart for a return visit to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall

6:30 PM: Meet at Long Wharf and begin boarding for your BOSTON HARBOR DJ DINNER CRUISE – Enjoy food and great music. (subject to availability)

10:00 PM: Depart for home. Rest stops and meals on your own en route at the Director's discretion.

***

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Two hours away from home, please call our 24-hour (1-800-654-4560 then "0") service; give the name of your school and expected arrival time. Your telephone tree captain can call in and be advised of that arrival time.

2:30 PM: Arrive at Howell High School

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR TO LEAVE A MESSAGE, PLEASE CALL 1-800-654-4560. PLEASE LEAVE ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION INCLUDING NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS

TRIP FEATURES

HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT TRIP TO BOSTON – April 14 – 18, 2010

* THE TOUR INCLUDES

* Round trip transportation aboard first class, air-conditioned, DVD and/or VCR equipped motorcoaches

* First-class accommodations for two nights and changing rooms upon arrival in the Boston area

* Three breakfasts and three dinners

* USS Constitution / U.S. Navy Destroyer Cassin Young

* Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market / New England Aquarium

* Performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

* ETI Music Clinic Combined / The Shops at Prudential Center

* Old Town Trolley Tour

* Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball Game

* Salem Witch Museum / Salem Walking Tour / Boston Harbor DJ Dinner Cruise

* Private nighttime hotel security

* Create a Video Package

* All trip planning and arrangements

* $2,000,000 Liability Insurance / SYTA Consumer Protection Plan Coverage

* Optional travel insurance is available

* Member of the Student Youth Travel Association

* Services of our company tour escort for your entire stay in the Boston area

* All taxes, service charges and gratuities for restaurant and hotel facilities

* Based on tariffs in effect 11/3/09 and subject to availability at time of booking

* Health and accident insurance coverage, including medical evacuation, up to $2,500 per person included for all participants

* 1-800-654-4560 Emergency service, answered 24 hours, provided for your peace of mind while the trip is in progress

We will be posting additional information on the blog and on Charms as needed.

If you are interested in going, make sure that you turn in a deposit of $210.00 by December 15th to the mailbox in the Band Room. Make checks out to Howell Bands. Please contact Carol Stone if you have questions regarding your student account.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser

Please turn in all Cookie Dough/Cheesecake orders into the mailbox in the Band Room by the end of the day Wednesday, November 18th. Orders will be in first week of December.

You can still turn Bear orders (But time is running out!).

Also, PartyLite Candle order forms are now available in the Band Room. Band members will receive 50% of the cost of orders!!! An all orders will be sent directly to your home, no need to pick up at school!
Order Due Date: December 5th, Band Room Mailbox.

Band Trip Parent Meeting!

An informational meeting will be held this Monday, November 16 at 6:30 pm in the band room. A representative for the travel company will be there to answer all of your questions for the upcoming Band Trip to Boston, April 14-17th, 2010. The cost will be $626 per student (less than the trip to NY two years ago!!!) and all band students are eligible to go. See you there!

Hello Everyone!


Just a couple of things to keep you abreast of things...


I goofed a bit here and forgot to inform people about Solo and Ensemble.

MSBOA solo and ensemble is an individual/small group festival that takes place on feb 5th and 6th, 2010.  The site this year is Hartland High School. 


The due date to register is November 12 (This Thursday).  I HAVE to send the check in postmarked on that date or we get penalized $100.00,  So that date is firm.  I originally said that money had to be in by tomorrow, but I will accept it on the due date itself.  Unfortunately, I cannot accept entries after that. 


Wind and percussion solo: $10.00
Piano Solo $14.00
Duet  $16.00
Trio $21.00
larger ensembles continue at $7.00 per person.

This is an official MSBOA sanctioned event, so if you get a division I (superior) rating, you are elligible for States.  Please speak with me (Mr. Smigell) for more information.


FANTASY OF LIGHTS REHEARSALS are next week November 17, 18, and 19 right after school from 2:30-3:15pm.  The fantasy of lights parade is the day after Thanksgiving in the evening.  There will be more information forthcoming about report times. 

Jazz Band Audtions will be held next week (the week of november 16th).  Audition music will be handed out soon.

Our next concert is December 10th for all ensembles except for marching band.

Ok... Thats about it for now!


-Smigell

Pasta Delivery: Delivery of the pasta orders will have a slight delay. Orders will be available for pick-up in the bandroom on Monday, November 9th from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Thanks.

ATTENTION!! GREAT HOCKEY BAND NEWS!!!

Hello everyone, I have some wonderful news.  First of all I am so sorry it has taken me this long to get the hockey band list posted. The reason is that I could not stand to leave eligible people home if i could help up.  Well,  I have been in touch with the Michigan Marching Band.  Lots of people have tried out for hockey band this year and after working it out with the folks in Ann Arbor, I have been able to get a few more seats.

THIS MEANS THAT EVERYONE WHO WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO AUDITION IS ABLE TO GO!!  Luckily, none of the people who auditioned played the piece badly, so I did not have to cut anyone.

Entire drumline is elligible!

HOORAY!!

There is one stipulation:
You have to come to 3 of the four practices scheduled for this week (Monday will be very important)

rehearsals:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday  2:30-3:15pm

Report time on Saturday will be somewhere near 5:00 pm.  More details on that very very soon.  Chaperone availability information will be very very soon.


HOWELL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF INFORMATION TO BE POSTED VERY VERY SOON.

ok... see you all tomorrow!

I just checked http://www.weather.com/ and http://www.noaa.gov/.   Unfortunately, the chance for precipitation has increased to 100% at time of kickoff through 10pm, with winds from 20-35mph  The weather radar supports the computer prediction.  Due to constant rain, the state of our instruments, and the current health concerns PEP BAND IS CANCELLED FOR TONIGHT.   

Check back later tonight or tomorrow morning for the Hockey Band Posting...

-Hopefully they win and we can try again next week....

-Smigell

Band Booster Meeting: Next Band Booster meeting is Tuesday, November 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Band Room.

Bears & Bennigans: Could you please e-mail me (cstone827@yahoo.com) an update on where you're at with orders for the Howell Highlander Bears. . . .we're trying to determine if we need to place a second order. It takes about 4 weeks to get the bears and we'd like to have them all delivered before Christmas.

Also, don't forget our Bennigans fundraiser. . . on Thursday, 10/29, 20% of all sales will go to the bands. You have to present the Bennigans flier (available in the band room) before you order.

Thanks & see you at Bennigans,
Carol Stone

CHARMS UPDATE: Please note: Apparently a glitch occured in the transition to the new school year and student accounts are showing outstanding balances for band camp. I'm in the process of correcting the information. Please check back for an updated student account balance.

Thanks,
Carol

MARCHING BAND
SENIOR NIGHT SHOW

Practice Friday: 2:30-???

Report Time: TBA, Depending on how late practice runs

Tailgate: Please join us for Buffalo Wild Wings and Cake!!! (around 5:00-5:30)

Step Off: 6:20pm (Note Earlier Time)

Senior Parents: You will need to buy tickets at the ticket booth, then proceed to far end of stadium by Band Bleachers and the gate by the Giant Football Helmet.

Please be there by 6:30pm for the Senior Night Presentation.

Welcome to Charms!!!

Dear Band Parents and Students,


The Charms website is up and running! We’ve been talking about it for awhile and it’s finally here.

This means we have a one stop resource and a simple way of communicating band information to all band families! With the Charms website you can:

· Check the interactive calendar for events and vital information
(Always check the Blog for last minute changes!!!)

· Receive emails about events, volunteering and fundraising

· Handouts: Band Camp, Calendar, Point Sheet, etc…

· Check your student account, to find out how much $$$ you have earned for trips, band camp, etc… through your fundraising efforts

· Link to the Band Blog

· Music related applications such as a Metronome, a Tuner, Blank Sheet music, even record your practice music at home!


Access is easy! Go to: https://www.charmsoffice.com/

Enter the school code: HowellHSBand

Enter your student’s HS ID number: 00000000


If you have any access problems or any helpful ideas please let Robin Taylor know at rl.taylor@comcast.net.

Believe in the Bear - CORRECTION: Ok. .. it always pays to proof read. The correct price of the Howell Highlander Bear is $10 per bear. Also, after much discussion with many band members, it'd be greatly appreciated if you could turn in any orders you have received by Friday, October 30th. Put your order sheets (along with any payments received) in an envelope and deposit them in the Band Booster mailbox in the Band room. Please make sure your name is on the order sheet so you can get credit for the sale.

You can continue taking orders after October 30th but the first round of orders will help us determine if we need to order more bears. The sample bear is now on display in the office at Howell High.

Thanks,
Carol Stone

FUNDRAISER UPDATE: There's still time to turn in your pasta orders. .. .I'll be placing the final order on Friday. If you haven't turned yours in yet. .. please put it in the Band Booster mailbox by Thursday.

Believe in the Bear: You can start taking orders for the Howell Highlander Bears. Cost is 410 per bear. We've placed an initial order for 500 bears. . . .It looks like we'll sell out pretty quickly. It takes 4 weeks to get the bears so in order to get all orders filled by Christmas, it'd be really great if you could get your orders in ASAP so we can re-order if need be. I'll have order forms in the band room this week. We've already sold 70 bears. . . . .

E-mail (cstone827@yahoo.com) or call (517-672-1236) if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Carol Stone

Hi Everyone,
It's that time!! It is our last tailgate. BOO-HOO!! Here's the story. "Buffulo Wild Wings" was such a big hit, we're doing it again. I had the seniors of the marching band take a poll and that's what they wanted. So I am ordering some chicken and to change it up a bit some pulled pork. What I will need is side dishes again. Hot items would be good, since it looks like it will be chilly. We will also have coffee, (for the adults) and hot cider, for the kids. Let me know what you would like to bring. you can even let me know at the concert tomorrow night! As always parents and silblings are invited. This is the senior show, so lets make this the best tailgate ever!! Becky Chappel

P.S. We have a cake coming. But other desserts are also welcomed--cookies, brownies, etc!

PLEASE READ!


Hey Folk
Unfortunately, due to lack of potential attendance, PEP BAND IS CANCELLED TONIGHT 10/16/09.  This is probably a good time to talk about next week and whats going to happen over the next few weeks:


#1. OUR FIRST CONCERT IS NEXT TUESDAY.  Report time for everyone is 6:30pm.  This concert is going to be particularly cool since we will have THE MARCHING BAND PERFORMING for an extremely rare indoor performance.  We have a plan for a "Grande Entrance".  I think everyone is going to enjoy it!  Dress for the first part (Non marching band) portion of the concert is "Dress nicely".  This means no bluejeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or tennis shoes.  Good choices for gentlemen include School appropriate shirt and tie, sweater, slacks (Corduroy, khaki, etc.).  Good choices for ladies incllude school appropriate skirts or slacks, blouses or sweaters, or snazzy school appropriate tops.  As is customary, our regular concert uniforms will be passed out/ordered for our holiday concert.

#2. OUR FINAL HOME GAME IS NEXT FRIDAY!  It is senior night, and there will be much more information on this from our beloved boosters.

#3.  Our football team is really good!  Opportunities for pep band engagements will continue as long as they are in the playoffs.  This means that there will be pep band at least for October 30.  This will be a high priority game (like the Brighton game).


ok... thaats about it!

Have a good Weekend,

-Smigell