Allow me to cordially invite all of you to the hidden gem of the band year!! Howellpalooza! It is a wonderful concert full of surprises that you might not see anywhere else during the year! We have our award winning auxiliary groups (flags, twirlers) jazz band, school of rock, percussion ensemble, flute choir, and many other talented performers! It is free of charge and it’s all happening tomorrow night at 7pm (3/21/2018) in the Bushey Performing Arts Center. We could really use an audience, so come on out and see the sweetness!
This is a message distribution forum for the Howell High School band. If you have any questions, you can email the director, Jason Smigell at smigellj@howellschools.com. The band office phone number is 517 234 6446. Emails sent to the howellschools.com email address are public. All personal, non-business emails should be directed to jsmigell@mac.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Howellpalooza!
Allow me to cordially invite all of you to the hidden gem of the band year!! Howellpalooza! It is a wonderful concert full of surprises that you might not see anywhere else during the year! We have our award winning auxiliary groups (flags, twirlers) jazz band, school of rock, percussion ensemble, flute choir, and many other talented performers! It is free of charge and it’s all happening tomorrow night at 7pm (3/21/2018) in the Bushey Performing Arts Center. We could really use an audience, so come on out and see the sweetness!
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Band Camp 2018
*Dismissal times may vary due to weather / what we cover.
**We meet at the HHS and travel by bus. More exact travel times will be announced at a later date (usually around 7am-ish on Sunday and 3/4pm-ish on Thursday)
Individual Forms (that are in the Zip File):
- Band Camp Packet / Student Registration Packet (pdf )
- Scholarship Application (pdf)
- Volunteer/Chaperone Registration Packet (pdf)
- Additional Payment Voucher Form (pdf )
- Charms Withdrawal Request Form (pdf) (doc)
- 8th Grade Information Packet (pdf)
Initial payment of $50 and all forms are due on Friday, April 20th.
~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett (HHSMB Drill Writer)
Thursday, March 08, 2018
Boston Updates
We should know the final amount due by next week for the trip. We are extending the final payment to April 6, due to not knowing the exact amount owed yet.
We also are extending one more round of Charms requests to all who have money they could use. We will put a final date on requests as soon as we know an amount due.
Band Program Fundraisers and Mailing List
Buffalo Wild Wings:
Our next fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings is set for March 11th (THIS Sunday). Its easy:
1. Go to B-dubs with lots of friends.
2. Show the flyer (attached).
3. Watch the game.
4. Eat, drink, repeat.
It's a great day to be at B-dubs because the NCAA Men’s Basketball brackets will be announced on TBSthis Sunday, which will also be the home of the Final Four on March 31.
Now, if you really want to amplify the impact of your spending, be sure to bring the discount card you bought from your band student. It give’s you $5 off! Don’t have one? Well watch for the next email for a reminder.
Finally, you can triple-wammy your impact by paying for your meal with a gift card purchased through our Scrip program. More on that to follow too.
~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Additional Band Events Email
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Official Festival Info and Panera Fundraiser
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble goes to their MSBOA Festival on Friday, March 9th (WE) and Saturday, March 10th (CB / SB). They will be performing at Walled Lake Northern High School. This is a mandatory performance for students in the performing bands.
Each band will report at the Howell High School at separate times. Once attendance is taken, the students will driven via school bus to WLNHS. After their performance and judging, the students will be taken back to HHS via school bus.
It is important that the students arrive at HHS on time and in their respective ensemble's uniform to prevent any tardiness. Students will need to make sure they have their instrument (including any extra needs like reeds, oil, etc.) and sheet music.
Students who are in multiple bands - please talk to Mr. Smigell.
Students are to eat before they arrive - the festival trip for each ensemble is fairly short. There will be snacks / drinks on sale at the festival, in the cafeteria that all of the ensembles wait in for their festival scores. This is totally up to the student whether or not they want to bring money to get something (whether to calm nerves or crave any munchies/thrust after their performance).
Here is the following report / performance times for Festival for each ensemble:
Wind Ensemble: - Friday, March 9th @ 8:35pm
Report Time: 6:05 pm
Buses Leave: 6:35 pm
Performance Time: 8:35pm
Return at HHS: ~10:35pm
Concert Band: Saturday, March 10th @9:50am
Report Time: 7:35 am
Buses Leave: 8:05 am
Performance Time: 9:50 am
Return at HHS: ~11:50 am
Symphonic Band: Saturday, March 10th @1:25pm
Report Time: 11:10 am
Buses Leave: 11:40 am
Performance Time: 1:25 pm
Return at HHS: ~3:25 pm
***If you can chaperone on one of the busses and at festival, please contact Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com. Thank you!***
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Panera Fundraiser:
We’re doing another fundraiser, with Panera. 20% of sales will be donated back to the Band Boosters for purchases between 4-8PM on Thursday, February 22nd.
PANERA FLYER
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(Don't) Break a leg tonight! GL HF GG
~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Boston Trip Roommates
Students MUST be paid up to $645 in order to be able to sign up for a room with their friends. I have a list of who’s paid up to that point if anyone needs to check please text me, Christyne MacDermaid, 734-476-0312. I’ll respond as soon as possible.
Here’s how sign up works, gather your group of 4, email their first and last name to me at christynemacdermaid@gmail.com. If you could try to keep it to one email per group of 4 that would really help me out. If there’s only 2-3 of you in a group, please don’t worry!! Email me your 2 or 3 confirmed and we will do our best to pair you with some more compatible band students. If you are unsure of who to room with, please email me that too. We will have at least 3 adults working on this part to put you in a room with great students!!
If someone in your group is not paid in full to the $645 amount, I will ONLY be contacting that student, privately. I will not email that information to your whole group.
Please keep in mind that the chaperoned groups, for out on the town, will be bigger than 4 per parent, and these groups can be boy/girl. The above email of 4 students just refers to who you are sharing a hotel room with during sleep times.
Email requests can start February 15, 2018. I will be checking them as I’m able.
Thanks!!
Sincerely,
Christyne MacDermaid
734-476-0312 (for texting money questions)
christynemacdermaid@gmail.com (for emailing room requests)
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
Tonight is Cancelled
Tomorrow's Boston Trip Meeting has also been cancelled for the same reason.
Stay safe and warm.
~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Sunday, February 04, 2018
No School Tomorrow - LCHB Cancelled
Livingston County Honors Band Concert has been cancelled - the directors will try to reschedule it at a later date / time. He will inform me when it happens.
Stay safe and warm folks!
~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Thursday, February 01, 2018
Official Tentative Festival Info
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble goes to their MSBOA Festival on Friday, March 9th (WE) and Saturday, March 10th (CB /SB). They will be performing at Walled Lake Northern High School.
Each band will report at the Howell High School at separate times. Once attendance is taken, the students will driven via school bus to WLNHS. After their performance and judging, the students will be taken back to HHS via school bus.
It is important that the students arrive at HHS on time and in their respective ensemble's uniform to prevent any tardiness. Students will need to make sure they have their instrument (including any extra needs like reeds, oil, etc.) and sheet music.
Students who are in multiple bands - please talk to Mr. Smigell.
Students are to eat before they arrive - the festival trip for each ensemble is fairly short. There will be snacks / drinks on sale at the festival, in the cafeteria that all of the ensembles wait in for their festival scores. This is totally up to the student whether or not they want to bring money to get something (whether to calm nerves or crave any munchies/thrust after their performance).
Here is the following report / performance times for Festival for each ensemble*:
Wind Ensemble: - Friday, March 9th @ 8:10pm
Report Time: XXX pm
Buses Leave: XXX pm
Performance Time: 8:10pm
Return at HHS: ~XXXpm
Concert Band: Saturday, March 10th @9:50am
Report Time: XXX am
Buses Leave: XXX am
Performance Time: 9:50am
Return at HHS: ~XXX am
Symphonic Band: Saturday, March 10th @1:25pm
Report Time: XXX am
Buses Leave: XXX am
Performance Time: 1:25pm
Return at HHS: ~XXX pm
***Report times, chaperone sign up, band trailer sign up, etc. will be posted ASAP - We just wanted to get the dates, times and what information we have right now posted for those needing time off from work, etc.***
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~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Congrats, Fundraisers, Boston and Upcoming Events
We congratulate John Tucker on making 6th chair Clarinet in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association All-State Band! Way to represent Howell!
Fundraisers:
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AmazonSmile:
We’re asking everyone to help us raise funds for the band program, without spending a dime! If you have not already used the AmazonSmile program, you can select Howell Band Boosters as your beneficiary, and every time you shop on Amazon, you raise funds in support of band initiatives. Thanks to the efforts of parents and students, this year we are able to dedicate $3500 to instrument repair. The AmazonSmile program will help us do more.
Once you set eligible purchases at AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the customer's selected charitable organization.
In order to participate, go to AmazonSmile
In the field called "Or pick your own charitable organization” search using our Federal Tax ID: 46-4579875. Once you do you’ll see "Parent Booster USA Inc” in Howell MI. That’s us. Click “select” and you are done!
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Winter Guard:
Winter Guard is still looking for some help. Please refer to the blogpost made earlier in the month for more information!
Winter Guard Help: HERE
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Panera Fundraiser:
Panera Fundraiser on Thursday, Feb 22nd from 4pm - 8pm.
- Reminder that the next Boston payment was due January 25th. You must have $645 paid by February 14th in order to sign up for a room. Room sign ups will be posted on February 15th. If your payments are not up-to-date, then you will not be able to sign up for a room until payments total $645.
- Please start getting in your requests to use your Charms money for the final payment. We will need to have this in very soon in order to be able to use it for the last payment. The final date you are able to request money from your Charms to be used for the trip is February 16th. Due to the time needed to process everything - there will be NO late Charm requests.
- Thank you!!! Questions, please contact Christyne MacDermaid 734-476-0312, text or call.
- February 5th: Livingston County Honors Band Concert: 7 p.m. at Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center
- February 21st: Pre-festival Concert: 7 p.m. Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center
- March 2nd & 3rd: Addams Family Musical: 7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center (This is a wonderful collaboration of students from the band, choir and drama programs)
- March 8th - 10th: Festival: Exact dates, location and times will be announced soon! This event is mandatory for all students.
- March 21th: Howellpalooza: 7 p.m. Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center
- April 25th - 29th: Boston Trip
- May 3rd: Collage Concert: 7 p.m. Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center
- More to come!
***We will have dates for the Band Lock-in and Band Banquet for you in the next few weeks!***
Band Camp:
Band Camp dates have been finalized - Meeting including more info / packets will happen after Festival.
Leadership Day: Thurs August 9th (For Drum Majors and Squad Leaders)
New Member Day: Friday August 10th: (DM, SL and New Members)
Away Band Camp (at Eagle Village): Sunday August 12th thru Thurs August 16th
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Also, please start getting in your requests to use your Charms money for the final payment. We will need to have this in very soon in order to be able to use it for the last payment. Thank you!!!
Questions, please contact Christyne MacDermaid 734-476-0312, text or call.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
HHS Winter Guard Fundraiser / Donations
Wednesday, January 03, 2018
New Pre-Festival Concert Date and More!
Mr. Smigell and students are gearing up for a great 2018!!! Here are a few updates:
Pre-Festival Concert:
Pre-Festival concert had to be rescheduled:
New Date: February 21st @7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey/HHS Auditorium
It was originally scheduled for February 22nd - disregard that date!! February 21st is the new date

Festival:
Festival for HHS Bands will take place sometime from March 8th thru March 10th. Mr. Smigell is awaiting scheduling confirmation from the organizing group. As soon as we have confirmed dates, times and location, we will pass that on. Attendance at Festival is required for all students.
LCHBA:
Livingston County Honors Band Auditions are Wednesday, January 10th from 4pm to 6:30pm in the HHS Band Room. This is optional for students. The LCHB concert is Monday, February 5th at 7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey/HHS Auditorium.
Band Booster Meeting:
Wednesday, January 10th at 6:30 in the band or choir room.
Solo and Ensemble:
Solo and Ensemble is January 19th and 20th. This is an optional event - check with your student if you are not sure if they are participating.
Collage Concert:
Collage Concert is Thursday, May 3rd at 7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey/HHS Auditorium. This band/choir/drama performance features band's Wind Ensemble as well as award winning soloists and groups from all three performing arts departments.
Fundraising:
Discount Card fundraiser is still going on! Orders are due by January 18th.
Spirit Cup Fundraiser starts next week - more info to come!
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~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Monday, December 11, 2017
Concert 12/12 and Fundraiser Info
Date: Tuesday, December 12th
When: 7pm
Report Time: 6:30pm - In performance uniform
Where: Rod Bushey / HHS Auditorium
Each ensemble has their own version of the following performance uniform which has been / will be discussed during their respective classes / hrs.
Concert (9th Grade) Band Performance Uniform:
- White Formal Shirt
- Black Tie
- Black Pants
- Black Socks and Dress Shoes
Concert Shirts:
Prices are:
White Formal Shirt - $16
Black Tie -$4
Combo - $20 (Shirt + Tie)
You pay by cash or check made to Howell HS Bands - and you can pay when the shirts / ties are delivered - up until the day of the concert.
If anyone has any money troubles, please contact Mr. Smigell ASAP. The program has a few items to help out those in need.
Discount Card Fundraiser:
Cost: $10
Order Due Dates:
Monday, December 18th - Cards distributed on Tuesday, December 19th
Thursday, January 18th, 2018 - Cards distributed on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018
Order Form / Card Pictures: HERE
Please make checks payable to "Howell Band Boosters" - and hand in the order form / checks in an envelope in the Band Booster Mailbox in the band room (by Smigell's office).
Questions? Please contact Lisa Grager at lgrager@live.com
No refunds for un-sold cards!
HHS Colorguard Fundraiser:
Date: Wednesday, December 20th!
Time: 11am-Midnight
Come out to Buffalo Wild Wings and support the Howell High School Winterguard!
Because of all their hard work over the years, they have been able to start competing with MCGC this winter season. The team has been working so hard this year to raise the money they need and have already paid for: membership fees, gently used flags, gently used equipment bags, and some of the contest entry fees. But they still have some much more to buy during the season, which is why they need the community's help and support.
Please come on out, get some dinner and have a drink in support of this new wonderful program at Howell.
Panera Fundraiser:
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, February 22nd.
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I miss everyone! I hope everyone have a safe and warm holiday season!
~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Friday, December 08, 2017
The salsa orders are in!! The Coon’s are starting to sort the orders tomorrow at 10am, Saturday 12-9-17. If anyone can help with this, their address is 3680 Snowden Lane, Howell 48843.
If you cannot help sort, pick up time starts at Noon on Saturday, 12-9-17.
Thank you BND DAD Don Coon for arranging this!!
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Fundraiser Update
Fundraiser Update:
- Charms earnings have been posted to the Student Accounts for the following 3 Fundraisers: Grand Traverse Pie Company, Meier Flowerland, and Jose Madrid Salsa.
- We have not received the Yankee Candle billing yet and must have the billing in order to schedule out the charms earnings that are due to the students. As soon as the billing is received, we will work diligently to calculate those amounts and get them posted.
- Please check your Charms Account balance and let Kris LaMay know if you have any questions or feel there is a discrepancy. She can be reached by phone at 517-304-2614 or via email at lamayk@aol.com
- If you'd like to request a Charms Account Withdrawal for the trip to Boston, please complete the withdrawal request form that was distributed with the trip packets and turn the request in to the band room mailbox. There should be extra copies of the Charms Withdrawal Request Form in the bandroom or you can email Mrs. LaMay and she can send a pdf of the document.
Thanks and congratulations on successful fundraising!
Monday, November 13, 2017
Monday, November 06, 2017
HHS Band Events for the rest of 2017 Info
Fantasy of Lights Parade Practices:
Fantasy of Lights Parade Practice Dates / Times:
Monday, November 13th @ 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Meet at HHS Band Room
Tuesday, November 14th @ 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Meet at HHS Band Room
Monday, November 20th @ 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Meet at HHS Band Room
Dress for outside weather / marching. Practice may start inside before going outside to practice parade marching.
Fantasy of Lights Parade Info:
Date: Friday, November 24th at 7pm.
Report Time: 5pm at Howell High School
Grand River is closed at 5pm - so you should be entering the M-59 way.
Departure: 6pm
We are dressing up in our uniforms, packing the trailer and buses and leaving by 6pm. Please don't be late.
We don't know our position number in the parade yet.
Students are allowed to wear stuff under their uniform to keep warm (long-johns or under-armor helps out a lot), wear simple "beanie" hats under their marching band hats as long as they are black / dark grey / dark green, and gloves (some students put hand warmers inside their gloves to help keep warm).
Students are also allowed to wear battery operated lights on themselves and their instruments as long as it doesn't interfere with them playing their instrument / their instrument's sound. Please bring your instrument home if you are plan on decorating your instrument to save time. This is completely optional to the student.
We are have a tradition of "FoL After Parade Soup Potluck" - show off your favorite or your / your family's super secret soup/chili recipe. Once the students return from the parade, they will get out of their uniforms and get warmed up with a variety of soups / chili and hot chocolate. Sign-Up Link will be available soon - look for the blogpost / Facebook shared link if interested in helping out / bringing something.
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Winter Concert:
Date: Tuesday, December 12th
When: 7pm
Report Time: 6:30pm - In performance uniform
Where: Rod Bushey / HHS Auditorium
Each ensemble has their own version of the following performance uniform which has been / will be discussed during their respective classes / hrs.
Concert (9th Grade) Band Performance Uniform:
- White Formal Shirt
- Black Tie
- Black Pants
- Black Socks and Dress Shoes
Concert Shirts:
The shirts / ties are in - but needs to be sorted.
Prices are:
White Formal Shirt - $16
Black Tie -$4
Combo - $20 (Shirt + Tie)
You pay by cash or check made to Howell HS Bands - and you can pay when the shirts / ties are delivered - up until the day of the concert.
If anyone has any money troubles, please contact Mr. Smigell ASAP. The program has a few items to help out those in need.
Smigell will make an announcement about when the shirts / ties are ready to be passed out.
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Here are some fundraisers to help students raise money for their band accounts and the Band Booster Program.
BWW's Fundraiser benefits the whole Band Booster Program - the other three Fundraisers (Grand Traverse Pie Company, Jose Madrid Salsa and Meier Flowerland) mainly helps the students (90% goes into their band accounts, 10% goes to the Band Boosters).
***Don't give the Order Forms or Money to Mr. Smigell. Place them in the Band Room Mailbox!***
Date / Time: Monday, November 20th from 11am - Midnight
Form: HERE
Jose Madrid Salsa Fundraiser:
Students sell jars of salsa for $6 per jar (shipping is included) - Students get $2.70 for their band account, Band Boosters gets $.30.
More information about the salsas are on josemadridsalsa.com.
- $30 - Gift Certificates
- Students get $4.50 for their band account
- Band Boosters gets $.50
- $40 - Flower of the Month Card
- Students get $6.30 for their band account
- Band Boosters gets $.70
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Panera Fundraiser:
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, February 22nd.
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I know this is a lot of information - but as of tomorrow (Tues, 11/7) - I will be 39w pregnant - so my son will be born anytime now. I wanted to make sure the rest of the years events were posted - so any minor updates can be posted easily by Smigell, Christyne, or Laura until I get back and recovered a little bit from delivery / managing a 2.5yr old and a newborn (which will hopefully be after the Holiday Vacation).
Until then - I hope everyone has a safe and joy holiday season. - Stay warm! I miss everyone! I will post pictures when my son is born on Facebook (like I did with David) for those who are interested / keep asking about my pregnancy.
~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Hi folks!
We have enrichment project coming up, I thought I would repost the information for people that don't know what it is.
Enrichment Project:
This is for all classes (but marching band) - if you are in multiple classes, you only need to do one.
Purpose: To help each student help themselves get better and build skill in their instrument through selecting and completing an individual project.
Success: Being able to recognize and identify personal musical improvements resulting from the project, and being able to demonstrate this for an audience, teachers, or judge.
What Counts:
- Performing at and receiving a rating at S&E (Jan 19th & 20th)
- Taking at least 4 private lessons during the school year
- Attending a Clinic Day on your Primary Instrument
- Participating in an extra curricular ensemble (LCCB, Tuba Christmas, Jazz Band, Church Group, Flute Choir) must be approved by Smigell
- Participating in an Honors Ensemble (LCHB, DYO, UMYO, MSUYO, etc.)
- Performing a S&E piece for the class or Smigell
- EMU AIM Clinic - Saturday, November 18, 2017 - Website / Information
- S&E - Friday / Saturday, January 19th / 20th, 2018 @ Brighton HS
- Solo - $10 (Usually plus $20 - $40 for accompanist)
- Duet - $9 per student
- Trios, Quartets, etc. - $8 per student
- Intention is due by Monday, October 30th, 2017
- Money is due by Tuesday, October 31st, 2017

