Hello Everyone!


I know it has been covered elsewhere, but PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR BLACK STARWARS SHIRT, YOUR BLACK SHOES AND SOCKS, AND KHAKI SHORTS to the parade (report time 8:30 am at the HS).  The forecast is getting hotter and hotter, and I want the option to use our "hot weather" uniform if it becomes apparent that the situation would be unsafe.  I apologize if this seems like we are being lax. I assure you it is not.  It is strictly the children's health I have in mind. 

One more thing, a couple people have asked questions about whether or not the parade and the picnic are mandatory.  It is technically an optional parade, and most certainly an optional picnic.   I understand that sometimes people have events that they cannot reschedule or avoid.  All I ask is that they let me know in advance so I know that my instrumentation is good for the performance.

I also think that this parade is a good civics lesson for the kids.  It really helps drive home the purpose of this holiday, which is to honor the fallen remember their ultimate service to our great country. 

Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy lives to celebrate and memorialize these great men and women. 


-Smigell

UPDATED INFO - Memorial Day Info, Commencement and NEW Band Boosters Meeting Date

REMAINING MARCHING BAND PARADE PRACTICES:

TODAY / TUESDAY, MAY 22nd // THURSDAY, MAY 24th

2:30pm - 3:30pm

These practices are for the Memorial Day Parade.

SPRING CONCERT:

TONIGHT / TUESDAY, MAY 22nd

7PM - HHS Rod Bushey Auditorium

Report Time - 6:30pm in Concert Attire

SENIORS LAST DAY:

TOMORROW / WEDNESDAY, MAY 23rd :(

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE / PICNIC:

The HHS Marching Band will be marching in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28th. After the parade, anyone in the HHS Band Program (and their families) are welcome to the program's traditional Memorial Day Picnic at the Howell City Park. Parking Passes will be passed out before / after the parade.

Report Time: 8:30am at HHS
Parade Starts: 10am
Picnic Starts: ~ 11:30am / Noon

Students need to show up in their khaki shorts, Black "Star Wars" shirt, black shoes and black socks (like the first football game's uniform), We will most likely use our uniforms (99.9% chance) but Smigell wants the option because he doesn't want to put our students in an unsafe situation in case the forecast gets hotter than what it is currently being reported - since they will be outside for a few hours.

Students will be taking a bus to / from the parade.

Everyone needs to drink lots of water - make sure your pee is clear!

We are still in great need of things for the Memorial Day Picnic - the Sign Up is below.
Memorial Day Picnic's sign up link is here: SIGN UP LINK

Maps of Howell City Park - We are going to be set up at Rotary Pavilion (on top of the hill). HOWELL CITY PARK: MAP 1 // MAP 2 // MAP 3

COMMENCEMENT:

The HHS 2018 Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Breslin Center at MSU in East Lansing, MI on Saturday, June 2nd at 5pm.

Details:

Band Performing: Wind Ensemble w/ some people from Symphonic / Concert Band (due to the large amount of Seniors graduating from WE) 
Report Time: 2pm @HHS
Ceremony Begins: 5pm
Ceremony Ends: ~7:30pm*
Return to HS: ~9pm*
Uniform: Wear "summer nice" - ladies can wear sun dresses (school appropriate) and gentlemen can wear a nice button down short sleeve shirt and slacks. Polo and khakis is fine also (for both genders).

Students are to have lunch before the report time. They are going to be served pizza at the Breslin Center for dinner. Students are allowed to bring snacks in ziplock bags and bottles of water if they think they will need it / want it during the commencement.

* - Due to the nature of this event, this is an approx time. The blog will be updated when the commencement is over and students are on their way back to HHS.

BOOSTER MEETING W/ELECTIONS:

***WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6TH 6:30PM***

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett

The End is Near MEGA BLOG POST

MEGA BLOG POST


DRUM MAJOR CLINIC
MAY 9 AND 14 - After School in HHS Band Room

PICTURES FOR THE BANQUET'S SLIDE SHOW DUE
MAY 11 Send them to JACKI MRAKITSCH AT jackimrakitsch@gmail.com

**Seniors! Please don't make her hunt you down! If you don't get your baby / senior pictures in (or handed in on time), there may not be time to add you to the slide show.**

BAND BANQUET 
MAY 15, 7PM

Band Banquet 2K18 will be a different type of banquet than in the past. Our Marching Band tailgates go so well, we thought we’d try the same type of thing with Banquet, but with desserts only. If you can get your donation to the cafeteria at 5pm, we’d appreciate that. If not, feel free to organize with me and drop off the day/night before. Christyne 734-476-0312.

Here is the link to sign up to bring a dessert, etc.:
Band Banquet Sign Up

We've also attached the reservation form to make your reservation at the banquet (they will also be available in the Sheet Shack in the HHS Band Room). We are accepting optional donations of $3 per person this year - this will help cover the cost of decorations, etc. Reservations due by Friday, May 11th!

Band Banquet Reservations Form

MARCHING BAND PARADE PRACTICE
MAY 21, 22, 24 2:30pm - 3:30pm

These practices are for the Memorial Day Parade.

SPRING CONCERT 
MAY 22 7PM - HHS Rod Bushey Auditorium

Report Time - 6:30pm in Concert Attire

SENIORS LAST DAY
MAY 23 :(

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE / PICNIC
MAY 28 - More Info available soon!

GRADUATION
JUNE 2 - More Info available soon!

BOOSTER MEETING W/ELECTIONS
JUNE 5 6:30PM


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett

Upcoming Dates

MAY 9 AND 14 DRUM MAJOR CLINIC

MAY 11 PICTURES FOR THE BANQUET'S SLIDE SHOW DUE TO JACKI MRAKITSCH AT jackimrakitsch@gmail.com

MAY 15, 7PM BAND BANQUET a sign up genius will come out for that Friday 5-4-18

MAY 21, 22, 24 2:30-3:30 MARCHING BAND PARADE PRACTICE

MAY 22 SPRING CONCERT 7PM

MAY 23 SENIORS LAST DAY

JUNE 2 GRADUATION

JUNE 5 6:30PM BOOSTER MEETING W/ELECTIONS

Good morning band families from your Boston group!!

At time, 9:55am, we are just outside of Buffalo, NY.  We are anticipating arriving back to the high school between 4:30-5pm.  We will update as we get closer.  You never know what traffic we will run into.  Thanks!!

Here’s a few more FAQ’s regarding Boston!!

Please check out both posts if you missed them.

1. Can we drop luggage off early and will it be locked up?  Yes!  Mrs. Allegoet offered to come in early & open up the band room for early luggage drop off.  She will be there at 7am.  Your luggage will be locked in a practice room.
2.  Will my luggage that was locked in a practice room magically show up on the bus?  No.  You need to make sure you are in the band room to check in, drop medications in original prescription bottles off to the nurse, and then take your luggage to the waiting busses.  The faster this gets done, the faster we are headed out to Boston!!!
3. Can we bring snacks on the busses?  Yes.  Our first stop for dinner will be approx. 6-7pm depending on traffic.
4.  Where will I leave my backpack that has my dirty clothes and toiletries in it on Thursday during our travels around Boston?  On the bus.  It’s locked and with the drivers at all times that we are not on them.
I hope this helps!

FAQ's about Boston recently;
1.  When do the student use their money to eat out?  On the way out to Boston at our dinner stop, anything in the itinerary that states "lunch on your own," and on the way back home Sunday morning we will stop to grab a quick bite to eat.

2.  Do we let them sleep with their seatmate during lights out time on the busses on the way back and forth?  We split the busses into males on one side, females on the opposite side during the lights out times.  Usually this is around 9-10pm or so.  Depends on when we can give them the full 8 hours of sleep.

3.  Can parents/guardians come up to say goodbye?  For sure!  If you are not at work, or busy otherwise, come wave to the busses and give one last smooch!

4.  What if something has changed on my son or daughter's medical form?  Please either fill out a new one, go back in the blog and print it from around October 2017, or come in at check in time to update the nurses file.

5.  I have more questions, what do I do?  Call or text Christyne MacDermaid 734-476-0312.  If you'd rather talk directly to Mr. Smigell, feel free to email him at smigellj@howellschools.com

Boston Packing Suggestions

We are close enough to Boston take off that we actually have their local weather!!  I've included this.  I'm confident the students can count how many days we will be gone and how many shirts, pants and other items they'll need to pack.  I'm including a list of suggestions so they all can be as comfortable as possible.  Clothing should be comfortable, school and weather appropriate attire.  We are not asking that they dress up for the symphony, just that they do their best to look as presentable as possible after a long day of checking out Boston.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iQodP5owOdp8bojQJL-qKQMvgX-9ydASj4oPNa8TnXw/edit?usp=sharing

Boston itinerary, Collage, Banquet and more

Good evening!!

Final Boston Information

Departure day, April 25, we will need your student's luggage dropped off prior to the start of school or right at 2pm so we can load the busses.  The busses will be leaving Howell High at 3:30pm sharp.  There really isn't time for running home due to check in and loading all of the instruments and luggage.  Students, make sure you have a soft carry on backpack or small bag, with a change of clothes, toothbrush, deodorant, and freshening up items for the following day.  We will freshen up in hotel rooms when we arrive at the hotel Thursday morning and then it's off for our first full day in Boston.  You will have access to your main piece of luggage Thursday evening when we unload.  All medications must be in their original prescription bottle, labled in a ziplock bag with your students name, and turned into Nurse Baker at check in. 

Please take a look at the Final Boston Itinerary so you can plan and pack accordingly.  It will help you to have a copy with you on the trip so you can follow along with the plan for the day, so please print this.  In years past, we've changed clothing mid-day, prior to the symphony to dressy attire.  This year we will not be doing that.  Instead we are asking that you try to go for business casual on this day.  So, no ripped jeans or sloppy attire.  We realize we will be on the go, in Boston, all day prior to the symphony and hope you'll be comfortable, but presentable for the symphony.

Parents and guardians, please keep an eye on our FaceBook page, Howell HS Band for updates on our arrival time on Sunday, April 29.  We will also remind the students to text or call home with updates on our arrival time as well.  Students, please remember to bring cash for the meals that you will have on your own.  Please text or email Christyne MacDermaid with any questions you have.  734-476-0312 or christynemacdermaid@gmail.com

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u_Dar_A7Qm60aiB1QMad9ZaJfgEPKDRh7161OzJNVIE/edit?usp=sharing

April 20, 2018 Band Camp paperwork and first deposit due

May 3, 2018 Collage

May 15, 2018 7pm Band Banquet (info to follow soon)

Boston practices begin today after school until 4pm.  After today, the times are as follows;
April 18, 6-8pm
April 19, 2:30-4pm
April 23, 6-8pm if needed

Lock-In and BC Scholarship Apps due tomorrow, PP Fundraiser Extended

Lock-In: TOMORROW

The annual HHS Band Lock-in is Friday April 6th @9pm - Saturday April  7th @5am. It is for all students in the HHS Band Program and 8th graders in the Howell District Bands. Admission is $10 to help cover costs for food / drinks. Super fun night for everyone involved. Info Form and Permission slip below. Permission Slips are to be hand in AT THE DOOR of the Lock-In - it is the students' "ticket" (along with the $10) to the event.

Lock - In Info / Permission Slip: Here
**These have also been on the Sheet Shack near Smigell's Office in the Band Room**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band Camp:

Students who plan to participate in Howell High School Highlander Marching Band in the 2018 - 2019 school year must attend camp in August. Camp begins with pre-camp dates at Howell High School, followed by 5 days / 4 nights together at Eagle Village. 

Pre-Band Camp: 8am – 4pm* @ Howell High School

Thursday, August 9th: Leadership Day – Squad Leaders and Drum Majors

Friday, August 10th: New Member Day – Everyone New to HHS Marching Band (SL / DM)

Band Camp @ Eagle Village: http://www.eaglevillage.org/

Sunday, August 12th to Thursday, August 16th: Everyone**

*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)

The Information Packet and Forms that were handed out during the info meeting are listed below. These forms are also available on the Sheet Shack outside Mr. Smigell's Office in the HHS Band Room.

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)

Full Band Camp Costs is $325 - unless paid in full on initial deposit (which is $300).
Initial payment of $50 and all forms are due on Friday, April 20th.

**Band Camp Scholarship Applications are due Tomorrow, Friday, April 6th.**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Perfectly Posh Fundraiser:

The fundraiser deadline has been extended until Wednesday, April 11th. Order forms are in the band room in the Sheet Shack outside of Mr. Smigell's Office in the HHS Band Room. (the forms are too big to be scanned for the blog - sorry!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett

Home Show Sign Up

The Livingston County Home Show is right around the corner (April 13th - 15th).  We need volunteers to help at the concessions stand to raise money for the boosters.  There are two ways you can help.  (1) Students can sign-up for a shift.  The sign-up sheets are in the band room.  Students can either earn money for the Charms account or get credit for community service if that is what they need.  (2) We also need parents to supervise.  Parents can sign-up through this Sign-up Genius link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e4ba9af2fa31-livingston.

Howellpalooza!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

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! 

Band Camp 2018

Band Camp:

Students who plan to participate in Howell High School Highlander Marching Band in the 2018 - 2019 school year must attend camp in August. Camp begins with pre-camp dates at Howell High School, followed by 5 days / 4 nights together at Eagle Village. 

Pre-Band Camp: 8am – 4pm* @ Howell High School

Thursday, August 9th: Leadership Day – Squad Leaders and Drum Majors

Friday, August 10th: New Member Day – Everyone New to HHS Marching Band (SL / DM)

Band Camp @ Eagle Village: http://www.eaglevillage.org/

Sunday, August 12th to Thursday, August 16th: Everyone**

*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)

The Information Packet and Forms that were handed out during the info meeting are listed below. These forms are also available on the Sheet Shack outside Mr. Smigell's Office in the HHS Band Room.

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)

Full Band Camp Costs is $325 - unless paid in full on initial deposit (which is $300).
Initial payment of $50 and all forms are due on Friday, April 20th.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's almost that time of year again.... Getting the MB roster together and picking out the next seasons MB show... I can't wait to jump back into drill writing once again this summer. 

To my 2018 Seniors - it's been great and I will miss you all!

To everyone else returning / entering MB - I can't wait for another great season to start! <3

~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett (HHSMB Drill Writer)

Boston Updates

Good Evening!!

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

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 even 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, you can use our unique charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-4579875

This link will take you directly to smile.amazon.com in support of your organization so they won’t have to search for your charity among almost a million other organizations.

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.

Fundraising Cards:

Cards are available in groups of 5 for $50.00. Students pre-pay for cards then keep money from sales when they sell them. For every $10.00 card sold a minimum of $7.20 per card will go on students account, that's at least $36.00 for 5 cards! 

That’s great way to help pay for Boston or any other band expense your student may have. Interested? Send a note to Lisa Grager: lgrager@live.com

Howell Band Boosters Mailing List:

If you’re not already on the Howell Band Boosters mailing list, you can join easily by sending an email to:

howellbandboosters+subscribe@googlegroups.com

We use this Google Group as part of a multi-point communication toolset that includes Facebook and the HHS Bands Blog. We use the list to share important information about band events, booster events, fundraising, and more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good luck to all the students attending festival this weekend!

~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett

Additional Band Events Email

"Hello band families!  We have a busy month ahead.........

* Informational meeting for Marching Band Camp:

Wednesday, March 14th at 6:30 pm 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 12th to Thursday, August 16th

* HHS Band Lock-in is on Friday, April 6th - times and detailed information soon!

* The Addam's Family Musical (Music for the show performed by some of our fabulous band students and Mr. Smigell is the pit director)

Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd at 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 4th at 2:30 pm

Tickets: Students $10 and Adults $12

*  Band Booster Meeting: Wednesday, March 7th at 6:30 pm in the band room

* Band Festival March 9th and 10th

Detailed information and performance times are posted on the band blog:  Festival Info Blogpost

Email me at allegoel@howellschools.com if you have any questions!

- Laura Allegoet"

Official Festival Info and Panera Fundraiser

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. 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!***

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

A printed flyer or an electronic version of the flyer below on a mobile phone or tablet must be presented when ordering.

PANERA FLYER 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Don't) Break a leg tonight! GL HF GG

~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett

Boston Trip Roommates

It’s time to sign up for roommates!!  Students only at this time.  Chaperones, we will sign up after the meeting  that’s being rescheduled.

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)

Tonight is Cancelled

Due to the weather / roads and many students / family members having the Flu - Drumline Practice and Band Booster Meeting has been cancelled tonight.

Tomorrow's Boston Trip Meeting has also been cancelled for the same reason.

Stay safe and warm.

~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett