We are in desperate need of chaperones for Lock In this coming Friday!!  Please take a look at the Chaperone Sign Up that was posted on the blog on May 1, 2019 and sign up if you are able.  I would hate to cancel this awesome event.  If you need to make different arrangements for a time that works better for you, please text or call Christyne MacDermaid 734-476-0312. 

Banquet RSVP's are due on Friday as well.  There is a link on the May 1st blog post as well.  Please turn the RSVP's into the mailbox in the band room. 

We do need help with uniform fittings on the following dates so the kids are ready for the Memorial Day parade.  No experience needed.  I'll show you what to do.  Please text Christyne at the above number if you can help out. 

May 13, 1pm, during 7th hour with leaving right when school is over. 
May 20 and 23 right after practice (3:30) until those signed up are fit. 

Lock-in / Banquet / Senior Pictures

LOCK-IN: Friday, May 10th

The annual HHS Band Lock-in is Friday May 10th @ 9pm - Saturday May 11th @ 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 fun activities and food / drinks. Super fun night for everyone involved. Info Form and Permission slip below. Permission Slips are to be handed 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
Permission slips also available in the band room

We also need chaperones for the lock-in along with a few food items.  Please click on the link below to sign up.

Sign up to Chaperone

All chaperones will need to fill out a Volunteer Release Form and turn in to the band room, main office or email to Sharin Smith at smithsh@howellschools.com  If you already filled out one of these for this school year, you do not have to submit another one (i.e. if you went to band camp, chaperoned at festival, etc.)

Volunteer Release Form for Chaperones:  Chaperone Form

Questions about all things Lock-in to Christyne MacDermaid at christynemacdermaid@gmail.com or 734-476-0312.  

BAND BANQUET 
Tuesday, May 14th @ 7 pm
Band Banquet 2K19 will be the same as last year with desserts and, new this year, appetizers! Our Marching Band tailgates go so well, we thought we’d try the same type of thing with Banquet, but with desserts and appetizers only. If you can get your donation to the cafeteria by 6 pm, we’d appreciate that. If not, feel free to organize with Lisa Grager at lgrager@live.com or Christyne MacDermaid at 734-476-0312 and drop off the day/night before.
 
Here is the link to sign up to bring a dessert, appetizer, etc.  https://signup.com/go/jkHjcbo

We've also attached the reservation form to make your reservation at the banquet (they will also be available in the HHS Band Room). We are accepting optional donations of $3 per person - this will help cover the cost of decorations, etc. Price at the door with no reservation is $5 mandatory per person.   Banquet reservations due by Friday, May 10th!

BANQUET RESERVATION FORM 

SENIOR / BAND PHOTOS and POINT SHEETS
Due May 7th!
Email to Mikayla Norton at mn24903@howellschools.com

The banquet is May 14. For freshmen students and families, the banquet is open to everyone to celebrate the year, and it is also where students get awards, like the varsity band letter. To have our annual slide show run smoothly, we need YOU to send us your favorite band photos and moments.

SENIORS AND SENIOR PARENTS: We need baby photos of the seniors!!! Please email us your baby photos for the banquet by MAY 7.

POINT SHEETS:  Also due by MAY 7!  Point sheets can be found in the sheet shack in the band room.  Questions?  Contact Mikayla Norton at the above email address.

Send in those photos and point sheets and let’s finish the year strong!

 

Fundraisers & Festival Medal Order Form & Reminders

Quick reminder that the band/choir concert "Collage" is tomorrow, April 17th at 7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center.  This is a fabulous concert with choir, wind ensemble, 5:30 jazz band, perc ensemble and soloists/groups that medaled at State Solo & Ensemble.  Hope you can join us!

FUNDRAISERS:
Jose Madrid Salsa fundraiser just started - orders and payment are due on Wednesday, May 1st.  This is a great fundraiser for student's fundraising accounts - they earn at least $2.50 per jar sold! And the Salsa is fantastic!

Salsa Fundraiser Order Form

Aubree's Dine to Donate - Wednesday, April 24th.  15% of your bill goes to Howell HS Band program when you present the flyer below:

Aubree's Dine to Donate

BAND FESTIVAL MEDALS
Congratulations to all the bands on a great performance in March at MSBOA Festival!  All of the bands earned a medal and students may purchase one if they'd like for their varsity jacket (they have a pin clasp on the back to attach to the jacket) or other keepsake.  Order forms and payment due by Wednesday, May 1st:

Festival Medal Order Form

Color Guard Information Meeting - Monday, April 22nd at 7 p.m. in the band room
*More detailed info can be found on the April 11th blog post

Band Calendar

As we approach the final months of this school year, there are a lot of exciting and fun things happening with Howell HS Bands! Below is a calendar of events for the rest of the school year.  We will share more detailed information as needed but this gives families dates and times to help with planning. Click here for a link to the google drive file for a pdf version of the calendar.

April

15 & 18           Drum Major Clinic (after school in the band room)

16                    Collage Concert Rehearsal: 2:45 to 5 p.m.  Groups performing: wind ensemble,

                        5:30 jazz band, perc ensemble and soloists/groups that medaled at State solo & 

                        ensemble.  Students have been informed already if they are performing. 

17                    Collage Concert at 7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center

19                    No School

22                    Color Guard Information Meeting at 7 p.m. in the band room

24                    Marching Band Camp paperwork and minimum $50 deposit due

24                    Aubree’s fundraiser – Show the flyer when you dine in or carry out and a percentage of your bill goes to band. Flyers available in band room.

30                    Drum Major Auditions

May

1                      Jose Madrid Salsa Fundraiser orders & money due (order forms available in band room)

3                      Half day of school – early dismissal

7                      Color Guard Clinic 6 to 8 p.m. in the band room

7                      Photos due for banquet slide show (seniors and any other band photos).  Send to Mikayla Norton at Mn24903@howellschools.com  Point sheets are also due!

10                    Band Lock-in:  9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the field house

14                    Band Banquet at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria         

15                    Color Guard Auditions: 6 to 8 p.m. in the band room

20, 21 & 23     Memorial Day Parade Rehearsal 2:30 to 3:30 or 4 p.m.  Must attend at least 2 of the 3 rehearsals.

20 & 23           Marching band uniform fittings after parade rehearsal.  We will have sign up sheets in the band room so students can sign up for a specific time slot.  Christyne MacDermaid will need help with this and you can contact her at christynemacdermaid @gmail.com to volunteer.

21                    Spring Concert (all bands) at 7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center

22                    Senior’s last day of school
                         Band Booster Meeting with elections at 6:30 p.m. in the band room

27                    Memorial Day Parade & Picnic

29                    Final Marching Band Camp payment and all paperwork due!

June

1                      Graduation at 5 p.m. at the Breslin Center at MSU

6                      Last day of school!

           

Color Guard Info & Tryouts

Hi fellow bandos! My name is Ashley Quick-Drossart and if you don't know me, I'm the head coach for the HHS Color Guard team. I just wanted to share that I am holding a clinic & tryouts within the next few weeks for the 2019-2020 Marching Band season and it is open to anyone who is interested in joining the team! You don't need any prior experience or anything. All of the information is on the flyer attached but I just wanted to highlight that I'm holding an information meeting about Color Guard (what we are about, what exactly we do, a rough team practice schedule, etc.) on Monday, April 22nd at 7 pm. I highly recommend coming if your child is interested in joining! You'll also be able to meet me and ask any questions you may have prior to clinics & tryouts. Please feel free to share with anyone you think may be interested as well 😊 Thank you so much and hope to see some new faces! 😊

Home Show Help Needed!

A message from Katie LaCommare:

Help!  We still need adult volunteers to help with the home show this weekend!  If we could get 1 adult per time slot that would be great.  But, any help would be appreciated. There are two ways to sign-up. 

(1) If your student is volunteering and you can help too, have them sign you up
during their time slot.
(2) If you can help at another time (anytime) -
doesn't have to fit into a time slot - please text me and I will sign you up. (248-756-3985). 

The home show is open from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday; 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

Thanks.  Katie LaCommare

Important April Info!

I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!  We're back to school with auditions for next year's band placements starting on Tuesday (April 2nd).  We have a lot of great things happening with Howell bands for the rest of the school year.  Here are a few reminders:

MARCHING BAND CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 4TH!

Applications are available in the band room and in the March 6th blog post below.  Late applications will not be accepted.  Scholarships are awarded based on financial need.  

A minimum $50 deposit is due by April 24th to sign up for marching band and band camp (August 11th to 15th).  All band camp forms can be found in the band room and March 6th blog post.


HOME SHOW SIGN UP - LOTS OF SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE!  EARN $

The Livingston County Home Show is this weekend (April 5th - 7th).  We need volunteers to help at the concessions stand to raise money for students and the band boosters.  There are two ways you can help.  (1) Students can sign-up for a shift. (We need 3 students per shift.)   Students can either earn money for the Charms account or get credit for community service for National Honor Society if that is what they need.  (2) We also need parents to supervise.  (1 parent per shift.)

The sign-up sheets are in the band room.

Feel free to call or text Katie LaCommare - 248-756-3985 if you have any questions.   

BAND BOOSTER MEETING - THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3RD AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE BAND ROOM

All are welcome!  Also looking for persons interested in serving on the band booster board of directors.  Elections held at the May band booster meeting.  Questions?  Contact our Band Booster Prez, Dean Norton, at howellbandboosters@gmail.com

LIVINGSTON COUNTY HONORS BAND CANCELLED

Unfortunately, due to the large number of snow days and an inability to reschedule, Livingston County Honors Band will not be occuring this year.  Congratulations to the students that were selected.  We are sorry that this talented group wasn't able to perform this year. 

UPCOMING DATES

Applebees fundraiser - April 9th (dine in or car side to go - present flyer and 20% goes to band)
Guys and Dolls - April 12th to 14th
Collage Concert - April 17th at 7 p.m.
Band Lock-in - May 10th/11th (more details to come)

Questions?  Feel free to contact me at allegoel@howellschools.com  Thanks!  - Laura Allegoet

Howellpalooza & Home Show $ Opportunity

HOWELLPALOOZA - THURSDAY 3/21 at 7 p.m.

You are cordially invited 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 Thursday night at 7pm in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center.  Hope to see you there!

HOME SHOW SIGN UP

The Livingston County Home Show is right around the corner (April 5th - 7th).  We need volunteers to help at the concessions stand to raise money for students and the band boosters.  There are two ways you can help.  (1) Students can sign-up for a shift. (We need 3 students per shift.)   Students can either earn money for the Charms account or get credit for community service for National Honor Society if that is what they need.  (2) We also need parents to supervise.  (1 parent per shift.)

The sign-up sheets are in the band room.

Feel free to call or text Katie LaCommare - 248-756-3985 if you have any questions.   

UPCOMING DATES

Band Booster Meeting - April 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in band room
Band Camp Scholarship Applications Due - April 4th
Guys and Dolls - April 12th to 14th
Collage Concert - April 17th at 7 p.m.
Band Lock-in - May 10th/11th (more details to come)

Band Camp

To all parents who have bandos going to Band Camp. We hope you’ll consider being a chaperone. There is no experience quite like it. Here are some highlights:

 - You get to host a bonfire for the kids

 - You get to host a talent night (and maybe participate)

 - You get to host a movie and game night

 - And on the last night, a dance

In between all of this you get to watch the kids learn “the drill”—how they will march to the show music. And you get to listen to them learn that music from the ground up. Best of all, you get to watch them put it all together. 

The food is good, the sun is hot, and the kids are the best. It's a great way to end the summer and get your game on for “marching band season.”

We have great traditions and…. great branding. You can see yourself in one of these:

             

But don’t take our word for it. Check out the BND DAD playlist on YouTube. Enough said: Chaperone Fun

Band Camp Paperwork, Scrips, and Help Needed

Good Evening!!  As promised all of the paperwork from the band camp meeting, last night, is now here for your use.  Please click on what is needed, print it, fill it out in full and turn it in as soon as possible.  Please do not hesitate to ask questions of the people that are mentioned as helpers in the Marching Band Packet.  There are no silly questions.  Band Camp is AWESOME!!


Marching Band Packet

Additional Payment Vouchers

Charms Withdrawal Request Form

Scholarship Application

Chaperone Packet

8th Grade Information


SCRIP PROGRAM

PAY FOR BAND CAMP AND OTHER BAND EXPENSES BY SHOPPING!

How much money do you spend in a month for regular expenses-  $600 for groceries, $200 for gas, $100 dining out…?  If you paid for those regular expenses using a gift card purchased from the HHS Band Scrip Program, you would get a rebate on each purchase, a rebate that  goes straight into your student's CHARMS account. You could easily pay your entire Band Camp bill just by spending the money you have to spend anyway- for whatever you need wherever you normally shop.

HHS Band Scrip uses the Great Lakes Scrip Center for ordering cards. They have this great YouTube video that explains the basics of the program:

                

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwkeGiRuYVY&list=PLB05706667A3B6471

You can sign up right away using enrollment code C436CCB458883 (to get to the Band Account).

Or you can ask questions at the Band Camp meeting, or email me (Nancy Stebbing) questions on howellbandscrip@gmail.com

Once you learn how the ordering system works, this is the easiest money you will ever earn for band expenses. And you earn the rebates on money you have to spend anyway. Put your spending to work for you!

LAST IMPORTANT ITEM!!

Help needed March 13, during the entire school day, or whatever hour you can come to help.  We will be fitting our current marching band one last time in the NEW UNIFORMS!!!!  Mrs. MacDermaid is very excited for this!!  No experience is needed.  Please call or text Christyne MacDermaid if you can help out.  734-476-0312

Festival Help Needed & Band Camp Meeting & Yankee Candle

CHAPERONES STILL NEEDED FOR WIND ENSEMBLE AND SYMPHONIC BAND AT FESTIVAL MARCH 6TH & 7TH!  

Thank you to everyone that has volunteered to chaperone for Concert and Highlander Bands!  Chaperones for Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble are still needed to ride the bus to and from the event AND help students and Mr. Smigell once you are at Festival. ***If you can chaperone, please contact Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com. Thank you!***

Wind Ensemble: - Wednesday, March 6th 
Report Time: 2:45 pm

Busses Leave HHS:  3:15 pm
Performance Time: 5:25 pm
Return at HHS: ~ 7:30 pm

Symphonic Band: Thursday, March 7th 
Report Time: 10:30 am

Busses Leave HHS:  11 am
Performance Time: 1:20 pm
Return at HHS: ~3:30 pm

BAND CAMP MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 5TH AT 7 P.M.

* Informational meeting for Marching Band Camp:

Tuesday, March 5th at 7 p.m. 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 11th to Thursday, August 15th

Yankee Candle Orders & Money Due Monday, March 4th! 

Pre-Festival Concert and Official Festival Info

Pre-Festival Concert:

Thursday, February 21st:  Report time:  6:30 pm

                                            Performance:  7 pm

Concert is in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center/Auditorium.  All students should arrive in their respective ensemble's uniform (black pants, white concert shirt, black bow tie, black shoes & black socks).

Festival Info:

Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Highlander Band, and Wind Ensemble will go to the MSBOA Festival on Wednesday, March 6th (WE) and Thursday, March 7th (CB / SB/ HB). They will be performing at Waterford Kettering High School.  All are welcome to attend!  This is a mandatory performance for students in the performing bands. 

Each band will report to the band room at different times. Once attendance is taken, the students will be driven via school bus to WKHS.  After their performance and judging, the students will be taken back to HHS via school bus.

It is important that the students arrive at the band room 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.

*** Because some of the events and traveling take place during student's lunch or dinner time, please bring a sack lunch/dinner and a drink. There are also snacks / drinks on sale at the festival, in the cafeteria that all of the ensembles wait in for their festival scores.

Concert Band and Symphonic Band students will receive a "school related" absence during the time they will be gone from school.  This absence is excused and not counted against them for days missed.

Here is the following report / performance times for Festival for each ensemble (please note that all band members, except for concert band, will need to make arrangements for a ride home):

Wind Ensemble: - Wednesday, March 6th

Report Time: 2:45 pm
Performance Time: 5:25 pm
Return at HHS: ~ 7:30 pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Concert Band: Thursday, March 7th

Report Time: 8:15 am
Performance Time: 11 am
Return at HHS: ~ 1 pm

Symphonic Band: Thursday, March 7th

Report Time: 10:30 am
Performance Time: 1:20 pm
Return at HHS: ~3:30 pm

Highlander Band: Thursday, March 7th

Report Time: 2:15 pm
Performance Time: 4:55 pm
Return at HHS: ~ 7 pm

Chaperones are needed to ride the bus to and from the event AND help students and Mr. Smigell once you are at Festival.  ***If you can chaperone on one of the busses and at festival, please contact Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com. Thank you!***

Band Booster Meeting Rescheduled

A message from our Prez, Dean Norton:

As a result of school closure, we will not be having our Booster meeting tonight. We will reschedule for Wed Feb 13 at 630PM.

Thank you.

LCHB Practice is Cancelled and Performance Postponed

Hello all,


Unfortunately with all the snow days, we have to move the LCHB performance.  A new time has not been selected.  With at least one of the Livingston county districts having finals moved to next Monday, we decided to try and reschedule for later.  Stay tuned.  Practice for tonight is also cancelled.  Very sorry folks.

-Smigell

REMINDER - BAND PHOTOS!

IMPORTANT REMINDER!

It was announced in classes on Tuesday but it may have slipped many students minds with these 2 days off....... We are taking group, class photos for band tomorrow (Friday) during class!  This includes Symphonic, Concert, Highlander bands and Wind and Perc Ensemble. 

Please bring your concert uniform to school tomorrow - black pants, socks and shoes, white shirt and bow tie.  Hopefully everyone remembers.........

Questions? Email Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com  Enjoy the rest of your school day off!

LCHB REHEARSAL TONIGHT IS CANCELLED

Hey Folks!


Happy ice day everyone.  Be careful out there!  LCHB rehearsal in Howell has been cancelled for tonight.  Next one is January 30th from 6-9 pm at Howell High School.  Make sure to practice your parts kids!  We will need to hit it hard next time.


-Smigell

Finally! FESTIVAL INFO!

We were just notified this afternoon of our dates and times for Festival performances. If your student had band in the morning, they may not be aware of this info yet. Times below are for performances. The times that students need to report to the band room will be posted soon along with more detailed information.

Location: Waterford-Kettering High School (all bands)

Wind Ensemble: Wednesday, March 6th at 5:25 p.m.

Concert Band: Thursday, March 7th at 11 a.m.

Symphonic Band: Thursday, March 7th at 1:20 p.m.

Highlander Band: Thursday, March 7th at 4:55 p.m.

Festival is required for all students - please plan accordingly.

Pre-festival concert is Thursday, February 21st at 7 p.m. in the Rod Bushey Auditorium. Hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com or comment below. Thanks!

Last Call for MB Uniform Order Forms // Drumline '19 Auds Info

This was an email sent out earlier today:

"Hello band families!!

Last chance to order a marching band uniform, sash, hat, etc.!  Due date is this Friday, January 18th - I've attached an order form.

Hard to believe it's that time already but Drumline 2019 pre-audition rehearsals and auditions are coming up in February.  I've also attached an information letter with dates and other important information.

Let me know if you have any questions! 

~Laura Allegoet"

Here are the forms she was talking about:

Marching Band Uniform Order Form: Here  <------ OR -------->Here

Drumline 2019 Pre-Audition Infomation Packet: Here  <------- OR -------->Here

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

~ Nicole "Jade" Prewett