Dear Symphonic Band Parents,

Welcome to another week! This is just a quick reminder about four important upcoming events; a more detailed email will be sent out later this week. In order:

Pre-UIL
Tomorrow! We will have pre-UIL at CHS in the auditorium. Students need to wear their concert black clothes or bring clothes to change in to. We will leave for the high school after class begins, and students will be back before 7th period so the only classes they are missing are band and Jacket Time. I’m looking forward to some wonderful feedback from the judges!

After School Rehearsals

• Thursday, March 27th from 4:00-5:30 in the SMS band hall. Mr. Chris Brown from Mesquite ISD is coming out to work with us on that day. Mr. Brown has a history of success with middle school bands, and I am really looking forward to showing off the Symphonic Band!!
  
• Wednesday, April 2nd from 4:00-5:30 in the SMS band hall. Mr. Jonathon Hooper, retired Director of Bands from Tarleton University, will be here to work with us on this day. Mr. Hooper is an active private lessons teacher and clinician. Again, I’m very excited to have a prestigious guest with us that day in rehearsal!
  

UIL
UIL has been officially scheduled! We will perform at 3:55 and sight read at 4:20. The contest will be held at Burleson Centennial High School. We will leave during band class that day and return sometime early evening. Approximate return time to be determined. If possible, please join us that day! Parents and family are more than welcome to attend both the concert and sight reading portion on UIL, although we do ask that no small children be in attendance.

This should sum up important dates for the next two weeks. If you have any questions, please email me!

SMS Wind Ensemble,

Our first week back from Spring Break was filled with great rehearsals.  We hope to continue with the progress we have made as we continue to strive for a Superior UIL performance.  Here are a few details about important things in band:

Mini Lessons
Please remember that mini lessons have replaced the weekly sectional.  Every student should have completed one mini lesson by tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25.  The second mini lesson will begin next week.

Full Band Rehearsals
Our first full band rehearsal was last Tuesday.  Please make sure that you are on time to each of these.  They all take place at CHS from 6-8pm.  Our remaining rehearsals are:
Thursday, March 27
Thursday, April 3
Monday, April 7

Pre-UIL
Pre-UIL will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25.  Students will miss their 3rd period class (and 4th period Wind Ensemble.  Students must come dressed in their all black band uniform (black band polo, black pants, shoes, socks, and belt).  If they would like, they may bring a change of clothes for when we return; however, they must be wearing their band uniform at school in the morning.  We will perform at CHS at 11:15.  While it would be nice to have an audience we would prefer for you to attend our actual UIL performance, if possible.

UIL
The Wind Ensemble will be performing their UIL program on Thursday, April 10 at 10:40am at Burleson Centennial HS.  It would be wonderful to have as many parents in the audience for this performance.  I will send more details of our schedule at a later date.

Great Wolf Lodge
Please remember that all payments for the trip are due by Friday, April 11.  You can check your child’s balance by going to www.charmsoffice.com.  Use “smithmsband” as the school login and your child’s lunch code as the password.

Our mandatory trip meeting is Monday, April 28 at 6pm.  The student and at least one parent should be in attendance. 

Other important dates:
Monday, April 21 (6PM) – Golden Pride information meeting at CHS for 8th graders.
May 8-9 – Great Wolf Lodge trip
Sunday, May 18 – Picnic in the Park
Thursday, May 27 – Spring Concert