Sachse Mustang Band Updates

January 3, 2023

A Note from Mrs. Taylor

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

We are so excited to see everyone back and get started on a fresh new semester with great music together. Look through the sections below regarding things coming up this semester. In the spring, s’more newsletters will be reduced to about once a month since we are split into 7 different performing groups. Our band app individual classes will be utilized more for group specific info that needs to go out to keep from overloading you with information for 6 other groups that don’t necessarily apply to you/ your student. The full group app will still be used if there is information that applies to the majority, but make sure you are in your smaller groups also or you will miss information.

MLK Parade

Saturday, January 14, 2023

This will be our final marching performance of the year before we begin preparations for next year later this spring. We are bused to this event from Sachse HS and will be bused back to Sachse HS following the parade. Students will need to be dropped off at Sachse HS by 8 AM to load the buses. All students receive a performance grade for this parade.

ATTIRE: Band shirt and jeans along with any necessary jacket/ coats if necessary due to weather. Guard will be in Jerseys and Black Pants.

Because this is our final marching performance, ALL students who play a school owned marching instrument need to take instruments home following the parade to clean them so they are ready to check back in Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

The parade begins at 10 AM and we are second in line. I expect to be back to SHS approx. 11 AM.

Sectionals

Sectionals/ after school rehearsals will begin our third week back. All sectionals are required and for a grade. Because these are based on the band and instrument group, we will take the first week to set that schedule to give everyone a full week to make transportation arrangements. Most students will have 1-2 hour per week after school. Some weeks this may be longer for a larger sectional or full band rehearsal/ clinic. Make sure to see the schedule for your band that will be posted in that band app.

The first week of sectionals will be the week of January 23, 2023

Eligibility (some new)

We will update students by the end of thie first full week back with any new eligibility restrictions that may apply to them. New eligibility will be based on the Second Grading Period Grades, NOT the semester grades.

BELOW IS REPEATED INFORMATION

All other grading periods, the 9 week grade is the only one that can cause a student to lose eligibility. Their 3 week grade and 6 week grades can allow them regain IF they are passing ALL classes (not just the one they may have failed that caused the loss of eligibility). Just like the verification to lose, this grade check is a week prior to them actually regaining eligibility.

There is a District Eligibility Calendar available on the GISD Website. There is also a list of exempt courses that do not affect eligibility listed as well.

GISD Eligibility Calendar

Solo & Ensemble

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Location: North Garland HS

All wind and percussion students are required to prepare and perform a solo for Solo and Ensemble contest coming up on February 18. Guard will participate, however their contest is at a different time of the year. Students will receive 2 major grades for the contest itself and 2-3 additional preparation grades. The majority of this preparation will on their own outside of the school day as we will be working fundamentals and preparing for UIL during classes. This will be a huge part of their GP3 grade. Students should have already submitted their Solo/ Ensemble selection and should have their original with them in class EVERYDAY until we have copied their piece for them.

Students NOT in private lessons need to have a solo that is on Smart Music.

The links below are to check that the Solo is on the Prescribed Music List (PML). Only music on this list can be played at the contest. JWPepper link is to assist you to order an original if you don't already have it.

ALL STUDENTS must have the original to be allowed to perform at the UIL contest.

If you have not yet ordered your original for your solo, this needs to be done TODAY!!!

PML

Check your solo here to ensure it is on the approved list. DO NOT purchase a solo prior to checking this.

JW Pepper Link

This link can be used to find music to purchase.

Looking Ahead...

January 2023

1/7/2023 AREA Auditions at Plano Senior HS; see links below if this applies to you.

1/14/23 MLK Parade

1/19-20/23 All Region Band Clinic/ Concert (information shared with students involved)

Winterguard is in FULL SWING

Week of January 23, 2023 SECTIONALS Begin

February 2023

2/8-11/2023 TMEA All State Band in San Antonio, TX

2/18/23 Solo & Ensemble @ North Garland HS

AREA C Audition Information

Disregard details that pertain only to directors.

BAND APP Pointers *(repeat some new)

MAKE sure you are in the correct Band APP based on your Spring Audition Placement
If your schedule is messed up, you may be in more than one concert band app
Please make sure notification are ON in the FULL Band Group
Students and parents, please do not post in this group unless absolutely necessary or cleared by a director.
We need this group to get necessary information to the entire group.
Use individual section groups/ parent groups for questions

Thank You for your help. Links are still below in case you need to join.

JOIN YOUR BAND CLASS Band App Groups* (repeat from last week if needed)

Parents are welcome to join any group their student is in
Please ensure that settings are set to receive notifications so you don't miss any last minute notifications; particularly regarding weather
We plan to use this app as our primary source of communication this year, this will take the place of remind, that's why settings must be set to receive notifications
Make sure that you are in all groups that pertain to you so you don't miss information

Wind Ensemble Band APP

Wind Symphony Band APP

Honors Band APP

Symphonic Band APP

Band Calendar

ALL FALL ACTIVITIES are updated on this Calendar!
Most Spring activities are listed as well.

BAND FEES (Repeat)****

At this time, all fees should be made through CHARMS. SKYWARD fees will need to be paid beginning in August. Please make sure that you have paid your first $300 toward your CHARMS account by the end of this month! If for some reason, you are behind with this balance, please get caught up by the end of July. If you are unable to do so, please contact Mrs. Taylor and the treasurer to set up a payment plan.

***SKYWARD fees should be showing at this time. If your band fees are paid in full, the first $100 should be paid in SKYWARD by the end of August. You can pay these fees in full if you'd prefer, but most winds should have all fees paid by the end of September. These fees SHOULD NOT be paid through Charms. Be aware that the online processing fee in Skyward is significant. These fees are best paid via check that students turn in to the bandhall office. There are deposit slips for them to fill out just outside of the office. Students should keep the back copy of the form as their receipt. Cash can also be turned in with the above process, but a check is always preferred.

***Our biggest expenses are incurred during marching season, please be sure to get SKYWARD fees paid as soon as possible. All returning students should have these paid by the end of August. New members will follow payment schedule based on fees from your Order form. If you need to review that order form, click on that form below. You also probably have an e-mail that was sent to you when you registered online with all of that information.

CHARMS

Remember to use school code: Sachse HSBB