Band Notes - Week of August 4

General information that applies to all students and parents can be found towards the top of every newsletter, while information specific to your child's ensemble can be found in that particular section by scrolling all the way down.

Feel free to contact a director if you have any questions and our contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter. Thanks for reading!

All parents will need to complete this Registration Checklist for their student in order to be ready for the start of school. You can complete all of the steps online on your own. Like all other band supplies and materials, these completed forms are due back to the directors no later than the second day of school, which is Wednesday, August 13.

Most of these steps can be completed online by visiting the Forms Page of our website that is now active for the new year. Fill out all of the forms that have an asterisk (*) next to the title. You can pay online using the links found on this page. Feel free to email us if you have an questions.

All supplies and materials are due by the second day of school, which is Wednesday, August 13. Be sure to check the Supplies & Materials Page of our website, which also includes instrument dealers that we recommend where you can purchase your band stuff.

Please click here to see all of the Band Events for this new school year in order to plan your family's activities. Remember, performances are a required part of our curriculum, so please contact a director ASAP for any conflicts.

Lessons are the fastest way students improve on their instrument because they have a quality teacher guiding them in their development of proper tone, rhythm, articulation, and musicality. Students enrolled in lessons usually earn first division superior ratings, make the All-Region Band, the have more fun learning their instrument because they sound better, faster.

Please read this document before deciding whether or not to sign up for lessons since it outlines the benefits of taking lessons that occur during your child's band class! If you have any questions about lessons, please email Mr. Trahan here.

Check out our list of quality lessons teachers by clicking here, AND sign Up for Private Lessons here!

CutTime is a program we use that allows you to stay informed without login hassles and get reminded without inbox clutter. Be on the lookout for a text message from CutTime from 844-385-8463. The message will come to your mobile device phone number we have on file for you (and your student) via a "Magic Link", which is a uniquely personalized to you and secure.

Read the attachment below for instructions on how to add your Magic Link to your smartphone's home screen. Once you receive the message, you will gain access to your CutTime Portal Page where you can:

• View Announcements
• View and Subscribe to Events that involve you and your student
• View and Sign Up for Volunteer Opportunities within these events
• Check Account Balances

If we don't have your contact information, please fill out this Contact Information Update Form ASAP. If you missed or can't find your CutTime Magic Link, go to this link to resend it to your device on file.

Feel free to take 3 minutes to watch this introduction video and see what's in store, and feel free to send us a message if you have any other questions or feedback.

Click on this link to sign up to become a district volunteer and complete the background check. Even if you have done this before, this process must be repeated every school year: Parent Chaperone Sign-Up. Please sign up for volunteer opportunities on your CutTime MagicLink.

We want to interact with you on social media, so be sure to Like, Follow, and Subscribe on all of the following platforms you use:

• YouTube Channel
• Parent Square Group
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Account
• Band Website
• Google Photos Album
• SoundCloud Channel
• Smore Newsletters

In the Belton MS Band, we form a partnership between teacher and student where both share responsibility in their musical development. Our team of teachers include middle school directors, private lesson instructors, high school directors, and even hired clinicians, masterclass teachers, and adjudicators. We also strive to communicate and produce strong partnerships with parents since their support is vital in their student's growth.

To that end, we as the teaching team provide Introduction, Comprehension, and Demonstration to students for their instruction. However, each student has a responsibility as well to facilitate Repetition in the form of practicing daily for at least 25 minutes, 5 days per week.

This means that instruments go home everyday to practice the concepts, patterns, and music that we go over daily in class. This leads to student Mastery of their music and ultimately of their instrument. Students have homework everyday in Band as they practice their instrument in preparation for performances and to continue their musical growth. Reach out to a director if you would like more information on how to better help and support the musical growth of your student.

Click here to see the Calendar page of our website to find all of the current events, including special rehearsals, contests, and performances for the whole school year. We provide this so you can plan your family's activities. Remember, performances are a required part of our curriculum, so please contact a director ASAP for any conflicts. Be sure to view the List of Band Events that can be found clicking on the link.

Parents who are new to the Belton MS Band should plan on attending this presentation that is followed by a question-and-answer session on Friday, August 8 from 4:00-5:00pm in the BMS Band Hall. This event occurs right before Tiger Camp for new students to BMS from 5:00-7:00pm.

Here you will learn about our program's structure, expectations, and how to set your student up for success. Click here to see the map to the BMS Band Hall and we hope to see you there!

Students joining the Beginner Percussion class should click here to see the list of needed percussion supplies from Steve Weiss Music. Order your supplies ASAP because items usually go on backorder!

All Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble students will participate in this required event with area teachers in masterclass-style to have a great head start in getting prepared for the TMEA All-Region Auditions on Saturday, November 8 in College Station.

Starting at 10am, we will work on getting back in shape for a couple of hours, followed by a free pizza lunch from 12-1pm. We will then spend another couple of hours in the afternoon until we wrap up at 3pm.

Sectionals will start on Monday, August 25 until Friday, November 7 one day after school per week from 4:00-5:00pm. A survey of students' availability and scheduling will be sent out at a later date in order to create the best schedule for everyone.

All Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble students will participate in this required event with area teachers in masterclass-style to have a great head start in getting prepared for the TMEA All-Region Auditions on Saturday, November 8 in College Station.

Starting at 10am, we will work on getting back in shape for a couple of hours, followed by a free pizza lunch from 12-1pm. We will then spend another couple of hours in the afternoon until we wrap up at 3pm.

Sectionals will start on Monday, August 25 until Friday, November 7 one day after school per week from 4:00-5:00pm. A survey of students' availability and scheduling will be sent out at a later date in order to create the best schedule for everyone.

All jazz students will need a copy of the red book: Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble by Mike Steinel that is specific to their instrument. Students will also need to order and pay for a jazz uniform shirt for $30.

Email: beltonmsband@gmail.com

Website: beltonmsband.org
Call/Text: 254-262-3050

Address: 1704 Sparta Road, Belton, TX, USA

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