Welcome Back to School
Rushing Band 2023
October Newsletter 2026
Mr. Dodd- jsdodd@prosper-isd.net
Mr. Holt- bmholt@prosper-isd.net
Ms. Lyons- amlyons@prosper-isd.net
Mr. Jimenez- jjjimenez@prosper-isd.net
Instruments going home and routine practice habits
Daily practice builds excellence through small repeated effort, rather than infrequent massive effort.
Practice Journal Entries
All Band students now have a small brown practice journal, with their name on it, clipped into their binder. Students should be entering tasks for the week on the right side of the journal, and filling out what they work on along with the number of minutes spent practicing in the left hand side of the journal.
By teaching students HOW to practice, we can give these students skills to help plan out their time and provide action steps on how they can achieve goals.
Please join us in helping to make sure your student is regularly filling theirs out!
Below is an example of what a practice journal week might look like!
Lessons
Private lessons:
Students have the opportunity to take private lessons from a professional musician in a one-on-one setting. Lessons can happen during class, before school, or after school.
Private lessons are one of the most powerful ways to accelerate a student’s musical growth. Unlike the classroom, lessons provide focused, one-on-one instruction where students receive immediate and personalized feedback. This targeted support helps students build strong fundamentals, develop confidence, and make progress at a much faster rate – not just in skill, but in leadership and enjoyment of music.
Starting lessons at the start of school sets students up with a clear advantage and for long term success. More than 90% of the varsity level musicians at Rushing MS are involved in private lessons and I cannot recommend them enough.
We have some incredible lessons faculty, but their schedules fill up quickly – as they also teach lessons across the district and perform professionally. If you are interested in lessons, you should contact the lessons teachers asap to get on their schedule.
Upcoming Calendar & Important Events
Code Key:
ALL = All Rushing Band Members
BB = Beginner Band Members
WE = Wind Ensemble
SB = Symphonic Band
CB = Concert Band
JB = Jazz Band
ADV = Advanced Band = WE, SB, CB
PERC = Percussion Students
Upcoming Events:
ALL - October 7 - Fundraiser Kick Off Party!
ADV - October 21 - All-District Auditions (All WE and select ADV)
ADV - October 28 - Fall "Hauntcert" Concert
ADV - November 4 & 5 - All Region Phase 1 (All WE and select ADV)
ADV - November 9 - All Region Phase 2 (students who advance through phase 1)
WE - November 11 - Veteran's Day assembly performance
details below and linked to our calendar at www.rushingband.com/calendar
ALL Band
OCT 7 - Fundraiser Kick-Off
4:00 - 5:15 Fundraiser Kick off in the Big Gym!
We are kicking off this year’s Fundraiser on Wednesday October 7th! This fast, proven campaign helps us raise vital funds by connecting with family, friends, neighbors, and more.
To make it a success, each team member will gather 20 email addresses and phone numbers of potential supporters. During a fun 60-minute live fundraising event, participants will reach out to their contacts, giving supporters a chance to pledge and share messages of encouragement. All contact information is 100% private, secure, and used only for this fundraiser. With everyone’s participation, we’ll hit our goal and make a huge impact for our program! Let’s crush our goal! Over the next few days, do your best to gather 20 unique email addresses and phone numbers. Think big—friends, family (anywhere in the world), grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, coworkers, doctors, dentists, and other professionals that are your fans. The more variety, the better!
WE and Select Advanced Bands
October 21 - All District Auditions
Wind Ensemble students and select students from Symphonic band and Concert band who have been working on their All Region music.
When: October 21 5:00 - 9:00 PM (only a one hour window)
Where: Jones MS (Prosper ISD)
Attire: No required attire. Dress comfortably.
Students will receive a unique audition time and location leading up to the event.
Advanced Bands
October 28 - Fall "Hauntcert"
Our first concert of the year!
Who: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band
When: October 28th at 6:30 PM (student report time is 6:00 PM)
Where: Rushing MS Large Gym
Attire: Rushing MS Band shirt OR Halloween Costume
WE and Select Advanced Bands
November 4 - All Region Auditions Phase 1
Wind Ensemble students and select students from Symphonic band and Concert band who have been working on their All Region music.
Who: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, and Trombone players
When: November 4 - 5:00 - 9:00 PM (only a one hour window)
Where: Trent Middle School (Frisco ISD)
Attire: No required attire. Dress comfortably.
Students will receive a unique audition time and location leading up to the event.
WE and Select Advanced Bands
November 5 - All Region Auditions Phase 1
Wind Ensemble students and select students from Symphonic band and Concert band who have been working on their All Region music.
Who: Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion players
When: November 5 - 5:00 - 9:00 PM (only a one hour window)
Where: Faubion Middle School (McKinney ISD)
Attire: No required attire. Dress comfortably.
Students will receive a unique audition time and location leading up to the event.
WE and Select Advanced Bands
November 9 - All Region Auditions Phase 2
Wind Ensemble students and select students from Symphonic band and Concert band who have been working on their All Region music AND Advance out of Phase 1 competition.
Who: Anyone who advances out of Phase 1 competition
When: November 5 - 5:00 - 9:00 PM (only a one hour window)
Where: Strike Middle School (Little Elm ISD)
Attire: No required attire. Dress comfortably.
Students will receive a unique audition time and location leading up to the event.
WE
Grades and Expectations
Grades
If your student completes an assignment or worksheet and does not make a 100 they can ALWAYS re-do the assignment for up to full credit. Please have your student email their director for instructions on how to complete the re-take.
Practicing
ALL - Rushing Band students are expected to have routine practice 5 - 7 days each week. The only way to get better at playing an instrument is to play your instrument regularly. Students are required to take their instruments home daily. Students are encouraged to spend as many minutes practicing as their age multiplied by 2.
SOCIAL MEDIA - RUSHING BAND
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Instagram- @rushingband
Twitter- @rushingband
Facebook- @rushingband