Sachse Mustang Band Updates

February 1, 2023

A Note from Mrs. Taylor

Solo & Ensemble Month is HERE!!!

We have had a great start to this semester and I'm excited to see how much better it will continue to get leading up to all of our contests. If you haven't played your solo for a director yet, you will this coming week as we end January and begin February, at this point you should be able to play the entire solo.

Sectionals

Sectionals started this past week and this will be a weekly rehearsal with a small section/ for full ensemble but those schedules are determined per band and being updated in the band app if there are any adjustments. Make sure you are in the appropriate band app for your band.

BAND FEES ALL DUE AT THIS TIME; URGENT: ACTION REQUIRED

At this time, all fees should be made through CHARMS & SKYWARD. IF you paid your skyward fees in CHARMS, there is nothing that you need to do with that, they will be transferred and should balance out to zero. For example if you have a $300 credit in CHARMS because your skyward fees were paid at the beginning of the year, you should still show a $300 SKYWARD fee, but they will balance out to zero in the next couple of months. No action is required at this time

If you have an outstanding balance that does not NET to ZERO, students will be ADDED TO LOP and unable to attend the blacklight pep rally this coming Friday. Please take a minute to double check that your CHARMS balance is Paid in Full and that any SKYWARD fees are also paid, UNLESS the CHARMS credit nets that to zero as mentioned above.

CHARMS

Remember to use school code: Sachse HSBB

Eligibility (some new)

We will be passing out any needed waiver forms this coming week based on the Cycle 2 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 are also receiving2-3 major grades for preparation. 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.

When you are pulled for your preparation grade, you must be ready, or will receive the grade you earn. If you receive a grade that is low and you want to make that up, it must be done by submitting a video recording of yourself playing your solo. THIS MUST BE MADE UP PRIOR TO THE CONTEST DATE. No late make-ups for this grade will be accepted. This is the final week prior to rehearsals with live accompanists. Following this week, solos should be performance ready.

Accompanist schedule has had to be adjusted and finalized. The link below has that adjusted schedule for you. IF you had K. Jones, you have been moved to another accompanist.

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!!! It may be too late to get it in at this point, but depending on the solo, you may still be able to get it in hand in time.

SOLO & Ensemble CHECK

Recheck your solo on this link. ALSO, if you are playing with a live accompanist, NOT Smart Music, check your rehearsal times and make sure you are on time to those rehearsals. If you HAD K. Jones, your accompanist has been changed, CHECK HERE!

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...

February 2023

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

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

March 2023

3/3-5/ 2023 WGI Contest in Austin (winterguard)

3/7/2023 SHS Band UIL Preview Concert @ SHS (all wind and percussion)

3/18/2023 WGI Dallas @ Coppell HS

3/25/2023 JV Winterguard Championships @ Lewisville

3/28/2023 Pre-UIL for Honors and Symphonic Band

3/30/2023 Pre-UIL for Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony

April 2023

4/1/2023 Varsity Winterguard Championships @ Mansfield

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* (Links have been updated)

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.