THE Houston Band

Hello, Houston Band family,

We are rapidly approaching the final quarter of the school year, and it's all starting to feel real for our amazing senior class. I can't stress enough how grateful I am for this senior class for selflessly pouring into the band this year. They have planted the seeds of success that future students will harvest, and their leadership, grit, and dedication is appreciated by the returning band students and staff. Congrats also to our guard who wrapped up their competitive season last Saturday, demonstrating tons of growth over their outdoor and indoor shows this year.

For all non-seniors, it's COURSE SELECTION TIME! Please make sure to select your band courses! If you have any questions about how our programs will continue to improve and grow into next season, please feel free to reach out to me. We are here for your students, for our school, and for our community.

Lastly, our amazing boosters have only collected half the number of recommended donations they were expecting this year. Please see info about booster donations below.

With excitement and gratitude,

Mr. C

The Memphis Jazz Workshop will be partnering with Houston High School Band and Mr. Brian Sims to bring their classes to Germantown starting after Spring Break. Classes will be Wednesday at 4pm to 7pm. Registration link is below. This is an INCREDIBLE opportunity to grow as a musician and develop an understanding of America's genre. Sign up here!

March 6th (12pm @ WCMS)

Come support us on your lunch if it works out schedule-wise! Don't be late, as our performance will be short. You will enter on the eastern side of the building (that faces the football/baseball fields). Official Concert Performance Assessment event. Field trip form due TOMORROW, 3/4/25.

March 13th (11:30am @ UTM)

Road trip! I do not really recommend parents come to this event, as it's far away, and we've never been before. I'm not able to help with logistics or answer any questions about how spectating works. Field trip form due TOMORROW, 3/4/25.

Our phenomenal booster organization takes care of unexpected costs, pays for some of our adjunct staff, organizes events, and enables us to create long-term savings and spending plans. In lieu of required booster dues or increased school-based dues, our boosters ask that each family donate $225 (or whatever they can) to the booster organization. That can be done via check (made out to "HHS Band Boosters") in Woody or at this link:

https://houstonhighband.givebacks.com/store/items/1050541

2025-2026 Season Sponsorships

If you or someone you know would like to sponsor our band next year, we have a few different tiers of booster sponsorships we're excited to introduce! Please reach out to me for more info if you're interested. Anonymous sponsorships are also available if desired!

$25,000 - Platinum - Season Sponsor (1 spot) - As a token of appreciation: Name or company name on all concert programs, read as the primary sponsor at all football games while introducing the band, posted on website, and given a certificate of appreciation at our Band Banquet.

$10,000 - Gold - Season Sponsor (3 spots) - As a token of appreciation: Name or company name on all concert programs, read at all football games while introducing the band, posted on website, and given a certificate of appreciation at our Band Banquet.

$5,000 - Silver - Cycle Sponsor (3 spots) - By supporting the costs roughly associated with one of our three cycles of concert band, you can be a Cycle Sponsor. As a token of appreciation: At the culminating concert of that cycle, name or company on concert programs and verbally announced as that concert's sponsor. Included on website.

$1,000 - Bronze - Friend of the Band (unlimited spots) - As a token of appreciation: Name or company name printed in all concert programs on a list of "friends of the band."

- All State is changing from being a Wed-Sat event to a Thurs-Sun event. This is beyond our control.

- HHS Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Tuesdays AND Thursdays as we approach the end of the school year. Please check our calendar for details.

If you have a friend, neighbor, family member, or ANYONE else in your life in 4th or 5th grade within GMSD, let them know about the transformative experience band has been in your students' lives. If you know an 8th grader that wants to be in a great band but doesn't live in Germantown, let them know about our academies. We are so excited to continue building our program's numbers back to sustainable levels, but that takes work from everyone. Thank you for helping with that work!

If you are interested in private lessons, please reach out! We are happy to recommend teachers for students of all levels at any budget.

Mr. Sims has created a list of some practice resources for students. If you have any additional resources that have been helpful for you, please feel free to share them!

• MusicRacer.com
• The Woodwind Fingering Guide
• "Fingering Chart by Tremolo" on iOS
• PlayScore 2
• Sight Reading Factory (see Mr. C for activation instructions)

We will be hosting open practice time after school Monday-Thursday AND every day before school starts. The road to All West participation starts now, with a little bit of growth every day! We hope to see as many students as possible fill the band room each morning and evening to improve their craft.

Please encourage your young musicians to pick a day each week to come practice with myself, Mr. Sims, and others on our incredibly talented band staff. Thank you!

Students can request lesson time with Mr. Sims or Mr. Carpenter after school! We are here to help you get better at your instrument!

We have a new way of tracking band conflicts internally. Please note, students that miss rehearsals and performances without prior approval will be penalized with grade deductions.

All you have to do is give us as MUCH heads up as possible, emailing me the reason for missing and (when relevant) a doctor's note. Please note that the closer we get to a date, the less likely exemption will be granted. Give us time to plan for other students' success when sending us your reasonable conflicts due to health, religion, family emergencies, etc.

Thank you for your understanding and commitment to our band's success!

Find upcoming dates for performances, events, and one-off rehearsals below. Note that regular rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays, with sectionals on Mondays.

You can always find our full calendar (including Google and iCal integration links) here: https://www.thehoustonband.com/calendar

• 3/5/25 - Wednesday after school rehearsal for CPA
• 3/6/25 - Memphis CPA (12pm)
• 3/12/25 - Wednesday after school rehearsal for CPA
• 3/13/25 - Martin CPA (11:30am)
• 4/2-5/25 - Dallas Trip
• 4/5/25 - Solo & Ensemble
• 4/10/25 - TN All State Conference Begins
• 4/13/25 - TN All State Concert Concludes
• 4/22/25 - HHS Symphony Orchestra rehearsals begin (Tuesdays/Thursdays)
• 5/6/25 - HHS Instrumental Concert
• 5/7/25 - Graduation Orchestra Rehearsal
• 5/8/25 - Graduation Orchestra Rehearsal
  
• 5/9/25 - Graduation! CONGRATS, seniors.
• 5/12-13/25 - 25-26 Leadership Camp (after school)
• 6/2-6/11 - June Guard Camp
• 6/12/25 - BAND STAFF SUMMER (limited email correspondence and facility access due to annual cleanings)
• 7/10/25 - BAND STAFF SUMMER ENDS
• 7/14/25-7/19/25 - Percussion and Guard Camps
  
• 7/21/25-7/26/25 - Full Band Camp
• 7/29/25 - SUMMER REHEARSAL (3-6pm)
• 7/31/25 - SUMMER REHEARSAL (3-6pm)
• 9/13/25 - Marching Band Mini Camp (all day)
• 9/27/25 - Contest #1 (TBD)
• 10/4/25 - Contest #2 (TBD)
• 10/25/25 - Contest #3 or Recording Session (TBD)
• 11/1/25 - Contest #3 or Recording Session (TBD)
• 11/8/25 - POSSIBLE Contest #4 if Bandmasters is later than typical (Depends on UofM football schedule)
• 12/4/25 - Holiday Concert

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