The Themer Band Brief!!!

Testing is officially behind us, and it’s time to get back to what we love most—making music together! We hope you enjoyed a well-deserved Labor Day weekend and are coming back ready to hit the ground running. Instruments are in hand, rehearsals are picking up, and now is the perfect time to build strong habits with consistent practice at home. Every bit of focus and effort adds up, and the work you put in now will set the tone for an incredible year with the Titan Band.

A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO OUR AMAZING BAND COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED OUT WITH THE RHEA EAGLE BAND ICE CREAM SOCIAL ON FRIDAY! YOU WERE GREAT!

Action Items (all information is below):

1) Check out the Students of the Week and the Scale Stars!

2) RSVP for the Fall Trip!!! - This is due on Friday!!!

3) Changes in Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony Sectional Schedules due to Labor Day weekend!! Symphonic and Concert Band to come this week (check your emails soon!)

4) Fill out Handbook Forms 1 and 2 (found in the handbook below) - WE NEED TO KNOW YOUR SHIRT SIZES!!!!

5) Pay Band Fees (Due by September 5th) - ALL students! - See link below!

6) Pay School-Owned Instrument Fee (ONLY bassoon, oboe, French horn, tenor/bari saxophone, euphonium, and tuba!) - See info below!

Again, we can't wait to make some music and have some great experiences!

All our best,

The TMS/RIS Band Team

Expect to see The Band Brief (emails) from Mr. Graves (clgraves@forneyisd.net) weekly throughout the school year. They will most likely come through Parent Square and Skyward.

Have a wonderful week!

September 12th will mark the first fundraising campaign for our band program!!! It’s time to raise some money to help support all the great things we want to be able to do with our band students (parties, awards, trips, etc.)! We are looking forward to a successful sale, and we need your support to help make that possible. We will send all the details in next week's newsletter!

We are celebrating and recognizing students who have been modeling our Eagle Band core values! They have exhibited Growth, Integrity, Responsibility, and Tenacity (G.R.I.T.) every single day! Way to be outstanding leaders!

The TMS Fall Trip will be on held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Group Dynamix in Carrollton, Texas! Only 7th and 8th grade students who have filled out the form and are in good standing in band class (have turned in practice records, been to required sectionals, have a passing grade) are invited to attend!

Mr. Graves will reach out to 10-12 of the parents who mentioned they were interested in chaperoning this trip. If you are not selected for this trip, please consider helping in the future!

Itinerary:

8:00 AM - Arrive at TMS

8:30 AM - Depart for Group Dynamix

9:45 AM - Arrive at Group Dynamix

1:05 PM - Depart for TMS

2:50 PM - Arrive at TMS

This event also leads students through a set of activities that encourages “big picture” thinking, overcoming obstacles, and other skills that inspire group productivity. For reference: https://groupdynamix.com/

There is no cost for the trip, but you must fill out the form below by September 5th to secure your spot!

We are looking forward to a good time!

Students with morning sectionals will begin at 7:00 AM (doors at the PARENT DROP OFF will open at 6:45 AM) and students with afternoon sectionals will meet from 4:15 - 5:30 PM (these students can be picked up at the front of the school). Their schedules should stay the same for the majority of the school year. If there are changes, you will be notified well ahead of time.

This is where students really learn HOW to play their instruments. This is a vital portion of the band calendar!

The band, athletic, and core staffs work very well with each other. We all share students. There is no reason to be alarmed, at any time, about students making schedules work. We have discussed the schedule with the students on Friday to make sure we have a plan of action for getting to and from other events.

Sectionals will start the week of September 8th! Ms. DeShay will reach out with information this coming week, and the schedule will be posted here in NEXT WEEK's Band Brief!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Handbook and Band Fees!

The link below will take you to the TMS/RIS Handbook! This handbook includes information on what to expect from the school year, processes, calendars, private lessons, database forms, fundraisers, and much more!

Please review the handbook! On page 20, there are TWO QUICK GOOGLE FORMS to fill out. All forms are due by 8/22/25.

Use the buttons below or click here to view and sign forms (page 20) of the TMS/RIS Handbook: 2025-2026 TMS/RIS Handbook

Thanks to our amazing band boosters, our new online payment system is now live. EVERY STUDENT IN BAND will have a $75.00 band fee.

Important:

• The fee covers the cost of the student's band shirt, binder, incentives/awards, food for parties, miscellaneous supplies (batteries, replacement pencils), and the Solo/Ensemble contest fee.

• This payment does not include the school-owned instrument fee for oboe, bassoon, French horn, euphonium, or tuba.

• We do not accept cash or checks — this online system is the only way to pay.

• You’ll automatically receive a receipt after your payment is complete.

There is a pre-filled form in the front of your student’s band binder explaining the instrument rental agreement. As these instruments need to be sent for cleaning at the end of every school year, this fee pays for the necessary upkeep. The fee is $50 and can only be paid by cash or check (made out to Forney ISD). Please send the fees in a sealed, marked envelope with your child’s NAME, GRADE, and INSTRUMENT to their BAND DIRECTOR.

• Non-Music Store Purchases:
• Pencil Bag (for binder)
• 4 Pencils
• 4 Highlighters
• Music Store Purchases for Woodwind and Brass Players (Brook Mays will deliver these to Themer!!!):
• Use the QR Code for online purchase or Click here for online purchases
• Click on your instrument

• Tuning Clip (Peterson TP-3)
• Korg TM-60 Metronome/Tuner
• Foundations for Superior Performance Book
• Any essentials for instrument maintenance and operation:
• Reeds, oils, etc
• You don’t have to get everything on the list, but be aware of things you might be running low on!
  

These will be shipped directly to Themer!

All students will receive their first practice record next week! Their practice record will be due EVERY Thursday. The beginning band students are responsible for practicing 90 minutes per week (in the first few weeks) to receive a 100 on this assignment.

In the first few weeks, students will be practicing memorizing The Musical Alphabet pass off! Instruments will go home as soon we teach them how to properly assemble them! Thank you for being patient as we save you money!!! =)

Parents, please make sure to initial at the bottom at the end of each week. We will NOT accept practice records without parent initials! Late practice records can be turned in on Friday for minus 10 points.

Students determine their success!

As playing an instrument requires consistent practice, please help us make sure that your students are practicing daily. As soon as we progress into the school year, we will figure out logistics for the students to be able to practice here as well!

Wind Ensemble sectionals will begin next week. This week, I will collect each student’s extracurricular schedule so that I can create a sectional schedule that works as smoothly as possible for everyone. Please note that this schedule will be considered tentative until the week of August 25th, at which point it will be finalized. Thank you in advance for your flexibility as we work together to find the best fit for everyone!

Make Music Cloud! This interactive program will provide new avenues to explore their own musicianship, turn in assignments, and prepare for future events! Please help us by making sure your child's equipment is working!

Thanks in advance!

We have our new band site up and ready to go! The website is an excellent guide, giving information on important band news, calendar dates, weekly updates, private lessons, instrument resources, supply lists, and much, much, much more! Check it out here: www.themerband.com!

Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with all the great things happening in The Themer Titan Band Hall! The Facebook page will be our way of showing the world all of our outstanding current events! We will highlight our Students of the Week, student leaders, and show the progress we have made throughout the year! It will also keep you up to date of any upcoming dates and responsibilities!