CH Band Newsletter
October 23, 2026
2 PRACTICE TIPS:
1) SUCCESS leads to SUCCESS: The hardest part can be getting started! Start with playing something you know you're good at and you like playing. From there move to to harder things!
2) PRACTICE with FRIENDS: We have students that will stay after school for 10 - 15 minutes and practice together instead of bringing their instrument home. Great!
6th Grade:
- Practice your instrument at least 2 times this week (10 minutes or more).
7th Grade:
- Be ready for our upcoming concert!
8th Grade:
- New Concert music: Hopak! & Max Joy
Thursday November 5 @ Central Heights
6pm - Students arrive for warm-up & attendance
6:30pm - Concert Begins (both bands will listen to each other)
Concert will last around 30 minutes - Students will stay the entire time and listen/support each other.
Marcia Berman Percussion Scholarship
$300 scholarship awarded to one or more student(s) who:
- are in grades 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12
- is a current Sun Prairie Bands percussion student
- has also participated in school and/or community clubs and organizations.
H.E.A.R. Scholarship
A $300 scholarship awarded to one or more band student(s) who identify as part of an underrepresented group:
- are in grades 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11
- are current members of the Sun Prairie Band program
- participated in school and/or community clubs & organizations
School Instrument Rental Fees
If your student rents an instrument from school, those fees are now posted in Infinite Campus. For percussionists there is a $25/year percussion use fee (covering both home practice instrument & school instruments).
Please pay as soon as possible - these funds help cover our repair budget.
*Note - this rate will increase next school year.
Music Shirt
All Central Heights students in Band, Choir, & Orchestra will have an official black polo music shirt as part of their performance uniform. 6th Grade students (and students new to Central Heights) have been fitted for a shirt.
FAQ's:
Do I have to pay for the shirt every year?
No, you only pay for the shirt the first time (usually in 6th grade). If you grow out of it, simply clean it and return it to exchange for a new one.
How much are they?
Music shirts are $24 and the fee is now in Infinite Campus.
What else is part of the music uniform for concert?
We don't want you to go out and buy anything special - growing kids are expensive!
- PANTS: darkest color and nicest you have (black prefered)
- SHOES & SOCKS: darkest color and nicest you have (black preferred)
CH Band Practice & Pep Band Club - Now in Session!
- ALL students (grades 6 - 8) are welcome practice, have snacks, and play pep band music together! We start right after school.
- Attendance is very flexible - come when you can and no worries if you can't make it every week.
- SNACK DONATIONS - Needed & Appreciated (or gift cards to buy snacks)
REMINDER - please enter the FRONT DOORS of Central Heights by 7:30am - Ms. Schell will let you in.
Jazz Bands will rehearse:
- Two mornings/week from 7:30 - 8:15am on Tuesday & Thursday mornings.
- Rehearsals begin Tuesday 10/6 and we will end in April (towards the end)
- There will be no rehearsals Nov. 5 (concert day - 7th), Dec. 8 (concert day - 8th), & December 22
There will also be a handful of performances possibly including and limited to:
- Central Heights Family Night, February 10th
- Central Heights Winter Band Concert, Monday February 15th
- Sun Prairie Middle School Jazz Festival, Friday March 12th
- Other TBD (school & community events)
Every band student will receive a weekly private or small group lesson for about 10 minutes with Mr. Melrose or Ms. Lechner.
Schedule HERE
- Tab #1 is a Master Spreadsheet. Hit "Ctrl F" and type in last name to find time
- Tab #2 is Band Spreadsheet where you can see how they fit into a schedule
When do they occur?
Students are schedule at a time that works for them during WIN time or during a class's individual work time. Teachers work together to find a time best for each student. Lessons can also happen before or after school - be in touch so we can find the best time for every student. If you/your student have concerns about when your lesson is (ex. missing a class that's hard for you), no problem - please email your band teacher to find a new time.
Questions?
No problem - it can be very confusing. Email or call and we're happy to help figure it out.
Please see linked tentative schedule above. Please communicate in as much advance as possible with any conflicts.
GOOGLE CALENDAR:
- Go to https://www.spbb.org/chms.html & scroll down
- Subscribe HERE
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday November 5, 6th & 7th Grade Band Concert @ 6:30pm
Saturday November 7, Sun Prairie Honors Band (optional & by audition)
Tuesday December 8, 8th Grade & SP East Band Concert @ 7:30pm, SP East
Need to update on supplies (reeds, swabs, valve oil, etc....)?
Click on the button link below.
Need help with supplies - no worries, reach out to Mr. Melrose or Ms. Lechner.
Central Heights Bands
Email: ipmelro@sunpairieschools.org
Website: https://www.spbb.org/chms.html
Location: 220 Kroncke Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608)318-5864
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunprairiebands/