Dear HHS Band Students and Parents,
While this year has certainly been far from normal, I am excited to officially let you know that we do have a few performances and important dates on the calendar in these last 8.5 weeks of school that we are preparing for. As with everything during this pandemic plans could change in the interim, so for now my information will be general. More information on each of these events will be shared when we are closer to the events, but for now I wanted you to make sure you marked your calendars and planned accordingly.
Wind Ensemble Auditions – May 3-7
Basketball Pep Band – May 18-June 4
We’ve officially been given the go-ahead to play at home basketball games this year! Just like football games, students will be masked and socially distanced at all times and follow all restrictions included in the phase we are in at the time. Unlike football season, students will be able to choose what games to participate in. This will allow more students to be able to participate in basketball games. The game dates are below. Students will need to be at HHS by 6:30pm for games, and they will typically end around 9pm. More information will be sent home soon on how students can sign up for games, but for now please just add them to your calendar.
- Tuesday, 5/18
- Thursday, 5/20
- Friday, 5/21
- Tuesday, 5/25
- Friday, 5/28
- Tuesday, 6/1
- Thursday, 6/3
- Friday, 6/4
Please plan on wearing your black HHS Band t-shirt (not the sweatshirt), your HHS baseball cap, blue jeans, and black shoes. If you do not have the t-shirt or baseball cap, please email hockinsonmusicboosters@gmail.
Hazel Dell Virtual Parade – Tuesday, May 25 after school (3:30-5pm)
This year’s Hazel Dell Parade will be a virtual event since mass gatherings on street corners is generally discouraged during Covid. The parade committee will be producing a show that will be streamed on the internet and broadcast on local television (date TBA). On May 25, a film crew will be at HHS to record our band playing our parade tunes. We will play in the stadium bleachers at HHS socially distanced and masked. Being in Phase 3 allows enough participants that all members of the band will be able to participate.
Please plan on wearing your black HHS Band t-shirt (not the sweatshirt), your HHS baseball cap, blue jeans, and black shoes. If you do not have the t-shirt or baseball cap, please email hockinsonmusicboosters@gmail.
We will also have one after-school practice on Thursday, May 20 after school (3:30-5pm) as a full band in the bleachers.
Year-End Concert – Tuesday, June 8 after school
All bands will perform at this event! The concert will be at HHS, but depending on the phase we’re in may be either indoor (the gym) or outdoor (stadium/track). Right now, the plan is to have each group get a 30-minute playing window with a 15-minute transition time in between groups so that chairs can be sanitized and audience members can transition. All band members will be masked and socially distanced, and a small audience (depending on which reopening phase we’re in) will be allowed. The concert will also be livestreamed for those who will not be able to attend.
The tentative schedule for the concert is as follows:
- 5:30-6:00 Jazz Band
- 6:15-6:45 Percussion Ensemble
- 7:00-7:30 Symphonic Band
- 7:45-8:15 Wind Ensemble and Senior Recognition
ALL STUDENTS should plan on wearing BLACK dress pants/skirt and BLACK dress shirt/blouse, along with BLACK socks and BLACK shoes. We will not be using tuxedos this year for Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble since we did not place formal wear orders this year.
We will also have concert dress rehearsals on Monday, June 4 after school to practice in the gym and put wind players together with percussionists. 3:30-5:30 for Symphonic Band (and percussion) and 5:30-7:30 for Wind Ensemble (and percussion).
Graduation – Friday, June 11 at 6pm
The high school is currently planning for an outdoor graduation. If graduation remains outdoors we will perform live for graduation. All students will arrive at HHS by 6pm and set up on the track to start performing at 6:30pm. Graduation starts at 7 and is typically done by 8:30pm. If, however, graduation is forced to move inside the gym we will not be able to perform as there will not be enough room for seniors, their small audience, and the band to socially distance in the gym.
ALL STUDENTS should plan on wearing BLACK dress pants/skirt and BLACK dress shirt/blouse, along with BLACK socks and BLACK shoes.
SUMMER EVENTS TO INCLUDE ON YOUR CALENDAR
- Fireworks Stand Fundraiser – June 27-July 5: We will need students and adults to help with this event. More information on signing up for shifts will be distributed in June, but please try to plan accordingly. Missing our annual benefit dinner fundraiser 2 years in a row coupled with pending district budget cuts means we will be relying on these funds heavily next year.
- Band Camp – August 16-20 (and August 14 for Drumline) – 9am-4pm at HHS: Please plan summer vacations and other plans accordingly to make this date work for all new and returning band students. We will likely have our first football game the 3rd day of school next year, so this camp will be crucial to getting ready for that performance. It’s also just a ton of fun! All students are expected to attend.