Band Camp Is Coming!

Hello Band Students and Parents!

The HHS Drumline just wrapped up a fantastic Drumline Day here at the high school!  Our new and returning students did a fantastic job, and if this is any indication of how Band Camp will be next week I think we’re all in for a great time!  Drummers:  Please remember to pick up a pair of sticks (snares 2 pairs) and some white electrical tape ASAP.  If the music store is closed on Sunday, just visit after band camp on Monday or Tuesday.  You should have your sticks by Wednesday at the latest.   Vic Firth (Snares – Ralph Hardimon sticks, Tenors – MTS1 sticks, Basses – MBH mallets (1-4, depending on which drum you play).

Everyone remember, band camp runs Monday thru Friday, August 13-17, from 9 AM to 4 PM. 

Please remember to bring the following items to each day of camp (including the first day):

o    Marching/pep band instrument

o    Pencil!!!!!!!!!!

o    3 ring binder with at least 4 clear sheet protectors

o    Instrument lyre and flip folder with at least 20 flip folder pages

o    Water bottle (we will have cold water and Gatorade for you to fill your bottles with throughout the day)

o    Sunscreen

o    Lunch

Uniform Volunteers Needed:  We are still in need of volunteers to help with uniform fitting Monday–Wednesday.  Please click this link to sign up for a time:   http://signup.com/go/MfoZvXK

School Instruments:  If you need to use a school instrument and haven’t already emailed me, please make sure you do so before coming to camp so that I can have an instrument ready for you.  Rental agreements will be available for parents and students to fill out, and the office should be open to accept your $100 annual rental fee (checks made out to Hockinson High School).  Remember, all students who use a school instrument must sign the rental agreement and pay the fee in the office before using the instrument.  This includes returning students.  If you are using a school instrument, please show up a little before the start of band camp with a parent to take care of the paperwork and instrument checkout.  If you are using a school instrument, please remember to bring your own accessories (reeds, neck straps, etc.).

Attire:  Be sure to wear clothes that you can move freely in.  Dress for the weather, but are keep it school appropriate.  No one will be allowed to march in sandals, flip flops, or any open-toe shoe.  Please wear tennis shoes or some other closed-toe athletic shoe.  Don’t forget sunscreen!

Fall Sports:  Fall sports begin the week after band camp, per WIAA regulations.  Anything planned by coaches or teams at this point is purely optional. I point this out because every year there are some conflicts with workouts or other unofficial athletic events.  The school has directed fall coaches to not ask band students to do anything for fall sports during the week of band camp.  I purposefully put band camp this early in August so that it will not affect sports tryouts or your number of required practices to play in your first game. I am more than happy to speak with coaches if you would like me to.  Football players:  You will start practicing the Wednesday of Band Camp.  Once you know your schedule please plan your time around practice.  If football practice is the same time as band camp, go to football but plan on attending camp for the times not conflicting.

Wind Ensemble/Jazz Band Auditions:  Any students planning on auditioning (or re-auditioning) for vacant seats in Wind Ensemble or Jazz Band should plan on staying after band camp on Tuesday to do the live audition portion with me (12 major scales from memory, sightreading).  The two recorded pieces should be submitted to me by that time as well.  If you have not emailed me to let me know you are staying after, please be sure to do so.  While your audition will take about 5 minutes to do, please be ready to wait in line up to an hour depending on how many choose to audition.  More information on Wind Ensemble auditions are on the band website, www.hockinsonmusic.com. Please be prepared and remember that simply auditioning for Wind Ensemble does not guarantee you a spot in the group.

Parent Meeting Wednesday: The HHS Music Booster Club will be hosting an informational parent meeting and ice cream social at the conclusion of camp Wednesday, August 15 and 4pm.  We wanted to offer this meeting on Wednesday instead of the last day of camp on Friday for those families who have weekend plans.  The meeting will cover a variety of topics including marching uniforms, formal wear for Wind Ensemble/Percussion Ensemble/Jazz Band students, Football game procedures (meals, snacks, uniform help, water crew, etc.), volunteer opportunities big and small, and HHS Band Apparel.  A program as successful as ours relies on the support of all students and families.  As in past years, we are asking that each family volunteer for at least one job this year.  The opportunities will be explained in more detail at the meeting, and range in time commitment and frequency.

Questions?:  Please check the band website frequently (www.hockinsonmusic.com).  Dates for the year are listed on the letter sent home with students at the end of the year (see a copy here).  The same dates have not yet been added to the Google calendar on the website, but will be shortly. Be sure to “like” the Hockinson High School Band Facebook page as well. Do not hesitate to email me at corey.mcenry@hocksd.org with any questions or concerns.

I look forward to seeing each and every one of you once again to begin another fantastic year of band at Hockinson High School!