Hello Band Students and Parents!
The brand new 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!
Everyone remember, band camp runs
Monday thru Friday, August 15-19, from 9 AM to 4 PM. I know this is a long email, but please read to the end in order to be fully prepared for camp.
As stated in my earlier email, please remember to bring the following items to each day of camp (including the first day):
- Marching/pep band instrument
- Pencil!!!!!!!!!!
- 3 ring binder with at least 5 clear sheet protectors
- Instrument lyre and flip folder with at least 20 flip folder pages
- Many schools in our area have band camp the same week as us and many music stores run out of these items quickly. The sooner you get your lyre and flip folder, the better. I also recommend you bring your instrument with you if possible to try the lyre on your instrument, as some lyres can be slightly too big or small.
- Water bottle (we will have cold water and Gatorade for you to fill your bottles with throughout the day)
- Sunscreen
- Lunch (there are microwaves in the high school commons students may use)
Shoes: An email was sent out earlier this week with details regarding the MTX marching shoe and pep band t-shirts that every student must purchase. If you didn’t receive the email or you have questions, please contact Deyona Furuheim at furuheimfam@msn.com. Returning students: Please be sure you bring your shoes from home.
School Instruments: If you need to use a school instrument and have already requested one on the RSVP form, I have sent you a separate email with your rental agreement. Please bring print, sign, and return the form on the first day of camp. The high school office will not open until August 17 to accept your $125 rental fee, so please just take care of that fee by the first week of school. Remember, all students who use a school instrument must sign the rental agreement before using the instrument. This includes returning students. If you do not have access to a printer or forget to fill it out, please show up 15-20 minutes 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 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 shoes. Don’t forget sunscreen!
Weather: The forecast is calling for warm weather next week. We are taking the necessary protocols to keep students safe during camp. Cold water and Gatorade will be available throughout the day (bring a refillable water bottle). In addition, we will be taking care of all marching activities in the morning block (9am to noon) and heading either indoors or under cover in the bleachers for the afternoon music block (1-4pm).
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: Football practice will start the Wednesday of Band Camp and starts at 4pm. I will release you at 3:30 from camp so you can go get ready for practice.
Wind Ensemble/Jazz Band Auditions:
Any students planning on auditioning (or re-auditioning) for vacant seats in Wind Ensemble should plan on staying after band camp on Monday 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 AND JAZZ BAND auditions are on the band website, www. hockinsonmusic.com. Please be prepared and remember that simply auditioning does not guarantee you a spot in the group.
Parent Meeting Thursday: The HHS Music Booster Club will be hosting an informational parent meeting (with root beer floats for students!) at the conclusion of camp Thursday, August 19 at 4pm. We wanted to offer this meeting on Thursday 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. Our hope is that each family can volunteer for at least one job sometime this year. The opportunities will be explained in more detail at the meeting, and range in time commitment and frequency.
Marching Band Pictures Thursday: We will be doing our annual individual pictures for Marching Band during camp on Thursday. Please remember to bring a pair of black socks and your HHS baseball cap (if you brought it home last year). Returning students need to bring their MTX marching band shoes. New students who are purchasing shoes please bring a pair of solid black shoes. If this is a problem please talk to our uniform parent volunteers during the week and we’ll find you a pair of shoes to borrow. Everyone will get their picture taken to be used in our concert programs and the football program. These pictures will be available for purchase if you choose to do so.
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 which you can find on the website. All dates have been added to the Google calendar on the website, so make sure to subscribe to it! Be sure to “like” the Hockinson High School Band Facebook and Instagram pages 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!
Corey McEnry
Director of Bands
Hockinson High School
16819 NE 159th Street
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
(360) 448-6450 x5594
corey.mcenry@hocksd.org
http://www.hockinsonmusic.com