INFORMATION FOR NEW BAND MEMBERS

Dear New Band Students and Parents,

First of all, I am very happy that you want to join band.  There are lots of things to know, and I will cover a few of them here.  I will also be meeting with new students and their parents on Tuesday, April 21st, at 7:00 pm in the band room at Houston High School.  Please make plans to attend this important meeting.  This is our first and only informational meeting for new participants.  It is important that I know exactly how many band members we will have well in advance of our pre-camp summer picnic.  I need this information in order to write the marching drill design for the fall marching show.

Shelby County Schools has provided us with a nice facility, but does not provide funding for the equipment, music supplies, extra instruction, travel/transportation expenses or other needs of the program.  Therefore, there is a band fee for Band Camp and Marching Band this year of $550.00.  Of this amount, $200.00 is due on or before May 15, 2009. The balance of $350.00 can be paid in two payments that are due on June 15 and July 15, 2009.  Checks should be made out to the Houston High School Band Boosters and mailed to:

Houston High School Band
9755 Wolf River Blvd.
Germantown, TN  38139.

The initial payment may also be made the night of the new student meeting.  The Houston Band Boosters will also be raising funds during the year with your help to cover the rest of the cost of providing students with what we feel is an educational, fun, and extraordinary music program.  There will be several Band Booster officers at the meeting on April 21st to answer any of your questions about volunteering, fund raising, uniforms, travel and other aspects of the program.

At this meeting you will also learn how you can earn funds for your student to off-set band fees by purchasing gift cards for most of your shopping needs.  Some cards (such as the Kroger and Schnucks cards) are re-loadable.  This program will be discussed at the informational meeting, and there is more information on our Forms page of this web site.  It is a convenient way to earn money for your student's account and to help the band as well.

Please check our web site calendar for times and dates of important events.  The web site is up-dated frequently.

I am looking forward to meeting each of you.  If you know of anyone who did not originally sign up for band or color guard and would like to join, please bring them to the meeting.  It is not too late for me to get them added to the class.  Or if you have a friend who did not enjoy their middle school experience but might like to give high school band a chance, have them contact me or please ask them to come on April 21st.

Sincerely,

Jim Smith