NOTES FROM THE DIRECTORS
Keep practicing social distance and safety protocols. If anyone has extra puppy pads to donate for the brass, we will happily accept them.
ALL WEST AUDITIONS
OVERALL AUDITIONS PROCESS
The 2020-2021 All-West Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Auditions will take place virtually.
https://wtsboa.website/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/All-West-2020-2021-VirtualAuditions-Guidelines.pdf
Submissions are due by 3:00pm Friday, February 5th. - No late submissions will be accepted.
TIPS FOR THE VIDEOS:
You will create 2 separate videos that are seamless; one for prepared, one for scales
Do not wear anything that has Houston on it
Both you and your instrument need to be in the frame the entire time
Prepared music: 9/10 play music straight through; 11/12 look at website to see excerpts
Scales: start with chromatic;circle of fourths (starting on your F); must be completed
within 3 minutes 30 seconds
Chromebooks talk to Taylor/Hagan for submission issues
VIDEO SUBMISSION PROCESS
Students will save their videos on a thumb drive
Label the videos in the following way: Last Name, First Name – What’s on the video
(Scales, Prepared, Bb Rhythm Changes, etc.) – What Ensemble (9/10 Band, Symphony Orchestra, etc.).
Band and Orchestra auditions should look like this: Hagan, John – Prepared – 9/10 Band
Jazz Band should look like this: Hagan, John – F Blues – Jazz Band
Students must submit the thumb drives to Mr. Taylor or Mr. Hagan.
If you wish to retrieve the thumb drive after the videos are submitted, be sure your name is
printed on the outside of the drive. - Thumb Drives are due NO LATER THAN 3:00 Friday,
February 5th
Full Details can be found in the charms email sent on 1/25/21
SPRING WIND ENSEMBLE OPPORTUNITY
This spring we are going to do something different in an effort to get together and hopefully
perform at an outdoor concert. We will work on standard band tunes, pop tunes and even some innovative music. Most importantly we will be together as a true Band. By signing up you agree to attend practice every Thursday 3:00pm-4:30pm starting on February 18th. There are not “auditions” for this band unless we have to scale down a section. There is no additional cost to be a part of this band. If you’re interested in performing as a band this spring, please complete the signup genius once it is available after Monday, February 8th.
SPRING MARCHING PRACTICE
We will be hosting Spring Training/Marching Fundamentals starting on Tuesday, April 6th
3:00pm-4:00pm. They will be held every week on Tuesday and Wednesdays after school
through May 18th. While these are not mandatory, they are strongly encouraged to catch up on what we missed this Fall. We want to be able to start strong at Band Camp in August and this allows our new band members and this year’s Freshmen to get ahead of the incoming 8th graders. They will be led by our Marching Coordinator Sean Younkin. Sean has a background from Drum Corp International and is really great at teaching the fundamentals of marching techniques and drill execution. Contact the directors or your section leader with any questions.
IMPORTANT DATES
Always stay up to date through the master calendar at
https://www.thehoustonband.com/calendar
2021-22 HOUSTON BAND BOARD
We have made it half-way through the school year, so now it’s time to plan for next year!
We realize that most freshmen and new member parents have not been able to experience all the fun/work that the Houston Band Board does during a regular year. But we want you to join us for next year! There are plenty of senior parents rolling off the board and we need your help.
Look through the positions list below and email Matt Taylor matthew.taylor@gmsdk12.org if
there is anything you are interested in. We have job descriptions for each one and by getting
involved now, we can pair you with the person leaving the position for training. We are hopeful that next year brings back Band Camp, Competitions, football Friday nights, Rockathon, Banquets and Concerts. This means we need to put together an enthusiastic board to get the job done. Don’t be shy, if you want to reach out to the current member and talk to them, their contact information is below as well. COME GET INVOLVED!
Band Booster Board
President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Fundraising, Uniforms,
Hospitality, Color Guard, Pit Crew, Drumline
We also have committee positions without monthly meeting obligations including, Uniforms,
Fundraising, Hospitality, Senior Recognition, All West Coordinator and Pit Crew
KROGER REWARDS
Calling all Kroger Shoppers, What an easy way to support the band!! Pick Houston High School Band Boosters (BW921) as your appointed Community Partner to receive Kroger Community Rewards. THE Houston Band receives a small percentage of money just by doing your regular family shopping at Kroger! This does not impact your Kroger Fuel Points earned on purchases.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Directors
Matt Taylor matthew.taylor@gmsdk12.org John Hagan john.hagan@gmsdk12.org Band Booster Board President Polly Cotten cotten17@aol.com Vice President Cheryl Morton cdasmorton@me.com Treasurer Holly Clark hollyclark164@yahoo.com houstonbandtreasurer@gmail.com Secretary Kelly Flaherty kellyflaherty42@gmail.com thehoustonbandgtwn@gmail.com Assistant Treasurer Molly Opferman opferman@gmail.com Fundraising Amy Burgess burgess3@gmail.com Uniforms Marla Reiser marlareiser@hotmail.com
AshleyBorgsmiller Ash1jeff@yahoo.com Hospitality Amy Eoff amyeoff@gmail.com
Erin Oldershaw ekheff@yahoo.com
Color Guard Deb Foyle foyledagain@comcast.net
Pit Crew Jeff Borgsmiller JeffBorgsmiller@yahoo.com
Trafford Seymour TraffordSeymour@gmail.com
Drumline Jasen Herrington jherrington@shoemakerfinancial.com