For all of those families new to the High School, I am attaching the following google form to be able to gather information to keep everyone up to date when emails, or alerts are sent out. I am also sending the remind codes for the bands for the same purpose.
Remind codes:
Jazz Band – @815cb5
Symphonic Band – @a743b
Wind Ensemble – @8643g
Marching Band – @9b97e
Here’s a Sign Up Genius for uniform distribution: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/8050B44AFAE2FA20-uniform
Attached is the sign up for those wishing to help our students and parents already committed to a great season. Please sign up as you are able to help us aid students and parents with the loading up of the trailer, aiding of students and helping monitor students on buses. This also guarantees free entrance to the games and the chance to watch your child(ren).
Hello Everyone,
Attached is the order form for our uniform package that we wear each year (many students should have brought this home already). The form needs to be returned completely filled out by next Thursday (the money does not have to be turned in right away – just the form). Friday morning will be the latest it can be returned or your child will not have a uniform by the first game.
For all Freshman families, we have each family buy the entire packet so the whole band enters all games looking as uniform as possible. The only thing I leave to each family to decide on is the shoes which students wear to the games. I am no longer requiring students to wear the marching shoes as we have in the past due to the unpredictability in the sizing and their uncomfortable nature. Students have to have all black shoes for the games – no white stripes, or colored logos of any kind. They have to be completely black.
After Freshman year, students only need to purchase the t-shirt for that corresponding year and any missing or damaged items they need. The uniform does not change in order to help offset costs. This current order form unfortunately does not have the concert shirts as requested, so that will be posted soon. It is a black button down dress shirt with our logo and the students corresponding band on the breast (approx. $22). This is for the boys only as girls will be wearing black dresses (no skirts or low cut tops?).
Thank you,
Brian Sims
The following rehearsal schedule will be in place for this coming week: Monday-Wednesday, 10-5pm. Coach Q and our Woodwind and Brass coaches will be present and willing to run rehearsals. These days were explained to the band members to be voluntary as many parents did not plan on bringing their children to the school for practice. It would be very advantageous for them to come since we have had the misfortune to be running behind due to the school’s construction. Thursday and Friday will remain 2:30-6:30. These are mandatory rehearsals.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this very abnormal band camp.
Brian Sims
Rehearsal schedule for the next, 7/30-8/3:
No rehearsal Monday through Wednesday. We will be rehearsing Thursday and Friday from 2:30-6:30. The following week, school begins and rehearsals will begin on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-5. It is to be determined whether we will be rehearsing Mondays in addition. We are behind on schedule, not due to the students but to the displacement we have had to face due to construction. If we are able to catch up, we will not have extra rehearsals.
Thank you,
Brian Sims
The field show music (Mr. Brownstone) has been updated and altered to be as playable as possible.
Hello everyone,
In order to get caught up on the time lost due to all of the school construction, we will be running band camp this week from 9:30-6:30. This will not only give us time to get caught up on the music but we will hopefully be able to work outside when it is cooler both in the mornings and afternoons, avoiding the heat of the middle of the day. Hopefully, the Freshman lot will be finished this week and we will be able to start car washes outside the band room which we do each year on Saturdays. More information on that will come as I find out our options.
Also, two forms should have been brought home: A student information form that lets me be aware of any allergies or medical conditions and provides me with parent email information to be added to the email list, and an instrument rental form. There is no fee for using school instruments, but if any damage occurs during the time of use, I request that you take care of any repairs needed. The latter form requires a parent signature thus stating that you agree to and understand this. We are blessed to have many instruments to share but they require constant upkeep. Wear and tear is something I pay for, but damage is entirely different (dropping, stepping on, banging into a doorway, breaking keys or denting slides, valves or any portion of the instrument not already damaged). Both of these forms need to be turned in Monday morning. Especially the form allowing your child to use our instrument(s).
If you are not receiving emails yet, send a note to us here on the site so I may add you or send me an email requesting it at simsb2@scsk12.org. I am trying to add everyone I have been in contact with but know I am missing several students, many of which have not shown up for camp the last couple of days.
Thank you,
Brian Sims
Hello Everyone,
As of now, we do not have access to WSMS, and I do not feel comfortable lining the field of a supportive church. After talking to Mrs. Holland from our school, we are being given the opportunity to utilize the Freshman building across the way from the band room (the stand alone building closest to Poplar and Walgreens). We will still be using the field on campus as we always have. The schedule at the moment will be as follows:
Tuesday – No practice
Wednesday – 10-1 (Includes all officers and section leaders/heads) This is also the best day if the opportunity is present for any student needing an instrument to come to the school to check one out.
Thursday – 9:30-5:30 This will be the first full practice and will include all band members. Unfortunately, due to the work on the school, we are unable to host the Freshman camp as we have in the past. All students are expected to attend.
Friday – 8-5 Again, this is required of all students regardless of grade level.
Once I know more, Thursday or Friday, I will let everyone know about next week. I apologize that I do not have more information but I am trying to make everything work and am trying to schedule space with the football team which is also scrambling to make their practices happen. Thank you all for your patience!
Brian Sims
Hello Everyone,
I have recently received word that our band room will not be finished until July 26th. This means that we are not able to bring students in until the week after assuming the work is completed on schedule. This will mean that we will only be on campus August 2-3, 2:30-6:30, followed by school starting the next week and after school rehearsals.
Regarding our options at the moment, I would first like to acknowledge and thank all of the students and parents that have instantly reached out to try to help find our group places to work. This shows the strength and care that our families have and I really appreciate the care that everyone takes in our students. Thank you!
At the moment, the following two options appear to be the best and I am waiting on responses to see which one will work for us: White Station Middle School and Shady Grove Presbyterian Church. I am waiting on a response from the principals (from both schools) to see if the Middle School is an option as it would be ideal for everything we need. Mr. Scott is okay with us using his space but we need to obtain permission from Dr. Danley. I am reaching out to the church this weekend as well just in case, but the Middle School would by far be the most logical choice considering everything we typically do during rehearsal time.
As things stand, the following will be the schedule for this week (I apologize as this will need to be given one week at a time until I have definitive answers on where and what we are able to accomplish):
Monday, July 16th – All Officers and Section Leaders/Heads will meet from 10-1 at the Main Library on Poplar:
Tuesday, July 17th – will be a day off
Wednesday, July 18th – All officers, section leaders/heads will meet at the band room from 10-1 to prepare setup of the instruments and paperwork for all other students. I have cleared this with the administration and am requesting that we have that time free from any work being done in our area.
Thursday and Friday, July 19-20 – Timing to be announced based upon approval of playing space. However, all students will need to come at the earliest time provided (once I am able to give that time) so they may check out an instrument. Unless I am able to take instruments with our trailer to the specified location, students will have to come to us for this. I will try to work the latter option out but everything depends on our practice location.
Please continue to bear with me on what is but a temporary sidetrack to the start of the year. Once we are able to get things going, I have no doubt we will be able to create wonderful music given the strong musicianship we are blessed to have.
Thank you for your patience!
Brian Sims
