Summer Instrument Rental

All students who will be checking out a school owned instrument for the summer must pay a $25 CCISD Instrument Rental Fee.  This fee is assessed by our school district to provide and maintain instruments for students and is due at our Equipment Night on Tuesday, June 3rd.

Current freshman, sophomore, and junior students must see Mr. Brown to check out the instrument before Equipment Night.  Incoming freshman must email Mr. Brown and request an instrument so that we will have one available for pickup at Equipment Night.

Please note that we send many of our instruments out for summer repairs and we may not have an instrument available for everyone at Equipment Night.  Students that do not receive an instrument at Equipment Night because of repairs will be contacted when the instrument returns from the shop and arrangements will be made to pick it up from school.  Also,  because we are still a relatively new school and because some sections will be the largest they have ever been, we will not have enough instruments for everyone at Equipment Night.  In order to provide these students with instruments, we will be purchasing additional instruments, however, these new instruments may not be available until October.  In order to fill the gap between Equipment Night and October we will attempt to borrow instruments from other schools, though there is no guarantee that any will be available.

Posted on by Lester Williams. 0 comments

Student Leaders Announced

2014 – 2015 Charger Band Officers
  • Drum Majors:  Kunqian Li, Daniel Del Nero
  • President:  Nicholas Caten
  • Vice-President:  Kristen Canales
  • Historian:   Mary-Cate Brooks
  • Librarians:  Brittany Roller, Deanna Ingram, Joshua Kantara, Sabrina Pascualli, Faith Lamb, Aaron Lassmann
  • Brass Rep.:  Ashton Franssen
  • Woodwind Rep.:   LaShawna Townsel
  • Color Guard Rep.:  Lauren Grover
Marching Leaders
  • Flute:  LaShawna Townsel, Vanessa Le, Sabrina Pascualli
  • Clarinet:  Allyson Clark, Ben Hazel, Deanna Ingram, Brittany Roller
  • Saxophone/Low Reed:  Faith Lamb, Joshua Kantara
  • Trumpet:  Christian Cruz, Allan Key, Cole Gibbs, Craig Sellstrom
  • Horn:  Nicholas Caten
  • Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba:  Matt Larsen, Steven Carlisle, William Hill, Aaron Lassmann
  • Pit Percussion:  Mary-Cate Brooks
  • Color Guard:  Tamia Davis, Lauren Grover
  • New/Late Arrival/JV:   Caitlin Alexander, Kristen Canales

There will be a short meeting after school on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 2:31 PM!!!

Posted on by Lester Williams.

2014-2015 Parent Meeting

All members of the 2014-2015 Clear Springs Charger Band and at least one parent/guardian is required to attend next week’s meeting:

Tuesday, May 27th
6:00 PM
Clear Springs High School – Auditorium

We will discuss Summer Band, Equipment Night, the Orlando trip, Dues, and Fundraising.  This is the only opportunity to hear everything straight from the directors and ask questions as needed before next year.

Band placement audition results will be posted at the conclusion of the meeting.

We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Please bring the following items for our Rock-A-Thon Fundraiser:
  • A book of Stamps (20 stamps)
  • 10 or more Names and Addresses of Family and Friends
  • Optional – 10 pictures of your child in marching uniform, if available, if not with their instrument will be great. In the past, including a personal note and/or a photo of your child creates a more successful response in the mail- out.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Instrument Collection

CCISD will be conducting its annual inventory of all school owned instruments the week beginning May 27th.  In order to facilitate this, all school owned instruments must be turned in by Friday, May 23rd.  Failure to turn in an instrument will result in the full value of the instrument being added to the Clear Springs fine and fee list.

Notes:
  • If you need your instrument over the weekend, please see Mr. Brown.
  • We will begin checking the instruments back out to students on Thursday, May 29th.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Concert Uniform Collection

We will begin collecting Concert Uniforms on Monday, May 19th.

  • Uniforms must be dry cleaned and then returned to school still in the plastic.
  • Write student’s name on the receipt and then attached the receipt to the plastic.

Uniforms must be turned in by Friday, May 23rd or you will be added to the Clear Springs High School fine and fee list. Orchestra members may turn this in on Tuesday, May 27th.

Updated 5/21/2014: Deadline extended for orchestra members.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

2014-2015 Band Boosters Board

We are very excited to announce the 2014-2015 Band Boosters Board. The new board was elected at the Regular Band Boosters Meeting on Monday, May 12th. Congratulations and welcome aboard!

2014-2015 Band Boosters Board
  • Rebecca Valdez – President
  • Cathy Ingram – 1 Vice President, Fundraising
  • Bryan Clark – 2 Vice President, Communications
  • Karen Elizondo – Secretary
  • Glen Santos – Treasurer

The 2013-2014 Audit Committee was also selected. Our Financial information will be handed to this committee on June 1. They will submit the Audit Report to the District’s Internal Auditor and will present it at our September Regular Meeting.

2013-2014 Audit Committee
  • Janet Lamb, Chair
  • Edi Heilig
  • Barbara Hester

THANK YOU so much to these members for stepping up for our Charger Band.

Posted on by Band Booster.

Spring Concert

Our final concert of the year is coming up and everyone is cordially invited to attend and support the students as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform to a packed house with loud applause.

Thursday, May 15th
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:50 PM)
Clear Springs High School Auditorium

This concert is looking to be a great concert for the whole family. Selections will include a medley from The Wizard of Oz to celebrate its 75th anniversary, Let It Go from the movie Frozen, and two of Leroy Anderson’s most famous pieces, The Syncopated Clock and Bugler’s Holiday, featuring trumpet soloists Adam Hazel, Cole Gibbs, and Gilberto Torres.  You won’t want to miss it!

This will also be the last time our seniors will perform with The Clear Springs Charger Band.  This means that this concert could be the last time some of these seniors will ever play with a band again, so all family members and friends won’t want to miss it.

Important notes for students and parents:
  1. Uniforms will be worn
    • Boys – Tuxedo Jacket, tuxedo pants, tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black cummerbund, long black socks, black dress shoes or black marching shoes.
    • Girls – black band dress, black close toed shoes with an inch or less heel.
  2. Call time for Symphonic and Concert Bands is 6:00 PM
  3. Call time for Wind Ensemble is 6:30 PM
  4. We will begin collecting Concert Uniforms on Monday, May 19.
    • Uniform must be dry cleaned and then returned to school still in the plastic.
    • Write student’s name on the receipt and then attached the receipt to the plastic.

Uniforms must be turned in by Friday, May 23rd or you will be added to the Clear Springs High School fine and fee list.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Professional Band Portraits

Professional portraits will be taken of the band students on Friday, May 16th during their band class period in their concert and/or marching uniforms; students should bring their concert uniform on that day. The portraits will be taken by Wendy Larsen of Lakewood Photography.  Group photos will also be taken of the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble the night of our spring concert. Click the links below to download the order forms:

CSHS Band Individual Order Form 2014
CSHS Band Group Order Form 2014

Ms. Larsen will also have a table set up at the concert to take orders.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Pre-Participation Physical Opportunity

Do you still need to complete your pre-participation physical?  While this physical can be performed at your family doctor, UTMB is also offering physical screenings on Saturday, June 21st from 9am to 1pm at the Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes.  Cost is $25 dollars; students should wear t-shirts and shorts, and bring a signed UTMB consent form, available at www.utmbhealth.com/studentsports, and the CCISD Physical form available by clicking here. To save time at the screening, please complete the forms before your arrival. Appointments appreciated, walk-ins welcome. Click here for the flier.

All students who will be participating in High School Band during the 2014-2015 school year are required by the district to have a Pre-Participation Physical which must be dated after April 1, 2014. These Physical Forms will be due the first day of Summer Band, but can and should be turned in to the band office if completed before the end of the school year.  Forms are available for pickup in the band office and available for download online by clicking here.  Be sure to get the physical form back from the doctor after it is completed.  Do not rely on someone to turn the form in for you.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

CCISD Instrument Rental Fee

In order for our school district to provide and maintain instruments for students, Clear Creek ISD assesses a rental fee of $50 per semester ($100 for the entire school year) and $25 for the summer to students who use a school owned instrument.  This fee, while not small, is substantially less than what it would be to rent an instrument from a music store. We have not yet collected the instrument rental fee or the Clear Creek ISD Musical Instrument Loan Contract for the 1st or 2nd semester of the 2013-2014 school year.  Please print out and sign the Instrument Loan Contract from CHARMS and submit BOTH the contract and the payment for the 1st and 2nd semesters(if applicable). These should be turned in to Mr. Brown.  Please make Checks payable to “CCISD”.  DO NOT make checks payable to Clear Springs High School, to the band, to the booster club, or anything else.  ONLY MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO “CCISD”.

Please submit the payment and contract by Monday, May 19th or you will be added to the Clear Springs fine and fee list.

Instructions for downloading the loan contract:
  1. Login to CHARMS
  2. Click the “Inventory Uniforms” icon
  3. You should see a list of items checked out to the students, click the button labeled “F” to the right of an instrument (not a lock or locker)
  4. Print the form
Important Notes:
  • If a student uses more than one school owned instrument, only one contract and one payment needs to be submitted.
  • As this is a CCISD fee and not a Clear Springs Band fee, this fee will not show up in the financial section of CHARMS and cannot be paid with a credit card through CHARMS.  However, you can track whether or not the contract and payment has been turned in by logging into CHARMS and then clicking on the “Forms Collected” icon.
  • Percussion have to pay this fee as they use school owned instruments.
  •  Do not turn in money for summer rentals yet, we will collect that at equipment night.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Booster Meeting Reminder

Band parents and students, you are all cordially invited to attend the last Band Boosters meeting of this school year.

Monday, May 12th
7:00PM
Band Hall

Click the button above to add this event to your personal google calendar.

Posted on by Band Booster.

2014-2015 Audition Material

The 2014-2015 audition material is now available for download from CHARMS.

Download Instructions:
  1. Click here or the CHARMS link at the top of the page.
  2. Under “STUDENT AREA PASSWORD”, enter your CCISD student ID.
  3. Click on the “HANDOUTS & FILES” icon.
  4. Click on the “2014-2015 Audition Music” folder.
  5. Click on the PDF for your instrument.

Woodwind and brass auditions begin the week of May 19th and percussion will be May 27th, please check our Google Calendar for the specific day and times.

The audition material contains a cover letter with more detailed information.  Please read it as it contains information that you will need to know for auditions.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Texas Music Scholar Award

The Texas Music Scholar Award designates students in high school music programs who exemplify attributes of meritorious performance in the areas of scholarship, musicianship, and citizenship. Designation is attained by TMEA Active Member recommendation of students in grades 9-12 who have met the following criteria during the current school year:

  • Is a viable member of the school’s parent musical organization for the entire school year.
  • Maintains in all coursework an overall “A” average as defined by the local school district for the entire school year.
  • Maintains academic eligibility for the entire school year.
  • Participates in all scheduled events of the parent organization.
  • Attends, as an audience member, two director-approved concert events of high school, collegiate or professional level during a school year.
  • Has auditioned, been selected, and participated as required in a TMEA or ATSSB organization (band, orchestra, or choir).
  • Performs a UIL Prescribed Music List Class 1 solo for a competition or public performance.
  • Consistently exhibits behavior which brings honor to the parent organization, school and community.

These criteria may be met through participation singularly or in any combination of band, orchestra, or vocal organizations. The distinction may be achieved each school year. The school year is defined as the beginning of the year through the next-to-the-last official grade reporting period of the local school district for the purposes of calculating grade averages and determining eligibility. To be eligible for this award, turn in a typed resume’ listing the criteria met and attach a copy of the third nine weeks report card by Tuesday, April 29.  Late applications will not be accepted. Texas Music Scholars receive a certificate, patch and letter from the Texas Music Educators Association signed by the Executive Director. Please note that this is an award, not a scholarship or other offer of money.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

2013-2014 Band Banquet

The 2013-2014 school year is quickly coming to a close, which also means that the 2013-2014 edition of the Clear Springs Charger Band will be coming to an end as our seniors graduate and incoming freshman join to form the 2014-2015 Clear Springs Charger Band.  However, before we say goodbye to our seniors and welcome in the new freshman, lets all get together and celebrate our achievements from this year as well as reminisce about your favorite memories by attending the 2013-2014 Clear Springs Charger Band Banquet.

The program for the banquet will begin with an Italian dinner buffet after which the directors will present various awards for achievement and service to various members regardless of class.  We will also be having door prizes and will be treated to what I’m sure will be an awesome slide show, which is being put together by Mr. Clark.  To close the evening we will crank up the volume on our loudspeakers, which are entirely overkill for indoor use, and let the kids loose on the dance floor.  Don’t worry parents, there will be parent chaperones to keep an eye, or several, on things.  To request a song, sign in to Google with your @students.ccisd.net account and then click here to take you to a Google Form.  Mr. Williams and Mr. Brown will review every song, so keep it clean.

Cost: $30 per person
Make checks payable to: CSHS BAND BOOSTERS or pay online here.
Payments are due no later than May 9 to the Band Hall safe.
Student ticket orders must have the following 3 items included:

Friday, May 16, 2014
7:00 – 11:00 pm
Doors will open at 6:30 pm
Nassau Bay Hilton

Please note:

  • Only currently enrolled CSHS band students may attend.  Dates and former band members may not attend. 
  • Students may not leave and re-enter the banquet.
  • Students who do not drive themselves must be picked up by 11:00 PM.
  • Parents may purchase tickets and attend; however, we are limited to the capacity of the room.  Students, staff, CSHS Band Boosters Executive Board, banquet organizers, invited guests, and senior parents are placed at the head of the guest list.  If ticket purchases exceed room capacity, we will notify those who are on the excess list and issue refunds accordingly.
Updated 04/29/2014: added link to instructions for getting “All Clear Form”

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Dallas Trip Meeting

With our spring trip to Dallas fast approaching, please remember that we will be having a mandatory trip meeting for BOTH students and at least one of their parents/guardians.

Monday, April 28th
7:00 PM
Clear Springs High School

We will be discussing important information about the trip, including but not limited to rules and expectation of student behavior, as well as what to bring, and our itinerary.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Pre-Participation Physicals

All students who will be participating in High School Band during the 2014-2015 school year are required by the district to have a Pre-Participation Physical which must be dated after April 1, 2014.  These Physical Forms will be due the first day of Summer Band.  Forms are available for pickup in the band office and available for download online by clicking here.

This physical can be performed at your family doctor, however a doctor will be available at Clear Springs on Thursday, April 24th from 2:00 to 5:30 for your convenience.  This will be in the Clear Springs High School Competition Gym.  The cost will be $25 dollars; cash is preferred or checks may be made payable to Dr. John Kirkwood.

These physicals are due the first day of Summer Band, but can and should be turned in to the band office if completed before the end of the school year.  Do not let the trainer keep the form.  Wait for the doctor’s signature and take the form with you when you are done.  You can then turn the form in the next day to Mr. Brown or Mr. Williams.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

UIL & Pre-UIL Performances Upcoming

The students have been working hard for several months now preparing for The UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest which is right around the corner.  However, before they perform at Pearland for judges they will be performing their contest music at our Pre-UIL concert so that the students can have an opportunity to perform for an audience before UIL and so that friends and family who cannot attend UIL can have an opportunity to hear the contest music.

Pre-UIL Concert
Tuesday April 15th
7:00pm
Clear Springs High School – Auditorium

Please come and support your child and encourage any other friends/family to come as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform a concert with a large audience and loud applause.  If you are able, please consider also coming to Pearland and supporting the students at their UIL performances as well.

UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest
Symphonic Band
Tuesday, April 22nd
11:00am
Pearland High School – Auditorium
Wind Ensemble
Thursday, April 24th
2:00pm
Pearland High School – Auditorium

Important Reminders!

  1. Uniforms will be worn for both performances
    • Boys – Tuxedo Jacket, tuxedo pants, tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black cummerbund, long black socks, black dress shoes or black marching shoes.  IMPORTANT:  FRESHMAN BOYS NEED TO TRY ON THEIR TUXEDO TODAY SO WE CAN SEE IF THEY NEED TO BE RE-SIZED BEFORE THE CONCERT!  IT IS VERY COMMON FOR SOME TO HAVE GROWN A SIZE SINCE OUR LAST PERFORMANCE.
    • Girls – black band dress, black close toed shoes with an inch or less heel
  2. As these performances get closer please ensure that you are at all after school rehearsals and in attendance at school unless very ill.
  3. Students that take private lessons during band class, should reschedule your lessons or postpone them until after UIL so that all students will be in band class the weeks of April 14th and 21st.
  4. Detail times for both events can be found in the event’s description on our Google Calendar.  You can see this description by clicking on the event.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Drumline Send Off & State Championships

The indoor drumline season is almost over and all the students have been working hard to put the finishing touches on the show.  In preparation for the TCGC Percussion Championship show this Saturday they will be having a send off performance this Friday:

Friday, April 4th
approximately 7:30pm
Clear Springs HS Gym

Please show your support for our drumline by attending the send off performance above.  Also, If you are able to make the trip to college station on Saturday, please come and support them for their TCGC Championship performance on Saturday.

Saturday, April 5th
2:27pm
Texas A&M University-Reed Arena

Click on the Google Calendar buttons above to add these events to your personal Google Calendar. Also, please share this post with friends and family to help spread the word by clicking the Facebook, Twitter, and/or Email buttons below.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Last Fundraiser of the Year

The Band Boosters with the support from Chili’s will be having a Give Back Event on:

TUESDAY APRIL 1, 2014
From 11AM – 11PM
at Chili’s on NASA Rd One.

With each flyer presented on April 1, 2014, Chili’s will donate 20% of the event day sales back to our organization.  Please feel free to share the flyer with family and friends.  Download Flyer

This will be the last fundraising event of this School Year.  Let’s all give it one last push!

Thank you  for supporting the Charger Band.

Posted on by Band Booster.