CCISD PRE-UIL MARCHING CONTEST

The CCISD Pre-UIL Marching Contest is our first opportunity to see the Charger Band perform in a contest setting. It is a dress rehearsal for all the CCISD bands to kick the contest season.

There is no admission fee.

The evening’s performance schedule is as follows:

6:45 PM – Clear Springs
7:00 PM – Clear Falls
7:15 PM – Clear Creek
7:30 PM – Clear Brook
7:45 PM – Clear Lake

Location/Schedule:
Tuesday, October 3

3:45 PM – Rehearsal
4:45 PM – Load Truck, Change into Full Uniform, Dinner
5:45 PM – Line up in Band Hall
5:55 PM – Depart CSHS
6:45 PM – Perform
7:00 PM – Load Truck
7:30 PM – Depart Challenger Columbia Stadium
7:40 PM – Arrive CSHS, Unload Truck, Check in uniform
8:15 PM – All students picked up

Challenger Columbia Stadium
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX 77598 (map)

Please come and support the band and encourage any other friends/family to come as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform at a contest with a large cheering section. Family and friends can show their support by cheering louder than any other band’s supporters. We should hear an especially loud cheer both when they announce our band at the beginning of our performance and at the conclusion of our performance. Applause is also needed after solos, section features, and big musical or visual moments. This is not like concert season. A lot of applause is highly encouraged.

Posted on by admin.

HOW TO WEAR YOUR UNIFORM

What To Do In Uniform:
  • Walk in pairs (e.g. when going to the restroom)
  • Double knot shoes
  • Always wear full uniform (unless instructed by director)
  • Gloves, shakos, and jacket must be put on or taken off when instructed to do so by directors
What Not To Do In Uniform:
  • No running in uniform
  • No eating in uniform (except 3rd quarter snack or where authorized by directors)
  • No inappropriate language
  • No jewelry (e.g. earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc…)
  • No bandanas or thick headbands
  • No sunglasses (unless authorized by directors)
What Should Be In Hat Box:
  • Shako
  • Gloves
  • Flip folder
  • Lyre
  • Nothing else is permitted in the hat box, especially food of any kind.
Gloves:
  • When not being worn gloves should be in pants pocket.  Gloves should be put in hat box for transport.
Shakos (band hat):

To wear your shako correctly,

  • Place two fingers flat on your nose and pull the brim down until the brim touches your fingers.
  • If you wear glasses, pull the brim down until the brim touches the top of your glasses.
  • Adjust string inside so that the shako touches the top of your ears
  • Adjust chin strap so that it fits securely underneath chin at all times while wearing shako.
  • Forehead must not be visible.

When not wearing shako,

  • Put in hat box.
  • If hat box is not available then place shako in front of you, right side up, with brim facing forward, and chin strap pulled behind.
  • Shako should never be upside down.
  • When carrying shako, you must carry in the left hand with 3 fingers over brim and thumb and pinky underneath.
  • Never carry shako upside down or use it as a bucket to carry other items.
Bibbers:
  • Lightweight properly fitting athletic shorts must be worn underneath the pants (not thick or oversized).
  • Bibbers are either completely on or completely off as instructed by directors.
  • Suspenders should be up over the shoulders.
  • Bibbers should always be zipped.
  • Pants should fit with a very tailored look (not baggy or loose).
  • Suspenders should be tightened enough so that the crotch of the pants is in the correct position.
  • Hem of pants should be adjusted so that the pants touch the top of the shoe without a break in the crease.
  • Students should never ever under any circumstance take the suspenders off, unzip the pants, and roll down the top of the bibbers so that they are around the waist.
  • When not worn, bibbers must be properly placed on a hanger (creases matching) and in the garment bag.
Jackets:
  • Jackets are completely on or completely off as instructed by directors.
  • Students should never walk around with their uniform unzipped.
  • Jackets must be fully zipped.  The one exception is that jackets must be halfway unzipped during uniform inspection so that we can check to make sure students have the correct t-shirt on underneath their jackets.  Jackets must be zipped before students leave the band hall.
  • When not wearing jacket it must be on a hanger in garment bag or folded correctly and placed on top of the shako.
  • Your uniform should never touch the ground.  The one exception will be that pit and tubas will turn their jackets inside out and then fold them and place on the ground when instructed.
  • When carrying shako and folded uniform, place folded uniform on left forearm underneath shako (use shako to hold jacket in place).  This is how we will enter the stands at football games.
Hair:
  • Long hair must be tied back when not wearing shakos.
  • When wearing shakos, all hair must be up inside the shako.
  • Hair must not extend below the top of the jacket’s collar.
  • Hair must not cover ears.
  • Bangs must not be visible under the brim.  This should be checked before game day.
  • All students (male and female) whose hair is not short, must use thin black hair ties, thin black headband, bobby pins, and/or hair spray to keep their hair up inside their shako.  Alternatively, students can get a hair cut.
  • No excessive makeup, extreme hairstyles as determined by the director, or any other decorations that may detract from uniformity are allowed.

Posted on by admin.

Game Day Checklist – FULL UNIFORM – NEW INFORMATION

Please make sure that you have the following items with you for all Football games that require the Full Uniform.  We will have a uniform inspection in the band hall before departing for the game to check for all of these items except some instruments (see below).  Students missing items will either need to purchase new items or will be sent home.

Full uniform = Black band jacket, black band bibbers (pants), plain calf-length black socks, black band shoes, black gloves (winds only), blue band shirt with white horse head on back of neck worn under uniform.

What should be brought to school in school-issued tote bag and taken home after the game:
  • Instrument (flute, clarinet)
  • Lyre
  • Flip Folder
  • Black Band Shoes
  • Calf-Length Black Socks
  • Blue moisture-wicking shirt with horse head logo on back of neck
  • Gloves (woodwinds & brass)
  • Hat box with shako inside
  • Black shorts with black belt (in case of rain)
  • School-issued garment bag
  • Empty blue band water jug
What should be loaded on truck:
  • Instrument (except flutes and clarinets) and instrument accessories (e.g. reeds, valve oil, sticks, harnesses, etc….)
  • Lyre
What you need for uniform inspection:

Please be fully dressed in the full uniform for uniform inspection.

  • Flutes and Clarinets inside tote bag
  • Flip folder (containing ALL stand tunes in order) Do NOT load this on the truck.
  • Blue half gallon water jug purchased at Equipment Night
  • Black band tote bag – checked out to you for season
  • Black band garment bag – checked out to you for season
  • Uniform hangers
  • Marching uniform jacket (checkout AFTER dinner)
  • Marching uniform pants (checkout AFTER dinner)
  • Blue sweat-wicking t-shirt with horse head on the back
  • Plain calf length black socks
  • Black band shoes
  • Hat box
  • Shako (that is the band hat) inside hat box inside tote bag
  • Black band gloves
  • Black shorts (in case it rains)
  • Plain black leather or faux-leather belt [NO bling] (in case it rains)
  • Longer hair tied back with plain THIN/SKINNY BLACK hair tie
What you cannot have:

This is not a comprehensive list, only a list of the most common items that students bring that they are not allowed to have.

  • No jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, wristwatches, anklets, etc…
  • No thick/wide or colored headbands (students may wear a THIN/SKINNY BLACK headband to keep there bangs out of their face)
  • No Sunglasses
  • Phones must remain out of sight at all times

Posted on by admin.

GAME 3 vs. Creek – SENIOR NIGHT

Schedule/Location:
Friday, September 29

3:00 Rehearsal
4:00 Load Truck/Eat Dinner/Change into full uniform
4:45 Chaperone Meeting outside Band Hall
5:00 Inspection in the Band Hall
5:15 Depart CSHS
5:50 Arrive Veterans Memorial Stadium
6:15 Senior Night begins
7:00 Kickoff
10:00 Depart Veterans Memorial Stadium
10:20 Arrive CSHS
10:50 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

Veterans Memorial Stadium
2305 E Main St, League City, TX 77573 (map)

This will be our first performance wearing our full uniform.  Please make sure that you read the new game day checklist below BEFORE Friday or you will be very stressed.

  • Game Day Checklist (FULL UNIFORM) – read this to make sure you have everything.  Students missing items will either be required to purchase a new item or will be sent home.
  • Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations – read this so that you know what to and not to do. (e.g. – do not eat in the stands except for our 3rd quarter snacks or you will be suspended from the remaining football games.)

Posted on by admin.

MEET THE CHARGERS: TAKE 2

This is a community pep rally where all members of the community are invited to come and show their support for the Clear Springs Charger Band, Silverados, Cheerleaders, and Fall Athletes.

Schedule:

Wednesday, September 27

5:00 – Report to Band Hall for program photos
6:00 – Set up in Gym
6:30 – Event begins
7:30 – End of event
7:35 – Band Hall closed/all students picked up
Clear Springs High School – Competition Gym

What to wear:

Summer uniform: blue band shirt, black band shorts, black belt, black band shoes

Posted on by admin.

TMEA ALL-STATE & REGION ETUDES AVAILABLE

The high school region band process is very similar to the junior high region band process; however, there are two main differences.  The first is that there is a freshman only region band audition which takes place before the high school audition  and is for the purpose of earning a region band patch, points toward your letter jacket, and most importantly practice for the high school region auditions.  There is no performance for those who make the Freshman Region Band.  Freshmen may audition for freshman region, high school region, or both. The second main difference between junior high and high school is that the highest placing students at Region band will advance to the Area band auditions and then the highest placing students at Area will become Texas All-State musicians, a very prestigious and challenging honor to attain.  They will then have the privilege of performing with one of the All-State ensembles at the Texas Music Educators Association convention in San Antonio in February.

Though participation in the region band auditions is not required it is strongly encouraged as the whole process is a very educationally beneficial one.  In addition, the region band auditions are a major factor in determining a student’s placement for the second semester.   All Symphonic Band students will be tested on the Freshman cuts and all Wind Ensemble students will be tested on the entire etudes starting in September. Placement at the region audition in December will be a factor in second semester placement.

TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) has posted the etude lists for the 2017-2018 All-State & Region Band auditions which can be viewed on TMEA’s website by clicking here.  For your convenience, we have also created packets with the etudes and performance guides available for download from CHARMS.  The

We highly recommend that everyone purchase the etude books as the same book is often used every year and these books are excellent practice tools after All-State auditions have ended and before next year’s etudes are announced.  The list of etude books can be found on TMEA’s website by clicking here.

All-State & Region Practice Recommendations

Do NOT immediately sit down and start playing through the etudes.  You will learn bad habits from doing this that will be hard to fix later.  Instead, break the etudes into small easily manageable sections, work through the steps below until successful and then play through the sections of music. (A section can be a couple of measures, one line, or maybe 2 lines, but do not do more than 2 lines at a time.)

  1. Read the Performance Guide
    • This can be found on TMEA’s website by clicking here or in the packets available for download from CHARMS
    • Read it again as you begin to learn and improve on the etudes
    • Pay special attention to anything written in red as this is official errata that should be marked/corrected in your music.  If your copy of the music reflects what is written in the errata, then you are most likely playing off of the current edition of the music.  Most errata are corrections from old editions of the books that private lesson teachers may have in their libraries.
  2. Practice small sections of the music at a time
    • Mark your phrases before you start practicing
    • Work on only one phrase at a time
    • Do not combine phrases until you can do each of the following
      • Play each phrase without stopping
      • Play each phrase with logical breaths
      • Play each phrase at the same tempo
  3. Attack the hard parts first!
    • These will be the sections that need the most time to work up
    • It is OK to go slower on these sections in the beginning
    • Is is NOT OK to play through the etude slowing down on the hard parts and speeding up on the easy ones.  Everything must be at the same tempo unless there is a ritardando or a tempo change that is marked
  4. Use a metronome
    • Seriously, use a metronome 100% of the time that you are practicing, and focus on completing the steps below, in-time with the metronome
    • Start slow, only get faster when you can complete all of the steps below successfully
    • Don’t get frustrated and turn the metronome off.  Keep it on and make yourself stay with it
    • If you can’t play it with the metronome, then you definitely can’t play it without one
  5. Determine the key of each section and practice the scale, scale in thirds, and arpeggios for that key.
    • A lot of times the key is in the title
    • If it is in a minor key, practice the scale, thirds, and arpeggios three times more than you would if it were a major key
    • Memorize the scale, thirds, and arpeggios
    • Be sure to play the full range of the etude
    • Practice with a metronome turned on
    • Practice both slowly while focusing on getting every note to sound the same, and fast while focusing on getting your fingers to be even
    • Make this a part of your daily routine every time you practice
    • If there are chromatic segments, practice the chromatic scale as well
  6. Count the rhythm with a metronome
    • Count as strongly as if you were playing (don’t whisper under your breathe)
    • Instrument should be in playing position
    • Finger/position your part as you count
    • Only continue when you have counted and fingered/positioned 100% successfully.
    • If there is a rhythm that you are not sure how to count, work on a different section until you have asked for help
    • Continue doing this two or three times a week until auditions are over
  7. Say note names with a metronome
    • Always do this under tempo since you won’t be able to do it as fast as counting or playing.  You may need to go as slow as 50, 60, or 70 beats per minute, but it will definitely pay off in the end
    • Say note names as strongly as if you were playing (don’t whisper under your breathe).  Practice until you get it right
    • Say flats and sharps (e.g. if you have a B-Flat, then say “B-Flat”)
    • Finger/position your part as you say the note names
    • Only continue when you have said the note names and fingered/positioned 100% successfully and in time with the metronome
  8. Play the part
    • Record yourself with an app that can playback the recording slower than it was performed (Audacity and Goldwave are good ones)
    • Listen to the recording at different speeds and analyze your performance
    • Did you stay with the metronome?
    • Did you play the correct rhythm?
    • Did you play the correct pitches?
    • If you are having trouble playing the correct rhythms, then spend more time counting.  If you are having trouble playing the correct pitches, then spend more time saying note names.
    • If you hate the way you sound, practice to sound better.
  9. Move on to next section or repeat this section at a faster tempo

Posted on by admin.

GAME 2 @ Spring Westfield

Schedule/Location:
Friday, September 22

3:00 PM Rehearsal
4:00 PM Load Truck, Eat Dinner, USE RESTROOM!!!! Change into Summer Uniform
4:40 PM Inspection in the Band Hall
5:00 PM (or as soon as we have buses) Depart CSHS
6:20 PM Arrive Leonard George Stadium
7:00 PM Kickoff
10:00 PM Depart Leonard George Stadium
11:00 PM Arrive at CSHS
11:20 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

 Leonard George Stadium/Spring High School
19428 N Freeway Service Dr, Spring, TX 77373 (map)

 In an effort to minimize stress and assure things go smoothly, we have created the following two articles which can be referred to throughout the season.  Please make sure that you read them for many questions will be answered in one or both.
  •  Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations– read this so that you know what to and not to do. (e.g. – do not eat in the stands except for our 3rd quarter snacks or you will be suspended from the remaining football games.)
  • Game Day Checklist (Summer Uniform) – read this to make sure you have everything.  Students missing items will either be required to purchase a new item or will be sent home.

Posted on by admin.

CCISD Honors the Heroes of Harvey at Home Opener

As the 2017 football season home games kick off this Friday, CCISD wishes to shine the Friday night lights on the Heroes of Harvey, the first responders, as well as a community that stepped up in awe-inspiring ways. As many were impacted by the storm and may be experiencing financial difficulty, the District is offering free admission to all fans, heroes and helpers.

Donations to the CCISD Cares fund will be accepted at the gates. The CCISD Cares fund is directly benefitting CCISD families impacted by the storm by providing help with basic needs from clothing and food to toiletries and cleaning supplies. Donations of new school shoes and/or socks for boys and girls, ages 3 to 18, will also be collected at the gates.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Game Day Checklist (Summer Uniform)

Please make sure that you have the following items with you for all football games that require the summer uniform.  We will have a uniform inspection in the band hall before departing for the game to check for all of these items except some instruments (see below).  Students missing items will either need to purchase new items or will be sent home.

What should be loaded on truck:
  • Instrument (except flutes and clarinets) and instrument accessories (e.g. reeds, valve oil, sticks, harnesses, etc.)
  • Lyre
What you need for uniform inspection:

Please be fully dressed in the summer uniform for uniform inspection.

  • Flutes and Clarinets
  • Flip folder (containing ALL stand tunes in order) Do NOT load this on the truck.
  • Blue half gallon water jug purchased at Equipment Night
  • Blue band shirt
  • Black band shorts
  • Black band baseball cap
  • Black no show socks (NOT ankle socks)
  • Black band shoes
  • Plain black leather or faux-leather belt (NO bling)
  • Longer hair tied back with plain THIN/SKINNY BLACK hair tie
What you cannot have:

This is not a comprehensive list, only a list of the most common items that students bring that they are not allowed to have.

  • No jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, wristwatches, anklets, etc…
  • No thick/wide or colored headbands (students may wear a THIN/SKINNY BLACK headband to keep their bangs out of their face)
  • No face paint or glitter
  • No Sunglasses
  • Phones must remain out of sight at all times

Posted on by admin.

GAME DAY PREPARATION, PROCEDURES, & EXPECTATIONS

Departure Preparation:
  • All instruments except Flutes and Clarinets go on the truck.
  • Do NOT load flip folder on truck. This is checked during uniform inspection.
  • Load truck BEFORE eating dinner
  • Dinner will be served in the cafeteria in front of the serving lines. You must have previously ordered dinner.
  • Clean up your own mess!!!!!!!
  • Change into uniform AFTER eating dinner.
  • We will have uniform inspection in the band hall before departure.  If you are missing an item get it taken care of before a director comes to check you so that you do not delay our departure or hold up your line for dismissal.
  • Have all items laid out in front of you in the same configuration as posted on the white board.  This will make inspection go a lot faster.
  • Students will be lined up in rows by grade level.  Seniors by parking lot wall, then juniors, sophomores, and freshmen by hallway wall.
Game Procedures and Behavior Expectations:
  • Please read the section in the Charger Band Handbook regarding expectations at football games.
  • Remember that parents, friends, relatives, etc. are not allowed to bring food or drink to a band student at any time before, during or after the game. Any violation of this may result in the student being excluded from the marching band for the remainder of the year. We will be providing an apple or a banana after halftime. Anyone with a medical condition requiring an alternate dietary need should have already contacted Mr. Williams.
  • Students must ask a chaperone for permission to go to the restroom.  A chaperone will accompany them to and from the restroom.
  • Students are expected to treat the chaperones and other parent volunteers with the utmost respect and appreciation. Anyone who does not adhere to this will face disciplinary action.
  • While it is our intent to have a good time and enjoy the atmosphere that comes with Texas high school football, we are there to do a job. Remember our purpose is to support the football team and represent the school and community with dignity and class as well as act as the premier spirit organization on campus.  We also have a job to do at halftime entertaining the crowd and providing excellent support for the drill team during their performance. We are very confident we will succeed. With this in mind, please refrain from visiting with your child or bringing family members in to the band to see them. This goes for younger siblings of the band members as well.  You are welcome to sit next to the band if space permits.
Post-Game Procedures:
  • We will send a REMIND message as soon as we leave the stadium letting those know who aren’t at the game what time to pick their child up from CSHS.  Please plan to be there no later than five minutes after our anticipated arrival time.  Do not park in drive lanes or against the curb.  If you see someone parking in these areas, please ask them politely to move as they will be in the way and delay the buses and truck from being unloaded.  The band parking lot will have plenty of free parking spaces.  
  • When we arrive at school each student is responsible for getting his or her instrument off of the truck and back into their assigned locker (or for pit, the pit room). Students who leave instruments on the truck will face disciplinary action the following week.
  • Once your instrument and uniform (when applicable) are put away, you are free to leave. Remember to take your belongings with you.  This includes but is not limited to your water jug, shako, gloves, shoes, garment bag, tote bag, undergarments and instrument.

Posted on by admin.

Game 1 vs. LaPorte

Schedule/Location:
Fri, September 15

3:00 PM Rehearsal
4:00 PM Load Truck, Eat Dinner, Change into Summer Uniform
4:40 PM Block in Band Hall
5:00 Inspection in the Band Hall
5:15 PM Depart CSHS
5:50 PM Arrive Veterans Memorial Stadium
7:00 PM Kickoff
10:00 PM Depart Veterans Memorial Stadium
10:20 PM Arrive at CSHS
10:55 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

Veterans Memorial Stadium
2305 E Main St, League City, TX 77573 (map)

 

The first football game is always one of the most exciting events of the year.  In an effort to minimize stress and assure things go smoothly, we have created the following two articles which can be referred to throughout the season.  Please make sure that you read them for many questions will be answered in one or both.

  • Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations – read this so that you know what to and not to do. (e.g. – do not eat in the stands except for our 3rd quarter snacks or you will be suspended from the remaining football games.)
  • Game Day Checklist (Summer Uniform) – read this to make sure you have everything.  Students missing items will either be required to purchase a new item or will be sent home.

Posted on by admin.

BAND BOOSTER CLUB MEETING REMINDER

Our first Booster Club Meeting of the year is happening this week! Please come and meet your executive board and hear about the exciting events we have coming up for our program.

General Meeting
Tuesday, September 12
7:00-8:00PM
CSHS Band Hall

Agenda:

Call to order
Upcoming Events
How to get to Google Calendar
Committee Descriptions & Needs
Volunteer How-Tos

Q & A

It’s not too late to join the Clear Springs Band Booster Club!

Your membership is important, not only for the financial contribution it provides, but also for the sense of community it fosters among parents, grandparents, relatives, neighbors, and friends  in support of the Charger Band.  There is a lot going on with the band this year, and the Booster Club is instrumental in providing support all year long.  Your membership will keep you informed, give you a vote, and offer plenty of opportunities for you to participate.

Membership forms are available by clicking here and dues may be paid via cash, check, or online via PayPal by clicking here.

Posted on by admin.

Return to Band

Dear Charger Band Family,

The past few days have been both heart-wrenching and uplifting for everyone in our community.  To those directly affected, we are here for you for the long haul.  Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.  The best students in the school also have the best parents and they are ready to step up at a moment’s notice.  We know many of you lost a great deal in this storm.  Sadly this is not the first time for our community to face such challenges nor will it be the last.

Several years ago following Hurricane Ike when I was at Clear Lake High School, we had families dealing with similar circumstances.  Almost everyone who lived in Seabrook either lost everything or had so much damage that they were displaced from their homes for months.  This was before Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat and Remind.  We also missed a similar amount of time from school.  Something I remember distinctly from conversations with parents afterward was how band was a welcome distraction to the daily reminders of the devastation.

With this in mind, we will resume rehearsals Wednesday evening September 6 at 5:30 PM.  You can view the rest of the schedule by clicking here.  Please wear your summer band attire, bring charged cell phones (we will be learning lots of drill), and don’t forget your water jugs.  If you need ice, we will find some in the school.

We will rehearse twice next Saturday.  If you have signed up to take the ACT that morning, please email me to let me know.

When I receive information about football games, I will update the calendar and notify everyone via Remind.  For now, our first game will be at Veteran’s Stadium against LaPorte.  In addition, we will now have a game September 22 (our bye week) against an opponent to be named later.  Game meal orders will be applied to the first three games.  If you have not ordered meals for the first three games, you are still able to do so.

We are working on a plan for those who lost uniform items and/or instruments.  Please email ASAP if you fall into one or both of these categories.  I will send ordering information early next week for those who need new items.

Charger Nation is a resilient, amazing, and diverse community.  I hope you are ready to resume something that resembles normal.  We have a lot of work to do.  After all, there’s a Vampiress on the loose!

Sincerely,
Lester Williams
Director of Bands

 

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Parent Survival Guide – Welcome!

Welcome to the Charger Band Family!

 

Our Parent Survival Guide was written by the directors in collaboration with the Charger Band Boosters with the parent perspective in mind.  There is a lot of information in the handbook and we recommend referring to it when you have questions about the band program.  We will be periodically posting articles here hi-lighting sections from the Parent Survival Guide.  The Guide will also remain posted on CHARMS in the Handouts/Files section throughout the year.

CHARMS

CHARMS is the band’s online database. If you haven’t already had a chance to check it out, log in and take a look around. Also, please make sure all of your information is accurate and up to date.

How to Login to CHARMS

  1. Go to www.charmsoffice.com
  2. Click on the green Enter/Login menu at the top right of the screen
  3. In the Enter/Login pull-down menu, choose “Parents/Students/Members”
  4. The next screen asks for a school code. Enter “cshschargerband”.
  5. On the next screen, carefully enter your child’s student ID. This is the one that usually starts with 000. If you have issues entering the ID, try it once with and once without the 000 at the start. There are also some issues with certain browsers. We have had the most luck with Firefox and Google Chrome. If you have tried all of those things and it still isn’t working, contact Mr. Williams or Mr. Solis.

So again, welcome to the 2017-2018 CSHS Charger Band. We look forward to working with you to make this the best year yet.  Your time with the Charger Band will be an experience you will never forget!

Go Chargers!
CSHS Band Directors and Band Booster Club Officers

Posted on by admin.

Important Volunteer Information

If you plan on signing up to volunteer or chaperone any band event this year, this announcement applies to you.

All parents or community members interested in volunteering, must apply to be a volunteer for the 2017-2018 school year.  Volunteers can apply online at https://web.ccisd.net/online-forms/volunteerregistration

Approved volunteers will be notified via email from alert@hallpassid.com. You must forward this confirmation email to the Band Volunteer Coordinator (cshsbandvolunteers@gmail.com) in order to be added to the band’s Approved Volunteer List.

Band volunteer opportunities can be found in Charms. Sign up for one or several events and find out why band kids are the best in school!

Please apply as soon as possible since it may take a few days to get approved.  We need chaperones to be in compliance by Friday’s football game.  Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Freshman parents have to re-enroll and choose Clear Springs as your school.  Your Intermediate school volunteer enrollment does not roll over.

Posted on by admin.

Meet the Chargers

This is a community pep rally where all members of the community are invited to come and show their support for the Clear Springs Charger Band, Silverados, Cheerleaders, and Fall Athletes.

Schedule:

Wednesday, August 30

Meet the Chargers

5:30 – Report to Band Hall
6:00 – Set up in Gym
6:30 – Event begins
7:30 – Equipment Night items will be distributed – please allow 30 minutes for pick-up
What to wear:

Royal blue shirt with shorts and athletic shoes.

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Back to School 2017

All Band students…
  • Go directly to the Band Hall upon arrival at school.
  • You will enter through the blue band hall door in the back of the school.
  • Remain in the Band Hall until the bell rings releasing you to 1st Period or Advisory.  PRACTICE ROOMS ARE OFF LIMITS!
  • You may not eat breakfast in the Band Hall.  You can drop off your gear in the Band Hall then exit through the exterior door and enter the cafeteria via the breezeway.
Remember that for security reasons, only students currently enrolled in band are allowed in the Band Hall.  All non-band students will need to wait on Mane Street or in the cafeteria.
What students need for band class…
  1. Band binder with fundamental book and show music (downloadable from Charms), flip folder, and lyre for instrument. (THIS INCLUDES FOOTBALL PLAYERS)
  2. Instrument (THIS INCLUDES FOOTBALL PLAYERS)
    • With all necessary equipment such as reeds, valve oil, etc….
  3. Pencil(s) (THIS INCLUDES FOOTBALL PLAYERS)
  4. Athletic shoes (THIS INCLUDES FOOTBALL PLAYERS)
    • We will do basic marching in the band hall, students are required to change into athletic shoes if they are not wearing them to school.
  5. Clothing that allows students to perform all visuals
    • Students wearing tight jeans or skirts will need to change into athletic shorts; however, this will need to take place during the 6 minute passing period as we do not set aside class time for students to change clothes.
What students need for after school rehearsals…
  1. Band binder with fundamental book and show music, flip folder, and lyre for instrument.
  2. Fanny pack to store phone, pencil, etc.
  3. Charged Cell phone with UDBapp installed
  4. Instrument
    • With all necessary equipment such as reeds, valve oil, etc….
  6. Pencil(s)
  7. Water jug or Camelbak (1/2 gallon minimum; does not have to be the blue one purchased at Equipment Night) – we suggest filling the jug with ice then with water so the water will still be cold by the time rehearsal begins at 3:00.
  8. Athletic shoes
    • Vans, converse, vibram five fingers, or similar shoes, sandals, and flip flops are not acceptable footwear.
  9. White athletic t-shirt and shorts (any color)
    • Tank tops are allowed.
    • Ladies undergarments must remain hidden
  10. Sunscreen
    • Get the correct SPF for your skin type.
    • Apply sunscreen outside near the bike racks and not in the Band Hall.
  11. Hat/visor and sunglasses
    • Sun protection for your eyes
    • Silly hats are not acceptable.
  12. Students may eat a snack after school in the fine arts hallway as long as they clean up after themselves.  Those who eat A lunch are highly encouraged to eat a snack after school.

Note: failure to have required items at during and after school rehearsals will negatively affect weekly participation grades.

Notes for parents…
  1. Please refrain from dropping forgotten items off at the front desk for your child.  If possible, please wait until 2:45 and deliver the items to your child outside the band hall.
  2. The UIL 8-hour Rule begins with the first day of school.  We will not go over time due to the UIL 8-Hour Rule.  To re-familiarize yourself with this rule, please see the required forms section at Charms.
  3. Please pick up your child within 30 minutes of the rehearsal’s end time.  If you will not be able to make it within that time, please make other arrangements for your child to be picked up.
  4. The end time for rehearsal is when we stop rehearsing on the field.  Allow time for students to put away their belongings and any equipment to which they are assigned.  It is a good idea to wait until 10 minutes after practice to arrive on campus.
  5. Use caution when picking up your child as there will be a lot of foot traffic moving in both directions across the driveway.
  6. Rather than using the bus lane for pick up and drop off, we ask that you please use a designated parking space on the cafeteria end of the practice lot if one is available or use the pick-up/drop-off area at the front of the school.
  7. For the safety of the students, please avoid driving past the 50 yard line on the band practice field while students are on the lot moving equipment.
  8. Continue to monitor your child for proper hydration.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Summer Band – First Day Checklist

The following list of items should be brought with you on your first day of Summer Band.  Please review it carefully to ensure that you do not forget anything important, and do not wait until the night before to look at it.  READ IT NOW!  For your convenience, you can print it out by clicking the print button at the end of this post.

  1. CCISD Physical Form
    • Cannot use any other form
    • Must be signed by Parent/Guardian AND student in THREE separate places
  2. Band Handbook Acknowledgement/Film/Media Release Form
    • Signed by Parent/Guardian and Student
  3. UIL Acknowledgement form
    • Signed by Parent/Guardian and Student
  4. UIL Health Tips for Marching Band Acknowledgement Form
    • Signed by Parent/Guardian and Student
  5. Parent Consent Form for school sponsored trip
    • Signed by Parent/Guardian
  6. Student Medication Form
    • Signed by Parent/Guardian
  7. Sheet music for Marching Show, Fundamental Book, and Stand Tunes
    • The Marching Show and Fundamental Book need to be in a 3 ring binder with plastic sheet protectors.
    • The Stand Tunes should be in a flip folder in numerical order.
  8. Flip Folder and Lyre for instrument.
    • These can be purchased at Music & Arts across from Baybrook Mall, at H&H Music across from Ellington Field, or at Amazon.com by clicking the link at the right.
    • Additional tunes will be added as they arrive.
  9. Instrument
    • With all necessary equipment such as reeds, valve oil, etc….
    • Instruments will be set down on concrete, therefore it is recommended that you bring a small towel to place underneath your instrument. (Not required)
    • School-issued instruments will be checked out the first day.
  10. Pencil(s)
  11. Water
    • Camelbaks are highly recommended
    • 1/2 gallon or bigger water jug.  No water bottles, milk jugs, etc.
    • Blue water jugs ordered at equipment night are required for football games and should only have the student’s name and instrument on them.  Stickers and other decorations need to be removed.  These will not be delivered until the first game.
  12. Athletic shoes
    • Vans, Toms, converse, vibram five fingers, or similar shoes are not acceptable footwear.
  13. Athletic t-shirt (white) and shorts (no jeans or long pants)
    • Tank tops are allowed.
    • Ladies undergarments must remain hidden.
  14. Sunscreen
    • Get the correct SPF for your skin type.
    • Apply sunscreen before you leave your house.
    • Reapply as needed during breaks.
  15. Hat/visor and sunglasses
    • Sun protection for your eyes
    • Silly hats need to remain at home
  16. Prepare for rehearsal at least 48 hours in advance
    • Drink Gatorade the night before every rehearsal
    • Eliminate soft drinks and energy drinks from your diet
  17. Eat a quality breakfast and drink lots of water before rehearsal
    • Do NOT eat a big bowl of sugary cereal or pop-tarts.  You will end up feeling terrible and/or “feed the birds”.
    • Breakfast should include protein and avoid simple sugars.
    • A 1/2 banana is always good for potassium
    • Skipping breakfast is not an option
Instructions For Downloading Music and Forms
  1. Click here or the CHARMS link at the top of this page
  2. Enter your student area password (initially your CCISD student ID)
  3. Click “Files & Handouts”
  4. If you did not receive music at the June camp or you no longer have your music, click “Vampiress”, “Fundamental Book” and “2017 Stand Tunes” then click the PDF for your instrument.  It is recommended that you print a test page 1st to ensure that everything is working correctly in order to avoid wasting any ink.
  5. Download and READ the Band Handbook, and then continue to number 6.
  6. Click the folder “Required Forms” and download and print every form.  Make sure a parent and student signature is on every form. These are due when you walk in at Equipment Night.  There is a total of 6 forms.
Important Note About Physical Form:
  • ANYONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A COMPLETED PHYSICAL FORM WILL BE SENT HOME AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN UNTIL ONE IS TURNED IN WITH ALL SIGNATURES AND AN ALL CLEAR FROM THE DOCTOR.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

Company Donation Matching

If you’ve donated money or volunteer hours to the Clear Springs Charger Band program over the past year, please consider looking into your company’s policies on matching donations or volunteer grant programs.

Our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Rock-a-thon, is just around the corner, and taking advantage of company matching (for both 2016 and 2017!) would be an awesome way to boost the fundraising capabilities of the band.

Many companies offer these opportunities.  The ones listed below are highlighted because one or more booster club members indicated they work at these companies.

The following companies offer donation matching at the indicated levels.  Follow the links to find more information.

Boeing: (minimum: $25, maximum: $6,000)   https://doublethedonation.com/forms/boeing-guidelines.pdf

Pepsi: (minimum: $25, maximum: $10,000)  https://www.mypepsico.com/wps/myportal/mypepsico/aboutpepsico/pepsicofoundation

GE: (minimum: $25, maximum: $25,000)  http://www.gefoundation.com/giving-programs/matching-gifts/

Schneider Electric: (minimum: $50, maximum: $10,000)  https://secure8.easymatch.com/SQUAREDMG/CustomerContent/common/faqfundation_e.asp

Ascena Retail Group: (minimum: $25, maximum: $500)  https://doublethedonation.com/forms/ascena.pdf

Albemarle: (minimum: $50, maximum: $5,000)  http://www.albemarle.com/Sustainability/Albemarle-Foundation-42.html
Additionally, the following companies offer volunteer grants at the indicated levels, meaning the hours you volunteer for the Charger Band could translate into significant fundraising dollars for the band.

Boeing: $250 grant per 25 hr. volunteered (Up to $6000)  https://doublethedonation.com/forms/boeing-guidelines.pdf

Sprint:  $250 grant for 40 hr. volunteered  http://goodworks.sprint.com/content/1022/files/CR%20IB%20Sprint%20Foundation%2009-28-2015%20v%202.pdf

SWA:  One complimentary round-trip Southwest Airlines flight per 40 hr. volunteered  https://www.southwest.com/html/southwest-difference/southwest-citizenship/ourCommunities.html

Schneider Electric: $250 grant for 25-49 hr. volunteered; $500 grant for 50+ hr. volunteered https://secure8.easymatch.com/SQUAREDMG/CustomerContent/common/faqfundation_e.asp

Ascena Retail Group: $10 donation per hour volunteered, up to $200 https://doublethedonation.com/forms/ascena.pdf

Albemarle: Up to $1000 http://www.albemarle.com/Sustainability/Albemarle-Foundation-42.html
If you’re aware of other company matching opportunities not listed here, please consider looking into them as a way to support the band.  And if you’d like help in determining whether or not your company offers matching donations or volunteer grant opportunities, please feel free to contact Stephanie Graves at jszagraves@earthlink.net

Thank you for your support of the Charger Band!

Posted on by admin.

CSHS Student Selected as 2016-17 Texas All-State Musician

 

Gilberto Torres, Jr., a member of the Clear Springs High School Band will perform with the Texas All-State Band in San Antonio, Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center as part of the 2017 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention. He was chosen for this prestigious honor through a competitive process held this year across the state at District, Region, and Area levels. Gilberto is a student of Randy Brennan and plays trumpet at school under the direction of Mr. Lester Williams who is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, a 12,000+ member organization headquartered in Austin. This is Gilberto’s first time to perform as a member of a TMEA All-State organization. Gilberto is the son of Princella and Gilberto Torres, Sr. and big brother of Maria Torres.

High school students selected to perform in the All-State concerts have competed through several levels of auditions beginning in the fall of 2016 to qualify at the state level. All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. 1,780 students are selected through a process that begins with over 68,000 students from around the state vying for this honor to perform in one of 15 ensembles (bands, orchestras, and choirs). Texas Music Educators Association sponsors the Texas All-State competition. This competitive process begins throughout the state in auditions hosted by 33 TMEA Regions. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their Region to compete against musicians from other areas in seven TMEA Area competitions. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to perform in a TMEA All-State music group. Only the top 2.6% of musicians who initially audition become All-State musicians.

These All-State students participate in three days of rehearsals directed by nationally-recognized conductors during the TMEA Clinic/Convention. Their performances for thousands of attendees bring this extraordinary event to a close. For the All-State concert schedule and conductor information, go to the Performances section of www.tmea.org/convention.

The Texas Music Educators Association is an association of over 12,000 school music educators dedicated to promoting excellence in music education. Go to www.tmea.org/convention for more information.

  • Over 68,000 students initially enter the All-State competitive process
  • 1,780 students are selected to perform in 15 All-State ensembles (bands, orchestras, and choirs)
  • All-State performances will be held as part of the annual TMEA Clinic/Convention, Feb. 8–11, 2017. Over 29,000 people from Texas and beyond will attend over 280 workshops, 100 performances, and visit over 1,300 exhibit booths at this nation’s largest music educators’ convention.

Posted on by admin.