Raise money for our band while shopping on Amazon

Amazon AssociatesHave you made your holiday shopping list yet?  If you are among the many people who will be doing your holiday shopping on-line with Amazon this year, please read on to learn how you can shop and support the band at the same time!

Amazon Associates is a very easy way to support the Clear Springs Charger Band.  All you have to do whenever you will be purchasing anything from Amazon, is access Amazon through our website by clicking the big Amazon box in the right sidebar and then make your purchases.  The band can earn up to 15% in referral fees depending on the item category at no cost to you, other than your time spent accessing Amazon through our website.  And don’t worry, Amazon will not disclose any personal information to us.  If you are not seeing the Amazon link, make sure that you do not have any ad blocker software running that may be blocking it.

Since June, we have been able to raise over $600 through this program. Our goal is $1,000 for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2016. We can blow this goal out of the water if everyone will go to Amazon through the band website. Remember the more we can bring in with fundraisers such as this, the more we can do for our kids and the more we can lower next year’s band fees.

Please share this link and information with your friends and family and encourage them to show their support by accessing Amazon through our website whenever they will be shopping on Amazon. Also, please take a moment and use the share buttons below to share this through Facebook, Twitter, or email.

 

Posted on by admin.

Parent Survival Guide – Region Band Auditions

Region/Area/All-State Band

The Texas Music Educators Association sponsors individual competitions every fall that culminate in the selection of All-State Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras that perform at the TMEA convention in San Antonio each February. Selection to one of those organizations is a lifetime experience and a huge honor for the student and the school.  Less than 1% of the students who begin the All-State process actually make one of the All-State organizations.  It sounds nearly impossible, but with dedication, proper planning, and careful practice, it is very possible.

The first level of competition is Region Band. The state is divided into over 20 regions for music.  We happen to be in Region 17 which includes all CCISD schools, Alvin ISD, and all the way down to Galveston and Brazosport ISD.

All of the band directors in our region convene three times a year to discuss the audition process and the programs we can provide for our students.  In Region 17, we hold auditions for 9th Grade Region, Region Orchestra, and High School Region.  Each audition serves a different purpose.

9th Grade Region is open to only 9th graders.  The audition music is the same as High School Region and Region Orchestra, however the length of the music to be learned is lessened by approximately 50%.  The main purpose of the audition is to get the 9th graders acclimated to the high school process.  Students who place high enough will receive a patch in recognition, however there is no concert performance.

Region Orchestra is for those students who wish to be a member of the Region Full Orchestra that performs in November.  This is open to all four grade levels.  The entirety of the three etudes must be prepared.  Because they are not commonly used in orchestras, saxophones, euphoniums, and bass clarinets do not audition for orchestra unless that year’s literature requires one of those instruments.

High School Region is open to all students and all instruments.  As with Region Orchestra, the entirety of the three etudes must be prepared.  In some sections, as many as 100 students may audition for 30 chairs.  To provide a more fair and efficient process, the region’s directors have decided to divide the audition for these large sections into phases.  Phase 1 takes place during the week and Phase 2 takes place on the following Saturday.  Students who place high enough will then be named members of the region band and will perform a concert in mid-January.  Students who place in the top chairs will advance to the Area audition in early January.

Audition music is released at the annual Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in late-July.  The students have from then until early December to learn and perfect the music for auditions.  Students who place high enough at the December audition then advance to the Area audition in January.

Texas is divided into several areas. Our area includes schools from the aforementioned Region 17 as well as schools from Ft. Bend, Houston, and Katy.  Students who place high enough at this audition are selected to an All-State organization.

In conjunction with the TMEA convention in February, the students who advanced from area audition for placement in either of the two All-State Bands or All-State Orchestras. They then rehearse with their All-State ensemble for two days and perform a concert for their parents and convention-goers on Saturday.

Though participation in the region band auditions is not required it is strongly encouraged as the whole process is a very educationally beneficial one.  Also, students who wish to attempt to move up a band for second semester must participate in region auditions and students who do not want to be passed up by another student, and possibly moved down a band, should participate as well.  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 2016-2017 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 Freshman cuts can be downloaded by clicking here or by visiting CHARMS.

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 by on TMEA’s website by clicking here.

Posted on by admin.

Parent Survival Guide – Marching Contests

Parents, here are a few words on marching contests.

University Interscholastic League

Texas is fortunate to have a countless number of strong extracurricular programs throughout the state. The governing body of many of these programs is the University Interscholastic League, or UIL.  It was formed in 1910 by the University of Texas at Austin to provide leadership and guidance to public school athletic and debate teachers.  Over the last century, it has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world and now includes music, academic, and theater competitions.  Classification in UIL events is based on school enrollment.

Region Marching

Region Marching Contest takes place in mid-October every year. Three judges give the band a rating of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 with 1 being the best.  A consensus of two judges determines the overall rating.  Therefore, if two judges give the band a 1 and the other gives the band a 4, the overall rating is a 1.  In the rare instance where no two judges agree, the middle rating is what prevails.  For example, a 1-2-3 is a 2.

Area Marching

In even numbered years, if we make an overall 1 at Region Marching Contest, we advance to the Area Marching Contest. This is a prelims/finals competition that typically starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 11:00 PM.  The top ten bands from the prelims competition advance to that evening’s finals.  One for every five bands from prelims advances to the State Marching contest.  For example, if there are 30 bands in prelims, the top six bands in finals advance to State.

Judging for this contest is different from Region. There are three music judges and two marching judges.  Each judge gives the band a score.  At the conclusion of each phase of the contest, the judges’ scores are then ranked 1, 2, 3, etc.  All five rank scores are then added together.  The bands are ranked again by the rank score total with the lowest total being ranked first and so on.

What to DO and what NOT to DO

Do … attend every band competition and cheer loudly for your Charger Band. Don’t … stay at home on contest days and assume the students don’t need 100% of your support.
Do … wear your black, blue, silver and white in support of Charger Nation. Don’t … wear red, blue, maroon, green, or orange.
Do … support our friends from other schools and understand that band competitions are about recognizing high achievement. Don’t … boo our friends from other schools and think band competitions are where second place is the first loser.

Posted on by admin.

Parent Survival Guide – Join the Band Boosters

Calling all Charger Band parents!  Our booster club is STILL registering members for this school year and if you haven’t already joined, we want YOU!  We are so excited to be off to such a great start for the year, and our Charger Band Booster Club is on the hunt for more parents who want to support our band!!

Were you aware that our Charger Band Booster Club is intended to support ALL the students and all our programs?  We believe that with everyone’s support we will be a stronger organization! If even one parent of each student joined who has not joined thus far this year (even at the first level) we would raise over $2500 for our band program!  This might just eliminate the need for some of our fundraisers or allow us to add some much needed scholarships for students who have the need…but only with your support!

Please note that your membership in the booster club is not a commitment to volunteer.  However as a program with a LARGE number of events and the largest group of students at CSHS, all hands on deck are certainly encouraged and definitely appreciated.

Will you please consider joining our booster club by clicking this link? Once you sign up, our membership committee will be in touch with you to make certain all the perks promised to you at the level you select are delivered!

Booster Club Membership

Booster Club Information

Membership

All band families are encouraged to become members of the booster club. Membership allows you to have a voice at booster meetings through making motions, participating in discussions, and voting for or against certain measures.

You can sign up for memberships at any time. Membership applications are available at cshschargerband.org.   Payments can be submitted by check (made out to CSHS Band Boosters) or PayPal.

Financial Support

Charger Band Boosters provides financial support in the areas of adjunct instruction, program design, contest fees, transportation costs, and various equipment items to name a few. Frequently, this support matches or exceeds those funds provided by the district to the band department.  In a typical year, well over $100,000 passes through the booster club and band school accounts.  Financial updates on the booster club are provided at each booster club meeting.

Volunteers

Without parent volunteers, many services provided to the students would not be there.   In summer band, we have parents volunteer to deal with students who have trouble acclimating themselves to the heat.  At football games, parents hand out plumes, snacks, refill water bottles, and assist moving equipment at halftime.  All parents are encouraged to volunteer for at least one activity per year.

Per CCISD regulations and State Law, every volunteer must register and go through a background check before they can chaperone or volunteer at an event. Registration can be found at ccisd.net.

Booster Club Executive Board

An Executive Board is elected in May of each year. These executive members serve to facilitate the organizing of all band activities.  There are no positions of power as all decisions regarding the band are made at the sole discretion of the directors.  Should the directors choose to do so, and it happens quite often, the directors rely on the Executive Board to be an advisory council and seek their input on appropriate matters.

A nominating committee is formed in the spring. Interested members should contact Mr. Williams or the chair of the nominating committee to express their interest in serving on the board in the future.

Booster Club Meetings

Meetings are posted on the band calendar and are held in the band hall. These meetings are for booster club business only.  They are not information sessions from the band directors and they are not opportunities to visit with the directors about someone’s progress in band.  It is important that members attend these meetings so they can have a say in booster club business.

Posted on by admin.

Parent Survival Guide – Eligibility

Eligibility – FAQs

As the end of the 6 week grading period nears, we wanted to share some frequently asked questions from the Parent Survival Guide.

In the early 1980’s, the Texas Legislature enacted a law requiring students to be passing all classes in order to participate in extracurricular activities. This law, also known as “No Pass, No Play” has led to a lot of confusion over the years.  While revisions have been made and rules have been clarified to eliminate any gray areas, it still can be very confusing.   The University Interscholastic League is the governing body over extracurricular activities in Texas.  In conjunction with the Texas Education Agency and local school districts, an eligibility calendar is created.  This lists the dates for grade checks and when someone loses or regains eligibility.

What are Grade Checks?

Grade checks are conducted every three weeks in CCISD. The first two in a grading period are called Progress Reports and the last one is called a Report Card.  The Report Card is the official grade of record that ends up on a student’s transcript.

What is considered failing?

Any grade that is below a 70 is considered failing.

When is eligibility determined?

This depends on your child’s grades. Everyone’s grades are checked at the end of the sixth week of school.  This is because many districts across the state are on a six-week grading period instead of the nine week period we have in CCISD.  Grades are checked again at the end of the first grading period.

What happens if my child is passing all his or her classes at the sixth week Progress Report/Grade Check?

Nothing. They remain eligible throughout the next Grading Period.  Students passing all classes on a Report Card are not affected by grade checks that coincide with a Progress Report.

What happens if my child fails one or more classes at the sixth week Progress Report/Grade Check?

If your child fails at the sixth week Progress Report, they lose eligibility at the end of week 7.

What happens at the end of the first grading period?

All student grades are checked. When we check grades on the Report Card at the end of the grading period, he or she must be passing all classes in order regain eligibility.  If your child fails any course on the Report Card, he or she is suspended from all extracurricular activities until the next Grade Check/Progress Report.

If my child fails a course, aren’t they eligible again when their grade is brought up to passing again?

No! Students who fail must sit out until the next grade check.

Why do students lose eligibility the week after a Grade Check and not immediately?

The state has allowed a one-week grace period for any errors to be cleared up before a student is required to sit out of an activity. Errors include making a keystroke mistake such as entering a 10 instead of 100.  It also allows time for late work (due to absences) to be graded and recorded.

When a student regains his or her eligibility, do they regain it immediately?

No. They still have to wait a week before they are again eligible.

How do advanced courses count toward No Pass/No Play?

The State of Texas allows for certain AP, PAP, and other advanced courses to be exempt from No Pass/No Play. CCISD has stricter requirements.  Students in these courses must pass with a 70 or above.  Students who fail with a grade in the 60-69 range are allowed a one-time waiver that exempts them from the No Pass/No Play requirement.  This waiver can only be used at the end of each grading period.  If the grade is 59 or below, the waiver cannot be used.   If the student fails more than one course, the student is not eligible to use the waiver.  If the student uses the waiver on a course failed during the first grading period, the student has no more waivers to use for the rest of the school year.

How do we get the waiver?

Your child must pick up the form from the principal’s office. The form must then be signed by you, a band director, and an administrator and turned back in to the principal’s office.  The campus administration monitors these forms; therefore, they are not available on CHARMS or in the band office.

Where can I find a list of advanced courses that are eligible for the waiver?

The list is available at ccisd.net and it appears in the Course Selection Catalog.

What happens to students who fail a semester exam, fail a course for the semester, or fail the STAAR test?

Nothing. All eligibility is determined by the Grading Period.

If my child fails the fourth nine weeks, is he or she ineligible for the first three weeks of the following school year?

No. Eligibility rules do not carry over from one year to the next.

How do I keep up with all of this?

We put the eligibility dates on the band calendar. You can also access it at ccisd.net.

What is the best way to deal with No Pass/No Play?

Work hard and pass all of your classes.

Posted on by admin.

Important Information for Week of September 19

Late Arrival Wednesday:
  • Band Hall will open at 9:00
  • Students who need band hall access before 9:00 need to see Mr. Solis
  • We will play in all classes
  • Be sure to have completed flip folders in class
Tote Bag/Garment Bag/Black T-Shirt/Gloves Pick-up Wednesday:
  • Each student will be issued a band tote bag and a band garment bag.  We were able to get these with the purchase of our new uniforms.  This is an out of pocket savings of approximately $50-100 per student.  Thank you CCISD!
  • Please read the Game Day Checklist – Full Uniform for the items what will need to go in the tote bag Friday morning.
  • Please make sure your child arrives home with these items!
Pep Rally Friday:
  • All students who participate in Marching Band are required to perform at the pep rallies.  Color Guard and Pit Percussion should check with Mr. Petron and Mr. Witmer respectively to see if they will participate by cheering.
  •  Dress
    • Show shirts – required
    • Khaki shorts – preferred but not required
  • Check-in to 4th period for roll check
  • Report to Band Hall by 9:30
  • Pep Rally 1 – 9:58-10:48
  • 5th Period/Lunch
  • A&B lunch students report to Band Hall at Noon
  • C lunch students report to Band Hall as soon as you finish eating lunch.  You show shirt will be your pass.
  • Pep Rally 2 – 12:25-1:16

Posted on by Lester Williams.

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 you 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.
Pants:
  • Lightweight properly fitting athletic shorts must be worn underneath the pants (not thick or oversized).
  • Pants are either completely on or completely off as instructed by directors.
  • Suspenders should be up over the shoulders.
  • Pants 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 pants so that they are around the waist.
  • When not worn, pants 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 jacket.  Jackets must be zipped before students leave 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 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 pants (bibbers), plain calf-length black socks, black band shoes, black gloves (winds only), black 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
  • Black moisture-wicking shirt with horse head logo on back of neck
  • Gloves (woodwinds & brass)
  • Hat box with shako inside
  • Blue polo and 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)
  • Black 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
  • Blue band polo (in case it rains)
  • Black shorts (in case it rains) – NEW THIS YEAR
  • 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 Hats
  • No Sunglasses
  • Phones must remain out of sight at all times

Posted on by admin.

Free Money from Amazon and Kroger

Looking for an easy ways to give back to the band just by shopping? See below.  These merchants give money directly to the band when you make purchases, so no money comes out of your pocket.

These programs continue throughout the year. Use them anytime you shop.

Amazon AssociatesThe first is the Amazon Associates program. Basically, if you are going to buy anything from Amazon you can raise money for the band by accessing Amazon through our link instead of going directly to amazon.com. Just click on the big orange Amazon box on the right side of this website. When you do this Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase amount to the band.

In the most recent donation from Amazon, we raised $850 for the band by our supporters accessing Amazon through our link. That’s a lot of back to school shopping! Imagine how much we can raise if everyone does their holiday shopping using our link.

KrogerThe next program is the Kroger Community Rewards Program.  If you enroll your Kroger Plus card in the program and use it when you check out, Kroger will donate a percentage of your purchase amount to the band. Easy!

In the most recent donation from Kroger, we were able to raise almost $400 for the band just because our families are shopping at Kroger and having their Kroger Plus card connected to the Charger Band.  If everyone participates, we can easily reach our goal of $2000 this year!!!

If you have been enrolled in the Kroger community Rewards program in previous years, please take a moment to re-enroll. Everyone must re-enroll every year. The year end for the program is August 30. If you have not re-enrolled already, you are not currently contributing to the band program. You should have received an email from Kroger that allows for a simple one click re-enrollment.

If this is new to you, please consider enrolling – it’s easy money. Kroger Community Rewards® makes supporting the Clear Springs Charger Band students super easy.  All you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Kroger Plus Card and Kroger will donate a percentage of your receipt to the band at no cost to you. First, you need to enroll your Kroger Plus Card in the community rewards program by following the instructions below.

  1. Visit Kroger Community Rewards
  2. Sign in or create an account
  3. The organization name / number:  Clear Springs H.S. Band Boosters / 91187

Please share this with your friends and family as this is an easy way for them to support the band students.  For your convenience you can use the share buttons below to share through Facebook, twitter, or email.

For more information please visit our fundraising page by clicking here or clicking the fundraising link in the left menu.

Posted on by admin.

Parent Survival Guide – Welcome!

Welcome to the Charger Band Family!

In 2012-2013, our student leadership team created the following mission statement…..

We, the members of the Clear Springs High School Band, are dedicated to the highest standards. We maximize our potential and never regress. We are a family pushing our minds, bodies, and talents to the limit each day through Courage, Strength, Honor, and Success.
Leadership Team – Fall 2012

The staff and students of the Charger Band are committed to exceeding our potential and creating experiences that will last a lifetime. Using music as a common bond, we work on self-discipline, professionalism, multi-tasking, organizational skills, teamwork, leadership, commitment, goal-reaching, service, and many other important attributes that cannot be attained in any other activity. It is no surprise that when band students go to look for a job or apply for a college, they have an advantage over others. They not only know how to work hard, but they know how to work better.

As directors we take on the philosophy that we are your child’s parent when they aren’t with you. Our number one job is to provide them a safe learning environment. This not only means we do everything we can to keep them from physical harm, but it also means we work to provide a learning environment where it is safe to think, take chances, be wrong, ask questions, discover strengths, address weaknesses, but most of all be creative. We will push them to reach their potential. We do not accept excuses and will not allow a student to settle for less than their best. Laziness and procrastination are the enemies of success. It is up to us as parents and directors to keep these two demons away.

One really important concept to remember is that your child is no longer in junior high. A huge difference is that they will no longer be viewed as a child. We view them as young adults who have increased responsibilities and the maturity to make informed choices. Many of our students start driving within two years of entering high school. If we are to expect them to be responsible behind the wheel of a car, then we can expect them to be responsible in all other aspects of their life, as well. When we send informative emails or texts to you, your child will receive them too.  In some cases, we will give information to the students in rehearsal. It is their responsibility to get the information to you. We understand that some students (and parents) will suffer through some growing pains, but in the end it will all be worth it. After all, high school is about giving the students the tools they need to be self-sufficient long after they walk across the stage at graduation.

Our Parent Survival Guide was written by the directors in collaboration with the Charger Band Boosters. 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 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 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 2016-2017 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.

Game 3 @ La Porte

Schedule/Location:
Friday, September 9

3:00 PM Rehearsal
4:00 PM Load Truck/Eat Dinner/Change into summer uniform
4:45 PM Inspection in the Band Hall
5:15 PM Depart CSHS
6:00 PM Arrive LaPorte Stadium
7:00 PM Kickoff
10:00 PM Depart LaPorte Stadium
10:30 PM Arrive CSHS
10:45 PM Band Hall closes/last student picked up

La Porte High School
301 E Fairmont Pkwy, La Porte, TX 77571 (map)

In an effort to relieve the stress and enhance the excitement of football games, we have created the following two posts which can be referred to throughout the season.  Please make sure that you read them or you will be very stressed.

A message for our chaperones:

For Saturday games, parents need to be at CSHS outside the band hall by 3pm, and for Friday games by 4pm.  Everyone must have a chaperone shirt.  Please take time to review the chaperone handbook (which has recently been added to CHARMS) prior to the game.  We are so excited to have such wonderful volunteers and are appreciative of your time and service to our band.  See you Friday!

Posted on by admin.

Excused Absences for Rehearsals

There are many puzzle pieces that must fit together correctly in order to have a successful band program that students and parents can enjoy and be proud to be a part of.  One of those puzzle pieces is student attendance at all rehearsals and performances.  This is an extremely important puzzle piece because band is a team activity and when any one person is missing it negatively affects all of the other members.  The reason for this is because at band rehearsals students are learning how their parts and marching fit with everyone else.  This is not something that students can learn at home, no matter how much they practice.  The individual may be able to succeed on his own, but until they and the people around them learn how to make things fit together, the puzzle cannot be completed.

Please take a moment to review the attendance policy in the band handbook.  Whenever a student misses a band event whether it is a rehearsal or performance, we need documentation from a parent indicating the reason for the absence.  We really appreciate those parents who have already contacted us about potential conflicts.  With proper communication and plenty of advance notice, we are able to work it out.

From time to time, students will become ill.  If they are sent home from school by the nurse, we ask that they have the nurse email Mr. Williams letting him know.  If the student is too ill to attend Saturday practice, a doctor’s (or urgent care clinic) note is required for the absence to be excused.

When students sign up for band, they have made a commitment to adhere to the rehearsal schedule set forth.  When we all work together, great things can happen!

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 which is a non-performing band. The Freshman Region audition 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.  Freshman 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 prestigious honor.  They will then have the privilege of performing with one of the All-State ensembles at the Texas Music Educators Association convention 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.  Also, students who wish to attempt to move up a band for second semester must participate in region auditions and students who do not want to be passed up by another student, and possibly moved down a band, should participate as well. 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 2016-2017 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 Freshman cuts can be downloaded by clicking here or by visiting CHARMS.

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 by 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.
  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 ritard 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, 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 vs. Dobie

Schedule/Location:
Saturday, September 3

3:30 PM Load Truck/Eat Dinner/Change into summer uniform
4:00 PM Inspection in the Band Hall
4:30 PM Depart CSHS
4:50 PM Arrive Challenger Columbia Stadium
6:00 PM Kickoff
9:00 PM Depart Challenger Columbia Stadium
9:20 PM Arrive CSHS
9:40 PM Band Hall closes/last student picked up

Clear Creek ISD Challenger Columbia Stadium
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX  (map)

In an effort to relieve the stress and enhance the excitement of football games, we have created the following two posts which can be referred to throughout the season.  Please make sure that you read them or you will be very stressed.

A message for our chaperones:

For all Saturday games, parents need to be at CSHS outside the band hall by 3pm, and during the week games at 4pm.  Everyone must have a chaperone shirt.  Please take time to review the chaperone handbook (which has recently been added to CHARMS) prior to the meeting.  We are so excited to have such wonderful volunteers and are appreciative of your time and service to our band.  See you Saturday!

Posted on by admin.

Game 1 vs. Pearland

 

Schedule/Location:
Fri, August 26

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
5:30 PM Depart CSHS
5:50 PM Arrive Challenger Columbia Stadium
7:00 PM Kickoff
10:00 PM Depart Challenger Columbia Stadium
10:20 PM Arrive at CSHS
10:40 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

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

 

The first football game is always one of the most exciting and stressful events of the year.  In an effort to relieve the stress and enhance the excitement we have created the following two posts which can be referred to throughout the season.  Please make sure that you read them or you will be very stressed.

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 2016-2017 school year.  Volunteers can apply online at https://web.ccisd.net/online-forms/volunteerregistration

Approved volunteers will be notified via email. Band volunteer opportunities can be found in Charms.

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.

If you volunteered with the Charger Band for 2015-2016 you are covered for this year, as well.  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.

Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations

 

Departure Preparation:
  • All instruments except Flutes and Clarinets go on the truck.  Trombones last on, first off.
  • 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 up to the band to see them. This goes for younger siblings of the band members as well
Post-Game Procedures:
  • We will send a text 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 before our texted 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 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 polo
  • Black band shorts
  • 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 Hats
  • No Sunglasses
  • Phones must remain out of sight at all times

Posted on by admin.

Water Wars II (The Sequel)

Come join in the fun as the CSHS Charger Band celebrates the beginning of the school year with water fun!  The League City Fire Department will be in attendance on Saturday, August 27, from 12-1pm, directly following our first Saturday practice.

Any parents interested in organizing games for the kids, please contact Laura Santos at foxylaura@verizon.net 

Kona Ice will also be there on Saturday, 12-12:30, so bring your $ if you want a frozen treat.

As their will be no sopping wet Chargers allowed in the band hall, please remember to bring your towels.  Also on the “to bring” list: water guns, water balloons and anything else water related you’d like to use as we battle the heat in our second annual Water Wars.

Posted on by admin.

Back to School 2016

All Band students…
  • Go directly to the Band Hall upon arrival at school.
  • Remain in the Band Hall until the bell rings releasing you to 1st Period or Advisory.
  • 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. Dot book
  3. Instrument (THIS INCLUDES FOOTBALL PLAYERS)
    • With all necessary equipment such as reeds, valve oil, etc….
  4. Pencil(s) (THIS INCLUDES FOOTBALL PLAYERS)
  5. 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.
  6. 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 7 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. Dot book
  3. Instrument
    • With all necessary equipment such as reeds, valve oil, etc….
  4. Pencil(s)
  5. 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.
  6. Athletic shoes
    • Vans, converse, vibram five fingers, or similar shoes, sandals, and flip flops are not acceptable footwear.
  7. White athletic t-shirt and shorts (any color)
    • Tank tops are allowed.
    • Ladies undergarments must remain hidden
  8. Sunscreen
    • Get the correct SPF for your skin type.
    • Apply sunscreen outside near the bike racks and not in the Band Hall.
  9. Hat/visor and sunglasses
    • Sun protection for your eyes
    • Silly hats are not acceptable.
  10. 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 10 minutes of the rehearsal’s conclusion.  If you will not be able to make it within that time, please make other arrangements.
  4. Use caution when picking up your child as there will be a lot of foot traffic moving in both directions across the driveway.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Continue to monitor your child for proper hydration.

Posted on by Lester Williams.