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.

Posted on by admin.

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.

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.