Winter Concert

Family and Friends, you are cordially invited to our Winter Concert that is sure to get you in the holiday mood! Please come out and support the students at this free concert as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform to a packed house with loud applause.

Wednesday, December 12
7:00 PM
Clear Springs High School PAC (Auditorium)

Important notes for students and parents:
  1. Student attire for the Winter Concert is as follows:
    • Men: Collared shirt, slacks/khakis, dress shoes, ties are optional.
    • Women: Collared shirt, slacks/khakis or business-length skirt, dress shoes.
    • No jeans nor athletic wear/shoes may be worn.
    • Santa hats will be allowed.
  2. Call time for Symphonic and Concert Bands is 6:15 PM –
    Concert band on Stage and Symphonic in the band hall.
  3. Call time for Wind Ensemble is 7:00 PM in the Orchestra Room.
  4. Concert Band and Symphonic Band members are to stay and watch the remainder of the concert once they have finished performing.
  5. Coffee and dessert treats will be provided by McDonald’s (from FM 518 & 528). No food or drinks in the PAC, please.
  6. Roses will be available for your favorite performer as you enter the PAC. Recommended donation is a minimum $3 per rose. You may also contact Daisy to reserve yours in advance and pick them up at the concert when you drop off your donation:  dadunkle@yahoo.com.  Please contact Daisy no later than Monday, 12/10, for reserved roses!
  7. The 2018 Charger ornaments will be available for purchase for $10 each.  You will want the collection for each year your child is in band!
  8. Help is needed with the roses before and during the winter concert. If you can help, please contact Daisy for more details: dadunkle@yahoo.com.

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Concert Uniform Fittings

UPDATE: Uniform fittings will take place after the winter break.

Concert uniform fittings & check-out will take place during class when students return from the Thanksgiving break, 11/26-30.  Bring your garment bag to keep your uniform nice and cozy till you get home. Uniform hems may need to be adjusted.  Please DO NOT CUT them if they are too long. A simple whip stitch hem will work for both men’s pants and ladies’ dresses.  See the links below for a video on how to hem concert blacks, and another good video that will show you how to “catch stitch” pants and preserve the crease. Required uniform items that will need to be provided from home are included below.

For our concerts you will need the following items:

Boys:
  1. Long black socks
  2. Black dress shoes (black marching shoes are also acceptable)
  3. White tuxedo shirt
  4. Black bow tie
  5. Black Cummerbund
  6. Tuxedo pants (school owned)
  7. Tuxedo jacket (school owned)
Girls:
  1. Black closed toed shoes with 1 inch or less heel
  2. Concert dress (school owned)

No jewelry is to be worn and any hair ties must be black.

HEMMING THE CONCERT BLACK UNIFORM

BAND PANT HEMMING

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Parent Survival Guide – Region Band Auditions

By now, everyone who is auditioning for Region Band and/or Orchestra should already be signed up and fine-tuning their audition material. For those who missed it or if this is all news to you, watch the August Band Buzz for the first links to the audition music. Even those who don’t feel like they would be successful will see a marked improvement in their ability to play their instruments just by working on the All State etudes, and auditioning helps students learn how to work through performance anxiety. Increased ability and lower anxiety will lead to more confidence, which will in turn lead to more success, in music and beyond.

AUDITION DATES

Region Orchestra
Monday, November 12
Alvin High School 3:15 PM
– All Instruments except Saxophone and Euphonium

Freshman Region Band
Tuesday, November 13
Alvin High School 3:15 PM
– All Instruments

High School Region Band – Phase 1
Friday, December 7
Alvin High School 3:15 PM
– Check calendar for instruments & details

High School Region Band – Phase 1
Saturday, December 8
Alvin High School 9:00 AM
– Check calendar for instruments & details

High School Region Band Phase 2
Monday, December 10
Alvin High School 3:15 PM
– Those who advance from Phase 1

Area Band Auditions 
Saturday, January 12
Clements High School 9:00 AM
– Those who advance from Phase 2

The Freshman, Orchestra, and Region Band Phase 1 entry fees are $15 per audition. Students must be academically eligible at the time of the audition.

Continue Reading

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Popcornopolis

Welcome to our gourmet popcorn fundraiser from Popcornopolis! These products make great gifts and are equally welcome as everyday snacks. Ask a band student for an order form or download and print a Popcornopolis order form here.  Be sure to write the student’s name and organization (CSHS Charger Band)  on the top of your order form.

Orders are due  Wednesday, 11/7, with payment.

Please collect money when taking orders. NOTE: Checks payable to CSHSBB only please. Do not send cash! Please write a check for any cash received. If you must send cash, please contact Alicia McConnell to make arrangements for drop off (713-261-8866 or Alicia.mcconnell@me.com). There is no need to collect sales tax. Promote to family, friends, coworkers & social-media circle to maximize sales. Thank you for participating!

Buy-Out Option

For those who do not have the time or the resources to participate, we have a buy-out option. The buy-out cost is a minimum contribution of $60. Send payment in an envelope labeled “Popcorn Fundraiser Buy Out”. Be sure to include the student’s name.

Popcornopolis is a family-owned business, committed to producing the world’s best popcorn. Their products carry a full 100% satisfaction guarantee, so we can sell with confidence. We also love their attention to using quality ingredients. Let’s make this our best fundraiser ever!

Thank you for supporting the band!!!

About Popcornopolis

Why this Popcorn
Tastes So Good.

At Popcornopolis, they blend the nostalgic flavors of old-fashioned caramel, real cheddar cheese and confectioner’s chocolate into mouth-watering treats.

Rather than put in preservatives, they designed this cool cone. Not only will it keep your popcorn fresh for months, it also makes a beautiful and memorable gift.

Popcornopolis is a reminder of simpler times when recipes were made with natural ingredients, milk was delivered in glass bottles, and time was more plentiful than it seems to be today.

Old-fashioned wisdom. Tastes you’ll love. Guaranteed to please.RegularCones

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Chargers Holiday Ornaments

The 2018 Charger ornaments are in and ready to be added to your collection! Every year we feature a glass ornament in a rotating assortment of CSHS colors. This year’s ornament is silver with the Charger Horse Head in white, blue, and silver above the year in black.

  • Ornaments make a great thank you gift to family members who donated to the Rock-a-thon.
  • Buy several to make a wreath or to add to a tree.
  • Use them as centerpieces on a table or as name plates on a dinner table.

Make sure you get one every year to have a complete set! Supplies are limited so visit the Booster Club Store on the Charger Band website to order yours today! Online orders will be avaiable for pick-up at the December 4th booster club meeting.

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SAVE THE DATE! MATTRESS SALE

That’s right, the Charger Band will be selling mattresses again! We will have great name brands like Simmons Beautyrest priced below retail with floor models for you to test out, just like that store front up the road, only cheaper! So don’t go buy one yet and tell all your friends to wait. Mark your calendar for our Mattress Fundraiser on Sunday, November 11 and head to Clear Springs to support the band!

There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, October 9, at 7:30 in the PAC (Performing Arts Center=auditorium) at the start of the booster club meeting. Come hear what all the hype is about!

Who wants to win a $150 cooling pillow? 
The fundraising company will be giving away one pillow for every 50 people who text BEDS4 CLEARSPRINGS to 474747.
Please share the information with friends and family.  The more texts, the more free pillows to be given away.  Pillows will be given away at the parent meeting and you must be present to win.
IMG_8949

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Parent Survival Guide-Marching Contests

Parents, 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!

Many contest venues charge an admission fee. Watch for an article on our website and in the Band Buzz as an event approaches. If a website is available, it will be listed in the article so that you can get more information specific to each contest. There is no admission fee for UIL.

What is unique about a band contest is that everyone is there to see and hear their band.  When parents sit together in a block of blue, our kids see that from the field and get really pumped up for the performance.  At bigger competitions such as Bands of America and Sam Houston State, there will be blocks of several colors.  In fact, it is sometimes a matter of pride for the parents to see who brings the biggest crowd.  Hopefully you will be able to join us at our competitions this season.

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.

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.

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Contest Day Checklist

Please make sure that you have the following items with you for all contests.  We will have a uniform inspection in the band hall before departing for the contest 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 horse head shirt worn under uniform.

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

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

  • Flutes and Clarinets
  • Blue half gallon water jug purchased at Equipment Night
  • Black band tote bag
  • Black band garment bag
  • Marching uniform jacket
  • Marching uniform pants
  • Blue sweat-wicking t-shirt with horse head on the back
  • Plain calf-length black socks
  • Black band shoes
  • Hat box
  • Shako (band hat)
  • Black band gloves
  • Longer hair tied back with plain THIN/SKINNY BLACK hair tie
  • Clothes to change into after performance (We will go back into the stands to watch bands.  Please check the weather forecast and plan accordingly):
    • Show shirt
    • School appropriate shorts or pants/jeans
    • Athletic shoes (Not your black band marching shoes, flip flops, or sandals.)
    • Baseball caps and sunglasses in the stands are allowed
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

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Bands of America Houston – 10/6/18

Saturday, October 06, 2018

Even with all of the rain, the band has been working hard to put together a fabulous show.  They will start this year’s marching competition season at the Bands of America Houston Regional at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah, Texas.

Schedule/Location:

7:30 Band Hall opens
8:00 Rehearsal on field
9:00 Load/Change into uniform
9:30 Inspection in band hall
9:30 Chaperone Meeting
10:30 Depart CSHS
11:30 Arrive @ Stadium
12:25 Warm-up
1:30 Performance
2:15 Back in stands for The Woodlands
4:00 Report to Bus
4:30 Dinner at Main Event
6:15 Report to Bus
6:45 Return to Stadium
7:00 Gates open for finals
8:00 Finals begin
10:45 Finals Awards/Results
11:30 Depart stadium
12:30 Arrive CSHS
1:15 All students picked up

Woodforest Bank Stadium
19115 David Memorial Dr, Shenandoah, TX 77385, USA

We will be wearing our Full Uniform for the contest. Please use the Contest Day Checklist.

Notes:

Students need to use the restrooms before we depart for the contest, as there may not be an opportunity to use the restroom until after our performance.

Dinner will be provided following the prelims portion of the contest. Students should pack a sack lunch or plan on eating concession food until then. They should also eat a good breakfast before arriving.
There will be souvenir shops at the competition. We all know our kids love tees and hoodies. Prices range from $22 – $45.

The band will be taking a professional panoramic photo. This and other photos will be available for purchase at the event as well as through the photographers website. There is a link on the events webpage.

As of today (Tuesday, October 2), the predicted high for Saturday is 84 with a low of 73. The forecast calls for a 40% chance of scattered rain. Students should plan accordingly.

Chaperones Travelling with the Band:
If you did not purchase band meals for the season you will be able to order from the restaurant at the location where the students are eating.

Parents and Friends:
Guests are encouraged to read the Spectator Guide.

Please come and support the band and encourage any other friends/family to come to the contest as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform at a contest with a large cheering section made up of family and friends. 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.

For information about ticket prices and other details, please visit the contest webpage below:

http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/boa-marching-championships/regionals/bands-of-america-houston-regional-championship-presented-by-yamaha

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Booster Club Meeting – 10/9/18

Our next General Membership Booster Club Meeting will be held next Tuesday, October 9, 2018 in the PAC.  We’ll be discussing the BIG Mattress Fundraiser coming up so don’t miss out! If you signed up to wash uniforms, you may pick them up immediately following the meeting. Minutes for past booster club meetings can be found in Charms under Handouts & Files.

2018-2019 BOOSTER CLUB MEETING SCHEDULE
  • 10/09/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                          General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 11/13/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 12/4/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
                  General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 1/08/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 2/12/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 3/19/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm
  • 4/09/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                               General Meeting @ 7:30pm
  • 5/7/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30pm
How To Join The Booster Club

To join the booster club, please fill out this form and ask your child to put it in the safe in the band hall or you can turn it in to any booster executive board member at the booster club meeting: 2018 CSCBBC Membership Form

2018-2019 Executive Board
  • Tina Foy – President
  • India Allen – First Vice President, Communications
  • Alicia McConnell – Second Vice President, Fundraising
  • Margaret Gibb – Secretary
  • Brad Horst – Treasurer
  • Alicia McConnell – President Elect

To contact the Executive Board, please click here or the Contact Us link at the top of the page.

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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 calendar 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 each 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.  An exception is made for Honors/Advanced/Pre-AP courses (more on this below).

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, Pre-AP, 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 Associate 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?

Pass all classes.

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Planning Ahead for the SAT

Those of you who will be taking the SAT and/or ACT exams  need to plan ahead so that you can take the exams and not miss any band events.  Juniors in particular will need to take their exams at the end of this school year and/or in June – especially if you will be attempting early acceptance to Texas A&M or the University of Texas.

For your convenience we have included the SAT dates on our band calendar and have noted which days do and do not conflict with band events.  You will see multiple test dates throughout the year with only one or two conflicts.  Per the Band Handbook, the SAT and ACT are not considered excused absences from band events, therefore planning ahead is required by the students in order to be able to take the exams, do well on them, and meet all their band commitments.

We will have an afternoon performance time at the Bands of America Houston (BOA) contest on Saturday, Oct 6. Students wishing to take the SAT this day should register for the site closest to Woodforest Bank Stadium (Oak Ridge HS, The Woodlands HS, The Woodlands College Park HS) and utilize alternate transportation to meet us at the stadium.

The available SAT dates, per the band calendar, for the remainder of this school year and June are:

Saturday, Oct 6, 2018
Saturday, Nov 3, 2018
Saturday, Dec 1, 2018
Saturday, Mar 9, 2019
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Saturday, Jun 1, 2019

 

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Booster Club Meeting Rescheduled! 9/18/18

Join us for a Booster Club General Membership meeting in the band hall on Tuesday, September 11, Tuesday, September 18 at 7:30 PM.  Come hear about ongoing and upcoming projects.

You don’t have to be a member of the club to come and hear what’s going on and how you can help. All parents feel free to pop in and see what’s happening.

It’s not too late to join the Band Boosters!
How To Join The Booster Club

To join the booster club, please fill out this form and ask your child to put it in the safe in the band hall or you can turn it in to any booster executive board member: 2018 CSCBBC Membership Form

2018-2019 Executive Board
  • Tina Foy – President
  • India Allen – First Vice President, Communications
  • Alicia McConnell – Second Vice President, Fundraising
  • Margaret Gibb – Secretary
  • Brad Horst – Treasurer
  • Alicia McConnell – President Elect

To contact the Executive Board, please click here or the Contact Us link at the top of the page.

2018-2019 BOOSTER CLUB MEETING SCHEDULE
  • 9/11/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                          9/18/18     General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 10/09/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 11/13/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 12/4/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
    General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 1/08/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 2/12/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 3/19/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm
  • 4/09/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30pm
  • 5/7/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30pm

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Game 1 @ Converse Judson

Schedule/Location:
Sat, September 1

10:30 AM Band Hall opens
11:30 AM Depart CSHS
3:30 PM Game Meal in San Antonio (Do not follow the band to the restaurant as we will be overtaking the entire place.  Please find another place to get a meal before the game!)
5:30 PM Depart Restaurant
6:00 PM Arrive at D. W. Rutledge Stadium
7:00 PM Kickoff
10:30 PM Depart D. W. Rutledge Stadium
2:00 AM Arrive CSHS

D. W. Rutledge Stadium
900 S Seguin Rd, Converse, TX 78109 (map)
Click HERE for the stadium’s clear bag policy.

 

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.

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Booster Club News!

The minutes from the 8/14 Charger Band Booster Board meeting have been posted on Charms under Handouts/Booster Club Board Mtg Minutes/BoardMtg_08_14_18 prelim

Lots of interesting news were covered at that meeting, including the latest on a rig and driver to haul our Charger Band trailer (and it’s good news!)

Join us for the next General Membership meeting on 9/11 at 7:30 in the Band Hall to keep up to date on Booster Club happenings! You can sign up for memberships at any time. Membership applications are available at cshschargerband.org on the Boosters page. Payments can be submitted by check (made out to CSHS Band Boosters) or via PayPal. Sign up on or before Open House and be entered into a Charger Band Fan Prize Package drawing!

2018-2019 BOOSTER CLUB MEETING SCHEDULE
  • 9/11/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 10/09/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 11/13/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 12/4/18 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
    General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 1/08/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 2/12/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm
  • 3/19/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm
  • 4/09/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30pm
  • 5/7/19 – Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm                                                                  General Meeting @ 7:30pm
2018-2019 Executive Board
  • Tina Foy – President
  • India Allen – First Vice President, Communications
  • Alicia McConnell – Second Vice President, Fundraising
  • Margaret Gibb – Secretary
  • Brad Horst – Treasurer
  • Alicia McConnell – President Elect

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Sensational Symphony Deals for Students

Two area symphonies, one a Grammy Award winning orchestra and one a semi-professional orchestra in an intimate historical venue, are offering good deals to students for select concerts. Read on to see what the Houston Symphony and the Galveston Symphony have in store this season.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY
Student Ticket Options

Take a break from the books and head downtown to experience live orchestral music with the Houston Symphony in Jones Hall.
www.houstonsymphony.org/tickets/students

Student Rush Tickets

  • $15 Student Rush tickets are available the week of select Houston Symphony concerts based on availability. Eligible concerts, updated regularly, are listed below.
  • Students at the high school level and above must present a valid student ID. Seating is first come, first served and at the discretion of the Box Office.
  • Limit two tickets per student for each performance.
  • Rush tickets can be purchased the week of eligible concerts by phone, in person at the Patron Services Center or at the Box Office prior to performances. Please note that fees apply to all phone orders.
  • Programs, artists, dates and prices subject to change. This offer is subject to availability, may not be combined with other offers or discounts and is not applicable to previously purchased tickets. All sales are final.
Student Pass

For only $60, receive access to select Classical and POPS performances throughout the 2018-19 Season.  Simply check the listing below for available performances and arrive at the ticket sales window (street-level box office) up to 90 minutes in advance of the concert start time with your Student Pass and student ID and you’ll get a ticket for the best available seat! Buy your Student Pass online or by calling our Patron Services Center at 713-224-7575.

Upcoming eligible student pass concerts:
Viva Las Vegas – August 31 & September 1 & 2
Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony – September 13, 15 & 16
Bronfman Plays Prokofiev – September 21, 22 & 23

GALVESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
FREE Student Tickets

Tickets are obtained by sending an email to aliceoquin@gmail.com no later than the Thursday before the requested performance. Each student may invite an adult, who will also receive a free ticket. Students attending Galveston College, UTMB and A&M-Galveston may also request FREE tickets. All performances are at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. Tickets will be available in Edna’s Room (right next door to The Grand’s main entrance) between 3:00-3:45 on the day of each concert.

Halloween!
Sunday, October 14, 2018, at 4:00 p.m.
Arnold, “Tam o’ Shanter” Overture
Franck, The Accursed Huntsman
Lyadov, Baba Yaga
Mussorgsky, Night on Bald Mountain
Dvorak, The Noon Witch

Mozart and Beethoven
Sunday, November 18, 2018, at 4:00 p.m.
Beethoven, Egmont Overture, Op.84
Beethoven, Piano Concerto No.3, Op.37 • Anton Nel, piano
Mozart, Symphony No.41, K.551 “Jupiter”

Valentine’s Concert: Mahler’s Titan
Sunday, February 17, 2019, at 4:00 p.m.
Tim Pence, Big Rocks on Steep Hills, world premiere
Elgar, Cello Concerto, Op.85 • Julian Schwarz, cello
Mahler, Symphony No. 1 “Titan”

The Great C Major Symphony
Sunday, March 17, at 4:00 p.m.
Copland, An Outdoor Overture
Mozart, Piano Concerto No.24, K.491 • Xiaohui Yang, piano
Schubert, Symphony No. 9 D. 944 “The Great”

Symphonie Espagnole
Sunday, April 21, at 4:00 p.m.
Poulenc, Les Biches Suite
Barber, Symphony No.1, Op.9
Lalo, Symphonie Espagnole, Op.21 • William Hagen, violin

 

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Company Matching Donations

If you’ve donated money or volunteer hours to the Clear Springs Charger Band program this year, THANK YOU!  But don’t stop there…why not let those hours and dollars work a little harder by looking into whether your company offers matching donations and volunteer grant programs?

Your volunteer hours (tracked by the booster club) are already much appreciated by the students, directors, and parents, but if your company offers volunteer grant opportunities, those hours can also translate into significant fundraising dollars for the band.  Last year, matching donations and volunteer grants provided hundreds of dollars in supplemental income for the band.

Many companies offer these opportunities. Follow the links below for some examples of past programs that have benefited the Charger Band.

Boeing: (minimum: $25, maximum: $10,000) https://doublethedonation.com/forms/boeing-guidelines.pdf

Chevron: (minimum: $20, maximum: $10,000)  https://chevron.yourcause.com/basic

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: $2,500)
http://www.albemarle.com/Sustainability/Albemarle-Foundation-42.html

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

Chevron: $500 grant per 20 hr. volunteered or $1000 for 40 hr. volunteered
https://chevron.yourcause.com/.

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.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Charger Band!

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Meet the Chargers

This is the annual 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.

All band students will have pictures taken in their marching uniforms with their instrumental sections before Meet the Chargers. They will need to change back into their show shirts with shorts and athletic shoes before setting up for the pep rally.

Meet the Chargers
Schedule:

Wednesday, August 29

4:30 – Change into Full Uniform
4:50 – Section Pictures in Full Uniform*
*change out of full uniform after each section’s photo is taken
6:15 – Move to Gym for Meet the Chargers
(show shirts & favorite shorts)
6:30 – Meet the Chargers in Large Gym
7:15 – Students picked up
7:30 – Band Hall closes

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Back to School 2018

Before school…
  • Go directly to the Band Hall upon arrival at school.
  • The Band Hall will open at 6:45 each morning.
  • 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.
  • Instruments will be stored in the instrument lockers.
  • Backpacks and tote bags can be stored on top of the lockers or in the lower lockers designated for backpack/tote bag storage.
  • Students do not have access to the band hall during lunch.
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 which 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, pencil, flip folder, and lyre for instrument.  Accessing music on a phone is not allowed.
  2. Fanny pack or UDB lanyard to store phone
  3. Charged Cell phone with UDBapp installed
  4. Instrument with all necessary equipment such as reeds, valve oil, etc….
  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 3:30.
  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 are encouraged to 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. Forgotten items should not be dropped off at the front desk for your child.  Please wait until after 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.
  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.  The least congested place after practice is 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 and nutrition.

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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 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.  Please understand that not all rehearsals are excused even if we receive notification.  The reason for the absence is taken under consideration.

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!

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