Fabulous Band Fan Gear

BAND MOM T-SHIRTS

Why not show off your band pride with style! The Booster Club is offering blue ladies shirts and youth tees so you can show your Charger Love everywhere you go. Even better? You can wear these shirts when you chaperone.

Don’t miss out!

August 10th is the deadline to order these 2 special designs!

Band Mom Shirt1sm

The “Arrow Head” design features the distinctive Charger horsehead with silver glitter highlights and lettering on a blue backround.

Band Mom Shirt2sm

The “Clef Heart” option shows your love of all things Charger Music with a silver glitter treble and bass clef heart on blue as well as silver and white glitter lettering.

You may order online now in the Booster Club Store, or download the Spirit Items Order Form and drop it in the band hall safe with your payment by Friday, August 10.

FANCLOTH 2.0

Help support the Charger Band and get some great gear at the same time! Ask the next band student you see to show you their catalog or go to the online store [click here].

Online sales end Thursday night, August 30!
Catalog orders are due in the band safe by Friday, August 31!

Share the catalog by texting FC399002 to 559.900.3222, then copy and paste the message including the store link and send it to friends and family.

Sizing info can be found at fancloth.com/products

If your student needs another order form, check the band hall for extras, or you can download more from fancloth.com/downloads 

Online store link: https://shop.fancloth.com/77573/399002

NOTE: The black fleece jacket can be worn in the stands if you do not add additional personalization (only the band logo on the jacket is dress code compliant.)

Parent Survival Guide – 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!! If you join on or before Open House on September 5th, you will be entered into a drawing for a Charger Band Prize Pack!

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. Click here to read about just some of the committees that parents like you are helping to make successful endeavors this year.

Will you please consider joining our booster club by clicking this link? You can even sign up online through the Booster Club Store! 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. Click here to read about what opportunities await you this 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. You can read more about how to do this in our article titled IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION.

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.

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 use the Contact Us link at the top of the page.

2018-2019 Booster Club Meeting Schedule

  • 9/11/18 –   General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 10/09/18 – General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 12/4/18 – General Meeting @ 7:30 pm
  • 4/9/19 –  General Meeting @ 7:30pm
  • 5/7/19 –   General Meeting @ 7:30pm

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.

Uniform Fittings

Students will be wearing their blue polo and black shorts for the first several football games after which they will wear their school-issued marching uniforms.  Uniform fittings will begin next week, August 14-17, according to the schedule below.

Students must wear clothing  similar to what you will wear under your uniform which includes light weight properly sized athletic shorts (NOT thick over-sized basketball shorts) and a properly fitted t-shirt.  All uniforms will have a tailored look (not baggy). Students may change into rehearsal clothes after the fitting.

Younger siblings must come on their designated day according to the schedule, NOT with older siblings.

Uniform Fitting Schedule

Tue 8/14: Seniors @ 1:00
Tue 8/14: Juniors @ 2:00

Wed 8/15: Sophomores @ 1:00
Wed 8/15: Junior/Senior Make-up @ 3:00

Thu 8/16: Freshmen Wind Ensemble/Percussion @ 1:00
Thu 8/16: Freshmen Symphonic Band @ 2:00

Friday 8/17: Freshmen Concert Band @ 1:00
Friday 8/17: All Make-ups @ 3:00

Our uniform closet could use some donated items. If you would like to contribute, you can leave items on the shelf just to the left as you enter the uniform closet. Thanks!

  • Febreeze spray bottles
  • Seam Ripper (2)
  • Measuring Tapes (3)
  • Safety Pins – Variety of sizes, good quality
  • Check ‘DampRid’ containers
  • Pens
  • Highlighters
  • Scissors

Rock-a-thon is Almost Here!

On Saturday, August 18, the Charger Band students will converge on the CSHS cafeteria at 8:30am with rocking chairs for our first big fundraiser of the year!

Prizes abound at this event and our top fundraising Charger Band Student will be taking home the grand prize of $100 Fancloth Gift Certificate!

The fundraising goal is for every Charger Band member to hit the $250 mark so we can fund all the wonderful programs we have for our band students. All students who hit the $250 mark for Rock-a-thon donations and pledges will earn a Charger Band Fanny Pack in addition to earning free lunch and tickets for the prize drawings!!!!

The Rock-a-thon committee has a few donation needs. If you are able to donate any of these items, please send them to the director’s office in the band hall.

  • Card stock (for sponsor thank you notes)
  • Invitation envelopes (for sponsor thank you notes)
  • Mailing stamps(for sponsor thank you notes)
  • Candy or fun things that can be used as game prizes
  • Fruit by the foot
  • 4 Sleeping bags to borrow
  • Oreos
  • Limbo poles
  • Two gym mats
  • Raffle prizes for our students
  • Pens

Chick-fil-a lunch orders for Rock-a-thon will be confirmed/taken at check in. If your student has special dietary needs, please let the Rock-a-thon committee know as soon as possible so they can arrange for special lunch to be available for your student. Also, concessions will be available at the event, so please send your student with some pocket change for snacks.

All parents are invited to join the fun from 3-3:25 for our wrap up events: Director 20 questions, special surprise and big reveal! The Rock-a-thon committee is asking for donations of cookies for refreshments for wrap up time.

The “After Party” is scheduled for Monday, September 3, from 10:30am-12:30am at Fun City Sk8. Cost for entry to the After Party is $5 pre-sale $7 at the door and covers skate rental! There will be food tickets sold at the rink for $5. This will get 2 slices of pizza and a drink. This is a family event. Parents and siblings are welcome!!!

Our winning section with the highest $ average per student in the section will receive free After Party entry!

Parents can sign up to chaperone for Rock-a-thon and/or the After Party on Charms. All hands are welcome and it’s fun!

Thank you for supporting this fun event and helping the band fund our programs.

Charger Football Program Ad

The Charger Touchdown Club wants to make sure that the Charger Band Students/Parents have the opportunity to submit a personal ad for the Charger Football Program.

But hurry! THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO AUGUST 18!

Click Here for the order form for Student Ads.  They plan on having programs for sale at every game (except when we play in Dickinson) so they will be available as a keepsake item.

The deadline for submission is today August 3 August 18!

Handout: 2018-Football-Program-Student-Ads.pdf

Important Volunteer Information

All parents or community members interested in volunteering must register with CCISD.  2018-2019 volunteers can apply through the CCISD website via the following path:

ccisd.net / Community / Volunteer Information / Apply Today

Approved volunteers will be notified via email from volunteernow@ccisd.net.

You must forward this confirmation email to the Band Volunteer Coordinator in order to be added to the band’s Approved Volunteers List (cshsbandvolunteers@gmail.com).*

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 BEFORE August 24th.

It may take several days to get approved.

 *CCISD employees may show your badge to a Booster Club Officer or the Volunteer Coordinator, Mark Gibb, to be added to the band’s Approved Volunteers list.

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

Free Money for the Charger Band!

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 every time you shop.

AMAZON

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 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.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you are not seeing the Amazon link on the right, make sure that you do not have any ad blocker software running that may be blocking it.

Imagine how much we can raise if everyone does their back-to-school and holiday shopping using our link!

KROGER

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!

If everyone participates, we can easily exceed 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. Enter the organization name / number:  Clear Springs H.S. Band Booster / KX722

GIVE-BACK PROGRAMS

Several local businesses offer special ways in which they can partner with customers to give back to the community. Places like Chili’s, Panera, and Chipotle send a portion of their procedes from participating customers back to the band. Keep an eye on your inbox  for the places that will give back to the Charger Band. If there’s a flyer, share it with everyone you know! Some places require the flyer in order to participate, others allow a digital version. See each flyer for details. Please help us get the word out and spread the love while satisfying your hunger!

Share all of these easy fundraising opportunities 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 by clicking the fundraising link in the left menu.

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 2018-2019 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

Beat the Heat

Below are the guidelines that were developed by CCISD administration and athletic trainers a few years ago regarding the temperature and humidity levels during practices.  I have also included the section from our band handbook where we address the issue.  You have also seen and signed the UIL document with their heat guidelines.  Furthermore, every staff member has gone through annual training by the UIL and has been certified in CPR.  Our student leader team has gone through the same UIL training and several students are trained in First Aid and CPR.  Also, whenever possible, we have a nurse volunteer on hand during practices, games, and contests to help out with any medical issues that may arise.

While all of these guidelines are helpful and communicate that we have plans in place, we do not overlook the fact that common sense is of the utmost importance.  Students are expected to have a buddy who watches out for them and makes sure they are drinking water during practice.  They are also expected to notify an adult or a student leader (who will then notify an adult) if there is a student not drinking water or who is having difficulty.

Students may not at any time share water jugs or drink after each other.  Whenever this happens in drum corps or marching band, mono and other illnesses tend to go through the group like wildfire and shuts them down for several days.  In addition to putting the students in danger, we do not want to lose preparation time because of something that is easily preventable.

Parents, please monitor your child at home.  I have spoken to all of the students and have instructed them to drink a lot of water.  Gatorade and similar drinks are great at replacing electrolytes after rehearsal.  They are also good to drink in the evening before bedtime as some will remain in their system for morning rehearsals.  Soft drinks, tea, and coffee should be limited to no more than one per day during marching season.  These drinks tend to accelerate dehydration.  We also ask that students stay away from energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster.

In the Heat Guidelines, there is mention of “the sensitive group”.  This is in reference to students who may suffer from asthma, may be recovering from an illness, or who have extra sensitivity to the heat due to weight or other medical issues.  If your child falls into this category, please have a conversation with them encouraging them to use common sense and to sit out when they feel it is warranted.  We will not penalize students who have to sit out; however, if they sit out frequently, we do need to re-evaluate their activity level and their responsibilities in the marching band which sometimes results in reassigning them to a less strenuous position.

During summer rehearsals we will be outside in the morning and inside in the afternoons.  While we are outside, there will be parent volunteers who will be at the ready in case a student gets overheated.  If you are available to volunteer during this time, please visit the calendar at Charms to sign up.  It is a great way to see what we do and to get to know fellow band parents!

The following is from the CCISD Heat Guidelines:

High School Extracurricular Activities

  • When the temperature reaches 100 degrees or above, all students in the sensitive group may sit out without penalty.
  • When the temperature reaches one of the following conditions then, all outside practices will choose one or more of the options listed.
    • 104 degrees or above
    • 100 degrees or above AND the humidity is 45% or above
  • OPTIONS when conditions are met:
    • Practice will be moved to air-conditioned areas
    • Practice will be called
    • Practice will begin after 6:00 p.m.

Please see the following sections from our band handbook regarding the heat.

HEAT PLAN

  1. Students are required to bring a ½ gallon jug of water to every practice*.  Bottles purchased in the school vending machines or at convenience stores are not sufficient for hydration during practice.
  2. Light colored and lightweight clothing should be worn*.  White shirts are required at all marching rehearsals.
  3. A hat or visor is highly recommended along with sunglasses.
  4. Sunscreen should be used at every rehearsal.
  5. Students who overheat will be taken into the building to cool down.  If further treatment is needed, the parent will be contacted and an attempt will be made to locate an athletic trainer or school nurse.
  6. During periods of severe heat (temperature of 104 degrees or higher as per district policy), rehearsals will be moved indoors or rescheduled to late evening.

*Students who do not have a ½ gallon water jug filled with water or who are not wearing proper rehearsal attire will be sent home with an unexcused absence.  Parents should not deliver forgotten items to the front desk or attendance office during school hours.  You may deliver it to the band hall or back parking lot after school.

RAIN PLAN

  1. Rehearsals will take place in the event of rain.
  2. The band will not rehearse outside during severe weather or during storms where lightning is present; however, we will rehearse outside during periods of light rain.
  3. A staff member is constantly monitoring the presence of lightning with a lightning detector.
  4. According to district guidelines, the practice field will be cleared and all students moved indoors when lightning is within 6 miles.
  5. We will not return to the field until 30 minutes have passed following the last lightning strike.
  6. Rehearsals that are canceled due to severe weather will be rescheduled to the next day or time will be added to the remaining rehearsals for that week.

All-State & Region Band Etude List and Practice Recommendations

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

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

TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) has posted the etude lists for the 2018-2019 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 available for download from 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 on TMEA’s website by clicking here.

All-State & Region Practice Recommendations

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

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

First Aid Committee

The Charger Band First Aid Committee is in need of parent volunteers.

We are looking for a few parents that are Physicians, RNs, Paramedics, or EMTs and are willing to join the Heat Crew during the first half of the day during summer band and to travel with the band to performances and events.

The band first aid volunteer carries the first aid kit (including medications) and addresses first aid and medical needs that occur.  If you are interested and/or willing help with this volunteer position, please submit your contact information using the contact form below.

Click Here to let us know you’re available.

All volunteers must apply through CCISD for clearance.
Click Here to apply and forward your confirmation email (or a screen shot of the notice that you are already regisstered) to the Band Volunteer Coordinator (cshsbandvolunteers@gmail.com) in order to be added to the band’s Approved Volunteer List.

Thank you for supporting the Charger Band!

2018 Marching Show Music Downloads

The first two movements of this year’s show are available for download at Charms. Every student will need to have this printed out and placed in a binder when Summer Band begins next Tuesday. This music will need to be memorized.

Download Instructions:
  1. Click here to go to CHARMS
  2. Enter student ID to log in (or other password if you changed it from your ID)
  3. Click on the “Handouts & Files” icon
  4. Click on the folder labeled “2018 Show Music”
  5. Click on the PDF file for your instrument. If your instrument has multiple parts (2 or more), print all of the parts so there is flexibility when assigning parts.
Please Note:
  • PERCUSSIONISTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR MUSIC FROM MR. WITMER.

Orlando Trip 2019

We are very excited to announce that the Charger Band has  received approval to travel to Orlando, Florida in January 2019! We will depart the evening of January 18 and return on the evening of January 23, 2019.

Our spring trips tend to be one of the most memorable events in a student’s lifetime and this one promises to live up to those expectations. Current plans include trips to both Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, a couple of days at the Disney parks, and seeing an entertaining performance by Blue Man Group! While at Disney we will participate in a workshop where we will create the soundtrack to a film.

The 2019 Trip Letter has been posted in CHARMS and includes information on cost, payment schedule, and refund policy.  It also includes a Letter of Intent form which must be completed and turned in by all band students whether or not you plan on going on the trip. Please follow these steps…..

Downloading Instructions:

1. Login at CHARMS
2. Download the 2019 Trip Letter from the 2019 Orlando Trip folder in the “Handouts and Files” section.
3. Print and read BOTH pages.
4. Keep the first page (trip letter). You will need to refer to this each month for payment information
5. Fill out and sign the second page (Letter of Intent)
6. Turn in signed Letter of Intent by Friday, June 8.

The all-inclusive cost of the trip is our best estimate at this time. It is our sincere hope that the cost will go down, however we will not know for sure until 2019 pricing is released. In addition, costs are based on airfare (and luggage fees) through United Airlines. Southwest will not release their January schedules until July or August. We will compare costs at that time and change airlines if necessary. Specific trip details (hotel, flight info, etc.) will not be released until the mandatory trip meeting on January 14!

Please keep in mind that travel with a family of 150 is very different from traveling with a family of 4. Lodging, transportation, and meals can be challenging with a large group. We require 40 hotel rooms, 3 buses, 2 planes (1 if we are lucky), and an entire restaurant. Our goal is to create the safest, most organized, and memorable trip possible. While the trip is not required of every student, attendance is highly encouraged. We do have money set aside to assist some students who may not be able to afford the entire cost. Information about this is in the trip letter. If you are able and willing to sponsor another student, please contact Mr. Williams directly.

At the bottom of the Letter of Intent is a link to register as a chaperone. If you plan to chaperone the trip, please indicate so on the Letter of Intent and fill out the requested information by clicking the link. Chaperone costs are the same as for the students and are double occupancy. If you want your own room, it will be an additional $300.

Please read and sign the Letter of Intent and turn it in on June 8, 2018 at the final day of Summer Band Jam Camp. The deposit/first payment is due June 8 via credit/debit online through Charms, or by cash, Money Order, or Cashier’s Check made payable to CSHS Band delivered to the band office.  Personal checks are not accepted. Should you have any questions, please feel free to email Mr. Williams.

NIGHT OF JAZZ

The Clear Springs High School Jazz Band invites you to a Night of Jazz on the evening of Wednesday, May 23. Come to the band hall and enjoy live jazz and coffee. Feel free to bring your dinner to enjoy during the performance. Don’t miss the great music and one of the rare opportnities you get to eat in the band hall!

Night of Jazz
Wednesday, 5/23/2018
7:15 P.M.
CSHS Band Hall

SPRING CONCERT

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

Don’t forget to get roses for your favorite performers! You can purchase single roses for $3 each on the night of the performance while supplies last

Thursday, May 17th
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:50 PM)
Clear Springs High School Auditorium

This concert is looking to be a great concert for the whole family. The evening will begin with the Wind Ensemble performing their UIL Contest music, which we will be recording in order to submit an entry for the TMEA Honor Band Competition.  Following that performance will be the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and then Wind Ensemble again performing new music.

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

This evening will also be professionally recorded so the Wind Ensemble can submit for Honor Band and an additional competition.  A quiet environment during the music is required.

Important notes for students and parents:
  1. Uniforms will be worn
    • Boys – Tuxedo Jacket, tuxedo pants, tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black cummerbund, long black socks, black dress shoes or black marching shoes.
    • Girls – black band dress, black close toed shoes with an inch or less heel.
  2. Call time for Wind Ensemble is 6:15 PM on stage
  3. Call time for Concert Band is 6:45 PM in band hall
  4. Call time for Symphonic is 7:00 PM in choir room
  5. 2nd call time for Wind Ensemble is 7:45 PM in band hall

CONCERT UNIFORM COLLECTION

We will begin collecting Concert Uniforms on Monday, May 21st.

  • Uniforms must be cleaned and then returned to school on the hanger/s.
  • Write student’s name on a piece of paper and attach the paper to the hanger.
  • Return clean uniforms to the rack in the middle of the uniform closet.
  • DON’T FORGET TO RETURN YOUR GARMENT BAG! You may return your clean uniform in your garment bag if you still have one checked out.
  • Do not hang uniforms on perimiter racks or leave out in the band hall! Your uniform must be checked in on the computer or it will be flagged as missing!

Uniforms must be turned in by Friday, May 25th or you will be added to the Clear Springs High School fine and fee list. 

Washing Instructions

  • Release hems.
  • Wash jacket/pants/dress in cold water with a mild detergent.
  • Avoid using strong scents or fabric softeners. The next student may be allergic!
  • Dry on LOW HEAT and hang up immediately to avoid wrinkles.

 

 

DIGITAL YEARBOOK

The 2017-2018 Charger Band Digital Yearbook is in the works and we need your photos! If you have taken pictures at any band related event this summer or school year, please share them with us and we’ll include them in the digital yearbook.

You can email your photos to chargerbandphotos@gmail.com, or if you have several photos, you can send them to the band’s dropbox link by clicking HERE.

Pre-order your Digital Yearbook now!

Fill out the order form and drop it in the band hall safe. You can pay by cash, check, or go to the Booster Club Store and make your purchase through Paypal. Don’t miss out! Order yours today!

WIND ENSEMBLE TO SHSU

The Wind Ensemble has had an exciting year. Thanks to their stellar performances at the recent UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluations and the combined efforts of all band members during marching season, the Charger Band has brought home it’s first ever UIL Sweepstakes Award! There is one more competition this year for the Wind Ensemble at the SHSU Concert Band Festival. Come on out if you can and support the band at the Gaertner Performing Arts Center at Sam Houston State University.

Friday, May 18
9:04 (3rd period) Report to Band Hall/Load Truck
10:00 Depart for SHSU
11:30 Lunch at Cici’s Pizza or Subway – BRING $$$ or bring lunch
1:00 Arrive at SHSU
2:00 Performance
3:00 Load Truck/Bus
3:30 Depart for CSHS
5:30 Arrive CSHS
Performance at 2:00 PM
Sam Houston State University
1905 University Ave, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA

Click HERE for more Contest Info from SHSU School of Music.

PRE-PARTICIPATION PHYSICALS

All students who will be participating in High School Band during the 2018-2019 school year are required by the district to have a Pre-Participation Physical which must be dated on or after April 1, 2018.  These Physical Forms are due on Equipment Night (July 30) and must be on file by the first day of Summer Band (July 31).  Forms are available for pickup in the band office and available for download online by clicking here.  Students who do not have a current completed form on file in the band office will be sent home from summer band.

This physical can be performed by your family doctor or PA, or at any place that gives sports physicals. These physicals are due the first day of Summer Band, but can and should be turned in to the band office if completed before the end of the school year.

BE SURE THAT BOTH PARENT AND STUDENT SIGN THE BOTTOM OF PAGES 1, 2, AND 3!  FORMS WITHOUT SIGNATURES CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.

Important:
  • It is suggested that parents make a copy of the completed form to keep on file at home.
  • If you will be participating in both band and athletics you will need one copy of your physical form on file in the band office and one copy of your physical form on file with the athletic trainer.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to make sure a copy of the physical form is made and that one is given to the band directors and one to the athletic trainer.

2017-2018 BAND BANQUET

The 2017-2018 school year is quickly coming to a close, which also means that the 2017-2018 edition of the Clear Springs Charger Band will be coming to an end as our seniors graduate and incoming freshman join to form the 2018-2019 Clear Springs Charger Band.  However, before we say goodbye to our seniors and welcome in the new freshman, lets all get together and celebrate our achievements from this year as well as reminisce about your favorite memories by attending the 2017-2018 Clear Springs Charger Band Banquet.

The program for the banquet will begin with an Italian dinner buffet after which the directors will present various awards for achievement and service.  There will be opportunities to win prizes and an awesome slide show.  To close the evening we will be letting the kids loose on the dance floor.  Don’t worry parents, there will be parent chaperones to keep an eye, or several eyes, on things.

Cost: $25 per person
Make checks payable to: Clear Springs High School Band Boosters or pay online in the Booster Club Store or by clicking here.
Payments are due no later than May 11 to the Band Hall safe.

Student ticket orders must have the following 3 items included:

  • Page 2 of the Band Banquet Ticket Order Form
  • Check or cash for the ticket(s); or PayPal receipt
  • “All Clear Form” printed from the CSHS Library Website showing that the student is clear of all fines and fees owed to any department at Clear Springs. To print the all clear form click here, then click “Clear Springs High School”, Then “Catalog”, then “Login”, then “My info”

Friday, May 18, 2018
7:00 – 11:00 pm
Doors will open at 6:30 pm (Please do not arrive before 6:30)
Challenger Columbia Stadium – Field House
(park at the south end of the stadium and enter the glass doors)

Please note:

  • Only currently enrolled CSHS band students may attend.  Dates and former band members may not attend.
  • Students may not leave and re-enter the banquet.
  • Students who do not drive themselves must be picked up by 11:00 PM.
  • Parents may purchase tickets and attend; however, we are limited to the capacity of the room.  Students and senior parents are placed at the head of the guest list.  If ticket purchases exceed room capacity, we will notify those who are on the excess list and issue refunds accordingly.

Vampiress Banquet