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.

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
    • These need to be in a 3 ring binder with plastic sheet protectors.
  8. Flip Folder and Lyre for instrument.
    • These can be purchased at Music & Arts across from Baybrook Mall or at H&H Music across from Ellington Field
    • We are using the same stand tunes as last year.  These should be printed and placed in the flip folder in order.
    • 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)
  10. Pencil(s)
  11. Water jug (1/2 gallon minimum; does not have to be the blue one purchased at Equipment Night) or Camelbak (or equivalent)
    • Updated 7/27: Water jugs ordered on equipment night will NOT be distributed the first day of Summer Band because the equipment items have not yet been delivered. Camelbaks are highly recommended for rehearsals. (not required)
    • Blue water jugs (the one from equipment night) are used for football games and should only have the student’s name and instrument on them.  Stickers and other decorations need to be removed.
  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 going outside.
    • 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
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. Click “2016 Marching Show”, “Fundamental Book” and “2016 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 on the first day.
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.

Posted on by Lester Williams.

All-State & Region Band Summer Preparation

The high school region band process is very similar to the junior high region band process, However, there are two main differences.  The first is that there is a freshman only region band audition which takes place before the high school audition  and which is a non-performing band. The Freshman Region audition is for the purpose of earning a region band patch, points toward your letter jacket, and most importantly practice for the high school region auditions.  Freshman may audition for freshman region, high school region, or both. The second main difference between junior high and high school is that the highest placing students at Region band will advance to the Area band auditions and then the highest placing students at Area will become Texas All-State musicians, a prestigious honor.  They will then have the privilege of performing with one of the All-State ensembles at the Texas Music Educators Association convention in February.

Though participation in the region band auditions is not required it is strongly encouraged as the whole process is a very educationally beneficial one.  Also, students who wish to attempt to move up a band for second semester must participate in region auditions and students who do not want to be passed up by another student, and possibly moved down a band, should participate as well. All Wind Ensemble students will be tested on the music starting in September. Placement at the region audition in December will be a factor in second semester placement.

Some of you may be wondering why we are discussing this so early when region auditions are not until December and the etudes have not even been posted.  We are discussing this because your preparation needs to begin now if you wish to do well.

All-State & Region Band practice recommendations
  1. Practice all 12 major scales
    • Memorized
    • Full range
    • With a metronome
    • Both slowly while focusing on getting every note to sound the same, and fast while focusing on getting your fingers to be even.
  2. Practice all 12 major scales in thirds
    • Memorized
    • Full range
    • With a metronome
    • Both slowly while focusing on getting every note to sound the same, and fast while focusing on getting your fingers to be even.

If you are able to play your scales well, meaning that you sound the same on every note regardless of articulation, especially at the extreme ranges of your instrument and with even fingers, meaning that you are not rushing or slowing down at all between any notes, then you will be well on your way to being successful in the All-State/Region process.

Audition material
  1. Click here to see a list of the etude books.
    • The etudes will be chosen from these book.
    • We encourage everyone to purchase the etude books so that when the etudes are posted the last week in July, they can begin practicing the etudes immediately, as it will take us several weeks to get copies of all the etudes made.
  2. Click here on or after July 25th at noon to see the specific etudes.

Posted on by Lester Williams. 0 comments