End of January HS Band Report

It’s been a good January thus far. Congratulations to the students who performed with the All-Region Band! They did a fabulous job representing Friendswood! The concert was stunning!

A few announcements …

1. SCHEDULE – Students have rehearsals for those that are in ensembles in preparation for solo & ensemble contest. We also have sectionals for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. Check with your student what their commitment is.

2. Solo and Ensemble Contest is this Thursday from FHS from 4:00pm – 9:00pm. Students will find out their times for their solo and ensemble performance Monday. Students should dress up if possible and be at their room five minutes before they perform. The contest generally falls behind so students should plan accordingly. Students MUST pay their accompanist this week. Pay them directly.

3. CHILI’S TUESDAYS – The Chili’s restaurant on Nasa Road One and I 45 will donate 10% of
Tuesday receipts for band members and friends dining in or picking up
‘to go’ orders! Simply visit the restaurant or place an order to-go on
any Tuesday. On your way out, place your receipt in the jar marked ‘FHS
Band’ by the hostess stand or the ‘to go’ register. What a tasty way to help the
band!! Tell your friends and family to support the band on Tuesday’s by
visiting the Chili’s on Nasa Road One and I-45.

3. 2012 – 2013 TRAVEL DISCUSSION — Next year is normally an out of state trip based on our past rotation. But with the new testing schedule scheduling such a trip has become a challenge. The district has asked us not to miss school but go over spring break or on a weekend. A few years back we went to Chicago over the 1st weekend of Spring Break. We are in discussions with the district about this.

If you have any feedback about this, please contact Mr. Dick as we discuss over the coming days so we can make an informed decision. We count on open and healthy communication between all to do to make this decision together to find the best competitive performance opportunities for the band members while working to balance the financial aspect of these commitments.

4. I recently spoke with the current 8th grade students and their parents about high school. Looks we will have a large, talented class coming up next year!

5. Soon we will send out our marching band camp information for 2012-2013. This will include rehearsals in May as well as the summer. This way summer plans can be made.

For now…that’s all the news that’s fit to print. We are looking forward to an exciting Spring. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Have a great week!
 
Gregory Dick
Director of Bands
Friendswood ISD
281-482-3413; ext. 155

Happy New Year, Friendswood Band Family –

It’s been a good January thus far. Congratulations to the students who performed with the All-Region Orchestra! They did a fabulous job representing Friendswood! The concert was stunning!

A few announcements …

1. SCHEDULE – Students have rehearsals for those that are in ensembles in preparation for solo & ensemble contest. We also have sectionals for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. Check with your student what their commitment is.

2. Congratulations to our All-State Musicians – Rikki Patrick, Meghan Vickery, Laura Bradley, Chris Chao, Michael Pollack, Brandon Goddard, Natalie Merino, Zach Cocetti, Daniel Du and for the 4th time, Blake Disiere. Blake is one of only 7 percussionists in the history of TMEA to make state 4 times. Congratulations! Over the past 12 years, Friendswood HS has been in the top 10 of all high schools regardless of class in the production of All-State musicians.

3. CHILI’S TUESDAYS – The Chili’s restaurant on Nasa Road One and I 45 will donate 10% of Tuesday receipts for band members and friends dining in or picking up ‘to go’ orders! Simply visit the restaurant or place an order to-go on any Tuesday. On your way out, place your receipt in the jar marked ‘FHS Band’ by the hostess stand or the ‘to go’ register. What a tasty way to help the band!! Tell your friends and family to support the band on Tuesday’s by visiting the Chili’s on Nasa Road One and I-45.

4. 2012 – 2013 TRAVEL DISCUSSION — We will be discussing travel for the following year during January. Next year is normally an out of state trip based on our past rotation. But with the new testing schedule scheduling such a trip has become a challenge. Once we have more information from the school district, we will pass that on to you and proceed forward.

If you have any feedback about this, please contact Mr. Dick as we discuss over the coming days so we can make an informed decision. We count on open and healthy communication between all to do to make this decision together to find the best competitive performance opportunities for the band members while working to balance the financial aspect of these commitments.

As soon as we have a good idea about this we will present it to you. We want to get out the fee structure as soon as possible for the upcoming year to allow all to plan accordingly.

5. SOLO & ENSEMBLE – Solo and Ensemble contest is Thursday, Feb. 2, from 4pm – 9pm. Students will perform their solos and ensembles for a judge that evening.

6. REGION BAND CLINIC – Friday and Saturday, January 20-21. The students will leave FHS at 2:15 on Friday and return at 8:15pm. On Saturday, students will leave FHS at 8am. The clinic is at Manvel High School with the concert beginning at 5:00pm Saturday night. Students are expected to go home with their parents after the concert. Please let me know if this will not be possible.

7. 8th GRADE BAND REGISTRATION – The 8th graders are about to sign up for high school classes next week. If you know any, share with them how exciting it is to be part of the Friendswood High School Band.

For now…that’s all the news that’s fit to print. We are looking forward to an exciting Spring. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Have a great week!

Greg Dick

Being on time is being late; being early is being on time!

The band handbook is available in PDF format on the website. Go to the Band button and look down and you will see the button for the Band Handbook. Page 19, signed by the parent and the student must be returned to your student’s director by Thursday, August 22, in order to go to the first football game. I can’t let a student on the bus unless they have turned it in.