Large Group Festival
All three concert bands (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony) will perform at the Iowa High School State Large Group Contest to be held at URBANDALE High School on Saturday, May 4th. A detailed itinerary can be found above by clicking the “itineraries” tab.
**HELP REQUESTED: “Many hands make light work.” Thank you for signing up to help us host State Contest here:
https://signup.com/go/pVcXwRP
Jazz Concert
On Monday, May 13th, the high school jazz bands and the middle school jazz band present the last concert of the year. The concert will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the high school PAC. Admission is $5
Live Stream:
http://www.j-hawks.com/live
Commencement – May 29, 2019
Commencement Band will consist of next year’s Wind Symphony members who are currently in a 1st period band. Concert attire will be all black. The band will play from the floor of the Knapp Center in full view of a very large audience. The students’ usual professionalism in performance, appearance, and actions will be proudly on display.
5:45 PM Load/Depart UHS
6:40 PM Prelude Concert
7:00 PM Commencement
*9:15 PM Arrive UHS
*times are subject to length of ceremony. Please allow for more time if the ceremony runs long.
Drumline – Battery Showcase
Percussionists interested in playing in the battery next fall will have the opportunity to Showcase their skills by May 3rd. Students should prepare snare drum rudiments, and the prepared piece already handed out.
***2019-2020 Calendar***
2019-2020 Calendar of events is posted on the band homepage under “Quick Links” near the top.
Electronic Calendar (dates are in the process of being added for 2019-20)
It’s easy to subscribe to the band calendar from a Google calendar, iCal, Outlook, etc.
From within your calendar software, “subscribe” or “add calendar” and paste the appropriate link when prompted. The events should automatically show up in your calendar and will be updated if dates or times change.
These are the same links from the past. If you already subscribe, you’re good to go.
https://www.google.com/calendar/ical/i7d3csg6oincr3dnp1gqklh97k%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
ACT Test Dates 2019-2020
Students planning to take the ACT in the coming year should plan ahead to avoid performance conflicts.
June 8 Good day to take the ACT
July 13 Good day to take the ACT
Sept. 14 Good day to take the ACT
Oct. 26 ACT TEST CONFLICT W/ All-State Auditions; if this applies to you, do not register for ACT on this day
Dec. 14 ACT TEST CONFLICT W/ Jazz Band; if this applies to you, do not register for ACT on this day
Feb. 8 ACT TEST CONFLICT W/ Jazz Band; if this applies to you, do not register for ACT on this day
April 4 Good day to take the ACT
June 13 Good day to take the ACT
Independence Day
The band will perform in the Urbandale Independence Day Parade on July 4th. The band will rehearse at the high school at 8:00 a.m., and then bus to the beginning of the parade route. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. Students are usually done by noon. This is one of the most important community performances we do each year and is greatly appreciated by the Urbandale citizens. Please help the band and the community by reserving the morning for the band’s performance. There will be several rehearsals leading up to the parade. See the band calendar for a list of all dates.
Turn in Band Instruments / Inventory
All band department instruments need to be turned in for our annual inventory according to the following schedule:
Symphonic Band turn in: After rehearsal on Wednesday, May 29th.
Wind Ensemble & Wind Symphony: After the final on May 31st.
This includes any and all school owned instruments, drums, drum stands and carriers, etc. Parents, thanks for your help in reminding students to check-in their instruments.
All students can check out their instruments for next year beginning on Tuesday, June 4th.
All-State
We encourage students who are in the Wind Symphony, or hope to be in the Wind Symphony someday, to audition for All-State. For students considering Instrumental All-State auditions next fall, here are the honest keys to success:
- Students study with a private teacher on their instrument starting ASAP and throughout the summer.
- Play on a professional quality instrument
- Practice Daily
- Scale and solo preparations.
- Build technique: tone quality, range, endurance, finger dexterity, and melodic interpretation
- Aim for the 100-day club; practicing for 100 consecutive days – then 125, etc.
- Focus on goals, overcome obstacles.