May Newsletter

Upcoming Events
May 10th – Awards Concert
– 6:00 PM – Symphonic Band (5:20 call time)
– 7:00 PM Wind Ensemble (6:20 call time)
– 8:00 PM Wind Symphony (7:20 call time)

May 11th – Awards Ceremony (closed to public)(live stream only – 11:00 AM)

May 17th –  UMS + UHS Jazz Concert
– 6:00 PM – 6th Grade Jazz + UHS Jazz II
– 7:30 PM – 7th/8th Grade Jazz + UHS Jazz I

May 26th – Graduation – No Band Performance
– Due to limitations on floor space at the Knapp Center, the band will not be performing. We look forward to continuing this tradition again next year.

2021-2022 Band Calendar
The full 2021-2022 Band Calendar is now posted at the top of the band website.

As a reminder, you can subscribe to the J-Hawk Band Calendar electronically using this link:
https://www.google.com/calendar/ical/i7d3csg6oincr3dnp1gqklh97k%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

(dates are in the process of being added for 2021-22)

Awards Ceremony Details
On Tuesday, May 11th, band students will gather in the PAC during their Connections/lunch hour. We will hold our normal awards ceremony for all band students and live stream the event for families. We will also share the video with families on the website if you are unable to watch the event live.

State Large Group Contest Details
All three concert bands will record for state large group contest this week. Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble will record on May 4th and 6th. Symphonic Band will record on May 5th and 7th. Students are to wear “concert black” to school on these dates. Families will have an opportunity to hear this performance in-person at our Awards Concert the following Monday, May 10th. This concert is designed to be a year-end culminating performance where students display their yearlong progress in concert band. We hope to see you there!

2022 Band/Vocal Tour
We are excited to announce the 2022 UHS Band and Vocal Tour to Southern California! The trip is scheduled for March 9th – March 14th of next year. Highlights will include:

  • Clinics at UCLA
  • Performance on the USS Midway
  • Concert exchange in San Diego area
  • Santa Monica Pier
  • Griffith Observatory
  • Disneyland
  • Beach Day

A $200 deposit will be due prior to June 4th. Monthly payments of approx. $315 will occur from August – January ($2090 total). An online registration and payment system will be sent out to families in the near future. We highly encourage students to work over the summer in order to begin saving up!

Concert touring is an incredibly rewarding experience. Tours provide the opportunity to develop our professionalism and ensemble culture while exposing students to new acoustic environments and diverse performance venues. The directors are thrilled to offer this experience to our students at UHS.

An itinerary and other trip info can be found below:
– INITIAL ITINERARY
– INCLUSIONS AND PRICING

Please know this itinerary is subject to change at anytime.

ACT Test Dates 2021-2022
Students planning to take the ACT in the coming year should plan ahead to avoid performance conflicts.
June 12 Good day to take the ACT
July 17 Good day to take the ACT
Sept. 11 Good day to take the ACT
Oct. 23 ACT TEST CONFLICT W/ All-State Auditions; if this applies to you, do not register for ACT on this day
Dec. 11 ACT TEST CONFLICT W/ Jazz Band; if this applies to you, do not register for ACT on this day
Feb. 12 Good day to take the ACT
April 2 Good day to take the ACT
June 11 Good day to take the ACT

Independence Day
The band will perform in the Urbandale Independence Day Parade on July 3rd.  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 19th.
Wind Ensemble & Wind Symphony: After rehearsal on May 20th.

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-State Auditions
We highly encourage all interested students to audition for All-State next year. We will have a meeting on Tuesday, May 25th for any students interested in auditioning. All-State practice tips are included below:

  • Students study with a private teacher on their instrument starting ASAP and throughout the summer.
  • Play on a professional quality instrument
  • Practice Daily
    • Major scales, chromatic, 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.

Summer Lessons
Summer is a great time for students to get connected with the Metro’s best musicians for lessons. Many private instructors have started in-person lessons once again. Students (and their parents) who are interested in connecting with private teachers this summer should visit with any of the band staff for contact information of the best local pro’s on each instrument.

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