Marching Band Itineraries
Our Oct. 16 State Marching and Mid-Iowa Band Championships Itinerary is available under the itineraries tab of our website.
(Remember to communicate individual transportation needs to Mr. Dupuis by noon the day before the event.)
Mark your calendar for potential playoff games on Oct. 29, Nov. 5. If there is a home play-off game, the band will follow the same home-game schedule as usual. If we don’t land a home game, students get the benefit of a FREE Friday night.
Scholarship Rule (eligibility) Resumes 2nd Semester
The application of Scholarship Rule (36.15) and the associated rules of the Music and Speech Association and the Urbandale Community School District go back in effect after a three-semester hiatus due to COVID-19 at the start of the second semester this school year.
Students participating in activities to include athletics and the performing arts are subject to a 30 calendar day suspension from activities in the event they receive a failing grade at the end of Semester 1.
For more information, visit: https://www.j-hawks.com/information/Academics/2021-22_Academic_Information/2021-2022_Academic_Eligibility_Periods
If your student needs assistance in a class, encourage them to talk with their teacher or counselor.
Senior Recognition Night
Oct. 15th will be Senior Recognition Night. If you are the parent of a senior, please mark this date in your calendar. We will recognize you and your child before the band’s pre-game performance. Senior parents will need to report to the north end of the track no later than 6:00 PM.
Volunteerism
We would appreciate chaperones and pit crew for our State Contest in Waukee and Mid-Iowa Band Championships performance in Ankeny this Saturday. Please visit this site if you are interesting in being part of the team on those events! Thanks for your support.
Band Assignments
Student recording assignments for marching band were all due Friday, Oct. 1st. We accepted late submissions through Oct. 8th. Any recordings submitted after this date will not be accepted.
All-State Auditions
If your student is auditioning for Instrumental All-State on Oct. 23rd, we will not be taking a bus. Most instrumental students have found it more conducive to arrive about one or two hours before their audition time rather than sitting around all day getting nervous. If your family has difficulty arranging transportation, let us know and we’ll assist in arranging a carpool. Specific audition times are not yet publicized. More details will be available soon.
Conferences
We hope to see band families at conferences on Oct. 14th and 18th. All conferences will be held virtually this year.
Concert Bands
*Schedule for the Week of Oct. 18th*
No 7AM Rehearsals
Monday – State and Mid-Iowa Performance Reflection (8AM start)
Tuesday – Concert Band (8AM start) (bring concert instruments)
Thursday – Marching Band (8AM start)
Friday, Oct. 22nd – Last Home Football Game Performance
Concert Bands will begin rehearsals on Tuesday, October 19th. Rehearsals will start at 8:00 a.m. along with the rest of the school. Parking and traffic at UHS gets more congested approaching 8:00 a.m. Plan for adequate time to park or to drop off students. The expectation is for students to be in the band room doing personal warm-ups at 7:55 a.m. to ensure an excellent start at 8:00 a.m.
Jazz I
Jazz I will begin 7AM rehearsals on Wednesday, Oct. 20th. They will rehearse Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7AM. They will also continue rehearsing on Tuesday evenings from 6PM – 8PM.
Jazz II
Jazz II will begin 7AM rehearsals on Wednesday, Oct. 20th. They will rehearse Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7AM. Tuesday night rehearsals will end after Oct. 12th.
Jazz III
Jazz III will transition to 7AM rehearsals on Tuesday, Oct. 19th. They will rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7AM – 7:50 AM. Tuesday night rehearsals will end after Oct. 12th.
23rd Annual Urbandale Marching Invitational
We hosted over 2300 guests, nearly 2100 student performers and enjoyed an evening of great performances. We receive countless compliments about our parent volunteers who make the experience smooth and welcoming, and the Urbandale band students who cheer on the early performances is awesome. Everything is highly organized, which is thanks to Rosemary Stice (current parent), Al Strohmaier and Paul Rye (parents of a late 90s graduate and founding member of the festival completing his 23rd year in charge of bus and truck parking/logistics), Janine Choudhury + Amy Brown Luke + Melissa Baker (chairs of concessions), Greg Stice (pit crew chief) and Dr. Watson’s team in the Activities Office.
It takes a large team of volunteers to pull this festival together each year. Thanks to each person who contributed time and energy in any amount to make number 23 a huge success.