Welcome UHS J-Hawk Band Family! We are glad you are joining us for the 2024-2025 season.  From now on, ParentSquare will be the preferred method of communication.  Eventually, ParentSquare will contain everything necessary to be successful in Band but until then, the Band website will be the go-to source.

Calendar & Band Website
A calendar of all activities for the UHS band can be found at the top of the band website (jhawkbands.urbandaleschools.com). We suggest that you subscribe to the calendar electronically so that all events appear on your preferred device.  We’ve taken every opportunity to ensure the accuracy of the calendar to help avoid or resolve conflicts with work, vacations, and other activities prior to the event.  All band students and parents should bookmark the band website jhawkbands.urbandaleschools.com. All letters, forms, and other documents will be posted there until they are moved to ParentSquare.  Please take the time to explore our website and get to know our program and policies.

June Rehearsals
We know that students have lives outside of Band but we also know that some students would like extra rehearsal time on our show music.  This year, we are offering Optional but Encouraged music rehearsals on the following dates:
Monday June 17th: Woodwinds & Brass ONLY 6:00pm – 8:00pm:
Tuesday June 18th: Percussion ONLY 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Tuesday June 25th: Percussion ONLY 6:00pm – 8:00pm
All rehearsals will take place in the UHS Band Room.  This is a great opportunity to get to know other students and to learn the music ahead camp.

July Fourth Parade
As you know, Urbandale and Independence Day go hand-in-hand. The community has tremendous pride in the J-Hawk Band. This is a great time to show them our appreciation and provide an excellent community service. Plus, it’s a great way for new band members to meet and work with the older students before the school year begins. Please read the information carefully and let us know if you have any questions.

Uniforms for the parade will consist of khaki shorts, tennis shoes, and the white “Urbandale J-Hawk Marching Band” T-shirts. Shirts will be handed out to new members on the morning of the parade (sizing only guaranteed if pre-order form was submitted).  All students will be required to wear the official “Urbandale J-Hawk Marching Band T-Shirt” under their uniform for all performances throughout the summer and fall.

4th of July rehearsal and parade schedule
All rehearsals and meetings begin in UHS Band Room unless otherwise noted.
*New Marchers and New High School Band Parents*. Please see our calendar for a few activities designed just for you.
July 1st  – New Marcher Orientation – 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
July 1st  – New Band Parent Meeting – 5:30 pm

July 1
Percussion Rehearsal: 9:00 – 12:00 p.m. All Percussion Members
Leadership Session #1: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Leadership Team
New Marcher Orientation: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. New Members & Leaders
New Band Parent Meeting: 5:30 p.m. New Band Parents/Members

July 2
Percussion Rehearsal: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. All Percussion Members
Marching Band Rehearsal: 10:00 a.m. – noon All Members

July 3
Percussion Rehearsal: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. All Percussion Members
Marching Band Rehearsal: 10:00 a.m. – noon All Members

July 4
Urbandale Independence Day Parade: 8:00 a.m. All Members
All instrument cases and personal belongings will be left at UHS.  After warmup, all students will be bused to the beginning of the parade route (70th St. and Oliver Smith Drive). Following the parade, students will load the buses at the end of the parade route (Gloria Dei Church parking lot, 86th St. and Aurora) and return to UHS. We are usually done by noon.

How to be successful at the 4th of July Parade: have Confidence memorized (School Song) and stay hydrated.

Attendance expectations and cellphone policy
Band is a performance class. Attendance at rehearsals and performance is expected. Students who elect to be in band are electing to attend all events according to our calendar.
During July specifically, students who are in town should make plans to attend 4th of July rehearsals.  Please communicate with jobs / schedulers accordingly.  Students who are on family vacation or working at camps out of town are not expected to alter their travel plans. Beginning in August, attendance at all camp rehearsals is expected and necessary for students and the ensemble to succeed.

The School Board approved and updated the Code of Conduct to include a cellphone/electronic device policy.   We will be incorporating this new policy at all summer rehearsals and throughout the school year.

Personal Property/Electronic Devices/Cell Phones/Cellular Watches
The District and its agents and employees shall not be held responsible for personal items brought onto school property, as to replacing, repairing, or recovering such property. Urbandale K-8 students are ONLY allowed to utilize cell phones, cellular watches and other electronic equipment before and after school. At UHS, students may also use devices during passing time and lunch. During school hours for K-8, cell phones and other electronic devices need to be turned off and stored in student backpacks. At UHS, students may also place electronic devices in their locker or another staff-designated area. Urbandale staff reserves the right to protect instructional time from interruptions caused by cell phones and electronic devices. If cell phones and electronic devices are to be used for instructional and/or curricular purposes, that will be at the discretion of the teacher and/or administration.

Music Lyre and Flip Folder
Purchased from local or online music stores: $10-$15
Instrument specific lyres and flip folders
Talk to a director for additional information
We have an abundance of lyres and flip folders from students that have graduated.  Check with a director, drum major, or section leader to obtain one.

Instruments
Band students in high school, especially those in the advanced ensembles (or aiming for the advanced ensembles in the future) are highly encouraged to step up from their beginner instruments to “professional” level instruments. Please feel free to e-mail the directors for further advice when preparing to shop for a new instrument. It is one of those occasions when you truly get what you pay for and we’d love to help ensure you get the most for your investment.

All-State & Honor Band
For students considering Instrumental All-State auditions next fall, here are the honest keys to success.  Remember, if you plan to audition for SCIBA Honor Band, you must also audition for All-State:
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.
On July 20th, www.ihsma.org will post the audition etudes.

Jazz Band Rehearsal Schedule
Every student interested in Jazz Band should plan on attending Tuesday night rehearsals from 6 to 8pm beginning September 27.  The first few rehearsals will serve as auditions; more details will be announced in August.  We are aware that jazz band and show choir meet at the same time at the beginning of the school year.  We regularly communicate to avoid conflicts.

After Marching Band is complete, the jazz band rehearsal schedule will be:
Jazz I
Tuesday evening 6 to 7:30 pm,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday morning: 7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m.
Jazz II
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday morning: 7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m.
Jazz III
Tuesday & Thursday mornings 7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m.