September is a month filled with Marching Band activities including a football game, a parade, and two marching invitationals.  The month at a glance:
Thursday September 19: Homecoming Parade
Friday September 20: Pre-Game & Halftime (Pep Rally during school)
Saturday September 21: Johnston Marching Invitational
Thursday September 26th: Mattress fundraiser & UMI Volunteer Meeting
Saturday September 28: Urbandale Marching Invitational

Marching Band Itineraries
As they become available, all itineraries related to marching band will be posted on the Marching Band page of the band website.  Tickets for home football games can be purchased at J-Hawks.com. Tickets for Johnston Marching Invitational 

Marching Band Volunteerism
Links for both general band and Urbandale Marching Invitational volunteering opportunities are always available on the Volunteering Page on the Band website. The next opportunities are for the football game on  September 20th, the Johnston Marching Invitational on September 21st, and the Urbandale Marching Invitational on September 28th. 

The 2024 Urbandale Marching Invitational

This is an event for which we count on support/volunteerism from 100% of band families
On September 28th, we will host the 26th Annual Urbandale Marching Invitational. Urbandale High School will host 10 marching bands, around 2000 students, and another 2000 spectators from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Our event is well known in the state as a premier event with the best hospitality around.

To make it happen, we count on each family contributing volunteerism in the areas of ticket sales, concessions stand, band hosts, and more. The tasks are easy and the time working with other families is fun.  Please visit the Volunteer Page!  We are in current need of Pit Crew Members and people to work the concessions stand.

Lesson Schedule
The Band Lessons will begin next week, September 9th. Lessons will serve as required independent work within the band program. Please view the lesson schedule for your time

Lesson Guidelines:

• Arrive early to allow sufficient time for warming up before your scheduled lesson.
• Bring your instrument and all necessary lesson materials.
• Ensure that you have practiced the assigned material prior to your lesson.

Missed Lesson Policy:

• If you miss a scheduled lesson, you must reschedule it within the same week to avoid needing a make up. 
• You are permitted a maximum of two lessons per week: one scheduled lesson and one make-up lesson.
• During weeks without scheduled lessons, you are allowed one make-up lesson if needed.
• Notable dates for make-up lessons: November 25th through November 26th and January 6th through January 10th.
• Missed lessons will be recorded as ‘ME’ until they are made up.

Students who are studying with a private teacher will need to have their teacher email a director with the dates you attended lessons. 

Class Assignments
Students will be asked to perform memorization checks on the marching band music during their lessons. To demonstrate proficiency, students should be able to play the entire set of music memorized. Students will not be allowed to perform with flip folders beginning at our September 21st away performance at Johnston. All music must be demonstrated by October 11th.  Playing assignments will NOT be accepted after this date!

Assignments can be submitted by video or played live for a director. 

Video recordings should be at a wide enough angle to show the student and surrounding area and have the music playing in the background. Music can be accessed in the ParentSquare Marching Band Page

All State Mock Auditions
All State Mock Auditions will occur each Monday, 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM, now through October 21st. Students auditioning will perform excerpts of their audition material for a director and students on similar instruments. Students who wish to audition for instrumental All-State are expected to attend all mock auditions. If a student plans to audition for SCIBA honor band then students MUST sign up for All State and attend mock auditions. 

Jazz Band
Jazz Bands 1, 2, & 3 will rehearse Tuesday nights from 6:00-7:30 pm during marching band season. If your student is in Vitality, then we have worked out rehearsals with show choir directors. 

Please welcome our student teacher, Madi Rehor!
Hi! My name is Madi Rehor, and I’m thrilled to be working with your students at Urbandale High School. I’m in my final year of music education with my focus being on instrumental music at Grand View University. I grew up on the north side of Des Moines and graduated from North High School. I am very passionate about the impact and necessity of the arts in schools and for students. I love being out on the field with your students every morning at 7 am!