We hope summer has treated you well and helped you rejuvenate your energy for another great year in the Urbandale J-Hawk Bands (UJB).
A marching band that performs to inspire an audience will require a great deal of its members:
- Energy and concentration
- Musical skill
- Complex maneuvering
- Esprit de Corps (a feeling of pride in belonging to the group)
Our Marching Camp is one key step to the success of the J-Hawk Marching Band. It’s important that students are mentally and physically ready to hit the ground running (and with all the right gear) in August.
NOTE: Monday’s camp schedule is different from the other days. (See page 5)
PREPARE FOR SUCCESS
Plan on hot weather during rehearsals. Bring comfortable clothes, tennis shoes (no sandals), sunscreen, a hat, and most importantly drink lots of water. Bring water bottles; we’ll have water to refill your containers at all camp rehearsals.
It’s important to take care of yourself when working this hard outside in the heat! Get plenty of sleep each night. Eat and drink healthy meals.
ORIENTATION
9th graders, new members, and section leaders – The first morning rehearsal will be just for you! We’ll use this time to further acquaint you with more of our processes for learning the music and marching band maneuvers.
*NEW* SENIOR MEMBERS LEADERSHIP
ALL senior band members are expected to attend. Your excellent leadership is vital to the success, climate and culture of the band. This will be on Monday, Aug. 7 from 11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
UNIFORMS – please read carefully
All students will be fitted for uniforms on August 5th according to the included schedule on page 6.
We will have dozens of parent volunteers to help fit uniforms. The uniforms have on-the-spot adjustable sleeve and pant lengths. Volunteers will make these adjustments for each student. As outlined below, the students will be fitted for shoes and gloves at the same time. Veteran members will have access to last season’s shoes to try on and make sure they still fit.
Payment for annual cleaning fees, shoes, t-shirt, and gloves should be paid at or before the time of fitting. Students will only be fitted for uniforms once their uniform fees are paid. If you need financial assistance, please communicate directly with Dr. Bill Watson, Activities Director, 457-6994.
If your uniform gets dirty during the season, it will be your responsibility to have it dry cleaned. We will take care of sending the uniforms for dry cleaning at the end of the season.
EXPENSES
The following fees will be collected at the time of uniform fitting on Aug. 5th, 2017
Checks made payable to Urbandale High School Band.
(an online payment option will be available here.)
- Uniform Cleaning Fee $12
- Marching Band Shoes (specific shoes purchased at school) $39
- Marching Band T-Shirt (“UJB” Shirt – reusable in future years) $8
- Marching Gloves (purchased at school) $2
–You may reuse t-shirt, shoes & gloves if yours are still in good shape.
Students will be assigned a uniform once they’re current on their payment. If you are unable to make payment at that time, contact Dr. Bill Watson, Activities Director, 457-6994 to make alternate payment arrangements. Students must be paid and fitted before they will be able to perform with the band.
Each student will provide his/her own Music Flip Folder and Lyre (from Rieman’s or other music source).
Flute: DEG A16-HC225 Flute/Piccolo Lyre
Clarinet: B-flat Clarinet Lyre & DEG Universal Flip Folder
Saxophones/Bass Clarinets: Saxophone Lyre & DEG Universal Flip Folder
Trumpet/Mellophone/Euphonium: DEG HC260, or Brass Lyre w/ Bent Stem & DEG Universal Flip Folder
Trombone: DEG HC250 Trombone Bell Lyre
Tubas: DEG Universal Flip Folder
Percussion: 3-ring binder and clear plastic sleeves
POTLUCK
On Monday, August 7th, we’ll host a band family potluck in the UHS Commons. At this potluck we’ll be presenting important information about the instrumental music program. This will be a great opportunity for new band parents and students to meet the staff, various event chairs, and to ask us questions about the band program.
What to bring
***Please bring your own table service.***
If your child is a woodwind musician, please bring a main dish to share.
If your child is a brass musician, please bring a side dish to share
If your child is a percussionist, please bring a dessert to share.
We will provide water, iced tea, and lemonade.
PHOTO
Before our first home game performance, we will set aside some time for parents to take their child’s picture in uniform. This will take place before the game on September 1st. There will be opportunities to order formal band photos following the State Marching Band festival.
DAIRY BARN
Our contract with the Dairy Barn provides 55% of our annual revenue. You might say ‘It’s our financial healthy diet.’ Without it, imagine the band program with 55% less of everything: instruments/equipment, performances, events, clinicians, guest artists.
2017 marks Urbandale’s 20th year staffing the Dairy Barn. We appreciate everyone’s help in filling the remaining shifts by visiting this site and signing up for 3 student shifts and 2 adult shifts. Many hands make light work. (John Heywood)
If you’re available for any last minute shifts, let Beth Day know; there’s a spot to sign up online on standby.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
On Tuesday, August 21st, the Performing Arts Booster Club (PABC) and the Athletic Booster Club team up to canvas Urbandale asking citizens to join the booster club. The proceeds are split between the PABC and the Athletic Boosters. All students who participate in any activity, including band, are asked to participate.
The Booster Club needs adult drivers to transport students from UHS to various neighborhoods in the district.
FROM THE DESK OF CINDY MILLER (Band Volunteer Coordinator)
Volunteering:
Many of the band events throughout the year depend on parent involvement for their success. Please visit the J-Hawk Bands website and follow the “Volunteer” tab to find information about volunteering and links to our sign ups. Our first priorities are to fill Dairy Barn slots and arrange for volunteers to help fit our 180+ students on Uniform Fitting Day on August 6th. Thank you in advance for helping give our kids a great high school band experience!
As always, feel free to contact Cindy Miller at jhawkbandbooster@gmail.com with questions. (Consider adding this e-mail address to your contact or safe-sender list.)
MISC
- During camp, students are often scheduled to have school photos and pick up their schedules for school. Please do so at the earliest possible time, then hustle to rehearsal.
- All-State: On July 25th the All-State Etudes are posted on: http://www.ihsma.org
For those working towards the All-State auditions, mock auditions will take place:
- Aug. 28 – First Mock Audition begins
- Sept. 7 – Second mock audition. These will determine the 30 musicians who will continue through Oct. 21st auditions.
- September 11 – October 16 – Mock Auditions continue on Monday evenings; Tuesdays after school, All-Staters rehearse for opening ceremonies of Urb. Marching Invitational & discuss general All-State audition topics.
- Student who wish to audition for instrumental all-state are expected to attend mock auditions and Tuesday “briefings.”
- Jazz Bands: Jazz Band I & II will begin on Tuesday, August 29th with auditions and continue on Tuesday evenings with rehearsals starting Sept. 5th – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please let us know. See you soon!
CAMP SCHEDULE:
All rehearsals will start at the UHS band room unless announced otherwise.
Friday, August 4 – Section Leader & Field Commander Workshop
9:00 AM – Noon
Saturday, August 5 – Uniform Fitting Day
See detailed schedule on next page
Monday, August 7
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (ORIENTATION for 9th graders, new members, and section leaders)
11:10 AM – 12:10 PM – ALL SENIOR MEMBERS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
1:00 – 3:00 PM Camp Rehearsal (for all members)
**5:30 PM Dairy Barn Tickets Distributed – UHS Commons
**6:00 PM Family Potluck – UHS Commons
Tuesday, August 8 (all remaining rehearsals are for all members)
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 9
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Thursday, August 10
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday, August 11
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Monday, August 14
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Tuesday, August 15
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 16
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday, August 18
8:00 – 9:30 PM “Friday Night Lights” rehearsal
Monday, August 21
6:00 PM – BOOSTER MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
During the fall marching season, the band rehearses each morning from 7:00 AM through the end of 1st period. On Wednesdays, rehearsal will be from 7:00 – 7:50 AM. We will start this on the 1st day of school.
If you will be missing any of the above rehearsals, please e-mail in advance and let us know.
(Exception: no notice is necessary for Dairy Barn absences.)
Uniform Fitting Day
Student Arrival Schedule
Saturday — August 5, 2017
9:00 – 9:30 Seniors A-K
9:30 – 10:00 Seniors M-Y
10:00 – 10:30 Juniors A-D
10:30 – 11:00 Juniors G-J
11:00 – 11:30 Juniors K-N
11:30 – 12:00 Juniors P-S
12:00 – 12:30 Juniors V-Z
12:30 – 1:00 Sophomores A-B
1:00 – 1:30 Sophomores C-H
1:30 – 2:00 Sophomores K-P
2:00 – 2:30 Sophomores R-S
2:30 – 3:00 Sophomores V-Y
3:00 – 3:30 BREAK
3:30 – 4:00 Freshmen A-B
4:00 – 4:30 Freshmen C-E
4:30 – 5:00 Freshmen F-H
5:00 – 5:30 Freshmen I-K
5:30 – 6:00 Freshmen M-N
6:00 – 6:30 Freshmen P-S
6:30-7:00 Freshmen T-Z
Payment for annual cleaning fees, shoes, t-shirt, and gloves should be paid at or before the time of fitting.
The following fees will be collected at the time of uniform fitting on Aug. 5th, 2017
(an online payment option will be available here.)
Checks made payable to Urbandale High School Band.
- Uniform Cleaning Fee $12
- Marching Band Shoes (specific shoes purchased at school) $39
- Marching Band T-Shirt (“UJB” Shirt – reusable in future years) $8
- Marching Gloves (purchased at school) $2
–You may reuse t-shirt, shoes & gloves if yours are still in good shape.
Students will be assigned a uniform once they’re current on their payment. If you are unable to make payment at that time, contact Dr. Bill Watson, 457-6994 to make alternate payment arrangements. Students must be paid and fitted before they will be able to perform with the band.