New Performance Dates
May 10th – Awards Concert (6 PM – Symphonic, 7PM Wind Ensemble, 8PM Wind Symphony)
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.
Awards Concert Details
The Band Department will continue using 30 minute performance slots in the PAC as we finish out the year. As a result, we will not have time to include our normal awards ceremony during our May 10th concert. 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
The UHS Music Department will participate in this year’s State Large Group Contest virtually. There will be no commitment for students on May 8th. All three bands will submit recordings prior to May 8th in order to be adjudicated. 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!
Wind Symphony Elementary Tour
On May 12th, the Urbandale Wind Symphony will tour elementary schools throughout UCSD in order to perform and demonstrate instruments for next year’s 5th grade class. The Wind Symphony will feature soloists to introduce each instrument and perform a short concert at each school. We are excited to perform and encourage band enrollment within UCSD!
All-State Jazz Band – Results
Congratulations to Hudson Lybarger for being accepted as an alternate tenor saxophonist into the 4A Iowa All-State Jazz Band! Selection occurs through a competitive recorded audition process. Students submit a recording of a challenging jazz etude and an improvised solo. We also congratulate Nathan Boorman for completing the audition process, which fosters tremendous musical growth.
Dairy Barn
The Dairy Barn has been the band’s biggest fundraiser for over a decade. Band students and families have historically served ice cream and shakes each fall at the Dairy Barn throughout the 11-day Iowa State Fair. After much thought, the band team did not feel comfortable asking families to work the Dairy Barn during the 2021 school year. As a result, the UHS band will not be participating this year.
The Midwest Dairy Association may not offer a contract to UHS in 2022 if they find an alternative work force. The safety and wellbeing of students and families is our top priority. We look forward to coaching students through a band camp without the obligation of Dairy Barn and focus all efforts towards the music and our culture.
The Band Team is actively looking for alternative fundraisers that could potentially be sustainable for years to come. Please reach out to Mr. Dupuis if you have any ideas/suggestions.
Band Placements
Students in grades 8-11 are completing band placements for next year. These should be completed on or before April 9th.
Drumline – Auditions Due April 23rd
Percussionists interested in playing in the battery next fall will have the opportunity to submit an audition no later then April 23rd. Interested students should see a band staff member for details. Students should prepare snare drum rudiments & the etude provided by the directors.
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.
Dates for Summer 2021
The band’s summer schedule is posted here. Thanks for adding these to your calendar.
The full calendar of events for the year is in the works. We will send it out as soon as it’s complete.
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
The THIRD of July Parade
The community has long enjoyed the UHS Band students’ participation in the Independence Day Parade. Please mark your calendars so band students will be available to provide this great service to our community on Saturday, July 3rd. Students will be involved from approximately 8:00 a.m. to Noon.
We hope to see you along the route cheering on the band as they perform for you and the whole community of Urbandale!