June Newsletter

Welcome new & veteran UHS J-Hawk Band family members. We’re glad that you’re going to be a part of the 2021-2022 Urbandale J-Hawk Band Department.

A calendar of all activities for the UHS band can be found at the top of the band website. 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.

July Fourth Parade
You will also find linked information on the band website regarding the Independence Day 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 will consist of khaki shorts, tennis shoes and the white “UJB” T-shirts. Shirts will be handed out to new members on the morning of the parade. Returning members may also collect a shirt if they placed an order prior to June 11th.

New Marchers and New High School Band Parents

Please see our calendar for a few activities designed just for you.

  • June 29th – New Marcher Orientation – 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
  • June 29th – New Band Parent Meeting – 5:30 pm

All activities will be in the UHS Band Room.

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. We’ve compiled a list of quality instruments, which is posted on the quick links section of the band website. 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.

Band Website
All band students and parents should bookmark the band website jhawkbands.urbandaleschools.com. All letters, forms, and other documents will be posted there.  Please take the time to explore our website and get to know our program and policies.

Attendance expectations:
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 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.

Costs
Over the course of the school year, the students will be asked to help with some of the unique expenses relating to their experiences in band.

Flip Folder And Lyre

  • Music Lyre & Flip Folder (Purchased from Rieman’s or other music source) $10-$15

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

Marching Band Uniform
Along with a music lyre and flip folder, students must also have marching gloves, shoes, and a UJB Marching T-Shirt. Incoming students will be provided gloves and a Marching Band T-Shirt free of charge. Shoes will be ordered on August 7th after being fitted for a uniform. Lost, damaged, or outgrown items must be purchased through the Activities Department Store.

  • Marching Band Shoes (specific shoes purchased at school) $39
  • Marching Gloves (Purchased at school) $2
  • Marching Band T-Shirt (“UJB” Shirt) $8
  • (Payable online through the Activities Office Website)


2022 Band/Vocal Tour
We are excited to announce the 2022 UHS Band and Vocal Tour to Southern California! The trip is scheduled for March 9th – March 14th of next year. Highlights will include:

  • Clinics at UCLA
  • Performance on the USS Midway
  • Concert exchange in San Diego area
  • Santa Monica Pier
  • Griffith Observatory
  • Disneyland
  • Beach Day

This trip is completely optional. A $200 deposit will be due prior to June 4th. Monthly payments of approx. $315 will occur from August – January ($2090 total). A link to the trip registration can be found below:

https://jhawkbands.urbandaleschools.com/band-tour-2022/

Concert touring is an incredibly rewarding experience. Tours provide the opportunity to develop our professionalism and ensemble culture while exposing students to new acoustic environments and diverse performance venues. The directors are thrilled to offer this experience to our students at UHS.

All-State
Students interested in auditioning for Instrumental All-State are reminded to:

  • prepare 12 major scales 2 octaves & full range chromatic scale
  • prepare 60-80 seconds of solo literature
  • study with a local professional on your instrument
  • develop fundamental skills such as tone quality, range, endurance
  • set and stick to a regular practice routine throughout the summer
  • play on the best instrument you can afford

On July 25th, www.ihsma.org will post the additional audition etudes.

Jazz Band Rehearsal Schedule
For your advance planning, the rehearsal schedule is:
Jazz I & II & III:
– Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. beginning Aug. 30th

After Marching Band is complete the jazz band rehearsal schedule will be:

Jazz I & Jazz II
– Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m.
– Jazz I will also continue on Tuesday evenings.

Jazz III will rehearse Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m.

Private Lessons
We encourage students to seek private lessons with local professionals on the same instrument – both during the summer and during the school year.

The Reality:  With the limits of student and staff class schedules, the high school lesson program allows for a 20-minute lesson every two weeks. To be honest, this is a bare minimum to ensure students are able to move forward in their skills, but it falls quite short of helping them fulfill their maximum potential.

Weekly 30-minute private lessons with a local professional is the standard for students who wish to excel.  We are happy to help students find the perfect private teacher. Let us know when you (your child) are ready.

Hot Tub Raffle Fundraiser – NEW*
Hot Spring Spas of Iowa has generously agreed to donate a hot tub to be raffled off in support of the UHS band program. 100% of the proceeds will go to the band department and support the cost of instruments/equipment, performances, events, clinicians, guest artists, and more. Raffle tickets will be sold at the following band events for $25 each:

  • 3 – Home Game
  • 10 – Home Game
  • 23 – Homecoming Parade
  • 24 – Home Game
  • 2 – Marching Invitational
  • 15 – Home Game
  • 22 – Winner Announced (do not need to be present to win)

Our goal is to sell at least 300 tickets. If each band student encourages the purchase of 2 raffle tickets, we will achieve our goal. The fall band fundraiser normally brings in 50 percent or our annual income. We are continually thankful for the support of our sponsor, band families, and the community.

 

Have a great summer!

Louis Dupuis        Thomas Doggett             Dana Andrews

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