Belton MS Band - Week of Sept. 26
2022-2023 School Year
Welcome!
General information that applies to all students and parents can be found towards the top of every newsletter, while information specific to your child's ensemble can be found in that particular section by scrolling towards the bottom.
After you've read through everything, feel free to contact a director if you have any questions. All of our contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Fundraiser Money Due This Wednesday!
ALL chocolate fundraiser money is due this Wednesday by 4pm. If your student still has chocolate left to sell by the deadline, please "buy" the rest of the box in order to turn in all of the money. Then, continue to sell the rest of the box until you replenish your money that you turned in. This is important so we can move forward with paying the fundraising company for the chocolate that we bought.
Only students who have turned in all of their fundraiser money by the above deadline will be considered for our Top 3 Sellers Prize of $100 for 1st Place, $80 for 2nd Place, and $60 for 3rd Place. We will also have one last $20 cash drawing to 3 winners Monday after school. Thank you for all of your help in selling chocolate!
Band Calendar
Alternatively, you may prefer the List of Band Events format that can be found clicking on the link.
Parent Chaperone Sign-Up
First Playing Test for Brass
First Performance - Beginner Sit-In Concert
Mark Your Calendars: Beginners will have their first performance on Thursday, October 13 in the BMS Cafeteria starting at 6:30pm. Percussion students will have their portion of the concert in the Band Hall.
Students will need to arrive no later than 6:15pm in order to Be Punctual, Be Prepared, and Ready to Perform! Each section will be showcased and demonstrate what they have been learning for the first few weeks of school. We will also be sharing some "best practices" to help your child get the most from our band program. The students can't wait to show you what we've learned so far!
Khloe, Austyn, & Kelsey
Practice Records Due Monday!
Practice Records are due tomorrow! Our expectation is that students practice 5 days a week for at least 25 minutes per day in order to earn a 100 for that week of practicing. Practicing for 4 days will earn a 90, 3 days an 80, 2 days a 70, and less than 2 days will be a 50. Not turning in Practice Records on a consistent basis is the #1 reason why students fail Band!
New practice records will be assigned at the start of each week to be due the following Monday (or the first day of the school week). For each day late, students will lose 5 points, and records will NOT be accepted past Friday of that particular week. Students should follow their practice plan as outlined on their practice record. See an example practice record here.
Please watch Mr. Chilton's 10-minute video below explaining the value of developing healthy practice habits, and how practicing must be consistent over time in order to build skill, as displayed on the Weekly Practice XP Chart below:
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Beginners
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for the Beginner's Ensemble here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
MS Band Night - 8th Graders
Our 8th graders will get to participate in a Belton HS Football Game from the best vantage point - the Marching 100! Students will get to have fun in the stands with the M100 (HS Band) on Friday, October 7. They will perform both in the stands and on the field during Halftime! Afterwards, students will be dismissed to go home, or enjoy the rest of the game in the student section, IF they brought their student ID. Students will be provided a Future M100 Shirt to wear tucked into jeans with a belt for gentlemen. More details about this upcoming performance will be shared soon.
We need parent chaperones for this performance! You will be helping monitor and escort students, move equipment, plus you get into the game for free! Please email Mr. Pulley if you are an approved chaperone and can help out on Friday, October 7. We are looking forward to this high school experience!
After School Sectionals
Here is the Sectional Schedule in effect for August 29 to October 28:
- Mondays: Bassoons (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trombones & Euphoniums (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Tuesdays: Saxophones (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trumpets (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Wednesdays: Clarinets (Ensemble Room with Trahan), Tubas (Cafeteria with Pulley), AND Percussion (Band Hall with Smith)
- Thursdays: Flutes (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Horns (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Oboe: During rehearsal once a week with Pulley
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Symphonic
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for Symphonic Band here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
MS Band Night - 8th Graders
Our 8th graders will get to participate in a Belton HS Football Game from the best vantage point - the Marching 100! Students will get to have fun in the stands with the M100 (HS Band) on Friday, October 7. They will perform both in the stands and on the field during Halftime! Afterwards, students will be dismissed to go home, or enjoy the rest of the game in the student section, IF they brought their student ID. Students will be provided a Future M100 Shirt to wear tucked into jeans with a belt for gentlemen. More details about this upcoming performance will be shared soon.
We need parent chaperones for this performance! You will be helping monitor and escort students, move equipment, plus you get into the game for free! Please email Mr. Pulley if you are an approved chaperone and can help out on Friday, October 7. We are looking forward to this high school experience!
After School Sectionals
Here is the Sectional Schedule in effect for August 29 to October 28:
- Mondays: Bassoons (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trombones & Euphoniums (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Tuesdays: Saxophones (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trumpets (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Wednesdays: Clarinets (Ensemble Room with Trahan), Tubas (Cafeteria with Pulley), AND Percussion (Band Hall with Smith)
- Thursdays: Flutes (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Horns (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Oboe & Bass Clarinets: During rehearsal once a week with Trahan
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Wind Ensemble
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for Wind Ensemble here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
First Performance Date Change - VA Hospital
There has been a date change for our upcoming performance at the Temple VA Hospital. Instead of occuring on the original date of October 19, we will be performing at a special memorial service on Thursday, November 10 outside by the flags of the hospital property. This will occur during school and we will most likely stop for Lunch at the Raising Cane's in Temple off 31st Street. This restaurant has become our official BMS Jazz Band Lunch Spot!
Students must be academically eligible to attend, which means they must be passing all of their classes with a 70 or above. We will need parent chaperones for this event, so please check your calendar and email Mr. Pulley if you can help out on that day, or if there are any scheduling conflicts with your family calendar. We are excited to FINALLY get to perform at the Temple VA Hospital - a first for the Belton MS Jazz Band!
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Jazz Band
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for Jazz Band here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
Meet the Directors
Mr. Pulley
Wind Ensemble
Jazz Band
Brass Specialist (trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, & tuba)
Mr. Trahan
Symphonic Band
Woodwind Specialist (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, & saxophone)
Mr. Smith
Percussion Specialist (mallets & drums)