DMS Bands Newsletter
April 21, 2019
Calendar
Monday 4/22 - No School: Weather Day
Tuesday- Cadet Band After School Rehearsal 3:30-5:00 (required)
Tuesday - BJHS Fall Color Guard Audition - 4:00 - 6:00pm
Thursday - Cadet Band After School Rehearsal 3:30-5:00 (required)
Thursday - Saturday - All State Band - Von Braun Center
Thursday - BJHS Dance Team Auditions - 4:00 - 6:00pm
Thursday - BJHS Drum Days - 4:00 - 6:00pm - BJHS
Thursday - 6:00pm-8:00pm - Spring Fling Dance (Volunteers and Donations are needed)
Saturday - ABA All State Concert - Von Braun Center 1:00pm
DMS Spring Fling 80's Dance Party
DMS Band and Choir are hosting the DMS Spring Fling 80's Dance Party on Thursday, April 25
6:00pm-8:00pm in the DMS Gym. (Rescheduled from last Thursday due to severe weather)
-Tickets for the 80s Spring Fling Dance Party are ON SALE at lunch this week! Bring your $5, or pay $8 at the door!
Please see the following Sign Up Genius to Volunteer and Donate:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44a5af23a7f49-dmsspring1
We need a few volunteers to sell tickets during lunch this week:
Announcements
-All Band Fees are Past Due!
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHARMS ACCOUNTS ASAP.
-If you have any corrections or questions please let me know.
-Checks need two phone numbers and a driver's license number.
Karyl - treasurer@dmsbands.org
Fluff and Stuff to the Rescue
Fluff and Stuff is a program where the band collects stuffed animals to give to local police and fire departments. They then will give them to children in accidents or other emergency situations.
Please bring a small stuffed animal to the band concert on Monday April 29 or Tuesday April 30 for us to present to the police and fire departments on April 30 during the band program.
Please see the following for more information:
ABA All-State
The Alabama Bandmasters Association (ABA) 2019 All-State Band Festival is April 25-27.
Saturday, April 27 - 1:00pm - All-State Band Festival Concert - VBC Propst Arena
Best wishes to our DMS Band Students selected to participate.
Elaine Bao
Hayden Purser
Anna Digges
Timothy Zhu
Please check the website abadistrict1.com for more details.
2019/2020 BJHS Band
Wind Auditions - May 6
Percussion Auditions - May 7
Rookie Camp/Percussion Camp - May 29-31
-BJHS Drum Days for all those wanting to audition for the BJHS drumline next year.
Starting this Thursday from 4-6. All are welcome and we will just be getting together to work technique and exercises. We will meet every Thursday until the end of the semester
BJHS Band Popcorn Fundraiser - All popcorn items have now been distributed. Please contact Rebecca Emmons as soon as possible if you are missing anything or have any questions. Thanks! Rebecca nbemmons@knology.net
BJHS 2019 Fall Color Guard and Bob Jones Dance Team Auditions
Good luck to all of you auditioning for the Bob Jones Fall Color Guard on Tuesday and Bob Jones Dance Team on Thursday!
-Color Guard Clinic and Tryouts will be next Tuesday, April 23 from 4-6pm in the BJ small gym
-Dance Team Tryouts will be Thursday, April 25 from 4-6pm in the BJ bandroom
Please see information on BJ Color Guard Summer Camp
Symphonic/Concert Bands
Concert Band - Spring Concert - Monday 4/29 - Bob Jones High School Auditorium
Symphonic Band - Spring Concert - Tuesday 4/30 - Bob Jones High School Auditorium
The concert schedule is being finalized and will be published as soon as possible. Hopefully all parents and students will have a detailed schedule on Tuesday. Any parents who are willing to help volunteer to facilitate the logistics of the evening, please email info@dmsbands.org
-BJHS Drum Days for all those wanting to audition for the BJHS drumline next year.
Starting this Thursday from 4-6. All are welcome and we will just be getting together to work technique and exercises. We will meet every Thursday until the end of the semester
Cadet/Beginner Band
4/23- After School Rehearsal 3:30-5:00 (required)
4/25 - After School Rehearsal 3:30-5:00 (required)
4/29- Spring Concert (Beginner Band, DMS Concert Band, BJHS Concert Band)
4/30- Spring Concert (DMS Symphonic Band, BJHS Wind Ensemble, All Percussion Ensembles)
Past Due Fees
We currently have a substantial amount of past due band fees. Please get this money in or contact a director for a payment plan as soon as possible. Students will not be able to get their schedules for next year until all of their fees for this year are paid.
After School Rehearsals (This Week!)
In preparation for the concert, we will have two after school rehearsals this week to allow the beginners the opportunity to play as a full group. These rehearsals are mandatory. Please make arrangements for your student to attend. The dates are 4/23 and 4/25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.
Spring Concert
Our Spring Concert is scheduled for April 29th. This is a required performance that will count as a major Test grade. We would love it if you could make plans to attend both concerts (April 29th and 30th), but please be prepared to attend your child's concert for the entirety of the concert. Below are the details for this concert:
Where: Bob Jones Auditorium
When: 6:00 pm
Dress: Solid White Top (at least 3/4 length sleeves), Black Pants, Black Socks, Black Shoes. *Girls may wear a skirt (must meet dress code) with Black hose.*
Arrival Time: Students should arrive to the designated Warm up area by 5:30 pm with all of their materials (Instrument, Music, Book)
As always, if you have any questions please email us at
Mrs. Merritt- jmmerritt@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Mrs. Sims- ksims@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Jazz Band
Saturday 5/11 - Spring Jazz Brunch - DMS and BJHS Jazz Ensembles will host a jazz brunch at the Madison Senior Center 8:00-11:00am
Entry is $5 and all proceeds will go to the senior center. There will be a biscuit bar and casseroles. A sign-up for food donations can be found HERE.
Indoor Drumline/ Percussion Ensemble
4/30- Spring Concert Performance - BJHS - 6:00pm (Back to original date)
The concert schedule is being finalized and will be published as soon as possible. Hopefully all parents and students will have a detailed schedule on Tuesday. Any parents who are willing to help volunteer to facilitate the logistics of the evening, please email info@dmsbands.org
-Percussion Ensemble will have a show run through during warm-up for the Spring Concert. Times will be given tomorrow.
-BJHS Drum Days for all those wanting to audition for the BJHS drumline next year.
Starting this Thursday from 4-6. All are welcome and we will just be getting together to work technique and exercises. We will meet every Thursday until the end of the semester
Mark your calendars
Upcoming Events:
4/29 - 6:00pm - Spring Concert (DMS Percussion Ensemble, Beginner Band, DMS Concert Band, BJHS Concert Band) at BJHS Auditorium
4/30 - 6:00pm - Spring Concert (DMS Symphonic Band, BJHS Wind Ensemble) at BJHS Auditorium
MAY
5/6 - BJHS Band - Wind Auditions
5/7 - BJHS Band - Percussion Auditions
5/11 - Jazz Brunch - DMS Jazz Band/BJHS Jazz Band
5/14 - End of Year Party/Awards TBD
5/23 - Last Day of School/Dismissal 11:45am
May 29 - 31 - BJHS Band - Rookie Camp/Percussion Camp
Fundraising
Spring Fundraisers:
-Papa John's Dollars for Dough - ONLINE ONLY!! (Delivery or Carry Out) Place this code in the promor bar 'DMSBAND'
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ak9kM_qOKrI2jFEeX36FFycIuE_k
Year-long fundraisers:
-Publix Partners
-Kroger Community Rewards
-Planet Fundraiser
Please contact us if you need information on joining these Rewards programs
Band Room Supply Wish List
The Band Room is always in need of Supplies! Wish List Donations are greatly appreciated!
-Prize Box Items
-White Copy Paper
-Color Copy Paper (Any Color)
-Pencils and Pens
Volunteers/Chaperones
All Chaperones and Volunteers are needed!
-All chaperones must pass the Secure Volunteer background screen and have a Secure Volunteer ID card. https://bib.com/secureVolunteer/Madison-City-Schools/
IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ
Dear parents of 6th and 7th graders,
DMS bands relies on parent volunteers to handle the logistics of getting the kids instruments to and from performances outside of the band room. This could be as close as the DMS library or as far away as Orlando, Florida. We desperately need a few parents to sign up for this position next year. Mrs. Merritt and Mrs. Sims need to continue concentrating on teaching our kids music and how to perform at a level that is far beyond their ages. The accomplishments that DMS achieves on a regular basis is startling, and parent volunteers are a part of that. We only have three more events to show what all is involved in moving the band to different venues, two performances at Bob Jones for the Spring Concert and the Breakfast with the Jazz Band performance at the Madison Senior Center (please check the newsletter for dates and times). This position does not require experience, only a desire to help. When I started, I didn't know the difference between a marimba, a vibe and a xylophone. I still have to ask the kids for help every time we travel. It will involve loading and unloading the trailer with instruments that can't be transported in the family auto, pulling the DMS trailer to the events, making sure that all instruments needed are loaded, helping set up at the events and just keeping an eye on things to make sure they run smoothly. If your child is in the Indoor Drum line (Percussion Ensemble), please seriously consider this position because this is the one that requires the most effort. This position can be filled by multiple people making it easier on everyone. It has been a blessing handling this over the last year. I have gotten to know several of the kids parents, I have learned to make repairs to instruments that I can't identify, I have seen all of their performance from back stage, now that I think back, every trip is an adventure. If you are interested, or even a little curious, please contact me at 256-975-2412 or spurser4062@yahoo.com and I will be happy to answer any questions and hopefully sign you up.
Thank You,
Shane Purser
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