Previous Director's Comments

Max Joseph Palmer arrived on Wednesday, June 23 at 1:01 am. Click HERE for pictures.

Final fruit sale, student account and fundraising obligation figures are now available.

If you wish to know how much money you have available to use for Florida expenses, transfer that money to your Florida account or find out if you still owe fundraising obligation for this school year please contact Bev Atkinson at pierpont5@comcast.net or 304-296-1511.

Thanks to all who helped with the 2011 Fruit Sale. This year's sale was a tremendous success, with gross sales topping $45,000.

Special thanks to Sharon Ewell, Bryan and Karen Shaffer, and Bev Atkinson for all their hard work organizing, entering data, and counting and depositing money.

Thanks also to all the parents and students who helped unload the truck, sort orders, and distribute fruit on December 15, as well as those who helped count money and orders in the weeks leading up to the sale.

The bands did a GREAT job at this year's Holiday Concert. The directors are very proud of you.

Students must sign up four to a room. Students with medical issues MAY room with a parent, but are not required to. THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS THE END OF SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 13.

The sign-up list is only for roommate assignments, and does not determine specific rooms students will be staying in. (In other words, students cannot choose who their neighbors will be since much of that is beyond our control.)

Rooms for UHS are limited, so students who do not sign up with three others are likely to be assigned roommates.

THIS LIST IS DUE TO THE ALL-AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL BY JANUARY 20. STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT UP-TO-DATE WITH THEIR FLORIDA PAYMENTS BY THAT TIME WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE LIST AND MONEY ALREADY PAID TO AAMF CANNOT BE REFUNDED.

The UHS Holiday Concert will be held Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00 pm in the UHS Auditorium. Students need to report to the band room at 6:30 pm. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and seniors.

Bob Evans will host a Community Fundraiser to benefit the UHS Band on Thursday, December 8.

Simply present THIS FLYER when you purchase any meal (eat-in or take-out) at either Morgantown Bob Evans location, and the UHS Band will receive 15% of the total sale.

We are aware that many sales take place over the Thanksgiving holiday when students see family and friends.

We can accept orders on Monday, November 28, but NO orders can be accepted after this date as we must place our order with PeeJays.

The band will travel to Orlando Florida for the All-American Music Festival during the spring of 2012. The dates for this trip are Thursday, March 22 through Monday, March 26, 2012, pending BOE approval..

The cost of the trip will likely be in the $500-$600 per-student range. We would like for EVERY student to have the opportunity to participate in this trip. The most common way to raise funds for it is to sell fruit and sell Elimination Dinner tickets.

However, we also recommend that families begin planning for the Florida trip now by putting aside $25.00-$40.00 per month in the year leading up to the trip in order to minimize the impact of the cost when the time comes.

Congratulations again to the Marching Band for their performance at Saturday's Lewis County High School Tournament of Bands Competition.

In a field of eight bands, the UHS Band brought home awards for First Place percussion in Group 4 and First Place band in Group 4. (There were no awards for guard at this competition, but we're certain that the guard would have taken first place, as well.)

Congratulations to the Marching Band for their Grand Champion performance at Saturday's "Music In The Mountains" Tournament of Bands Competition at Preston High School.

In a field of nine bands, the UHS Band brought home awards for First Place guard in Group 4 (the largest band class), First Place guard overall, First Place percussion in Group 4, First Place percussion overall, First Place band in Group 4, and First Place band overall.

Congratulatulations to Tammy Ollila of Morgantown for winning the 2011 UHS Band Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Raffle.

Bob Evans will host a Community Fundraiser to benefit the UHS Band on Thursday, October 20.

Simply present THIS FLYER when you purchase any meal (eat-in or take-out) at either Morgantown Bob Evans location, and the UHS Band will receive 15% of the total sale.

12:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS in travel uniforms
1:00 pm - Rehearsal
2:00 pm - Load instrument bus/board buses
2:30 pm - Depart UHS
4:15 pm - Arrive @ Lewis County HS
4:56 pm - Warmup
5:24 pm - Perform
6:25 pm - Awards
~6:55 pm - Depart Lewis County HS
~7:35 pm - Eat at Meadowbrook Mall Food Court
~8:15 pm - Depart Meadowbrook Mall
~9:00-9:15 pm - Arrive @ UHS

Student will need to eat lunch before leaving home. The Band Boosters will provide snacks en route. Students will need to bring money for dinner at the Meadowbrook Mall food court on the way home.

5:00 pm - Arrive @ UHS in FULL uniform
5:30 pm - Lineup for parade in front of school
6:00 pm - Parade step-off
7:10 pm - Pre-game
7:30 pm - Kickoff
~8:15 pm - Halftime

We are dismissing students immediately after halftime so they can get changed to attend the Homecoming Dance.

3:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS in travel uniforms
3:45 pm - Rehearsal
4:45 pm - Load instrument bus/board buses
5:15 pm - Depart UHS
6:15 pm - Arrive @ Preston HS
7:00 pm - Warmup
7:36 pm - Perform
8:04 pm - Awards
~8:30 pm - Depart Preston HS
~9:15-9:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS

Congratulations to the marching band on an outstanding performance at the State Capitol. You did the UHS community proud.

4:15 pm - Arrive @ UHS in travel uniforms
4:30 pm - Rehearsal
5:30 pm - Load instrument bus/board buses
6:00 pm - Depart UHS
6:45 pm - Arrive @ East/West Stadium
7:30 pm - Warmup
8:00 pm - Perform
~8:45 pm - Depart East/West Stadium
~9:30-10:00 pm - Arrive @ UHS

5:00 pm - Arrive @ UHS in travel uniforms
5:15 pm - Rehearsal
6:15 pm - Load instrument bus/board buses
6:45 pm - Depart UHS
7:05 pm - Arrive @ Mountaineer Field
7:30 pm - Warmup
~8:15 pm - Perform
~8:45 pm - Depart Mountaineer Field
~9:05-9:15 pm- Arrive @ UHS

Students are encouraged, but not required, to stay after we perform to watch the other bands. Most students ride home with parents. PLEASE REMEMBER TO HAVE YOUR PARENTS SEE MR. PALMER OR MR. KING PRIOR TO LEAVING MOUNTAINEER FIELD. The bus will leave Mountaineer Field at approximately 8:45 pm.

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE ADDITION: The UHS Band has been invited to provide music for an event at the Capitol Complex in Charleston on Thursday, September 8. The invitation explained that the event is being held "to commemmorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks (and) to lead to a greater state-wide celebration of the U.S. Constitution."

7:00 am - Arrive @ UHS with uniform (students can change before leaving school)
7:15 am - Load buses, change into TRAVEL UNIFORMS
7:45 am - Depart UHS
~11:00 am - Arrive @ Capitol Complex
~11:15 am - Eat box lunches provided by State of WV
1:00 pm - Event begins
~2:00 pm - Depart Charleston
~5:15 pm - Arrive @ UHS

We will travel by Fox Charter, and all travel expenses will be reimbursed by the state. The band boosters will provide snacks on the buses.

The band will perform the National Anthem to open the ceremony, "America the Beautiful", and "Armed Forces Salute".

Students received "Armed Forces Salute" on Thursday, August 25 and will receive "America the Beautiful" on Friday, August 26. STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO SPEND EXTRA PRACTICE TIME LEARNING THIS MUSIC SINCE WE HAVE SUCH A SHORT TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE PERFORMANCE.

This performace will include ALL band students, including parade-only marchers, and all absences will be exempt.

The Back to School Bash will be held Tuesday, August 16, from 5:00-7:00 at UHS. To avoid conflicts, the band rehearsal will end at 4:30 this day.

8:45 am - Arrive @ UHS
9:00 am - Depart UHS
~10:30 am - Arrive @ Kennywood
~8:15 pm- Depart Kennywood
~9:15 pm - 10:15 pm Arrive @ UHS

Each student will check in with their assigned chaperone (located near the Merry-Go-Round at the center of the park) at 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 8:00 pm. Students must have a watch or cell phone so they are able to check in at the appropriate times.

Students must pay $22.00 for their Ride-All-Day Pass before they board the bus, and should bring spending money for food, souvenirs, and rides that are not covered by the RAD Pass.

Students who have health-related issues (allergies, diabetes kits, etc.) must make sure their emergency kits are packed before we leave UHS.

The 2011 band camp a tremendous success. The band parents were wonderful, the staff did a great job, we had 98% attendance for the week (13 TOTAL absences out of 130 students over five days), and the kids showed great attitudes and a willingness to do what was necessary to get the job done. We got the entire show on the field and the music mostly memorized.

Thanks to all who contributed in any way, including those who donated their time, donated snacks, supplies, expertise, etc., and the families for simply having the kids there and ready to work each day.

Due to the a conflict with the photographer's schedule, we must move the date and time of the band group photo.

The photo will now be taken Monday, August 8 at 9:00 am. Students must have uniform fees paid and take uniforms home after rehearsal on August 8 so they can march in the Monongalia County Fair Parade that evening.

8:00 am - Pick-up @ EASTON ELEMENTARY
~8:20 am - Pick-up @ WESTWOOD MIDDLE
~8:40 am - Drop-off @ CAMP MUFFLY

EVENING

8:35 pm - Pick-up @ CAMP MUFFLY
~8:55 9m - Drop off @ WESTWOOD MIDDLE
~9:15 pm - Drop-off @ EASTON ELEMENTARY

Due to the closure of the Ices Ferry bridge, we have decided to move the pick-up/drop-off of the band camp shuttle from Cheat Lake Elementary to Easton Elementary. The Westwood pick-up/drop-off will remain the same.

Band parent informational letters for the 2011-2012 school year were mailed June 6, 2011. If you did not receive a letter, it can be found HERE.

Band camp fees are $120 and are due July 25, 2011. For families with multiple students in the band, there is a 25% discount per student after the first.

Families who wish to send a check in advance may send it to the following address:

UHS Band Open House/Ice Cream Social will be held Wednesday, July 27 from 6:30-8:30 in the UHS Band Room. Freshmen will be fitted for uniforms at this time.

The directors are very proud of the band's performance at graduation. The band students' behavior has never been an issue, and once again did not disappoint, and the level of performance was second to none. Kudos for representing the school and program with dignity.

Auditions for the 2011-2012 Field Commanders will be held Thursday, May 26 at 2:45 pm in the band room. The auditions will be judged by former WVU drum major (and former UHS student teacher) Allen Heath.

Field Commander clinics will be held Wednesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 25 after school in the band room. Clinics will be conducted by Evan Boegehold.

2011-2012 marching band section leaders will be announced after the field commanders are selected.

Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble and the Concert Band, both of which received straight Superior (I) ratings at the Region 10 Band Festival. This marks the eighteenth consecutive year the Wind Ensemble has received a superior rating and the ninth year in the last eleven that the Concert Band has received a superior rating.

Congratulations to the Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Combo, each of which received straight Superior (I) ratings at the Northern Region Jazz Festival Saturday. This marks the eleventh consecutive year the Jazz Ensemble has received a superior rating and the third consecutive year the combo has received a superior rating.

The UHS Band Spring Concert will be held Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00 pm in the auditorium. We are excited to have internationally renowned composer and conductor Samuel Hazo as guest conductor for this concert.

Along with other selections, the concert band will perform two of Mr. Hazo's compositions, "Rivers" and "Ascend", and the wind ensemeble will perform Mr. Hazo's "Ride", "Perthshire Majesty", and "Arabesque".

Thanks again to all who helped make the UHS Band Elimination Dinner a success, including the parent workers, student workers and staff, the UHS Jazztet, and the businesses who provided goods and services.

Thanks especially to Outback Steakhouse of Morgantown for providing the meals. Outback's generosity saves the band approximately $3000.00 each year in food expenses for the Elimination Dinner. Additionally, they bring the manpower and expertise to provide meals to such a large group of people.

The next time you take the family out for dinner, please consider Outback. They have been tremendously supportive of the band over the last several years. The next time you visit Outback, perhaps write "Thanks from the UHS Band" on your check so they know how much their help means to us.

Special thanks to Clear Mountain Bank for again purchasing many of the unsold tickets. This is the third year that Clear Mountain Bank has offered extra financial support for the band.

Thanks also to the following sponsors for providing the contents of the baskets:

“Art”: The Snoderly Family
“Gardening”: The Feghali Family
“Kids Candy/Fun ”
“Coffee, Tea, or Me-Usic ”: Starbucks and Horizon Soil Consulting
“Manly Man”: Apple Valley County Club, Mountaineer Golf Club, Sheetz
“Romance”: WVU Division of Music
“Adults Only! Get Lucky": Suzanne Kiger, Passion Parties by Suzanne
“UHS Marching Band”: Fawley Music and UHS Band Boosters
“Music”: Fawley Music
“Spa Basket ”: Theresa Obrad, Theresa Styles for You
“Avon”: Mindy Mernoski
“Patty's Art Spot ”: $50.00 Certificate
“WVU”: WVU Parents Club and the Solomon
“Movie Night! ”: The Ewell Family and Hollywood Cinema
“Spring Break Bag ”: Tanya's Designer Inspired Purses and Luggage
“Girly Girl”: The Gabriel Family
“Celebration” MRay's Pastries, Edible Arrangements, The Gatto Family
“The Wow Factory”
“Baby Basket ”: The Kullman Family

With such a long list of people and businesses to thank, we are almost certain to leave someone off. If you know of an omission, please e-mail mpalmer@access.k12.wv.us so we can add them to the list.

Finally, congratulations to the winners of the baskets, the winners of the consolation prizes along the way, and to Matt Turner, who split the $1000.00 grand prize with the band, which had the two remaining tickets because they had gone unsold.

UHS will host the second annual Big Band Bash in the auditorium Friday, April 1 at 7:00 pm. The show will feature the UHS Jazz Ensemble, the UHS Jazz Combo, the Mountaineer Middle School Jazz Ensemble, the Westwood Middle School Jazz Ensemble, and the Mon River Big Band. Admission is free.

The 2011 Elimination Dinner will be held Thursday, March 17 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Star City. The cost per ticket is $60.00, which covers TWO Outback Steakhouse dinners, one chance to win the $1,000.00 Grand Prize, and four chances to win smaller cash prizes.

Tickets were distributed to students on Friday, February 18. Each student received ONE ticket to sell this year. Anyone wishing to sell more tickets should see Mr. Palmer. There are fewer tickets (160) available this year because the hall is not big enough to seat 400 people, so students should act quickly if they need more tickets.

This is the final fundraiser for the 2010-2011 school year, and is the LAST opportunity for students to fulfill their $200.00 fundraising obligation. The band boosters will deposit 10% of the ticket price ($6.00 total) into students' band accounts for each ticket sold, and the profit margin could be as high as about 80%, meaning that each ticket sold could also count as much as $50.00 toward students' $200.00 fundraising obligation.

The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo will participate in the West Virginia Wesleyan College Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 26. Students should arrive at UHS at 8:00 am. Return time TBA. WVWC will feed us lunch and students should bring money for dinner on the way home. Attire is all black.

The Jazz and Percussion Concert will be held Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 pm in the UHS Auditorium. The concert will feature performances by the jazz ensemble, jazz combo, several percussion ensembles, and the trumpet ensemble. Admission is $5.00 for adults, and $3.00 for students and seniors.

The next Bob Evans Community Fun Night fundraiser will be held Thursday, January 27.

The fundraiser is simple...eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, (eat-in or take-out) at either Morgantown Bob Evans location between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm (it has been 8:00 pm previously), present THIS FLIER when you pay, and 15% of the proceeds will go to the UHS Band.

All State Band Auditions will be held Friday, January 7 at Fairmont State University.

We will depart UHS at 7:30 am. Following auditions, we will stop at the Morgantown Mall for lunch and return to UHS between 12:30 and 1:00 pm (in time for any students who need to take 7th period finals that day).

In the event of a snow cancellation or delay, All State Auditions WILL NOT be cancelled. We will still depart from UHS at our scheduled time.

UPDATE: Due to a large number of conflicts with the December 17 make-up date, the Holiday Concert has been moved to Monday, December 20 at 7:00 pm. Please see details below.

The UHS Band Holiday Concert will be held Monday, December 20 at 7:00 in the UHS Auditorium, and will feature performances by the brass ensemble, concert band and wind ensemble, with pre-concert music provided by the jazz combo.

The concert band will wear black and white concert attire and wind ensemble will wear tuxes/gowns. (Please see information about concert attire on pp. 10 and 11 of the UHS Band Handbook).

ALL ORDERS AND MONEY MUST BE TURNED IN ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29 WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

The WVU Marching Band Keynotes Concert will be held on Monday, November 29 at 7:30 pm at the WVU CAC. The UHS band has a small allotment of tickets available to band students and a limited number of parent chaperones. The cost of the tickets is $1.00.

The next Bob Evans Community Fun Night fundraiser will be held Thursday, November 18.

The band will travel to Bridgeport High School on Friday, November 12 for the first round playoff game.

Students should arrive at UHS at 6:00 pm in full uniform and we will depart by bus at 6:15. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm. We should return to UHS between 10:45-11:15 pm.

Please eat before you arrive. The boosters will provide snacks during the 3 quarter break.

Congratulations to the marching band on yet another outstanding performance at the Southern Garrett, MD "Autumn Glory " T.O.B. Competition.

The Hawk Marching Band received FIRST PLACE guard in group IV (largest band class), FIRST PLACE percussion in group IV, and second place in group IV.

This has been an excellent band all year, and we are the directors and staff commend you on an outstanding competition season.

Congratulations to the marching band on another outstanding performance at the Allegany MD "Preview of Champions" T.O.B. Competition.

The Hawk Marching Band received FIRST PLACE guard in group IV (largest band class), FIRST PLACE percussion in group IV, and third place in group IV. (One judge cost the band dearly by scoring us so low that the we had no chance at first place. Had that score been in line with the rest of the judges, we would have finished at least second, and possibly first.)

Considering the circumstances (extremely long wait before performing, followed by the lights going out and the head judge actually STOPPING the band in the middle of the first song), the fact that this was our best performance to date speaks volumes about the character of this group.

Congratulations to the marching band on an outstanding performance at the Preston "Music in the Mountains" T.O.B. Competition.

In a field of 14 bands, the Hawk Marching Band received FIRST PLACE guard in group IV (largest band class), FIRST PLACE guard overall, FIRST PLACE percussion in group IV, FIRST PLACE percussion overall, FIRST PLACE band in group IV, and SECOND PLACE band overall, missing winning the whole competition by four tenths of a point out of a possible 100.

To access these photos, click HERE and enter the password "buddyrich" then click on the appropriate album under "Recent Albums".

Congratulations to Jessica Bowers of Morgantown, winner of the 2010 UHS Band Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Raffle.

This year's raffle raised over $5,000 for the band. Thanks to all who participated for their support of the UHS Band.

Because the ACT prep class is taught after school on Wednesdays, we will need to move the once-a-week rehearsals (which start the week of October 11) from Wednesdays to Tuesdays.

Once we go to our once-a-week format, good attendance is particularly important. We have reserved Thursdays for make-up rehearsals in the event of rain or attendance issues.

We will reschedule rehearsals based on attendance if ten or more students are absent from any rehearsal (excused or unexcused).

6:00 pm - Arrive @ UHS in FULL UNIFORMS (No garment bags or hat boxes)
6:15 pm - Depart by bus for Pony Lewis Field (students will take smaller instruments with them on school buses)
~6:45 pm - Arrive @ Pony Lewis Field/Unload Instrument Bus
7:30 pm - Kickoff
~9:30-10:00 pm - Buses depart Pony Lewis Field

Students may ride home with parents, but due to parking and general Mohawk Bowl chaos, we ask that all students ride the bus to Pony Lewis Field.

Sales are nearly $4,000.00 behind that of last year's raffle. Please sell your tickets.

The next Bob Evans Community Fun Night fundraiser will be held Thursday, October 21.

1:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
2:00-2:45 pm - Rehearsal
2:45 pm - Load and board buses
3:15 pm - Depart UHS
5:00-5:15 pm - Arrive @ Southern High School Athletic Field
~5:45 pm - Warm-up
6:18 pm - Perform
8:06 pm - Awards
8:30 pm - Depart Southern Garrett Athletic Field
~10:15-10:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS

Students should eat a good meal before arriving at UHS. The boosters will feed students on the buses en route. Students will need to bring money for food at the Southern Garrett concession stand.

Please plan for heavy traffic and parking issues. All students should arrive in full uniform.

5:00 pm - Parade Line-up
6:00 pm - Parade begins (we are last and probably won't step off until after 6:15)
7:15 pm - Pregame
7:30 pm - Kickoff

Note to all about progress reports: There is a glitch in GradeQuick that created the comment code for "does poor classwork". Fear not, nobody should have received that comment code.

Due to a change in the competition schedule, our times have been adjusted to start a half hour earlier than originally posted.

Greeneway Avenue Stadium, Cumberland, MD - Click HERE for directions
Saturday, September 25

1:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
2:00-2:45 pm - Rehearsal
2:45 pm - Load and board buses
3:15 pm - depart UHS
4:30-5:15 pm - Eat in LaVale, MD
5:30-5:45 pm - Arrive @ Greenway Avenue Stadium
6:30 pm - Warm-up
7:00 pm - Perform
9:00 pm - Awards
9:30 pm - Depart Greenway Avenue Stadium
~11:15-11:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS

Students who ride home with parents need to provide their head chaperone with a note and meet their head chaperone or a director with their parent before leaving.

The WVU-Maryland game starts at 12:00 pm and should end around 3:30 pm. Please take post-game traffic into account when planning your route and travel time to UHS.

4:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
5:00-5:30 pm - Music run-through
5:30 pm - Load bus/Eat snacks provided by band boosters
6:15 pm - depart UHS
7:00-7:15 pm - Arrive @ Preston High School
7:45 pm - Warm-up
8:32 pm - Perform
9:30 pm - Awards
9:45 pm - Depart Preston High School
~10:45-11:00 pm - Arrive @ UHS

Students who ride home with parents will need a note and inform a director and their head chaperone before leaving.

The Morgantown Band Spectacular Begins at 7:00 pm, and UHS is usually the seventh or eighth band to perform after the opening ceremonies.

5:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
6:00-6:45 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
7:00 pm - depart UHS
7:15 pm - Arrive @ Mountaineer Field
7:30 pm - Warm-up
~8:00-8:15 pm - Perform
~8:30-8:45 pm - Depart Mountaineer Field
~8:45-9:00 pm Arrive @ UHS

While the bus will depart Mountaineer Field shortly after our performance, students are encouraged to stay and watch the other bands perform (meaning they will not ride the bus back to UHS). As always, students who ride home with parents should have their parents see a director before leaving.

The following times are based on estimates given to us by the Fairmont Senior High band director:

The Fairmont Band Spectacular Begins at 7:00 pm, and UHS is the fifth band to perform after the opening ceremonies.

4:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS (we will rehearse in comfortable clothes)
5:00-6:00 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus/change into TRAVEL UNIFORMS
6:30 pm - Depart UHS
7:15 pm - Arrive @ East/West Stadium
~7:45 pm - Warm-up
~8:30 pm - Perform
~9:00 pm - Depart East/West Stadium
~9:30-10:15 pm - Arrive @ UHS

The boosters will provide snacks on the bus for the trip to Fairmont and the return trip home. Students need to eat a good meal before arriving at UHS.

The Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Raffle is underway. The cost per ticket is $5.00 and the prize is a West Virginia Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License (or the cash equivalent). The drawing will be held at the October 22 football game against Preton High School. See any UHS Band student for tickets.

SCHEDULE CHANGE: After the first week of school, marching band rehearsals will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:45-5:00 pm. We will only rehearse on Wednesdays in the event of a rain-out or holiday on one of our other rehearsal days. (That means that the week of Labor Day, we WILL rehearse on Wednesday.)

For reasons unknown, the state access.k12.wv.us server is rejected by Comcast accounts as spam. If you are a Comcast subscriber, please cc: all e-mail sent to mpalmer@access.k12.wv.us to the new address universityband@ymail.com.

Parents: The band is in need of a driver for the band's instrument truck. The driver must have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air-brake endorsement. The duties would include driving the bus to two band spectaulars, three competitions, the Mohawk Bowl, and any away playoff games in which the band partcipates. Please see the event calendar for specific dates.

The UHS Band will participate in Hawk Walk 2010 on Saturday, August 21 at 3:00 pm at the UHS Cross Country course. Hawk Walk will benefit UHS teacher Julie Foster in her fight against cancer. To download forms, click on the links below.

The Kennywood trip will be held Tuesday, August 17. The trip is a reward for field show marchers with three or fewer summer band absences.

The cost is $24.00 per student. Students must pay the cost of the tickets before they can board the bus, and will need money to purchase food and/or souvenirs in the park.

We will depart by school bus from UHS at 9:00 am. Students should arrive at the school by 8:45 am. We should be back at UHS by approximately 9:30-10:00 pm.

Outstanding job at the Monongalia County Fair Parade on August 9. The directors and staff are very proud of you!

1. Unless arrangements have been made, all band camp fees must be paid before camp starts on August 2.

2. Uniform rental ($40.00) and dry cleaning deposits ($15.00 - returnable) must be paid before students can take uniforms home. Because we are using them for the Mon. County Fair Parade on August 9, this means that these fees must be paid before students can march in the parade.

If you need to make arrangements to pay fees or need financial assistance, please read pp. 11-13 of the band handbook and contact Mr. Palmer at mpalmer@access.k12.wv.us.

The ice cream truck will make an appearance at band camp after lunch on Wednesday, August 4. Students are reminded to bring money.

Also after lunch on Wedensday, August 4, baby max will make his official band camp appearance.

We will once again run a shuttle to and from Camp Muffly during the week of band camp.

At 8:00 am, the shuttle will pick up Cheat Lake area students at the gravel lot at the corner of Cheat Road and Tyrone Road (construction at Cheat Lake Elementary prevents us from picking up at the school), and at approximately 8:20 am, the shuttle will pick up Westover area students at Westwood Middle.

In the evenings, the shuttle will pick up at Camp Muffly at 8:30 pm, drop off at the corner of Cheat Road and Tyrone Road at approximately 8:50 pm, and at Westwood Middle at approximately 9:10 pm.

We will once again need a parent to meet the bus at each pick-up/drop off location and to call Mr. Palmer in the event that the shuttle doesn't arrive for any of the scheduled runs.

The 2010-2011 UHS Band Handbook has been updated and is posted. All UHS Band students and parents need to read the handbook and sign the Agreement Form at the end of the handbook.

The Health Form is also included and must be completed and returned before students can particpate in any band activites, including summer rehearsals.

For returning band members, please note the changes in policy concerning fund raising vs. paying the $200 fundraising obligation (p. 13).

The summer schedule has been updated to include a change in the date of the Kennywood trip. School will start earlier this year than it has in previous years, so we had to make accommodations for the teacher work days August 18 through 20.

The first Bob Evans Community Fun Night fundraiser will be held Thursday, July 29.

The fundraiser is simple...eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, (eat-in or take-out) at either Morgantown Bob Evans location between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm, present THIS FLIER when you pay, and 15% of the proceeds will go to the UHS Band.

Congratulations to Mr. Kolar and the UHS Chamber Choir on an amazing concert this Sunday at St. Francis Church. The Choir peformed, among other things, Morten Lauridsen's "Lux Aeterna", which was conducted by the man for whom the piece was written, famed choral conductor Paul Salamunavich.

University High School rarely gets the credit it deserves, but the choir program at UHS is second to none.

The 27 Annual Hawk's Nest Cabaret will be held in the auditorium at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 15 and Friday, April 16. The show will feature the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir, as well as singers, dancers, and other performers from the UHS student body. Admission is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and seniors.

Thanks again to all who helped make the third annual UHS Band Elimination Dinner a success, including the parent workers, student workers and staff, the UHS Jazz Combo, and the businesses who provided goods and services.

The next time you take the family out for dinner, please consider Outback. They have been tremendously supportive of the band over the last three Elimination Dinners and have already committed to helping us again with our 2011 Elimination Dinner. The next time you visit Outback, perhaps write "Thanks from the UHS Band" on your check so they know how much their help means to us.

Special thanks to Clear Mountain Bank for purchasing the final seventeen tickets. This is the second year that Clear Mountain Bank has generously assured that all available tickets were purchased.

Thanks also to the following sponsors for providing the contents of the baskets:

“WVU”: WVU Department of Music, WVU Parents Club, Horizon Soil Consulting, Coca-Cola
“Game Night”: The Elkins Family
“Gardening Fun”: The Feghali Family
“Theresa Styles for You”: The Obrad Family
“Manly Man basket”: The Battin Family, Apple Valley County Club, Horizon Soil Consulting
“Stir Fry Tonight”: Peking House, China One, The Roston Family
“Italian Heritage” Minards, Pampered Chef The Gatto Family, The Kullman Family
“UHS Band/Music” Fawley Music, UHS Band Boosters, DP Dough, Kingsbury Family
“Chocolate Bliss” Solomon and Solomon
“Family Fun” Carvel Ice Cream, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Warner Theater, Kingsbury Family, DP Dough
“Golf”: The Kanosky Family,
“Adults Only!” (21 and over!)”: Passion Parties by Suzanne
“Extreme Green Carpet Cleaning”: Scott Richards

With such a long list of people and businesses to thank, we are almost certain to leave someone off. If you know of an omission, please e-mail mpalmer@access.k12.wv.us so we can add them to the list.

Finally, congratulations to the winners of the baskets, the winners of the consolation prizes along the way, and to Louise Henry, winner of the $1000.00 grand prize.

UHS will host the first Big Band Bash in the auditorium Monday, April 12 at 7:00 pm. The show will feature the UHS Jazz Ensemble, the UHS Jazz Combo, the Morgantown High School Jazz Ensemble, and the Mon River Big Band. Admission is free.

BRASS ENSEMBLE/WEATHER UPDATE: The brass ensemble performance at the Morgantown Mall food court is postponed until Monday, December 21 at 6:00 pm. Students should arrive at 5:30 pm in dress clothes.

In the event that school is cancelled on Monday, the performance will take place Tuesday the 22 at 6:00 pm.

Congratulations to the brass ensemble, the concert band, and the wind ensemble for their outstanding performances at the holiday concert. The directors are proud of you.

The UHS Band Holiday Concert will be held Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and seniors. The concert will feature performances by the brass ensemble, the concert band, and the wind ensemble.

Band students should arrive at the band room at 6:30 pm. Dress for the concert is black and white for the brass ensemble and concert band, and tuxes and gowns for the wind ensemble. Please see concert attire details on pp. 10-11 of the band handbook.

Fruit will be distributed from the UHS band room on Thursday, December 10 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The 2009 WVU Keynotes Concert will be held on Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30 at the CAC. Students who purchased tickets will meet Mr. Palmer in the lobby of the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the CAC at 7:00 pm the night of the concert to receive their tickets.

The directors are extremely proud of the OUTSTANDING performance by the band at the Morgantown Veterans Day Parade.

Students wishing to audition for the 2010 WV All-State Band and Orchestra must return their information cards and money by Friday, November 11. The cost is $10.00 per instrumental audition. (For example, the cost for a student auditioning on flute AND piccolo would be $20.00.)

2009-2010 band composite pictures will be taken Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3 during school. Most students will have their pictures taken during their band classes. Students who have Marching Band OT and do not have a band class need to schedule a sitting time during another class (YOUR TEACHER MUST APPROVE YOUR ABSENCE DURING THIS TIME).

Students should have uniforms dry cleaned prior to photos being taken, and students will need to bring band shoes and black socks, as the photographers will be taking numerous poses, including full-length shots. Students DO NOT need to bring hats. To cut down on band room clutter, we will provide extra band hats for the photos. Uniforms may be left in the band room following the Mohawk Bowl.

A date and time will be set later (usually a couple of weeks after the photos are taken) for parents to meet with a representative from North American Theatrical Photographers to decide if they would like to purchase photos. We will post details as soon as they become available.

Congratulations to Belinda Deavers of Morgantown, 2009 winner of the West Virginia Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License.

Band uniforms must be dry cleaned prior to the Mohawk Bowl on Saturday, October 31. There is not enough time to have them cleaned between the Mohawk Bowl and composite photos.

The UHS Band has reserved space at the 2009 WVU Keynotes Concert on Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30 at the CAC. The cost is $1.00 for students, directors, and chaperones. (Sorry, ALL others must pay the regular price).

This is not a required event. Students who wish to attend must pay the NON-REFUNDABLE $1.00 cost by Friday, October 23.

Underclassmen can bring a dish to share (anything is fine). We have ham, rolls, potato salad, cupcakes, and drinks.

4:30-5:30 pm - Boosters Set-up in Cafeteria
5:30 pm - Seniors served first, then rest of the band
6:30 pm - Band Students to band room
7:15 pm - Pre-game
7:30 pm - Kickoff

The weather forecast is calling for a HIGH of 40 during the day, and a temperature in the mid to upper 30's at gametime (in addition to occasional rain). Students should dress in LAYERS.

We will distribute raincoats prior to the game and collect them (laying them over chairs to air-dry in the band room) after the game. We will not wear plumes. Students may wear gloves that allow them to play their instruments.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE MEMBERS: HERE is a 12-bar blues play along mp3 to assist you with this evening's assignment. To download, right-click and select "Save Link As" or Save Target As".

Seniors will be recognized at halftime of the UHS-John Marshall football game on Friday, October 16.

Parents escorting senior marching band members will be admitted to the game for free.

Senior band members and their parents will meet in the southeast corner of the stadium (by where the band sits) at the 5:00 mark of the second quarter in preparation for their entrance onto the field.

Click HERE for the West Allegheny Cavalcade website, including directions to the school.

12:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
12:45-2:00 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
2:15 pm - Depart UHS
3:15 pm - Eat @ Washington Mall
4:00 pm - Depart Washington Mall
5:00 pm - Arrive @ West Allegheny High School
5:45 pm - Warm-up
6:37 pm - Report to Gate
6:45 pm - Perform
8:30 pm - Awards
9:00 pm - Depart West Allegheny High School
~10:30-11:00 pm Arrive @ UHS

We will stop at the Washington Mall food court on the way to the show. The boosters will serve snacks on the way home.

CONFIRMED: The band will participate in the Northern Garrett TOB Competition in Accident, Maryland on Saturday, October 3 and the West Allegheny PIMBA Competition in Imperial, Pennsylvania on October 10. Both shows take place in the late afternoon/evening. Schedules will be posted soon.

These times are the best estimates available as of September 28 and may change slightly. Click HERE for directions to Northern Garrett High School.

1:15 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
1:30-2:45 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
3:00 pm - Depart UHS
4:30 pm Arrive @ Northern Garrett High School
~5:15 pm - Warm-up
~5:50 pm - Perform
~6:30 pm - Awards
~7:00 pm - Depart Northern Garrett High School
~8:15-8:45 pm Arrive @ UHS

Students should eat a good lunch before arriving at UHS. There is not a suitable place to stop on the way to or from the competition, so the boosters will serve snacks on the bus on the way to and from NGHS.

Congratulations to the marching band for an outstanding performance at the WV Oil and Gas Festival this weekend. The directors are proud of not only your marching and playing, but of your behavior, as well. Keep up the good work.

1:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS (we will rehearse in comfortable clothes)
1:45-3:00 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
3:15 pm - Depart UHS
4:00-4:30 pm - Eat @ Meadowbrook Mall Food Court
4:30-4:45 pm - Board bus/change into TRAVEL UNIFORMS/Depart Meadowbrook Mall Food Court
6:00 pm - Arrive @ Tyler Consolidated High School
6:30 pm - Warm-up
7:15 pm - Perform
8:00 pm - Awards
~8:30 pm - Depart Tyler Consolidated High School
~10:15-10:45 pm Arrive @ UHS

The boosters will provide snacks on the bus for the return trip home. Students need to eat a good meal before arriving at UHS and bring money for the stop at the Meadowbrook Mall.

The band has been selling raffle tickets for a West Virginia Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License for the last several weeks. After a fast start, sales have dropped off a little.

Just a reminder, we have around three weeks remaining before the end of ticket sales. The drawing will be held at the John Marshall football game on Friday, October 16.

Students, please remember that this fundraiser has a very high profit margin and tickets are easy to sell due to the low cost ($5.00) and the fact that the winner may elect to take the cash equivalent ($750) if they do not hunt or fish.

The first parade rehearsal will be held Thursday, September 24 from 2:45-4:30 pm in preparation for the UHS Homecoming Parade. All parade-only marchers must attend the parade rehearsal and the parade on September 25.

The Morgantown Band Spectacular Begins at 7:00 pm, and UHS is the seventh band to perform after the opening ceremonies.

5:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS in TRAVEL UNIFORMS
6:00-6:45 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus
7:00 pm - depart UHS
7:15 pm - Arrive @ Mountaineer Field
7:30 pm - Warm-up
~8:00 pm - Perform
~8:30 pm - Depart Mountaineer Field
~8:45 pm Arrive @ UHS

The following times are based on estimates given to us by the Fairmont Senior High band director:

The Fairmont Band Spectacular Begins at 7:00 pm, and UHS is the eighth band to perform after the opening ceremonies. There is also a 10-minute intermission at some point before UHS performs.

4:45 pm - Arrive @ UHS (we will rehearse in comfortable clothes)
5:00-6:15 pm - Rehearsal/Load bus/change into TRAVEL UNIFORMS
6:45 pm - Depart UHS
7:30 pm - Arrive @ East/West Stadium
~8:00 pm - Warm-up
~9:00 pm - Perform
~9:30 pm - Depart East/West Stadium
~10:00-10:30 pm - Arrive @ UHS

The boosters will provide snacks on the bus for the trip to Fairmont and the return trip home. Students need to eat a good meal before arriving at UHS.

The Ritchie County High School USSBA Competition on September 26 has been cancelled by RCHS. Because there is no suitable replacement and the fact that the UHS Homecoming dance will be held that evening, we will not be traveling that day. We WILL play our show in the stadium for the alumni during the UHS All-Class Reunion to be held at the school that day. Report time is 12:00 pm.

Attention students interested in auditioniong for the 2009-2010 UHS Color Guard. Please note the updates to the training, audition, and clinic days:

Tuesday, May 12 4:00-6:00 pm - Training Day @ UHS
Thursday, May 14 4:00-6:00 pm - Training Day @ UHS
Tuesday, May 19 4:00-6:00 pm - Auditions @ UHS
Thursday, May 21 4:00-6:00 pm - Color Guard Clinic #1 @ UHS

Thanks to all who helped make the second annual UHS Band Elimination Dinner a tremendous success. From start to finish, the operation ran smoothly, and the band made a profit of around $8,500 after expenses.

The UHS Band is very fortunate to have such a hard-working, dedicated, and talented students and parents.

Thanks to Outback Steakhouse of Morgantown for providing the meals. The next time you take the family out for dinner, please consider Outback. They have been tremendously supportive of the band over the last two elimination dinners.

Special thanks also go to Clear Mountain Bank for purchasing the final eight tickets at full price.

Thanks also to the following sponsors for providing the contents of the baskets:

Carvel Ice Cream
WV Public Theatre
Solomon and Solomon
Mountaineer Golf Course
Apple Valley Golf Course
Golf USA
Oliverio's
Olive Garden
Jersey's Subs
Fawley Music
Creative Cuts Salon
Morgantown Red Cross
IHOP
Bob Evans
WVU
The Boston Beanery
Ruby Tuesday
Warner Theatre
Canine Bodyworks
Cheat Lake Animal Hospital
Petco
Lakeview Golf Course
Tatham's Nursery
Golden Corral Restaurant

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WIND ENSEMBLE AND THE CHAMBER CHOIR FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AT THE PUBLIC DEDICATION OF THE NEW UHS ON DECEMBER 14.

Congratulations to the winner of the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Raffle, Deb Eakins.

Congratulations to the marching band for another outstanding performance at the Ritchie County High School USSBA Competition. The band won best percussion, best color guard, best music, best visual performance, best overall effect, and overall GRAND CHAMPION. Great job!

Dr. Mel Wright has posted another collection of UHS Band photos on his Photobucket page. In addition to several 2007-2008 collections, the most recent photos are from the Preston Competition and band camp. To view the photos, click HERE, enter the password buddyrich, look for the UHS Marching Band Photo Album on the left side of the page, then simply click and browse.

PARENTS: ~~We need more help at the football games.~~ UPDATE: We think we have enough parent help now. Thanks to those parents who have volunteered.

The band will not be sitting in the end zone for the foreseeable future, so we must have at least 6-10 chaperones sitting behind and around the band during the game and when the band is on the field.

We had some items (nothing big) stolen Friday night, and we must keep non-band students out of the band section (and band students in their section) for a variety of reasons.

We have seven passes left for helpers, so parents wishing to help can get passes from Mr. Palmer.

The Williamstown Festival of Bands has been cancelled by WHS. It was scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 4.

UPDATE: There is not a suitable replacement competition for the Williamstown Festival of Bands. Instead, we will travel to the John Marshall away football game on Friday, October 17. We will depart the school at 4:00 pm, stop for food en route to the game in Washington, PA, and return to UHS between 11:00pm and midnight.

The 2008-2009 Performance and Rehearsal Calendar was updated August 25. There are several changes to dates (mostly later in the year) and there will almost certainly be other changes as we discover conflicts, so please check back often.

Congratulations to the marching band for their fine performance at the Preston TOB Competition. The band finished first place overall in group IV (large band class).

Band students must carpool to the game this Friday at the new Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium (Hawk Pharm?). Parking will be at a premium while the school is still a construction zone. If parking becomes too much of a problem, the band may have to assemble at the old UHS and bus to the field (the football team is already doing this) for future games this season.

Congratulations to the marching band on an outstanding first competition at the WV Oil and Gas Festival on Sept. 13. The band finished as first runner-up, placing second overall among the 17 bands competing.

Students, make sure you have a pair of shoes OTHER THAN YOUR BAND SHOES to rehearse in...Tank Field may be a little muddy.

Attention SNARE DRUMMERS:

Please email Mr. Welker with a list of times after school which you would be available for a snare sectional during the week- we are hoping for Wednesdays. Sectionals will last an hour depending on availability.

Bwelker10@yahoo.com

Shuttle buses will once again run to and from UHS each day rehearsal is held at Camp Muffly. The buses will depart UHS at 8:30 and depart Camp Muffly fifteen minutes after the end of rehearsals.

2008 Guard Information

Incoming Freshmen Frequently Asked Questions

2008 Marching Band Information

The Kennywood trip will take place on Friday, August 22. Students should report to the UHS band room at 8:45 am, and we will depart UHS by bus at 9:00 am.

We will depart Kennywood at 8:00 pm and should arrive back at UHS at approximately 9:30 pm.

The Band Boosters will pay the cost of the buses and each student's Ride-All-Day Pass. Students should bring money for food and souvenirs for the day.

-MSP 8/20/08 2:20 pm

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Thursday's rehearsal (August 21) will run from 5:30-8:00 pm (not 8:30 pm, as marked on the calendar) at Camp Muffly. We are ending earlier so we don't run out of daylight. A shuttle bus will depart UHS at 5:00 pm and pick students up from Camp Muffly at 8:15 pm.

-MSP 8/20/08 2:20 pm

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The link to the 2008 summer schedule is posted to the left of the photo above. (Make sure to read the 3rd page of general information, as well.)

We understand that summer is family vacation time, so we ask that families please schedule vacations BEFORE August 4 (and inform the directors of vacations, summer camps, summer school conflicts, etc. in advance). In a nutshell, the earlier in the summer the absences occur, the better.

Any student absences after the start of day camp at Camp Muffly are extremely disruptive to both the band and the individual student.

As always, we will use the Kennywood trip at the end of summer band as a reward for students with three or fewer absences (excused or unexcused) during summer reharsals.

-MSP 8/6/08 2:05 pm

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD the 2008-2009 Band Handbook. In order to participate in the UHS Band, students and parents must read it in its entirety, then sign and return the Agreement Form at the end of the handbook by the week of July 28.

Because most students can now access this site, we will only be printing a few copies of the handbook for those without internet access. It is not necessary for students to print the entire handbook, just the Agreement Forms.

-MSP 7/10/08 11:10 am

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Parent Survival Packets were mailed on Monday, June 9, 2008. If you did not receive a copy you can read it by clicking HERE. It also included a SUMMER BAND CALENDAR and a letter from boosters president Mary Ann Spanovich.

-MSP 6/9/08 2:30 pm

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PLEASE NOTE CORRECTIONS TO THE SUMMER BAND CALENDAR: A typo was corrected in the time on Monday, August 18, rehearsal is moved to the evening on Thursday, August 21 because of the first teacher workday on that date, there is no longer a rehearsal on Friday, August 22 because of the Kennywood trip, and percussion and guard camp times have been updated.

-MSP 7/28/08 8:25 am

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The second $50 deposit for 2008 Band Camp was due Friday, May 30. Incoming freshmen can give their deposits to their middle school director and Mr. Palmer will pick the money up, or they can be mailed to the high school at the following address:

UHS Band
c/o Mark Palmer
991 Price Street
Morgantown, WV 26505

If given to middle school directors, money should be placed in envelopes with the student's names on them and labeled "band camp deposit #2". Checks should be made payable to UHS Band. To avoid confusion, we also ask that parents put the student's name in the memo of checks.

Parents can also opt to pay the entire $150 band camp cost at any time.

-MSP 5/21/08 8:21 am

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Percussion Clinic/Audition/Rehearsal Dates:

May 16- 4-9
May 17- 12-5

June 20- 5-9
June 21- 12-9

July 18- 5-9
July 19- 12-9

July 21-25- 9-5

July 28-31- 9-5

UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION WILL TAKE PLACE TUESDAY, JULY 29 DURING OPEN HOUSE. Times are as follows:

Seniors: 5:00-5:45
Juniors: 5:45-6:30
Sophomores: 6:30-7:15
Freshmen: 7:15-8:00

-MSP 7/28/08 8:45 am

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Open House will be held Tuesday, July 29 from 5:00-8:00 pm in the UHS Band Room and Cafeteria. There will be a speciol meeting for freshman parents from 7:00-8:00.

-MSP 7/28/08 8:55 am

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Visual Ensemble (Guard) Clinic/Audition/Rehearsal Dates:

Auditions for 2008-2009 Field Commander will be held Tuesday, June 3 at ~4:00 pm (depending on when the judge arrives from out-of-town). Auditions will be held in the band room.

Student account statements were distributed in class on Monday, April 14. The bottom part of the statements need to be returned to the band office (with any fees or obligation money due, if applicable) by Friday, May 9. (The form has a typo stating May 10, which is a Saturday.) Questions about account balances should be directed to Terry Roston at 594-2990 or daroston@msn.com.

Please make sure that the vestee and cape are attached, that the plume is included in the hat box, and that the uniform was recently dry-cleaned. Uniforms must have been dry-cleaned AFTER the last performance (for most students, that would be Florida), and that the dry-cleaning receipt is attached.

Wind Ensemble tuxes (dry cleaned) and gowns (machine washable - on GENTLE) must be returned with uniforms.

ANY UNCOLLECTED UNIFORMS MUST BE RETURNED PRIOR TO THE BAND BOOSTERS MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 20 IN THE BAND ROOM.

The Sixth Annual "Music on the Mon" Spring Concert at Hazel Ruby McQuain Waterfront Park will be held Monday, May 5 at 7:00 pm, and will feature performances by the concert band and wind ensemble, with pre-concert music provided by the jazz combo. Admission is FREE.

Students should report to the park at 6:30 pm. A student crew will also be needed at 5:30 to unload the band bus and set the stage.

Congratulations to the concert band and the wind ensemble. Both bands received straight superior (I) ratings at the Region 10 Band Festival at Bridgeport High School this past Thursday and Friday.

In addition to the picture CD's that were distributed several weeks ago, Dr. Mel Wright has a photobucket account with pictures that he took during our trip to Florida in March. To view the pictures, click HERE, log in with the username "MWrightDO" and the password "buddyrich", and click on the link "UHS Marching Band" at the top left of the page. There are several UHS Band photo albums to view. The Florida pics are under " 2008-03-14 UHS All American".

Thanks to Mary Ann Spanovich and ALL of the parents who made the first UHS Band Elimination Dinner such a big success by donating time, supplies, gift baskets, and general knowledge about how an elimination dinner works. Thanks also to the members of the jazz combos from the last two years for providing music before the drawings.

Last, a big THANK YOU to Outback Steakhouse for providing the meals.Aside from the fruit sale, the Elimination Dinner brought in more money for the band than any fundraiser that we have done over the last eight years. It was well-planned, well-executed, and well-received.

Congratulations to the winners of the baskets, the $25 and $50 prizes, and especially to Grand Prize Winner Dominic Degeorge (a 2003 graduate of UHS) who left with $1,000.

The 2008 Florida Trip was a tremendous success. The bands (percussion ensemble, festival band, and jazz ensemble) all received ratings of Superior or Excellent at the All-American Music Festival. More importantly, the students were well-behaved and had a great time.

The directors wish to thank chaperones Chris Battin, Beth Clark, Mona Feghali, Louise Henry, Kelly Mullens, Charlene Porter, Deb and Ken Rodeheaver, Terry Roston, Mary Ann Spanovich, Gale and Jim Truman, and Dr. Mel Wright, each of whom paid full price for the privilege of waking up early, going to bed late, and riding a bus for close to 40 hours. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Congratulations to the Jazz Ensemble for receiving a SUPERIOR (I) rating at the Northern Region Jazz Festival on Saturday, March 1. This year marks the eighth consecutive year the Jazz Ensemble has received the highest possible rating at the festival.

Members of the music theory class and jazz bands participated in Scott Simons' "Pop Shop" from December 17 through December 21. Under the guidance of Mr. Simons, the students composed (including music and lyrics), arranged, and performed an original piece, "White Lines". Mr. Simons then mixed the song. You can listen to "White Lines" by clicking here.