Great Meeting On Tuesday!
Thank you to all the parents who were very accommodating to the district's iPad distribution Tuesday night that moved us to the library!
Unfortunately, that meant that I was unable to be both in the band room with our amazing Beginning Band and in the library to answer your questions. This message will hopefully answer some of the most frequently asked questions from Tuesday night.
I will refer to the 2015-16 Band Handbook several times. Students were given paper copies in August and a digital copy is available on the "Forms" page here: FORMS
Unfortunately, that meant that I was unable to be both in the band room with our amazing Beginning Band and in the library to answer your questions. This message will hopefully answer some of the most frequently asked questions from Tuesday night.
I will refer to the 2015-16 Band Handbook several times. Students were given paper copies in August and a digital copy is available on the "Forms" page here: FORMS
New Concert Black Uniforms
As in the past, our traveling groups (Concert & Symphonic Bands) will wear a uniform for their performances. This was a marching-style blue jacket, white pants, and white shoes. This year we are looking for a more professional appearance that highlights our concert performances.
As stated on page 8 of the 2015-16 Band Handbook:
"7th and 8th Graders will perform in the new concert black uniforms. Girls’ uniforms are a floor-length black dresses, which will be purchased from the band. Girls will also need to wear black flats or heels no more than an inch high. Hair must be of a natural color and may have appropriate ties, bows, or bands.
Boys’ uniforms will include a white tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black vest, and black pants, which will be purchased from the band. Boys will also need to wear black shoes and long black socks. Hair must be of a natural color and may have appropriate ties, bows, or bands. Hats may not be worn."
Students were fit for uniforms a last week, and they were ordered yesterday. They will arrive in 3 to 5 weeks, in time to be hemmed or altered before the Veteran's Day performances.
These uniform parts, like the white pants and shoes of the previous uniform, are fitted for your student and will be purchased individually to be kept by that student. This year the cost, which includes everything but shoes and socks, will be $55. This is less than the cost of new white pants and shoes from previous years.
For 8th grade families that bought white pants and shoes last year, the shoes may be kept and worn in AHS marching band. Or, you may return your used items for new Concert Black attire $30 instead of $55.
Please be mindful that your child's new uniform will not be distributed until this uniform payment has been made.
As stated on page 8 of the 2015-16 Band Handbook:
"7th and 8th Graders will perform in the new concert black uniforms. Girls’ uniforms are a floor-length black dresses, which will be purchased from the band. Girls will also need to wear black flats or heels no more than an inch high. Hair must be of a natural color and may have appropriate ties, bows, or bands.
Boys’ uniforms will include a white tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black vest, and black pants, which will be purchased from the band. Boys will also need to wear black shoes and long black socks. Hair must be of a natural color and may have appropriate ties, bows, or bands. Hats may not be worn."
Students were fit for uniforms a last week, and they were ordered yesterday. They will arrive in 3 to 5 weeks, in time to be hemmed or altered before the Veteran's Day performances.
These uniform parts, like the white pants and shoes of the previous uniform, are fitted for your student and will be purchased individually to be kept by that student. This year the cost, which includes everything but shoes and socks, will be $55. This is less than the cost of new white pants and shoes from previous years.
For 8th grade families that bought white pants and shoes last year, the shoes may be kept and worn in AHS marching band. Or, you may return your used items for new Concert Black attire $30 instead of $55.
Please be mindful that your child's new uniform will not be distributed until this uniform payment has been made.
Spring Trip Information
From page 9 of the 2015-16 Band Handbook:
"In April or May, Concert and Symphonic band members have the privilege of traveling to a regional band competition with an accompanying trip to a nearby theme park. This competition is a way for the AMS band to get experience playing with other students in bands from across the country. It allows us to rate our skills against other groups and schools of top quality. Students look forward to this trip every year as a reward for their hard work and perseverance.
In order to ensure a superior performance, attendance is required unless an appropriate excuse is submitted before the final payment is due. The payment schedule will be announced at the second booster meeting in January after the itinerary in finalized. Refunds cannot be given after the final payment is due. This is because all money at that point will have already been received by the performance coordinator, the charter bus company, and the theme park. Additionally, tickets purchased at the discount price afforded by the competition are one-day use tickets with the date printed on them. They cannot be saved for later day."
Last year was our first overnight trip, which met with much praise from our students and chaperones. This year our trip is again set for overnight, Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30. Our destination will be Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and we will visit the Dollywood theme park. The Choir and Strings programs will again be traveling with us that weekend.
Payment information will be distributed at the Spring Booster Meeting in January. The cost depends on a number of things, but it will be comparable to the $215 needed for last year's trip to Atlanta.
"In April or May, Concert and Symphonic band members have the privilege of traveling to a regional band competition with an accompanying trip to a nearby theme park. This competition is a way for the AMS band to get experience playing with other students in bands from across the country. It allows us to rate our skills against other groups and schools of top quality. Students look forward to this trip every year as a reward for their hard work and perseverance.
In order to ensure a superior performance, attendance is required unless an appropriate excuse is submitted before the final payment is due. The payment schedule will be announced at the second booster meeting in January after the itinerary in finalized. Refunds cannot be given after the final payment is due. This is because all money at that point will have already been received by the performance coordinator, the charter bus company, and the theme park. Additionally, tickets purchased at the discount price afforded by the competition are one-day use tickets with the date printed on them. They cannot be saved for later day."
Last year was our first overnight trip, which met with much praise from our students and chaperones. This year our trip is again set for overnight, Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30. Our destination will be Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and we will visit the Dollywood theme park. The Choir and Strings programs will again be traveling with us that weekend.
Payment information will be distributed at the Spring Booster Meeting in January. The cost depends on a number of things, but it will be comparable to the $215 needed for last year's trip to Atlanta.
Fundraising Information
The State of Tennessee has recently changed the way funds may be raised by schools for performing arts, sports, and the like. We will not be able to support individual fundraising to lessen your child's personal trip cost this year, as we did with the Sonic Cards. However, we can do group fundraising activities to lessen the cost of the trip for everyone equally.
One minimally invasive way to fundraise is to enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards program. Our band was just assigned our NPO number: 15586. Visit the Band Website for complete instructions on how to enroll here:
One minimally invasive way to fundraise is to enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards program. Our band was just assigned our NPO number: 15586. Visit the Band Website for complete instructions on how to enroll here:
We want to provide the maximum musical experiences at the minimal personal cost, so please encourage your friends and neighbors to enroll!
Fees and Forms
Band Fees and the forms on the back of the handbook were due on Tuesday at the meeting. If they were not turned in then, please turn them in as soon as possible. Your children need them to perform.
Mrs. Stanfield, our booster president, is a notary public. She will be available to notarize health forms at no charge for 7th and 8th graders at Early Band on Wednesday, September 30th. All you need to bring is a valid ID. Students will not be able to travel with us without this form.
If this email did not answer your current questions, please email Mr. Foster at [email protected].
Daniel J. Foster
Arlington Middle School, Director of Bands
5470 Lamb Road, Arlington, TN 38002
[email protected]
Mrs. Stanfield, our booster president, is a notary public. She will be available to notarize health forms at no charge for 7th and 8th graders at Early Band on Wednesday, September 30th. All you need to bring is a valid ID. Students will not be able to travel with us without this form.
If this email did not answer your current questions, please email Mr. Foster at [email protected].
Daniel J. Foster
Arlington Middle School, Director of Bands
5470 Lamb Road, Arlington, TN 38002
[email protected]
RSS Feed
