Update 9.26.16

Dear Students, Families, and Supporters

Congratulations to the band program for achieving our first contest championship!  The I.H. Kempner Band was awarded champion status while also winning the music and general effect captions at the USBands New Caney competition!  Beginning this week there will be a video from Mr. Norman on the website going through the weekly update as well as expanding on items that are important in the future that extend beyond each week.  We hope you find this format more informative and can get more clarity on events and information by using both the video and the written weekly update!  Here are some reminders and info regarding the upcoming schedule.

THIS WEEK

Monday
4-7: brass and percussion rehearsal

Tuesday
4-7: woodwinds and guard rehearsal

Wednesday
4-7: full band rehearsal

Thursday
4:30-6:30 full band rehearsal

Friday
Football @ Austin High School (Away)
Mercer STADIUM, Lexington St, Houston, TX 77098, United States
2:45 - school lets out, get shakos
3:15 - rehearsal with shakos
4:00 - eat, pack, change
5:30 - inspection and meeting
5:45 - depart KHS
6:00 - arrive Mercer Stadium
6:45 - national anthem
7:00 - kickoff time
9:30 - return to KHS
10:00 - uniform check in and dismissal

Saturday
Concert in the Park
Eldridge Park, 2511 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land, TX 77478, USA
1:00 pm - Call time at KHS
1:30 pm - Rehearsal begins
2:30 pm - Rehearsal ends - load, pack, change
3:30 pm - Inspection
3:45 pm - Meet for dismissal
4:00 pm - Depart for Eldridge Park
4:15 pm - Arrive at Eldridge Park, unload
4:30 pm - Set up for concert
6:00 pm - Concert begins!
8:00 pm - Concert ends
Students are expected to help clean up after the event.

ADDRESSES FOR MAILER CAMPAIGN
Every year we mail out a letter asking for support from friends, families, neighbors, coworkers, and others.  This campaign generally helps bring in lots of financial support with only a little bit of work per student in our program.  We are asking that each student submit at least 3 addresses of people you think may be interested in donating to help us reach our dreams!  One of those giant dreams is a 53' semi-trailer for our band equipment!  Please use the google form below to submit.
https://goo.gl/forms/gCKEjOsB8Rrz0wNg1

MUSICFIRST
For wind players involved in the band programs, practice outside of the school day is a requirement for advancement in instrumental mastery.  Like any craft one learns, practice and many hours of hard work sharpening skills will yield the best results.  We have launched our use of MusicFirst software in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th period classes to help assess, give feedback to, and encourage students to practice their instruments to further their mastery.  This is much like the homework done in other classes and the time required varies student to student depending on their current skill level.  The Kempner High School band staff values the journey and process as much as the performance and the practice needed to have a great experience performing an instrument is of utmost importance.  Because of this belief, the MusicFirst assignments will constitute major grades for each student in the grade book in order to reflect our mission and our core beliefs as a program.  Please discuss MusicFirst assignments with your students and you can count on the band staff to communicate with each parent when assignments are not being turned in or are being turned in with less than our best work.  

VOLUNTEER!
I wanted to take a moment and thank all of those who have signed up to volunteer for us on game days so far! I think you will agree it has been a blast and we can't do it without you. As we move into the 3rd week, we will be adding equipment with the front ensemble that is rather heavy and could use a little extra muscle to move to the field. If you are able to come and be part of our "pit crew" please email myself or a band staff member!

Please contact a band director with any questions. Thank you!

Regards,

I.H. Kempner Band Staff

Reminders For This Week

Parents & Students,

Reminders For Tomorrow

Students will need to bring the following for their marching uniform:

• Black member shirt

• Long black socks

• Black marching shoes

• Athletic shorts

Mail-out Addresses - It’s a grade

The students will be given a grade on Friday by providing 3 addresses for the mail-out campaign. Addresses can be sent via email or Remind to the directors, or on paper submitted to the band office tray. This is a grade. See the previous email for more information.

Grades

Students receive a grade in band for the following:

• Rehearsal attendance

• Music First Assignments/Pass-offs

• Other required events (football games, contests)

• Miscellaneous assignments (e.g. Mail-out Addresses)

Photo Day

Fill out the form sent in the weekly update to participate in Photo Day this Friday after rehearsal.

We Need Your Help! Concert In The Park & Addresses

Parents, Families and Supporters,

Our largest fundraiser of the year is upon us! We have two events coming up that will work together to raise several thousand dollars for your students. As a result, the students will receive quality instruction, equipment, and possibly a 53’ moving van trailer. However, we need two things from you: 

1. Come to Concert In The Park and bring a lot of people with you
2. Send the directors as many addresses of your family, friends, businesses, or anyone you think would donate!

Concert In The Park
On October 1st, from 6-8 pm, the I. H. Kempner High School Band will have a public performance at Eldridge Park. There will be music, food trucks, and fun! We want as many people as possible to be at this event - please invite your family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc! This can be a huge event with the help of the community! The itinerary for the students can be found on our website calendar.

Mail-out Campaign
We will be sending a letter on behalf of your student to request donations to the band program. This can raise a lot of money that will personally affect the success of our students! Below is the text that will be in the letter:

Dear Supporters of the I. H. Kempner High School Band,

As a member of the I. H. Kempner High School Band, I live by a mantra: A standard above excellence, a goal beyond victory. I work with a team of my peers to achieve our goal of becoming one of the greatest bands in the state of Texas, as well as the nation. Our love for music and each other motivates us to work hard every day! 

With large goals, come large costs. We need instruction, equipment, transportation and much more. In addition to these everyday needs, we would like to purchase a 53’ moving van trailer for purposes of transporting equipment safely to football games and competitions. We are asking for your help in this fundraising venture. 

My goal is to raise at least $200 for my band program. Any amount will help me get closer to my goal! Checks can be made out to KMCBC (Kempner Marching Cougars Booster Club). You can also donate online at kempnerband.org/about (scroll down to the bottom and click Donate). 

Thank you so much for your support! 

All pledges/donations can be mailed to:
KMCBC
P.O. Box 2601
Sugar Land, TX    77487-2601

Join us at Eldridge Park on Saturday, October 1st at 6 p.m. for
performances by the Kempner High School Marching Band! There will be food trucks from local vendors, and you can enjoy a family friendly evening of fun full of great music! The concert is open to the public and we would love to see the community come out and share in the experience! 
Eldridge Park: 2511 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land, TX 77478

We need all of the addresses you can give us! If you believe your company would help sponsor us, we would love their address as well. Without your help, we will not be able to give your student the experience that they deserve. 

Please let us know if you have any questions!