Information Meeting2014-2015

Thank you for being here tonight and for sharing your students with us!

We will be as respectful of your time as possible.

Please take notes on questions that you have…we will try to cover as much information as possible, but we will primarily save questions for the end.

Mr. Joseph Dittfurth; Head Band Director◦ Honor Band◦ Beginner Brass◦ Beginner Percussion◦ Jazz Band

Ms. Heather Lemieux◦ Symphonic Band◦ Concert Band◦ Beginner Woodwinds

Willis Independent School District

Willis Band Boosters◦ Parent organization formed to help serve the

needs of the Willis Band

◦ Help organize fundraisers, student events, and other activities.

Kroger Cards

Booster Membership

Mr. Dittfurth◦ Email:

jdittfurth@willisisd.org◦ Office Phone: (936)890-7220

Ms. Lemieux◦ Email:

hlemieux@willisisd.org◦ Office Phone: (936)890-4101

Facebook◦ Check us out!◦ Brabham Bobkat Band

Remind◦ Flyers on the back wall

will instruct you as to how you can sign up for Remind!

Teacher Websites◦ Look up the BMS

Webpage and find our BMS Band page and individual director profiles

Willis Bands Webpage◦ willisbands.org

• Where can I find it?• Go to Ms. Lemieux’s

webpage on the BMS website and click on “calendar”

• Ask your student (they should have gotten one last week AND it will be included in their band binder)

• What if there are changes?– We will be sure to notify you

asap when a change needs to be made using Remind, Facebook, webpages, and/or email.

• “Required” Events– Notated on the calendar– Are Major Grades

What if my student needs to miss a “required” event?◦ Please notify us at least

one(1) week before the conflict through note or email.

Cover the cost of the following:◦ Band Binders◦ Band Shirts◦ Contest fees

(advanced bands only)

Beginner Band◦ $30

Symphonic Band◦ $35

Honor Band◦ $45

School-Owned Instrument Fee (SOI)◦ $40

Required for each student

Goes home each night for practice

Needs to be in class each day for rehearsals.

Front Design Back Design

Required Major Grades

Listed on band calendar

Will require specific clothing requirements

Beginner Band◦ Girls: Dress or Nice Skirt

and Top◦ Boys:

Button Down Dress Shirt and Tie

Slacks Dress Shoes

Advanced Band◦ Tux Shirt, Bow Tie, Black

Slacks, Black Socks, Black Dress Shoes

◦ Black Vest is Provided!!!

Willis Independent School District

All Students◦ Band Shirt (cost included in band fees)◦ Jeans◦ Close-Toed Shoes

Band Shirt◦ Parents and family members are welcome to

purchase band shirts as well!◦ Cost is $10 each

• Beginner Band Trip– Total cost per student

= approx. $60– Two separate days

• Thursday, May 14th – Contest Performance at Spring HS

• Saturday, May 16th – Fun day at Wet ‘n Wild Splashtown

• Advanced Band Trips- Six Flags – Dallas- Total cost per student

= approx. $175- Saturday, May 9th

Willis Independent School District

Required to have on file for all students

Forms will be passed out tomorrow in class

Forms will be due by Monday!

We will be updating our contact information off of these forms, so please make sure they are as up-to-date as possible.

Must have a blue parent volunteer form on file with Brabham – can be found at front desk

Must make sure you are on our list for a specific trip/event (please do not assume)

Chaperones are always needed, so if you are interested in a specific trip/event, let us know!!!

If helping with a trip/event, we will meet prior to discuss and divide up chaperone responsibilities

Willis Independent School District

Applies for any co-curricular performance/trip the band takes

Student must pass all classes for the 6 weeks prior to the event.

We will monitor eligibility, but it is the student’s responsibility to make sure they pass their classes

Beginner Band◦ Woodwinds – Began this

week◦ Brass/Percussion – Begin

next week

◦ Checked every Tuesday in class

◦ Must have a parent signature/initials verifying time practiced

Advanced Band◦ Handed out last week

◦ Checked during sectionals each week

◦ Must have a parent signature/initials verifying time practiced

Weekly tutorial for each student in Honor or Symphonic Band

Attendance is graded

Practice Cards are checked during this time

Chair Tests take place

Your student should already have this scheduled◦ Otherwise we are

working very closely with them to find a “best fit” time for them and their section

What are private lessons???

30 minutes a week of one-on-one instruction with an experienced musician.

Great addition to the overall development of your student’s musicianship.

Scholarships are available!

See Mr. Dittfurth or Ms. Lemieux for Enrollment Forms or fill out form online

Feel free to stick around to ask any other questions that you may have.

Thanks for coming!