Grapevine High School Mustang Band
Newsletter for August 16th, 2024
Director's Notes
Music Pass-Offs Are Happening!
By this point in the summer all members should have part 1 memorized and be working towards passing it off for a director. Music pass-offs started on the first day of summer band. The Fight Song, Alma Mater, National Anthem, and Fillie Entry will also be passed off from memory. These assignments are grades and will be entered into Skyward once school begins. Students are allowed to re-attempt pass-offs for a director for full credit. If you are looking for music click here
All-Region Music
Access your instruments All-Region music here. This music will be used to audition for the Region 31 High School all-region bands. It will also be used as your Spring band placement and your Fall semester exam.
Freshman Cuts for All-Region Music
Freshman cuts for the All-Region are available here. These 9th grade cuts are also used for determining GHS spring band placements. Auditions will be held towards the end of the fall semester. Happy practicing! π
Submit Your Forms Online!
Mr. Slate (pictured) would love to collect your forms online! Any forms not turned in are now past due. Please click here to fill out and turn in your forms.
Ultimate Drill Book
This fall we will be utilizing Ultimate Drill Book to learn our marching band drill. Students will need to have the UDB app downloaded to their phone and a way to secure it at ALL MARCHING BAND REHEARSALS this fall. Students and parents do not need a subscription. We have a GHS subscription and log-in information has been shared with the students during summer band. Feel free to explore UDB here. Questions can be sent to Mr. Rees (james.rees@gcisd.net)
New Communication App
GCISD has transitioned from Remind to a new service called Thrillshare. Thrillshare will be used in place of Remind for communication by the GHS Band Staff going forward. Announcements have been sent out using this new mode of communication this week. Students need to download the GCISD App and sign in with their GCISD log-in credentials. In the app, their is a tab in the lower right corner called "Rooms" this will allow them to access the GHS Band "room" and be able to receive important communication.
Leadership Meeting
Leadership team, we will have our first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, August 20th at 4:10 PM. The meeting will be held in Mr. Rees' office.
Meal Preference Form
This is THE form for all things meals. This helps provide the band parents with information on food allergies, dietary restrictions, and food preferences. It's important that we get a form filled out for every student! Please fill out the form here.
Parent Preview Performance Assignment
The students first assignment of the school year is to review the video of the parent preview performance, linked here. Students need to submit the assignment to their band canvas page which also will contain the link to the video and the instructions for the assignment. The assignment is due at 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 18th. The video can only be viewed using a GCISD email, please do not request access using a non-GCISD email.
Upcoming Events
This week:
August 10th: Super Saturday #3 πππ
8:00-11:30 AM
1:00-3:00 PM
6:30-8:30 PM End of Summer Band party at the Grapevine REC π
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Next Week:
Monday: Stadium rehearsal 6:30-9:30 PM
Students MUST wear a white shirt (a white shirt with logos on it is okay) and black shorts.
Tuesday: No rehearsal
Wednesday: Rehearsal from 6:30-8:20 AM
Thursday: Rehearsal from 6:30-8:20 AM
Friday: Rehearsal from 7:00-8:20 AM
Saturday and Sunday: No rehearsal
Reminder that students will go outside during their band classes and should dress accordingly.
Senior Pictures at MPS
Attention Senior Parents! On Wednesday, August 21, GCISD Athletics is opening MPS for families to take senior pictures from 6-8 p.m. Guests will have access to the turf and bleachers only. Bring your own camera or photographer and capture special moments with your senior!
Photos
The photos that were captured of the band last Saturday are ready to be viewed and ordered!
TSS Photography offers a wide array of photo packages and photo items (like those fun photo pins, and necklace charms!).
Here is the link to order those fantastic pictures of your band member!
Volunteers
Concession Volunteer Opportunities Available
Mustang Band families run the concession stands during all Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity home games. It takes many volunteers to make sure we are covering all the shifts available to us in order to maximize this revenue opportunity. Volunteering in the concession stand is a great way for band families to get involved and meet new friends and is the biggest fundraiser for the band. Please remember we are asking all families to cover at least FOUR shifts this year.
Please use the SignUpGenius links below to choose your volunteer opportunities.
Freshman/JV Concession Stand Sign Up Genius
Varsity Concession Stand Sign Up Genius
We look forward to seeing you in the concession stand, serving with you and contributing to our GHS Bandβs success this year!
Sponsorship
LET'S GET LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT THE GHS MUSTANG BAND. WE NEED YOUR HELP GETTING SPONSORS
We need parents, friends, and family to ask local businesses to become GHS BAND SPONSORS for 2024-25. Flyer is below with QR code that takes the business right to our payment page. We need to contact as many businesses as possible over the next couple weeks before our fall HALFTIME shows, so your help is critical.
Being a GHS BAND Sponsor has a variety of great marketing benefits specific to each sponsorship level, such as:
- businesses names announced at halftime during GHS football games
- posts on our Social Media
- 30-minute Drumline Performance at your place of business in May
- and other great marketing benefits Grapevine Colleyville businesses will appreciate, in addition to the pride that comes from supporting one of our Community's Treasures!
Our local businesses can pick the level they want, ranging from
White Level Sponsor at $250, Blue Level Sponsor at $500,
Silver Level Sponsor at $1,500, Gold Level Sponsor at $2,500, and Title Sponsor at $5,000.
Businesses can choose what they like! The important thing: to build a base of local companies that support The Grapevine HS Mustang Band.
Would you like to help? We need you on our Sponsorship Fundraising Team! We already have a list of local businesses who have indicated interest, and we would like to increase the number of business sponsors, as well. We need follow-up, stopping by the business with the flyer, and we will follow up via email and telephone with them. All you are doing is stopping by asking for businesses support or perhaps you have a company and would appreciate the marketing opportunities that come with being a sponsor. WE NEED YOU!
Questions? Please contact GHS Mustang Band Parent & Volunteer, Laurie Ackermann. I am happy to deliver flyers to you. Contact Laurie and tell her how many you want.
Sponsorship Flyer
Sponsorship Levels
Band Fee Payment #4- Due September 1st
The FOURTH installment of Band Fees was due on August 1st and is now past due. The FIFTH and final installment of band fees is due on September 1st. You can make a payment here.
Calendar
Please visit the calendar and familiarize yourself with the rehearsal schedule and event calendar for the entire school year.
Private Lessons
Lessons are available for all members of the band program. Please click here and set up lessons if you have not already.
The Grapevine High School Band has over 90% of students enrolled in private lessons. It is such an important part of our student's musical development!
Letter Jacket Fitting Date
SSR Letter Jackets will be handling the GHS order for letter jackets this school year. They will be at GHS to fit students during all lunches on Wednesday, August 21st. They will also make arrangements for makeups. If you have lettered in band, you will have a chance to order and receive your letter jacket before the weather gets cold.
The letter jacket requirements are:
- Pass every grading period of all of their band classes
- Perform a solo and ensemble at GCISD solo and ensemble contest, or equivalent for guard
- Remain in good standing regarding behavior for the entire year
- Participate in all performances for the entire year
- Complete at least two years of band enrollment
You can check out SSR here
Passport Reminder
If you are traveling with us to Ireland be sure to double check your passport! It can take weeks or months to have one made or to have one renewed!
Check Your Charms Account
Students/Parents should login and update their CHARMS information. CHARMS is one of our primary forms of communication and it is important to have accurate information. As we graduate students into the next grade, please verify that your school and grade are correct. Charms is not an option to make a band payment.
If you have any questions, currently are not receiving the emails from Charms, or have trouble logging in to your account, please contact Mr. Slate (brandon.slate@gcisd.net)
Raiseright (Personal Fundraiser
Start Raising Money NOW!
RaiseRight is a great way to raise money for your individual band account!