Band Buzz: March 24, 2024
Music comes from an icicle as it melts...
...to live again as spring water
Spring has been slow to come but that doesn't stop these kids from great accomplishments. Winter guard finished the season as strong as ever. Time for band to shift into high gear for pre-UIL events. Good luck to everyone!
Winter Guard Champions!!!
Shouts and cheers for our winter guard earning Scholastic Regional A Champions!!!! We're all so proud of all your hard work.
It's Showtime!
Our theme for next year's marching band show is official! Looking forward to the students spreading their wings.
Volunteers Needed
Nominating Committee
Looking for 1 or 2 parent volunteers to manage the nominating committee for next year. Your job is already mostly done. Just need to track down a few more candidates for a variety of board to positions. Voting to occur in May. If you can help, contact our current president
Foreign Exchange Hosts
Still looking for some families to host our musically-gifted students from overseas. See details below
Band/Color Guard banquet (May 10th)
Please be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities for our annual banquet this coming May. It's a great way to let our kids know we appreciate all their hard work. More info below.
From the Directors:
Parents and Students,
Congratulations to our amazing Winter Guard! On Saturday the Clear Lake HS Winter Guard were crowned the Scholastic Regional A Champions! The guard was placed first and had the highest score of the 15 guards in Scholastic A. Great job and way to represent!
Our Pre-UIL Contests are this Wednesday and Thursday! Please see the schedule below. Each performance will be free and open to the public and we encourage all parents to come hear the hard work these young musicians have been doing. Students will need to have their full concert uniform for this performance.
March 27 at Clear Creek HS
Concert Band 9:30 am Stage, 10:00 Sight-reading
March 28 at Clear Springs HS
Wind Ensemble 12:45 pm Stage, 1:30 Sight-reading
Symphonic Band 2:15 pm Stage, 2:45 Sight-reading
It’s Texas Music Scholar Award time!
The Texas Music Scholar Award designates students in high school music programs who exemplify attributes of meritorious performance in the areas of scholarship, musicianship, and citizenship.
Designation is attained by TMEA Active Member recommendation of students in grades 9-12 who have met the following criteria during the current school year:
- Is a viable member of the school’s parent musical organization for the entire school year.
- Maintains in all cumulative coursework an overall “A” average as defined by the local school district for the current school year.
- Maintains academic eligibility for the entire school year.
- Participates in all scheduled events of the parent organization.
- Participates virtually or as a live audience member, two director-approved concert events of high school, collegiate or professional level during a school year.
- Has auditioned, been selected, and participated as required in a TMEA organization (region band or orchestra).
- Performs a UIL Prescribed Music List Class 1 solo for a competition or public performance.
- Consistently exhibits behavior which brings honor to the parent organization, school and community.
Texas Music Scholars receive a certificate and patch from the Texas Music Educators Association signed by the Executive Director.
Please note that this is an award, not a scholarship or other offer of money.
If you would like to be considered for this award, please fill out the online form below by Friday, April 12. Recipients will receive the award at the Band Banquet on May 10.
Upcoming events:
Monday: Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Rehearsal
Tuesday: Concert Band Rehearsal
Wednesday: Concert Band Pre-UIL; Full Orchestra Rehearsal
Thursday: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band Pre-UIL
Let’s have a great week!
BAND GOOGLE CALENDAR: The most up to date rehearsal/performance schedule can be found on the band google calendar. You can access it via our booster website at: https://www.clhsband.org/calendar.html
Please scroll to the bottom and click on the “+googlecalendar” button to push it to your smartphone.
Foreign Exchange Students Looking for Hosts
Throughout the years, Clear Lake HS Band families have been host to a number of foreign exchange students. We currently have a family hosting a student from Germany. We like to give the opportunity to as many of these young musicians as we can. Every year I receive an email from the coordinator of this program, Kristy McAuliffe. Please see her email below and the description of three young musicians that would like to experience band, and high school, in the United States for a year. If you are interested in possibly hosting one of these students, please reach out to Kristy.
I have a few students arriving for the 2024-25 school year who would love to participate in a marching band program during their exchange year.
I have found that band exchange students are most successful living with a host family who understands the rigorous and time-consuming practice and performance schedule required of band students.
Would you be willing to pass on their info to the band parents or booster club to get the word out about these great students?
If anyone ends up hosting a student, my agency will donate $150 to the booster club as a thank you for getting the word out.
If any parents are interested, please feel free to have them contact me directly at 281.748.7902 or kristymcauliffe@yahoo.com
Here is some info on the program and students:
Students arrive with full medical insurance, and $ for copays, sports/extra-curriculars (including band fees), personal toiletries, cell phone plan, and outings with friends.
Host families can be single persons, single parents, or 2-parent families, or empty-nesters.
Host families provide a loving home, 3 meals a day, and a place to sleep.
Luisa, female, age 16, from Germany
Interests: Band (drums), drama, singing, theatre, tennis, cooking/baking, volunteering, drawing, swimming/diving, marine life, reading, working with children
Luisa describes herself as creative and open-minded. She loves to try new things as you can see by her many interests, so she is perfect to come on exchange. She is close to her family, especially her older siblings. They enjoy spending time together playing games, exploring the outdoors, or cooking together.
Lucas, male, age 16, from Spain
Interests: Band/Chamber Orchestra (trumpet, piano, euphonium), soccer, sporting events, pets
Lucas loves music and plays in a local band. He is excited to learn about his host family’s culture and traditions. He also plays soccer. He hopes to study marketing after he graduates high school.
Cheayun, female, age 15, from South Korea
Interests: Band (flute), badminton, school clubs, acting/theatre, drawing, music, photography, dance, singing, cooking, playing board games
Chaeyun has a wide variety of interests. She has played the flute from a young age and she says it calms her. Chaeyun loves meeting new people and experiencing diverse cultures so she's excited to immerse herself in her host family's culture and traditions. She describes herself as a people-person, friendly, optimistic, grateful, and positive. She loves the water and summer so living in the Houston-area will be perfect for her. She only has a brother so she would love to live with a host family where she could have a sister!
Kristy McAuliffe
Community Coordinator
PAX-Program of Academic Exchange
281-748-7902
Call for Support for Band Flyers
If you haven't already this is a prime week for distributing our flyer to local businesses. Our goal is to have every family visit 4 businesses. Help us keep our band fees down by getting the community to support us.
Save The Date for the Annual Band Banquet
Plans are underway for our annual Band/Color Guard banquet. Thank you to those who stopped by the table at last week's concert to volunteer. There will be more slots to fill as we get closer so stay tuned!
Any questions please contact
Christine Rylant
713-705-8750
CHECK OUT THE BAND BUZZ PHOTO GALLERY!
Buzz Contributions
If you would like to contribute to the Band Buzz, please contact the appropriate committee or board member. They can send fully edited information to the following e-mail address: VP@clhsband.org . The deadline for submissions is midnight each Wednesday night.
Thank you,
Christopher Hare
2nd VP, Communications