Dear Parents,
We hope that you are enjoying your summer. Our team has been working diligentlypreparing for the start of school. All of us are very excited about the opportunity to continue the great traditions established here at Clark Middle School. The following information is for all parents and students who will be involved with the Clark Band program next year. Please read carefully as some of this pertains to everyone and some only to a few.
All returning band students should be ACTIVELY practicing their instruments NOW! Where most of the experienced players likely have been practicing regularly, some of you might need to get your instruments out and blow the dust off of them! We will have tests shortly after the beginning of school, so make sure you practice! You should be practicing long tones, lip slurs, scales, and the music that you received at the end of school.
Summer lessons will run through Tuesday, August 12th. Please continue to allow your child to take lessons when school starts, as they are essential to their musical development. Over 95% of all All-State Band students take private lessons. If you were unable to sign your child up for summer lessons, and you would like for your child to join our lessons program, please go to Clarkband.org and click on the private lessons teachers list to contact a teacher and set-up a time.
JAZZ BAND ONLY:
Clark Jazz Band members will have two additional practices on Wednesday, August 13th and Thursday, August 14th from 1:30pm to 2:30pm, to prepare for the Cougar Orientation Camp. On Friday, August 15th, we are meeting at 8:45AM. We perform at 9:30am in the gym. Parents are encouraged to attend. Wear your Band T-shirt and jeans or shorts.
Band fees for returning students, are due at the beginning of Summer Camp. Please have your checks made payable to the “Clark Band.” They vary, based on what grade your child is in. Check the website (clarkband.org), or the last page of this newsletter, under your child’s band, to determine our fee schedule. The fees are to pay for the band tee-shirts, polo shirts, pizza parties, prizes, Solo and Ensemble piano players, band contest entry fees, clinicians, judges, etc… We now offer an on-line payment option at Clarkband.org. There is a 3% on-line processing fee.
All students, using a school-owned instrument such as an Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, French Horn, Baritone, or Tuba, please pay $100 through your MyPaymentsPlus account. Checks will no longer be accepted by the district. This fee is for routine chemical cleaning and maintenance, done during the summer following use.
All Returning Clark Band Members:
Clark Band Summer Camp, for returning students, will be on Monday, August 11th, from 5:30pm until 8:30pm, Tuesday, August 12th, from 5:30pm until 8:30pm, and Thursday, August 14th from 5:30pm until 7:30pm. Attendance for all rising 7th and 8th graders who have been in band for at least one year, is mandatory. We will be rehearsing all of our new stands music for the football games, pep-rallies, and our elementary tour. If you are unable to attend, please e-mail us, at KatzB@friscoisd.org as soon as possible, so that we can arrange a time to meet prior to the event.
On Thursday, when camp concludes, at 7:00pm, we will load buses to travel to Amazing Jakes. This optional event is a reward for their hard work during the week. Amazing Jakes is located at 831 North Central Expressway, Plano, TX 75075-8809. Tickets are $17 per person. This pays for two-way transportation, pizza, drinks and some events at Amazing Jakes. Amazing Jakes features Mini-golf, Laser Tag, Go Karts and Arcade Games. Please make your checks payable to the “Clark Band.” We will return to Clark Middle School at 10:45PM. Please make arrangements to bring your child home with their instrument from Clark Middle School.
School begins on Monday, August 25th! On Tuesday, August 26th, and Wednesday, August 27th, during the day, we will be sizing your child for their Band tee-shirt (all students) and Polo (returning band members only). If you can help, during the day, please contact Allison Kullenberg or Rhonda Mendez at cmsband_volunteers@yahoo.com. We are looking for two to four parents to help throughout the day. Please check the Band Handbook (Clarkband.org) for details about our uniform policy.
We will be using the same uniforms as last year. The cost of the polo shirt is $25, but it will be used all year for the next two years. The tee-shirt is new this year. You are not required to replace the old shirt unless you need to. If you no longer have a Band Tee-shirt, if it is damaged, or if it no longer fits, the replacement cost is $15.00. Please note that returning band members only, who are not beginners, must also purchase black dress shoes, black socks, black dress pants, and a black belt. Ladies may wear low heeled, closed-toed shoes, and a long, at least ankle-length, black dress, if they prefer. No strapless or low-cut dresses will be allowed. Please, take the time to purchase all parts of the uniform before school begins.
Students, we also encourage you to wear your Cougar Band Tee-shirt to school to show spirit and pride in your award winning band! Remember, being in the Cougar Band is Cool!!
On Thursday, August 28th at 7:00PM, we will have our annual Band Booster meeting. We will discuss the events of the year and answer some of the many questions that you may have. Our earnest desire is that you and your students have a positive, uplifting experience while you are here at Clark. Please stop by to get involved. The athletics meeting for 7th and 8th graders will be at 5:30pm the same night.
This is a great time to look into step-up instruments. A beginning instrument (non step-up) is for the first 1-2 years of playing. A step-up instrument should last a student through their high school, college & beyond. It is of better quality and more expensive, but retains much of its value over time! These horns have significantly less repair costs due to their quality.
- Flute: Lyric II, Emerson Model 8B, Jupiter 911 “DiMedici”, or Miyazawa
- Clarinet: Buffet R13
- Alto Saxophone: Selmer S80 Series II or Series III
- Trumpet: Bach S180-37 “Stradivarius”
- Trombone: Bach 42 BO or Conn 88HO
Contact a band director about finding the best deal for you on a new or used instrument!If your family would have to make a choice between getting a new instrument OR taking private lessons, choose private lessons!
Finally, New Cougar Band Spirit items including car decals, and yard signs, are going to be available!! Go to Clarkband.org and click on Spirit Items to see what we have available. We certainly are looking forward to meeting and working with each of you and your children throughout the coming year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at KatzB@friscoisd.org.