July 6, 2023 - WELCOME BACK!

FIRST UPDATE! The new year is fast approaching us, and we are about to kick start another exciting year of Atascocita High School band! We are delighted to see everyone back, and we can’t wait to see your smiling faces again! I hope that you all had a wonderful summer break!

Here is some information that you need to know to get started with high school band coming up here soon.

OFFICIAL BAND FORMS: All band students need these registration forms filled out prior to camp:

• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIAb0OwBgYpSWBYWHCocL1S2DiHHZyBww3uweCYcMPG0a7Yg/viewform?usp=sf_link
• If you filled this form out already at registration night, you are good to go! These forms cover logistical information as well as medical releases, UIL acknowledgements, and much more. We need every band student attending to have these forms filled out.
• We are still missing these forms from a lot of band students. Please get on this quickly so that we can have your information on file.
  

PHYSICAL AND RANK ONE: Your physical must be turned into us NO LATER THAN July 24th - FIRST DAY OF FULL CAMP. This is super critical, because without it, you will be unable to go outside with us and you’ll have to stay inside. The physical is your clearance to go outside with the marching band and be with us when we learn our show. If you did it at the school, you should be good to go. If you haven’t done it yet, it’s super easy to do and a lot of places do it for super cheap. Go to https://www.atascocitaband.com/physicals-and-rankone-for-marching-band.html for more information

LEADERSHIP CAMP: If you are on the leadership team, our official camp is July 13 (1pm to 4pm and July 14th (9am to 4pm), located in the Kingwood Park High School band hall. You will wear your blue band shirts on the first day and your red polo shirt on the second day.

OFFICIAL SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE: 

• July 10-14: Percussion Camp Week 1 (9:00am-3:00pm)
• July 17-19: Percussion Camp Week 2 (9:00am-3:00pm)
• July 17-19: Incoming Band Freshmen (8:00am to 3:00pm)
• July 24-28: Full Band Camp Week 1 (7am to 3pm)
• July 31-August 4: Full Band Camp Week 2 (7am to 11am)
• August 4: AHS Marching Band Showcase (parents are invited) (7:00PM)

If you are a percussionist of any grade, we will get you started on July 10th with all of the music and equipment you need this week, featuring several percussion masterclass clinicians. Lunch will be provided.

If you are a freshman woodwind or brass, we will see you July 17th-19th for three days of freshman music camp. We will teach you a bunch of great stuff - our school song, fight song, all the things! It will be super fun! Lunch will be provided. Leadership team will be in attendance with the freshman these three days.

If you are any high school band student, you will return to your first day of band camp starting July 24th at 7AM. The schedule is the same as last year - 7am to 11am outside, lunch (provided on the July 24th week), then 12pm to 3pm inside with music and masterclass teachers.

This is a UIL Military Marching Band state year! So, we are going to put our “Best foot forward” and give it our Best shot!

BAND FEES AND PAYMENTS: The webstore has closed several times to process payments and orders. The store will reopen on July 17th, and it will stay open for two weeks. If you have not yet processed your payment for new black shoes, required band apparel, and the annual fair share fee, you will need to do that on the week of when it opens up on July 17th.

A few notes about payments and stuff:

• All students are required to purchase the “new” style of blue shirt and red shirt. The old AMB logo style is discontinued, and the staff want the students all wearing the same thing.
• The band is switching to black shoes for a plethora of reasons. All band students are required to purchase new black marching shoes for the next school year. They can’t be Nike black tennis shoes from Academy, they have to be in the MTX Viper Marching Shoe style. All you have to do is purchase them on the TMF web store once it opens back up. Be sure to go to https://www.atascocitaband.com/payments.html once July 17th hits. That website also explains the required items.
• Information on the yearly required fee and what all it covers can also be found on the link above. Every student in band is required to provide this annual payment to the program so that all of the items we need to operate our program logistically can be purchased.
• If you are in a financial situation, please let us know. We will work with you. If you are having trouble making the payment, just communicate with us and we can work something out. We will never turn a music student away due to financial hardship.

ALL KIDS NEED A WATER JUG FOR CAMP. It is a required item. We can’t allow you outside with no hydration - dehydration is a big concern for us at summer camps. 

SUPPLY CHECKLIST:

• Pencil: We'd like for all band students to have a supply of pencils. We use them a lot in band, as we make lots of music notes to get you best prepared for the marching show. 
• ​Your Summer Band Music (Printable from the link above) We will also be providing more music as the summer camp goes on.
• Sunglasses: Depending on when we are outside, the sun can get in your eyes. We recommend all students bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
• Sunscreen: Sunburns are no fun! Use sunblock regularly while we are outside to protect your skin from the sun.
• Athletic shoes: Tennis shoes are our highest recommendation. Toms, Chucks, Vans, will cause your feet to be sore. SANDALS can cause real injury. 
• Athletic shorts: If a child goes to outdoor rehearsal with jeans or leggings, they will more than likely overheat and could get sick. This is a safety requirement.
• Hat or hair ties: Keeps more sun or long hair out of your eyes and helps with comfort and makes the rehearsal more enjoyable.
• Reeds for woodwind instruments, valve and slide oil/creme for brass instruments
• Towel: You can use the towel to place your instrument down when we are on the practice field. Also helps for sweating during outdoor exercises
• Water jug: Students will be required to purchase the TMF water jug from the website. But you MUST HAVE WATER for outside hydration! Dehydration, no no no!
• Pencil: ... Ohh, sorry, I already said that. But bring a pencil.
• Instrument: So you can you know .... play music.
• Lunch: Lunch is provided by the AHS Band Boosters for all summer band practices, except for the last week. For safety, we do not allow band students to leave campus for lunch (even if you drive).
• Pencil: Oooop, there it is again .... You got your pencil, right?