MSHS Summer Band Information

Good morning from the band room!

We hope that your summer is now in full swing and wanted to go ahead and give you all the information you may need for summer rehearsals and band camp coming up in July!

*If you are coming from the middle school, you may need to subscribe to the MSHS part of the band website. Just resubscribe and choose the MSHS ckeckbox. For now, I am posting to MSHS and MSMS.

Summer Rehearsals (July 6, 11, 13)- these rehearsals should be attended by all marching band members who are in town. Rehearsals are from 5:30-8PM, although we may adjust the times to earlier in the day for auxiliaries and percussion. It is ok to miss these three rehearsals for previously schedule vacations, as long as you fill out the absence form, which can be found by clicking here.

Leadership Trip (July 7th) – I realize not all members will be in town and able to attend, but we will be going to Main Event in Huntsville to enjoy some time together and bond as a BLT! Please RSVP here by June 23rd.

Band Booster Band Basics BBQ (July 14, 6PM @ Grace Life Church) – we invite all new members of the MSHS marching band and their families to attend this event. It is free. We will be serving delicious food and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the upcoming season. Additionally, this gives us the chance to serve you and make sure you feel a part of the MSHS band faMily. Please RSVP by clicking here.

Band Camp (July 17-20 & July 24-27) – All days of band camp are MANDATORY for those participating in the MSHS marching band this fall. Any exceptions will be decided on a case-by-case basis. It is crucial that all members are there for every day. We learn more in those two weeks than we do in two months during the regular school year. The daily schedule for band camp is the same both weeks:

Mondays and Tuesdays:
8-12 1st Block
12-1 Lunch provided
1-4 2nd Block
4-6 Dinner break (Students must leave campus)
6-8 3rd Block

Wednesday:
8-12 1st Block
12-1 Lunch provided
1-4:30 2nd Block

Thursdays:
8-1 1st Block

Students will be required to bring 1 case of water and 1 pack of snacks for band camp. Freshmen (salty snack) and Sophomores (sweet snack) drop off on July 17th, and Juniors (salty snack) and Seniors (sweet snack) drop off on July 24th.

Band Camp Supplies
In order to have a successful band camp, there are required materials that each student must bring. Alabama summers can be brutal, but we make sure that student health is our top priority. Students will need:

1. 1 Gallon Water Jug, can be ordered off Amazon or found at Walmart. Start drinking lots of water now! If you come to Day 1 dehydrated, it will be impossible to get back on track!
2. Sunscreen!!
3. Hat and/or sunglasses
4. Lacing Athletic Tennis Shoes (no converse or high top sneakers)
5. Backpack
6. Appropriate athletic attire. (no jeans, turtle necks)
7. Breakfast – even for our students who don’t normally eat breakfast, we will be doing a physical activity in the heat, making it important for something to be on their stomachs. Please bring granola bars if you skip breakfast. Eggs with bacon and toast is a great meal to start the day!
8. Optional: towel/yoga mat, snacks, Gatorade, sandals for meals, extra shoes/socks if they get wet, jacket for inside practices, gold bond, fan, frog tog, etc.

Student medical conditions: If your student has any medical concerns that the directors are unaware of, that needs to be taken care of promptly by emailing Mrs. Hood. Please do not send students without letting us know these conditions.

Additional info for everyone: Basically do’s and don’ts

1. Students will not be allowed to leave campus during band camp except during the dinner break
2. All students need to leave campus during dinner break as they will be unsupervised.
3. The staff will keep close tabs on weather, including heat indices and stronger storms. Only directors cancel practice.
4. Students may not miss band camp rehearsals except for emergencies.
5. Students are responsible for cleaning up areas we use on campus.
6. All students should be fitted into uniform by the end of week one of camp.
7. Winds and percussion will need to have black socks with their uniforms.
8. Shoes will be ordered immediately after the last freshman is measured.
9. The band will receive a show shirt and dry wicking shirt to wear under uniforms.

Please Welcome Dr. John Frederick and his Wife Natalie Frederick to the Shoals! Dr. Frederick’s welcome is below:

We are looking forward to seeing you all again on July 6th! Enjoy your summer!

Mrs. Hood
jhood@mscs.k12.al.us