Midland High School
Bulldog Band
Incoming Freshman Orientation
Packet
2016-2017
“Quality Knows No Limits”
Welcome to the Bulldog Band!
Your student has signed up for High School band! What does that mean for you? If you are a
first time band parent or even a returning band parent, this booklet will explain some frequently
asked questions.
Currently at the Junior High Level, students are only involved in the Concert Band with a
brief period of Marching Band in the Fall semester. At MFHS, students participate in Marching
Band & Concert Band. Senior High School level students participate in both Marching and Concert
Band, and have the option of Jazz Band.
Marching Band is held during the first (Fall) semester of school.
Concert Band is held during the second (Spring) semester of school.
Jazz Band at MHS is held both first and second semester.
During the Fall semester, beginning the first day of school, your freshman band student will be
bused to MHS at the beginning of 7th Period. Parents/guardians will pick up students at MHS at
the conclusion of practice.
Band Director Contact Information
Brian Collins – Head Band Director
P: 432-889-5127
[email protected]
Stephanie Griffith – Assistant Band Director
[email protected]
Mande Gragg – Assistant Band Director
[email protected]
Pricilla Marruffo – Freshman Band Director
W: 432-689-1218
[email protected]
Marching Band
The Midland High School Marching Band is a member of the 6A Varsity Class of Bands in
Area A, Region 6. State Marching Contest for 6A bands is held every two years. 2016 is a 6A Band
contest year. The Bulldog Band will compete in several marching contests leading up to the state
contest.
The Marching Band performs a pre-game show and a half-time show at all of the home football
games. We also perform at away games away games the school district has approved. Each week,
the director staff prepares a Trip Sheet, which is handed out to students on Wednesday prior to
the game. The Trip Sheet provides all the necessary details for that week’s performance:
Timeline, location details, leave and return times, items to take, etc. Trip sheets will also be
emailed and posted to the band website every week.
Uniforms
For Marching Band your student will be provided a marching uniform. Items also needed, which
must be purchased, include:
Black Marching shoes (about $25 to $35)
Long black socks (about $1.50 to $3.00 per pair. Purchasing a pack will be cost efficient.)
Black Marching gloves (about $3.00 to $5.00 per pair)
Band Show Shirt ($20, but could be free if student sells at least 10 lines.
*** Band shoes and gloves can be purchased at N-Tune Music in August.***
During the marching season, students often misplace gloves, socks, etc. These can be easily
replaced at N-Tune. My suggestion is to purchase at least 2 sets of gloves and a pack of Long
Black socks. The marching uniform is turned in after every game and remains at the school.
Shoes, socks, and gloves should be taken home and socks should be washed after every game. If
left in the band hall, they tend to disappear! Remind your student to keep track of these items.
Summer band is going to be a big change for your students! Set them up for success by
purchasing a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, a hat for shade, and comfortable athletic shoes
and clothing. Even though our rehearsals are in the morning, the August heat always rears its
ugly head! Wear appropriate clothing and take care of your body!
Sources of Band Communication
You and your child will become a part of an excellent music program led by some of the most
talented and dedicated directors in the state! The Bulldog band has a long history of
achievements, awards, and traditions and now you are a part of this unique band family.
All the information parents/guardians need to know about the Mighty MHS Bulldog Band can
be found 3 ways:
1) The Band Website is continuously kept up to date with announcements, volunteer and
fundraiser opportunities, calendar of events, links, all band forms, Platoon Parent and
Band Booster Board information. You can even sign up to volunteer for an event on the
Volunteer tab and receive email reminders.
IMPORTANT – please enter web address exactly as stated below.
http://mhsbulldogband.my-pta.org
***We also have a “Store” tab where any/all purchases can be made with a credit or
debit card.***
2) Monthly Band Statements & Newsletter The Band Boosters will send a monthly band
statements during the school year, from September to May. A summer mailing will
have details of the Band Fee amount, summer practice dates/times, and other
important information you need to know.
3) The Charms Student Account will have your child’s band account status, which will be
kept up to date. There will also be some limited information such as announcements,
links, and band booster financial reports. You can check your child’s band account
status anytime 24/7 by logging on to:
www.charmsoffice.com
Our school code is “midlandhsb” then click “Enter Charms” tab
Student password is their student I.D. number
Charms also has a mobile app
www.charmsoffice.com/mobile
With two avenues of communication available 24/7 and the monthly financial statements with
newsletters, parents can always stay informed on the many activities and events throughout
our busy year.
Yearly Band Fee
In an ideal world the school taxes that we pay would be enough to fund the Band Program. In
reality, this does not happen. As with many competitive extracurricular activities in MISD, the
school district provides for only UIL sanctioned trips such as football games, and UIL Band
competitions. EVERYTHING ELSE has to be funded by the Band.
A budget compiled by the Board Members will allow the Booster Club Board of Directors to
determine the coming year’s Band Fee. All band parents will receive a summer mailing that will
have details of the Band Fee.
Therefore, as with many of the MISD programs, each student participating in the MHS band
programs will be expected to fundraise or pay a Band Fee. The payment of the Band Fee can be
broken down into monthly installments, or paid all at once.
Spring Trips
One of the great things about being in band is the awesome trips that we take. The Bulldog band
in the last few years has gone to New York, Hawaii, Disney World and this year, New Orleans!
Depending on the trip date, freshman may be included in the senior high spring trip. The Midland
Freshman High School principal determines if the freshman are allowed to travel with the senior
high group.
The Freshman Band will also have an opportunity for a smaller trip as a Freshman-only group to
San Antonio or Dallas. This trip is usually at the end of April or beginning of May, and will have a
separate trip fee assessment, as well. The Band Fee must be paid in full before the stated
deadline before a student can go on a trip.
Fundraising Opportunities
The MHS Band Boosters sponsor numerous fundraisers throughout the year designed to help
students raise funds for their Band and Trip fees. Students who participate in all of the
fundraisers offered should be able to raise the money they need.
There are several “NO COST” FUNDRAISERS conducted throughout the year. These are “work”
type events that earn money toward the band students’ account.
2016 Summer Fundraising Opportunities
#1 T-Shirt Lines Sponsor Fundraiser
All marching band students are required to have a “Show Shirt” to wear under their marching
uniform during performances. It is a t-shirt that is designed and chosen by the Director to
match the show selected for each marching season and cost $20. As a fundraiser the band
students sell “lines” for the back of the t-shirt in order to raise money for their band account
and obtain the show shirt for free. Students that sell at least 10 lines will receive their show
shirt cost credited back to their band account. Lines are $10 each and students are encouraged
to sell as many as they can all during the summer. The deadline to turn in the fundraiser is the
first week of summer band. For each line sold, students will receive $5 credit for every line they
sell. There are many students that sell enough lines to have their band fee paid completely!
Summary:
1) T-Shirt Lines Sponsor Fundraiser lasts all summer and is turned in the first week of
summer band.
2) Lines are $10 each and the student receives $5 toward their band account for each line
sold.
3) Each line has a maximum of 30 spaces.
4) You can accept cash, checks (made out to the MHS Band Boosters) or have the
purchaser go to our website if they wish to pay by credit or debit card on the “Store”
tab.
#2 Bulldog Band Sponsorship Program
The band sponsorship program has levels of sponsorships and benefits for anyone that wishes
to support the Bulldog band and be acknowledged. This is a wonderful opportunity to sell a
sponsorship level to your employer, any businesses, or your own business. HALF OF THE
SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT will be credited to your child’s band account. This sponsorship
program can be sold throughout the year and any sponsorship purchased will be good for one
year. The brochure is attached to this packet and more are available to print on our website
under the “Sponsorship” tab.
This is an excellent summer selling opportunity as one of the benefits for the higher levels
includes being announced at every home football game. If there are any questions concerning
the Sponsorship program you or the potential purchaser can contact:
Eve Osterlund @ [email protected]
#3 Rockhounds Baseball Stadium Clean-up Fundraiser
MHS Band will be cleaning the Rockhounds Baseball Stadium during three Home-Game stands
during the summer. Band students that participate will earn $20 per game clean-up. The
Home game series' we will be working are:
July 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
August 4, 5, 6, 7
August 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Cleanup consists of picking up trash from cupholders and under stadium seats. Five Band students can
sign up to help with each game. In addition to the band student, 3 family members, over the age of 11,
can come help assist in the cleanup which will reduce cleanup time. Baseball management estimates 30
minutes to 1 ½ hours of cleanup depending on the amount of people helping. Only the band student
earns the $20 which will go directly to the student's band account. Free admission to the game for
those helping will be provided or if the student doesn't want to attend the game he/she will need to
show up 30 minutes before the game ends. A Band Parent Coordinator has been assigned to coordinate
the five students and oversee cleanup for each game. They will be in contact with students prior to each
game.
Sign-up for this opportunity will be on a first-come basis. We will let everyone know when signup begins
by e-mail. Please check your calendars now to see if your band student can start earning money in the
summer for next years band fee! Don't forget – The August dates will be during summer band – but
practice will be over the end of each game.
If you have questions – please contact Tasha Riddle, Fundraising Chairman @ 432-553-9443
WTAMU SUMMER BAND CAMP
Many of our band students will attend a university-sponsored band camp at some time during
the summer such as those held at Texas Tech, Baylor, and the University of Texas at Austin. A
large number of MISD band students attend the band camp held each July at West Texas A&M
University in Canyon. For more details on these camps, please contact the band directors or
check out the band program web sites at each of the respective universities.
The summer band camp at West Texas A & M in Canyon is the band camp the MHS Band Directors
recommend any MHS band student to attend. They feel this two week band camp has the best
quality instructors and clinicians in the state and strongly encourage band students to attend.
Any of the surrounding area band camps are recommended and encouraged for your band
student to attend, however the MHS Band Directors feel the WTAMU Summer Band Camp has
the best instructors and clinicians.
The 2016 date for WTAMU is July 10th – 22th and the deadline to register is June 1st. Parents
can go to their website to register and pay any fees. Cost is $840.
http://www.wtamu.edu/academics/band-camp.aspx
Final Notes
The MHS Band Boosters are here to serve and support our wonderful band directors, students,
and parents. So please do not hesitate to contact a Booster Club board member if you have any
questions. AND ESPECIALLY CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS!! We are
always looking for opportunities to fulfill our mission, which is:
“Support the students and directors of the Midland High School Band Program and its feeder
schools in their efforts to be the best band program in the United States.”
Eve Osterlund – (432)553-8647
[email protected]