I hope this email finds you and your family doing well! As you are aware, Denison ISD will be closed until at least Monday, April 6. By Wednesday, April 1, the district administration will reassess the data to determine whether it is safe for students and staff to return to campus.  A decision will be communicated that afternoon regarding whether schools will be re-opened on Monday, April 6.
​
​Learning plans have been designed for “in-home” student instruction beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd.  By now, a Denison ISD teacher will have contacted your family personally to provide specific details. (I believe it was your 3A teacher.) Continue to monitor the Denison ISD website on a daily basis for updates:  www.denisonisd.net

DHS Band Distance Learning Plan
We have created a new tab of the Denison Band website that specifically addresses Distance Learning. This page will be updated with all the materials your student might need. In addition, all resources and assignments have already been posted to Schoology. Unfortunately, due to the file size restrictions of CHARMS, I cannot attach all the files to this email.

Website Link: https://www.denisonbands.org/distance-learning.html

However, most simply - your student will have ONE graded assignment per week. This graded assignment is a video/audio recording of their weekly objective. 

This is a continuation of their weekly objectives that were handed out at the beginning of the six weeks. The objectives forWind Ensemble and Concert Band were handed out to each student at the beginning of the six weeks and have been posted on Schoology. Symphonic Band students will continue their sticker-chart pass off’s on their UIL music, and should aim to finish one piece per week. Percussion has been modified due to the nature of at-home submissions. Their objectives are included in this email and posted on Schoology. 

However, as you well know, in order to be able to perform the objectives well, your student must practice! If your student says they don’t know what to practice… we have you covered! I have also included a sample practice guide for each band class on the website and Schoology. The most important thing is that your student continues to play their instrument daily! This will ensure that they continue to progress in their music education AND have a creative outlet during the school closure. 

For each day, the band directors have created a practice routine that includes:
Warm Up (5 min) 
Fundamentals (5-10 min) 
Music (10 min)
Other (10 min) - These include listening activities, sight reading games, etc.

At the end of each week, each student will fill out a required Practice Journal: https://forms.gle/6Z2bMAYg2uVuDNVF9 

Schoology

The main source of communication with your student’s teachers will be through Schoology. We have already been using Schoology quite a bit this year. Each band class has a separate group. Please ensure that your student is in the correct group. 

TOG Marching Band (ALL students) - 4RRD-JMPG-CPTVG
Wind Ensemble - KW6C-9WKS-5XDGD
Symphonic Band - 6JMB-XV45-ZC4NW
Concert Band - KDMJ-CVC7-5Z9MM

The band directors are also available through email and Remind 101. Supplemental Materials

The band directors have provided MANY supplemental resources for when your student comes to you saying that they are bored! The links are also posted on Schoology under Resources. I want to highlight a few of these that I am very excited about!

Each private lesson teacher has created a FREE lesson available on our YouTube channel! There is both an Intermediate and Advanced lesson available for each instrument. High school students should utilize the Advanced Lesson. We will post weekly videos for each week of the school closure. I will share the links on Schoology to our YouTube channel. 

By student request, I have created a Band Bingo with various playing challenges! Students who complete a Black-Out of the board can earn prizes. The Band Bingo board is available on Schoology. 

I came across a very cool app for iPhones called the Monster Musician Reader Game. This is a sight-reading game that you can play along with at home. If you do not have an iPhone there is also a YouTube channel that you can play along with: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnXN4OKVLYRNGoK-pgXOseQ. 

These activities, and MANY MORE, can be accessed on Schoology under the Group Resources folder!

Other District Resources

If your student does not have regular access to the Internet, you are able to get all lessons on printed hard copy. To get these, please contact the Denison High School front office at (903)-462-7125. The Main Office at the high school will be open from 9 am - 2 pm daily. 

In addition, DISD will continue its Yellow Jacket Feeding Program. Beginning Monday, March 23 Beginning Monday, March 23, Denison ISD will continue to serve Grab & Go Meals at the following locations:

ScottMiddle School - 1901 S. Mirick Avenue
B. McDaniel Intermediate - 400 Lillis Lane
Lamar Elementary - 1000 S. Fifth Avenue
Terrell Elementary - 230 W. Martin Luther King

All Denison ISD students are welcome to participate in this free breakfast and lunch program. The district will be changing to one service time slot from 10:00 – 12:30 which will allow families to pick up both meals at once. In addition, the district will begin meal delivery to certain areas of town where there are clustered residential areas.  

Band Calendars - Second Order

By popular request, we ordered a second batch of the 2020-2021 Band Calendars! If you are interested in purchasing one for $15, please let me know via email.

Spring Trip

I have received a few questions regarding a partial refund of the Spring Trip, as we had to leave early due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. I know that the travel company is currently working very hard to reschedule upcoming trips across the country and also work through any potential refunds from trips that were cancelled or cut short. The company is working to reschedule our music festival performance to sometime in May. At this time, I do not have any additional information about the possibility of a partial refund. Once I do get more information, I will share it with you. 

Cancelled Events

I am working to keep the CHARMS calendar up to date with the changes to our spring schedule. All  band rehearsals and events during the school closure have been cancelled. Those events that can be rescheduled or moved to an online format (such as the Leadership Information Meeting) will be. We will not try to reschedule the sectionals, full band rehearsals or clinics that we missed due to the school closure at this time.

The Chet Baker Educational Jazz Festival for Jazz Band 1 has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. 

MA Nationals for our varsity color guard has also been cancelled, as well as the optional trip to watch the WGI Regional in Denton. 

Lastly, I was informed today by UIL Region 25 that our Concert & Sight Reading Contest scheduled for April 22nd and 23rd has been cancelled. Unfortunately, I do not expect the event to be rescheduled. 

At this time, we are still planning on participating in the following events this spring:
April 25th - Wind Ensemble Music Festival contest in Frisco
May 1st - DISD Jazz Concert at THF Park
May 8th - DHS Spring Concert
May 21st - Band Banquet

2020- 2021 DHS Band Leadership Information

I am working on an online version of the Leadership Information meetings. This will be shared on both Schoology and the band website, under the Forms tab (www.denisonbands.org). 

The paperwork phase of the 2020 - 2021 Leadership Tryouts will be conducted entirely online. I will share the questionnaire and information packet on Schoology and the band website. The paperwork must be submitted to me via email by April 9th at 11:59 PM. You can email me your completed paperwork at [email protected]. Teacher Evaluation surveys will be conducted via Google Forms. 

Percussion Concert Videos

I am working to upload the videos from the DISD Percussion concert to our YouTube channel. You can watch the two high school ensemble performances at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzGIY6CyII
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwq1U7soAkk

Instrument and Binder Pick Up

I try to get up to the school every couple of days so that students can continue to pick up their instruments or any other materials they need. If you need to get your instrument, binder, etc. please email me and I will work with you to arrange a time. 

Lastly, if you have any questions as we transition to Distance Learning, please do not hesitate to ask! As I mentioned previously, the main goal for us is that every student has access to their instrument and continues to play. There will be ONE graded playing assignment each week, as well as a practice journal. Beyond that, the practice guide and supplemental materials included below are provided to help give your student ideas on what to practice, and are not required or graded. 

Thanks so much for your continued support!

Good afternoon!

Due to the current circumstances, we will be utilizing online distance teaching in order to provide students with a continuing education. We have created a new tab on the site titled, "Distance Learning". The tab is being built this weekend and you will soon be able to access the online materials as well as objective sheets, assignments and other materials that make up our new and temporary online curriculum. 

Please continue to check in for updated announcements and learning materials. A full email containing more details and information as well as the coming week's plan will be sent out  posted here later this weekend. 

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation!

Meals will be in a sack and available to all DISD students regardless of attendance zones.
Breakfast and Lunch will be served at:
-Scott Middle School
-B.McDaniel Intermediate
-Lamar Elementary
-Terrell Elementary
Breakfast: 7:30-9:30
Lunch: 11:00-1:30

It is the last week before progress reports, so be sure to check your student’s objective sheet. Members of Symphonic Band have modified their objectives and are using a sticker progress chart in class instead. Concert Band and Wind Ensemble should have the first three objectives completed by the end of the week. In addition, we have our first guest clinician coming in on Friday!
 
Extra Credit Opportunities this Week
There are two extra credit opportunities this week. The first is the SMS Pre UIL Concert on Monday at the SMS Auditorium. It will start at 6 pm, and end at approximately 7:45 pm. The second extra credit opportunity is the DISD Percussion Concert on Thursday at the DHS Auditorium. The concert will start at 7 pm. 
 
If you decide to attend, please bring a copy of the program in order to receive your extra credit!
 
Second Spirit Wear Order
By popular demand, we are opening a second order form for the Spirit Wear! If you would like a band t-shirt, hoodie, etc. please fill out the following Google form: https://forms.gle/83XUPzfJg99WevPa8. 
Please place your order by Friday, March 6th at 4 pm. 
 
Finances
Please make sure all finances are up to date.  Payment may be made to the Band Booster Box at the front of the Band Hall via cash or check made out to Touch of Gold, or online through Charms via credit or debit card. All fees should be paid at this point except for April Private Lessons (Due April 1st) forward.  
 
Spring Trip
The spring trip to Tennessee is quickly approaching! Please make sure that you have made all payments by this point to Educational Travel Adventures. 
 
We will create a concert ensemble to perform as part of this trip. This ensemble will have one required rehearsal on THIS UPCOMING Friday, March 6th from 4-6 pm. Music will be given to students at this rehearsal. We will perform the two pieces that we already learned at the Side by Side Concert earlier in the semester, as well as one other piece. We will also have a required student and parent meeting on Friday, March 6th at 6 pm. We will go over the final itinerary, suggested packing list, behavior expectations, etc. 
 
A few people have asked what the call time will be for this trip. A final itinerary will be sent out in a separate email today. 
  
Updated Pre UIL Concert
Due to STAAR testing, I have had to move our Pre UIL concert to the previous week. Our new Pre UIL date will be on Tuesday, March 31st. This is a required event for Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble members only. A more detailed itinerary will be sent out closer to the event. 
 
It is vital for our success at our UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest later in April that ALL students in Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble be at Pre UIL, so that we can get an accurate read from our judges. Please check your athletic calendars now, and make plansahead of time with your coach so that you will be at the entire Pre UIL event. 
 
Optional Trip to WGI  Denton
Each year, Mrs. Creech takes a group of students to watch the WGI Competition in Denton. This is a great opportunity for students in varsity and JV color guard to see performances at the highest levels of performance!
 
If you are interested, please sign up using the Google form: https://forms.gle/LoytE5BdMP8rzPXo8 
 
Week 5.3
 
Monday, 3/2
·         Wind Ensemble Clarinet sectionals in Band Hall, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Symphonic Band Clarinet sectionals in Ensemble Room, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Wind Ensemble Percussion sectionals in Percussion Room, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Symphonic Band Percussion sectionals in Percussion Room,  4:00 - 5:00 PM
·         Extra Credit Opportunity: SMS Pre UIL at 6 PM, Scott MS
 
Tuesday, 3/3
·         Wind Ensemble French Horn and Trumpet sectionals in Band Hall, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Symphonic Band Saxophone sectionals in Ensemble Room,  6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Symphonic Band Trumpet sectionals in Ensemble Room, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
·         Varsity Winter Guard Practice in Band Hall, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
·         Band Booster Meeting at 6:30 PM
 
Wednesday, 3/4
·         Wind Ensemble Saxophone & Low Reeds sectionals in Ensemble Room, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Symphonic Band Low Brass sectionals in Band Hall, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Wind Ensemble Flute sectionals in Ensemble Room, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
·         Optional JV Gold Winter Guard Practice in Band Hall, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
 
Thursday, 3/5
·         Wind Ensemble Low Brass sectionals in Band Hall, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Symphonic Band Flute and Oboe sectionals in Ensemble Room, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Concert Band Percussion sectionals in Percussion Room, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
·         Varsity Winter Guard Practice in Band Hall, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
·         Optional Extra Credit: DISD Percussion Concert at 7 PM, DHS Auditorium
 
Friday, 3/6
·         Wind Ensemble Full Band Rehearsal in Band Hall, 6:45 - 7:45 AM - Tim Golden clinic, please arrive by 6:30 AM to set up!
·         Tim Golden clinic during Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band classes
·         Symphonic Band French Horn sectionals in Ensemble Room, 6:45 - 7:45 AM
·         Required for Spring Trip attendees only: Spring Trip Rehearsal in Band Hall, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
·         Required for Spring Trip attendees and parents only: Spring Trip Information Meeting in Band Hall, 6:00 PM
 
Upcoming Events
1.       Spring Break - No School, Monday, March 9th - Friday, March 13th
2.      Spring Trip to Tennessee, Thursday, March 12th - Sunday, March 15th
3.      Leadership Information Meeting at 7:00 AM, 3/16
4.      Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A from 3-10 PM, 3/17
5.      Leadership Information Meeting at 4 PM, 3/19
6.     Daryl Trent Clinic After School (Wind Ensemble Only) from 4-6 PM, 3/20
Optional WGI Watching Trip in Denton, 3/21

• Alan Harkey Clinic Before School (Wind Ensemble Only) and During Classes (WE and SB), 3/27
• Pre UIL Concert for Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, 3/31

​We have an incredibly busy week ahead of us leading into Spring Break!
Please continue to help us keep an eye on student grades to ensure academic success. All students should be working on their Objective Sheets. Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band students need to submit all of their objectives through Schoology.
Pre-UIL Concert / Clinic with Alan Harkey
 Symphonic Band (Non Varsity) - Please meet at 5:30 PM in the SMS Band Hall dressed in Concert Black with your instrument and all materials. Warm Up will begin at 5:35 PM in the SMS Band Hall. The Concert will begin at 6:00 PM in the SMS Eisenhower Auditorium. All parents, friends, and other students are encouraged to attend the Concert. Immediately following the Concert, our guest clinician, Mr. Alan Harkey, will give some brief feedback and critique. Immediately following Mr. Harkey’s comments, we will demonstrate the Sight Reading process. Everyone is dismissed following the Sight Reading process (approximately 6:45 PM), but is encouraged to stay for the Wind Symphony performances.  Wind Symphony (Varsity) - Please meet at 6:15 PM in the SMS Band Hall dressed in Concert Black with your instrument and all materials. Warm Up will begin at 6:30 PM in the SMS Band Hall. The Concert will begin at 7:00 PM in the SMS Eisenhower Auditorium. All parents, friends, and other students are encouraged to attend the Concert. Immediately following the Concert, our guest clinician, Mr. Alan Harkey, will give some brief feedback and critique. Immediately following Mr. Harkey’s comments, we will demonstrate the Sight Reading process. Everyone is dismissed following the Sight Reading process (approximately 7:45 PM).
Fan Cloth Orders Have Arrived! We have received most of the products from our Fan Cloth Fundraiser and will be passing them out this week! We are working on organizing all of the products to create a check out system. We plan to send products home with students on Tuesday. They will have to sign out their products. Some products have been back ordered and so we do not have them yet, but those should arrive soon after Spring Break. Credits from the fundraiser will be applied to each student’s Miscellaneous Ledger during Spring Break.
Denison ISD Percussion Concert All Percussion students in grades 6 – 12 are involved in the Denison ISD Percussion Concert this Thursday, March 5th at 7:00 PM in the Denison High School Smith Auditorium. It is an optional concert for all other students. Percussion students need to check with Mr. Gurke to make sure we have a solid plan for transporting any necessary equipment. All percussion students need to arrive at the Denison High School Smith Auditorium by 6:15 PM, dressed in Concert Black Attire, with their music and any necessary equipment they have been assigned to bring. This should be a fun
and exciting night to demonstrate what our percussion students have learned and have been
working on thus far in the year!
Retention Assembly at B. McDaniel Intermediate School (Wind Symphony Only)
The Wind Symphony will be performing at B. McDaniel Intermediate School this Friday morning
for a Retention Assembly for the Beginner Band in the Band Hall at 8:15 AM. We will be
demonstrating our daily drill, performing UIL Concert music, and discussing Band life at Scott
Middle School. We will start rehearsal at 7:45 AM (Euphonium Sectionals are at 6:45 AM) and
will start the assembly at 8:15 AM. We plan to conclude by 9:00 AM and return to Scott Middle
School by 9:30 AM. Students are to wear blue jeans and their SMS Band T-Shirt and be dropped
off at B. McDaniel Intermediate School Friday morning. The earliest students may be dropped off
is 6:00 AM. All students must arrive by 7:30 AM. Students may be dropped off in the 5th Grade
Loop or the Bus Loop and walk to the open Band Hall door by the Cafeteria.
Finances
The SMS Band Booster Club currently has $6,953.15 in past due finances. Please check Charms
to make sure all finances are up to date. Payment may be made in the Band Office via cash or
check made out to Touch of Gold, or online through Charms via credit or debit card. All fees
should be paid at this point except for trips and April Private Lessons (Due April 1st) forward.
Financial Statements have been emailed.
Monday
 WS Tuba Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 WS Low Reed Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Jazz Room with Mr. McCall
 SB Low Reed / Low Brass Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Band Hall with Mr. McCall
 Pre-UIL Concert / Clinic with Alan Harkey (Symphonic Band at 6:00 PM, Wind
Symphony at 7:00 PM)
Tuesday
 WS French Horn Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 WS Alto Saxophone Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Jazz Room with Mr. McCall
 WS Percussion Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Percussion Room with Mr. Gurke
 WS Clarinet Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Ensemble Room – Student Led
 WS Trombone Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 SB Alto Saxophone / French Horn Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Jazz Room with
Mr. McCall
 SB Percussion Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Ensemble Room – Student Led
 Wind Symphony FaceTime Randall Standridge (During Class)
Wednesday
 WS Trumpet Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 WS Clarinet Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Ensemble Room – Student Led
 WS Flute / Oboe Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 SB Flute / Oboe Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Jazz Room with Mr. McCall
 SB Trumpet Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Jazz Room with Mr. McCall
Thursday
 WS Brass Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 WS Woodwind Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Jazz Room with Mr. McCall
 WS Percussion Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the Percussion Room with Mr. Gurke
 WS Clarinet Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 SB Clarinet Sectional 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Jazz Room with Mr. McCall
 Denison ISD Percussion Concert, 7:00 PM in the Denison High School Smith
Auditorium
Friday
 WS Euphonium Sectional 6:45 AM – 7:50 AM in the B. McDaniel Intermediate
School Band Hall with Mr. Fisher
 Wind Symphony Rehearsal 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the Band Hall
 Six Flags Trip Fee Due ($70)
 7:00 AM Retention Assembly at B. McDaniel Intermediate School (Wind Symphony
Only)
 Sherry Miller Clinic with Wind Symphony 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the Band Hall /
FaceTime Pierre La Plante