Welcome to March Madness 2008 and another issue of the Hickman Mills High School Band newsletter. This newsletter is published at the beginning of each month during the school year. I hope the information in thie newsletter will be helpful to you in scheduling your family's activities and to keep you informed about the band's classroom activities. This month will prove to be another busy and most musical month of this school year for our band students. Don't forget, additional information and picutes are on our school web-site under music.

If you have any questions about the information in this newsletter don't hesitate to call me, Brent Wheeler, Band Director at 316-7335.

Our 50th Annual Pageant of Bands will be Tuesday, March 11th, at 7:00 p.m. at Ervin Middle School. All band students are to be seated in the gym by 6:30 p.m. sharp for a band picture. Band members are to wear their band uniform jacket and T-shirt with white pants, socks and white shoes. There shouldn't be any deviations from our concert uniform. Please check the pant length to make sure they are not too short, long, or too baggy.

DON'T FORGET! SATURDAY, MARCH 1ST 2008 2:00-11:00 P.M., 95TH(Bannister) AND BLUE RIDGE IS THE HICKMAN MILLS PRIDE BAND PIZZA "FUN" DRAISER NIGHT! PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR CHILD BY ORDERING YOUR PIZZA. Pizza Hut will donate 20% of your purchases on the order of the band. Be sure to give them the ticket on the attached order sheet when you pay! Don't forget to pass the order sheet to family, friends and relatives. Let's make this a "Fun" Draiser! Don't forget your order only works on carry-out.

Enrollment for next year is taking place as I type this letter and i'm looking forward to seeing your child again next year. We are fortunate to have a young band already in place with the potential of many more joining us from Ervin Middle School. So don't forget to enroll in Concert Band. There will be more good news about exciting things happening in the Cougar Pride Band Family at the next Band Parent Association Meeting, Monday, March 10th, at 7:00 p.m.

After eight weeks into the second semester it is my pleasure to report some very positive news to you concerning the progress of our Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. To date, HMHS band students have worked very hard on improving their musical skills by attending sectional rehersals, playing through a sequential method book of music fundamentals to develop individual technique, acquiring more knowledge in music theory, learning major and minor scales, playing new concert literature, sight-reading and by participating in individual music lessons for band members who have been seeking extra help before and after school. Jazz Band members have been working on new music, improvisation skills and playing different styles of jazz. I am delighted with the development of both music ensembles. In my opinion the students have made it to the next level by improving their infividual skills. There is no better time as now to get our acto together as we prepare to perform this month at the Pageant of Bands and the State Music Festival. Please encourage your child to practice over the next two weeks. Only perfect practice will make a perfect performanace.

Again, congratulation are in order for our Cougar Pride Pep Band for providing music for the boys are girls basketball games this year. You were awesome!

Musically yours,

Brent A. Wheeler M.M.E.
Director of Bands