Dear Wind Ensemble and Parents,

I would like to take this opportunity to review the next three weeks of the school year as we are leading up to our UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest.

First, next Tuesday, February 23rd, our pre-UIL Concert will take place in the Bailey Cafeteria/Auditorium from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. All three performing concert bands will be performing their programs for guest judges (as well as our parents and friends) who will evaluate our progress as we strive for top ratings . The Wind Ensemble will perform at approximately 8:05 p.m. on this evening. Concert uniforms will be required for this performance. The students are required to meet at the band hall at 7:00 p.m. for our warm up.

Secondly, next Friday, February 26th is our first band contest. The River City Band Festival will take place at the Kealing Middle School Fine Arts Center, 1607 Pennsylvania Ave. (a map will be sent home with your students). The Wind Ensemble has a concert performance time of 11:30 a.m., and then we will move immediately down the hallway to perform at 12:00 noon at the Sight Reading portion of the festival. Both concert and sight reading will be judged by a panel of music educators. I encourage those of you who can get away from work early on Friday, to come support our students for both performances.

We will board AISD buses and leave Bailey at 9:00 a.m. When we finish our performances at 12:30, we will board the bus and return to Bailey for lunch and afternoon classes.

As always, this performance will be in full concert uniform.

Arrangements have been made to have the students eat lunch at Bailey when we arrive at 1:30.

UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest is what we are ultimately working toward and that performance date is Wednesday, March 10th. The contest will be held at the Hays Fine Arts Center. Our performance time is 2:30 p.m. for the concert, and 3:00 p.m. for our Sight Reading . I have chartered buses for this very important event, and we will be leaving Bailey at 1:00. Again, if you can get away from work early, please join us a Hays to hear the culmination of the Wind Ensemble’s hard work and love of music.

This performance of course will be in full concert uniform.

More information will be sent to you as this event gets closer. Thank you for all of your continued support.

Sincerely,

Bill Haehnel

Dear Wind Ensemble and Parents,
           
            Happy New Year!  I want to bring to your attention a few bits of information which I think you will find helpful in planning the Spring semester with the Bailey Wind Ensemble.

            First, a reminder that we are going to take our show on the road! The Cavalcade of Music Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado is just three short months away (April 21st – 25th), and our second payment of $155.00 is due February 1st. Our final fundraiser is currently under way January 7th through the 20th, and 40% of your fundraiser profit will go toward your travel account.  I also encourage earning money for your trip by babysitting jobs, mowing lawns, etc.  The 3rd and final payment of $145.00 is due March 29th.

            A calendar of events for the Spring ’10 semester is on the back of this letter.  Please note that a few changes have been made since the original calendar was distributed to you in August.  I hope that you will find it helpful in planning a successful conclusion to our year together.

                                                                                                Bill Haehnel

Dear Wind Ensemble Parents:

        Measurements for tuxedo pants (part of your child’s Wind Ensemble uniform) were taken during class approximately three weeks ago. Each student who measured for their pants will receive a pair of adjustable tuxedo pants that were tailored to your child’s measurements. The cost of the pants after tax will be $29.11. Please go to the Brodie location of Tuxedo Junction to have your child try them on and pay by cash, check, or credit card.  If there is a need for further tailoring, please do so in their store.  As always call us if you have any questions.

Tuxedo Junction
Sunset Valley Marketfair                                        Thank you!
5400 Brodie Lane                                
Austin, Texas 78745                                                Bill Haehnel
(512) 892-0202

ALL CHAPERONE SPOTS FOR THE COLORAO SPRINGS TRIP HAVE BEEN FILLED! THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST!

Attached is a preliminary itinerary for our trip to Colorado in the Spring.

Dear Wind Ensemble (past and present) and Parents,

        As you know, the 2008-2009 Wind Ensemble has been involved in the Texas Music Educators Association State Honor Band Competition.  Last years’ Wind Ensemble was selected to “compete”, by presenting a CD of our UIL Contest performance and/or our performance at Atlanta Symphony Hall when we performed at the National Adjudicators Invitational competition.  Our CD recording was judged by a panel of five middle school, high school, and college level band directors at the District, Region, Area and finally- State level.  After being selected first in all of the first three levels, we “competed” at the highest level of all…State.  The State level contest is held in conjunction with the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio.  When the final judging had taken place, the Bailey Wind Ensemble was selected as the 2nd best CCC Middle School Band in the entire State of Texas!
        You have so much to be proud of.  Fellow band directors who heard you perform last year have given you well deserved glowing complements.  Many have said the “the Bailey Wind Ensemble was the best middle school band that they have ever heard.”  Most of all, I want you all to take with you the wonderful memories that we made together in rehearsals and performances that earned you this great honor.  Once again, I hope that you will remember that preparation, hard work, and a dedication to one another will always pay-off for you.  
        Thank you for a great year, and I look forward to starting the 2009-2010 Wind Ensemble in a few weeks.  Enjoy your summer (and don’t forget to practice).  

Bill Haehnel

The sectional schedule for the school year is as follows. Variations to this schedule may be announced in class, so good listening in class is a must!

*Morning sectionals take place from 7:30 am-8:10 am on the respective day.

Please continue to monitor your child’s home practice to include a minimum of 15-20 minutes every evening, and offer positive support and encouragement. Feel free to call or drop by whenever there is a question, concern, or just to visit a rehearsal.

1. Private Lessons - these are available from many college students, professional musicians, and music stores. This is a great way to improve!! We will also be continuing our private lesson program at Bailey.
   
2. District Audition Music - music will be distributed in August. Entry fee will be paid with band activity funds for all students competing in this contest.

1. Attend all sectional rehearsals, meeting once a week either before (7:30 - 8:10 a.m.) or after (3:40 - 4:25 p.m.) school - time/day will be determined during the first week of school.
   
2. Attend both sessions of Summer Band (Session 1 meets in late May/early June, Session 2 meets in mid to late August - see CALENDAR for exact dates and times). Wind Ensemble members will attend an extra hour of rehearsals during Session 2. Summer Band meets in the Bailey cafeteria. Please have absences excused before the date needing to be missed.
   
3. Attend all Bailey Pep Band performances.
   
4. Participate in all performances of the Bailey Wind Ensemble, including but not limited to, U.I.L. Contest, A.I.S.D. Solo and Ensemble Contest, and an out-of-town band festival in May or late April.
   
5. Attend all extra full rehearsals of Wind Ensemble. Notices will be sent through your child at least two weeks prior to these rehearsals.
   
6. Have a good attendance record at school. We need everyone, everyday!
   
7. Be prompt to and from all band functions.

1. Practice a minimum of 20 minutes every evening. A daily at home practice routine will be essential to the success of this band.
   
2. Take home and bring to class each day your instrument, music, and a mechanical pencil.
   
3. Maintain a musical competency level equal to or better than the majority of the band.

1. Maintain a passing average in ALL courses.
   
2. Exhibit exemplary behavior at all times while with the band, e.g. talking, posture, tardies, attitude, etc. Good behavior will be expected in all classes, with no referrals, ISS, or suspensions.

A calendar of the year's activities will be distributed in August. A minimum of one week's notice from parents is needed if a scheduled event must be missed, in case postponement or cancellation is necessary. Please check our ONLINE CALENDAR for updates.

Although these guidelines are demanding, high standards produce excellence...a description synonymous with Bailey Band! Please do not ever hesitate to call when there is a question or conflict.