UNIVERSITY OF 2018 COUGAR BAND CAMP MS/JH COMMUTER INFORMATION PACKET

Dear Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High School Parents and Students,

This document includes all up-to-date information for the 2018 Cougar Band Camp! We are very excited over the tremendous support shown towards our camp. We have over 3 30 students registered for the band camp! All students entering the 7t h, 8t h, and 9t h grades will be in one of three bands: Symphonic White, Symphonic Red, or Middle School Honors Band. Parents, your support of your child's musical education continues to make the UH Cougar Band Camp grow in both size and quality!

SUNDAY CHECK-IN PROCESS

STEP 1: REGISTRATION – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Location: Lobby of the Moores Opera House on the UH campus. S tudents will need to bring their instrument, as individual student auditions for band placement will immediately follow registration. Campers will go through the registration process b efore auditioning—e ven if no balance is due. During registration, students will pick up their name tag, t-shirt and parking permit (if needed) and confirm advance registration information. M EDICATIONS: See page 4.

STEP 2: A UDITION – 1:00 – 4:00 pm (Various locations given out at registration) We ask that parents accompany their children to their audition room. Once they have auditioned, students will go to Room 185. Parents should drop off their children here and return Sunday night after the evening rehearsal. Students will be instructed Sunday night to call home and inform you what band your child has placed into so you know which of the concerts to attend. Additionally, we will email this out. More audition info is on Page 2 of this letter.

STEP 3: M ANDATORY STUDENT ORIENTATION MEETING – 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM This meeting will cover general camp information, behavioral expectations, building rules, daily schedule information, and extended day social activity information. It is not necessary for parents to be present during this orientation. Students will receive their band placements and class schedules after dinner. C ommuter campers are required to stay for this meeting as there is an evening rehearsal Sunday evening.

STEP 4: R EHEARSAL - ALL STUDENTS WILL GO TO DINNER AND THEN COME BACK TO THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC FOR AN EVENING REHEARSAL! T HE REHEARSAL WILL BE FROM 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. AFTER REHEARSAL, STUDENTS MAY BE PICKED UP OUTSIDE BY THE “WINGED VICTORY” STATUE.

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 1 of 8 AUDITION INFORMATION

Because of the wide variety of talent and experience present at camp, we do not have a standardized audition. Students will bring in their own music as per the requirements below. We are staffed with very experienced educators. While all musicians have good days and bad days, these educators have heard years and years of auditions and will do an excellent job placing students into ensembles based on the audition they perform at this camp.

Woodwind and Brass Students:

Students will be asked to perform: ● Major scales (the judges will choose from the 12 major scales) ● A chromatic scale (the full range you are able to perform on your instrument) ● One prepared piece that you bring to the audition. An example of a prepared piece of music includes band music, a solo for your instrument or a district/region/state level etude. Bring in the piece best displays your ability on the instrument. ● Please have two copies of the prepared piece of music (one from which to play and one for the judges). A copy machine will not be available to copy audition music. Auditions results will be tabulated and posted as soon as possible.

Percussion Students

Students will be asked to perform: ● Major scales (the judges will choose from the 12 major scales) ● The chromatic scale (the full range you are able to perform on your instrument) ● Rudiments ● One prepared snare piece. Bring in the piece best displays your ability on the instrument. ● One prepared mallet piece. Bring in the piece best displays your ability on the instrument. ● Please have two copies of the prepared piece of music (one from which to play and one for the judges). A copy machine will not be available to copy audition music. Auditions results will be tabulated and posted as soon as possible.

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 2 of 8 JH/MS Cougar Band Camp Schedule Commuter Camper Weekly Overview

Sunday, July 8 Monday, July 9 Tuesday, July 10 Wednesday, July 11 Thursday, July 12

WELCOME! 7:30 am 7:30 am 7:30 am 7:30 am Doors Open for Doors Open for Doors Open for Doors Open for Commuter Commuter Drop-Off Commuter Drop-Off Commuter Drop-Off Drop-Off

1:00 - 3:00 pm 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Registration Classes Classes Classes Classes

1:00 - 4:00 pm 4:30 pm 4:30 pm 4:30 pm Auditions If not in evening If not in evening If not in evening activity, picked-up activity, picked-up activity, picked-up 4:00 pm at Statue at Statue at Statue Room 185 5:00 - 6:00 pm 5:00 - 6:00 pm 5:00 - 5:45 pm 3:00 - 4:00 pm 4:30 - 5:00 pm Dinner Dinner Camp Recital Snack Orientation Evening Activity

5:30 - 6:30 pm 6:30 - 8:30 pm 6:30 - 8:30 pm 6:00 - 7:00 pm 4:00 pm Dinner Movie/Stadium Camp Dance Dinner Concert Series 1 Evening Activity Evening Activity MS/JH Symphonic White 7:00 - 8:30 pm 7:15 - 8:45 pm MS/JH Symphonic Red Sunday Evening UC Games Room MS/JH Honors Band First Rehearsal Evening Activity

5:30 pm 9:00 pm 9:00 pm 9:00 pm Concert Series 2 Commuter Commuter Commuter MS/JH Drumline Pick-up at Statue Pick-up at Statue Pick-up at Statue HS Jazz Band HS Steel Band HS Symphonic Winds HS Wind Ensemble

MONDAY – THURSDAY 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Students will receive a schedule for the week on Sunday evening during their first rehearsal. The schedule will have their full band rehearsal, section rehearsal, master class and elective class times and room numbers.

Band camp start time for Monday through Thursday will be at 8 :30 a.m. f or all students. There will be band camp staff members in the Moores School of Music Building by 7:30 a.m. each morning for any commuting parents who need to drop off their child early.

Band camp end time Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is 4 :30 p.m. for all students. Commuting students staying for extended day activities will be through by the times indicated in the Extended Day Activities section. Students will receive a separate schedule for Thursday, inclusive of their concert schedule.

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 3 of 8 WHAT TO PACK FOR MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY ● LOTS OF ENTHUSIASM!!! ● GREAT ATTITUDE!!! ● Your instrument (clearly labeled with your name, school and phone number) ● Necessary accessories (reeds, valve oil, slide grease, etc.) ● Your band camp folder (given out at first full rehearsal on Sunday evening) ● Money for concession stand items during break time ● Percussionists – bring a labeled stick bag or box with all of your mallets and sticks; bring a practice pad and stand if you have one.

DRESS Students should dress each day of band camp i n accordance with their school dress code policies. Students attending a campus adhering to standardized dress may wear casual attire for the duration of the camp.

MEDICATIONS FOR COMMUTER STUDENTS ALL over-the-counter and prescription medications that your child may need during the camp should be turned in to Yajayra Soria at Registration on Sunday. Medications should be in their original container with the child’s name on it. The container should be placed in a Ziploc bag along with detailed instructions for use. Any Medical Release/Information Forms should be turned in to Yajayra Soria at the Moores Opera House during the final portion of registration.

BREAK TIME All students will have two 15-minute breaks during the course of the day. UH's Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority will provide concessions during this break. Candy, healthy snacks, sodas, bottled water and juice will be available for purchase. B and Camp students will NOT be allowed to purchase from the vending machines inside the Moores School of Music. These machines are reserved for University of Houston students and staff.

NAME TAGS At registration, all students (middle school/junior high and high school) will receive a name tag and lanyard that shall be worn around the neck as designed. Students are responsible for returning to camp each day wearing their name tag. Students not wearing a nametag AT ANY TIME will be required to purchase a new name tag for $ 5.00. This name tag must be worn e ach d ay; l eaving it at home or in the dorm for even one day will require a replacement and the $5.00 fee.

SUPERVISION Cougar band campers will be supervised at all times during the camp. During the day, students will be participating in full band rehearsals; master classes, section rehearsals and electives staffed by some of the finest music educators from the Greater Houston, Austin and Dallas areas. During the extended day activities (for all residential campers and commuters choosing to participate) and evening activities following dinner (for all residential campers), students will be monitored by band camp staff and counselors.

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 4 of 8 LUNCH INFORMATION All students will have an hour (or more) for lunch, with specific times varying by band. All bands will eat somewhere between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Students will walk from the Moores School of Music to for lunch a s a group, accompanied and supervised by UH Band Camp staff and counselors. Remember—money is N OT n eeded for lunch. Students will have various food areas from which to choose: ● Homestyle Section (traditional cafeteria options) ● Salad Bar ● Pasta/Pizza ● Fried Foods ● Cereal Bar ● Chicken, Steak, Vegetarian Wrap Bar Meals are “all-you-can-eat” and come with unlimited drinks.

NO STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO LEAVE CAMPUS FOR LUNCH --- AT A NY TIME --- DURING THE DAY. THIS INCLUDES HIGH SCHOOL AND WIND ENSEMBLE STUDENTS WITH VEHICLES.

THURSDAY CONCERT INFORMATION The 2018 UH Cougar Band Camp Finale Concert will begin Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in the Moores Opera House. After your child's band has performed, he/she may stay and listen to all performances or may leave with his/her family at that time. T here will be free parking for the Finale Concert in Parking Lot 16B across from the Moores Opera House.

Dress for the concert will be the camp t-shirt (distributed at registration) and blue jeans or jean shorts (of appropriate length).

Due to safety and copyright laws, the following procedures will be strictly enforced: ● Audio and video recording is not permitted in the Moores Opera House. ● Still photography will only be allowed at predetermined times. At the e nd of each band's performance, families will be allowed an opportunity to take photos while the band is s till on stage.

THURSDAY CONCERT SCHEDULE 4:00 pm Concert Series 1 MS/JH Symphonic White MS/JH Symphonic Red MS/JH Honors Band

5:30 pm Concert Series 2 MS/JH Drumline High School Jazz Band High School Steel Band High School Symphonic Winds High School Wind Ensemble

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 5 of 8 CONCERT RECORDING You will have an opportunity to purchase a high-quality recording of the UH 2018 Cougar Band Camp Finale Concert. This two-disc set will include ALL Cougar Band Camp band performances and chamber music performances from the concerts. A colored booklet will include the names of all students listed by band. The recording takes time to master, produce and ship and usually arrives in the Fall semester to our office before it is shipped to you.

ELECTIVES Each MS/JH student will participate in two elective classes, which will be a part of their daily schedule. Elective assignments will be based upon instructionally appropriate class size and student interest. We will not be able to switch electives once camp begins. Read the course descriptions listed on the camp website for more detailed information on each elective.

EXTENDED DAY ACTIVITIES As a part of the 2018 Cougar Band Camp, we are organizing social activities that will take place after the musical portion of each day. These activities are o ptional for commuter campers. A ll activities will be accompanied and supervised by UH Band Camp staff and counselors.

Monday, July 9, 2018 Movie Night and TDECU Stadium Activity Tuesday, July 10, 2018 Band Camp Dance Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Camp Recital and UC Games Room

MOVIE NIGHT AND TDECU FIELD ACTIVITY – Monday, July 9, 2018

4:45 p.m. All residential and p articipating commuter students follow Mr. Berndt and counselors and walk together as a group to eat dinner at the Moody Towers.

5:00 p.m. Students eat dinner at the Moody Towers Cafeteria

6:00 p.m. Students finish dinner and follow Mr. Berndt and counselors to the Winston Building.

6:30 p.m. Arrive at the Winston Building. Students will be able to participate in the following activities: m ovie and/or DCI streaming event or activities taking place on the TDECU stadium field, home of the .

8:30 p.m. Residential students follow camp counselors to Cougar Village 2 Dorms. Commuter students follow counselors back to the Moores School of Music.

9:00 p.m. Parents of commuter students may pick up their children in the lots accessible through Entrance 16 off of Cullen.

***** $10 charge for p articipating commuter students

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 6 of 8 BAND CAMP DANCE – Tuesday, July 10, 2018

4:45 p.m. All residential and p articipating commuter students follow Mr. Berndt and walk together as a group to eat dinner at the Moody Towers Cafeteria.

5:00 p.m. Students eat dinner at the Moody Towers Cafeteria

6:00 pm Students finish dinner and follow Mr. Berndt and counselors to the Winston Building.

6:30 p.m. Band Camp Dance at the Winston Building.

8:30 p.m. All residential campers follow counselors back to the dorms.

9:00 p.m. Parents of commuter students may pick up their children in the lots accessible through Entrance 16 off of Cullen.

***** $10 charge for p articipating commuter students.

CAMP RECITAL/UNIVERSITY CENTER GAMES ROOM - Wednesday, July 11, 2018

4:45 p.m. All residential and p articipating commuter students will go to the MSM Opera House for the Camp Recital.

5:45 p.m. All residential and p articipating commuter students follow Mr. Berndt and walk together as a group to eat dinner at the Moody Towers Cafeteria.

6:00 p.m. Students eat dinner at the Moody Towers Cafeteria.

7:00 p.m. Students finish dinner and follow Mr. Berndt and counselors to the UC Games Room.

7:15 p.m. Arrive at the UC Games Room. Students will be able to participate in the following activities: b owling, pool/billiards, video games.

8:45 p.m. All residential campers follow counselors back to dorms. P articipating commuter students follow counselors and walk together back to the Moores School of Music.

9:00 p.m. Parents of commuter students may pick up their children in the lots accessible through Entrance 16 off of Cullen.

***** $10 charge for p articipating commuter students ***** all equipment, including bowling shoes, is provided. ***** extra money is needed for refreshments and video games only ( because they will not go to the dorms prior to this activity, a ll residential students must remember to bring all money for the evening's event)

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 7 of 8 CONTACT INFORMATION prior to and during the week of camp

For all camp questions, please email [email protected] and a member of our staff will return your email as soon as possible.

Again, we thank you for your interest in and support of our UH 2018 Summer Band Camp. Our staff is very excited to work with your children and know that this will be a great experience for all involved.

David Bertman, University of Houston UH Cougar Band Camp Wind Ensemble Director

Cameron Kubos, UH Associate Director of Bands Cougar Band Camp Director

Michael Dick, Director of Bands, Irons JH Cougar Band Camp Associate Director

Chris Bennett, Director of Bands, Berry Miller JH Cougar Band Camp Associate Director

David Berndt, Associate Director of Bands, First Colony MS Cougar Band Camp Associate Director and Housing Director

Kyle Norman, Director of Bands, Alvin JH Cougar Band Camp Associate Housing Director

Jessicah Saldaña, Associate Director of Bands, First Colony MS Cougar Band Camp Associate Housing Director

Kendall Blalock UH Cougar Band Camp Administrative Assistant

GO COOGS!

2018 Cougar Band Camp Middle School and Junior High Parent Information Letter Page 8 of 8