We want to make you aware of the details of our Holiday Concert on Friday, December 8 held in the Belton High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) starting at 7pm. This free concert is open to all friends and family members, and students should invite as many people as they can think of to watch them perform!
The band hall will close shortly after school that day, and students are responsible for taking their instrument and music binder to the PAC. This concert performance is a major grade for all band students, and is critical to their success as a student musician. Please remember that it is not possible to recreate a public performance as this concert serves as the semester exam for Fall 2017.
Members of the Beginner’s Ensemble will need to arrive at 6:15pm so they can be seated and ready to warm up on stage by 6:30pm. This is when attendance will be taken and determined who is on time, prepared, and ready to perform! Beginners will need to wear their red band shirt tucked into jeans with closed-toed shoes. Their program (in order) includes: “Holiday Fanfare”, “Up On the Housetop”, and “Rockin’ Drummer Boy”.
Members of the Symphonic Band will need to arrive at the Belton High School Band Hall by 6:45pm in order to warm-up for their performance, and Wind Ensemble members will need to arrive at the same place for their warm-up by 7:00pm. Both groups will need to wear their red band polo shirt tucked into black pants with black shoes, black calf-length socks, and a black belt for gentlemen.
When students first arrive, they will need to double-check to see if they are in uniform (including tucked-in shirt). We will not be wearing any silly attire such as Santa hats, for this formal performance. Instrument cases should stay in vehicles, or with parents at their seats in the PAC. Students should quickly find their seat, get out their music, and represent SBMS well. After performing, students will need to sit with their parents in the seats of the PAC. Students are required to stay to watch the rest of the concert so they can be graded on their concert etiquette. Students should respect every adult working at Belton High School, as well as everyone playing music. All of the band students have worked hard on their music, and all of them deserve the same respect. Please remain seated while groups are performing, and applause is appreciated when done appropriately.
All students can earn a grade of 100 for this performance if they follow all 4 of these rubric categories:
- Punctual Attendance (25%): Students must be on time at the specific call time given for each ensemble.
- Materials (25%): Students must have everything needed for their performance, including instruments and appropriate accessories, their binder with all music, and any other necessary materials.
- Proper Attire (25%): Each performance will have an appropriate uniform or attire as outlined in the South Belton Band Handbook. Follow all guidelines to earn full credit.
- Behavior & Concert Etiquette (25%): Students should always be disciplined in their behavior and act appropriately at all times, including proper concert etiquette. This includes listening and not talking while others are speaking or performing.
On Monday & Tuesday (December 4 & 5), members of the Beginner’s Ensemble will have a combined rehearsal starting at 8:00am until the end of Enrichment. They will be excused from class, but not from classwork. Students will need to make up any missed work they will miss, which can be done during their band period on these days if necessary. This is the only time all 8 beginner classes will meet together and rehearse as a group before our concert. A grade will be taken for each of these rehearsals.
As always, if you have any questions or problems, please contact us. We hope to see you and your friends & family at the Holiday Concert, and thank you for your support of your child’s music education!
Sincerely,
Chris Pulley, Janice Motl, & Brandon Knight
South Belton Band Directors
South Belton Band 