FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR HCA STUDENTS
What if I miss a concert with an excused absence?
Even if you have an excused absence (i.e. parents have called and notified about a conflict well in advance of the concert date, or you are sick the day of the concert) you will still have to complete an alternate assignment of some kind. You are responsible for contacting your director to get the details of this assignment. This assignment will need to be turned in within one week of the missed performance. The reason for this is that your director can not give a grade for an assignment that is not completed. The director will need something else to enter into the grade book for this missed performance.
What is the deal with practice reports?
Practice reports are required for all sixth grade band students. They should be signed by parents or teachers and turned in once a week (unless the director cancels a week) and will be collected every Friday. Sixty minutes per week is required for full credit. Up to seventy minutes per week may be turned in for extra credit. These are 20% of a student’s total grade.
Woodwind players
Reeds- Beginners should start on No. 2 reeds. By the time you are in eighth grade you should be on No. 3’s. You may use 2 ½ somewhere in there if you would like. You will never in your life need to use anything stronger than a 3. You need to get your OWN REEDS. School reeds are only for emergencies.
Brass players
You will all need valve oil in order to periodically oil your valves. You should do this about once a week or whenever your valves get slow. This will depend on how much you have been playing.
What should I wear to concerts?
Seventh and eighth grade band and choir members should have purchased the black music department polo shirt for $14.
Guys should wear their black polos with khaki pants (uniform pants are acceptable) and nice, dark shoes. I would prefer that guys wear a dress shoe if at all possible. Please no white tennis shoes, flip-flops, or sandals. Do not forget to wear a belt also.
Girls should wear their black polos with khaki pants (uniform pants are acceptable) and nice, dark shoes. Please do not wear any open-toed shoes. Do not forget a belt, since we will most likely be wearing the polos tucked in.
Where can I get a black Music Dept. polo shirt?
Polo shirts are available to all students in the Highlands Christian Academy Music Department and can be purchased from Miss Higley for $14. They are required for all seventh through twelfth grade band and choir members.
What is the Knights Pep-Band?
The Knights pep-band is a performing group that plays fun, lively music to get the crowd and players “pepped-up” at select varsity home games. The pep-band is open to anyone who plays an instrument in sixth through twelfth grade as well as any alumni, parents, or faculty members of HCA. If you would like to rehearse the music that we play, we meet from 3:15-4 p.m. every Monday in the music room. There are black Pep-band shirts available for $10 from Mr. Judd. This shirt should be worn at all games that we play for, and it will entitle you to a free soft drink at that game.