🎉 Congratulations Luke Bell! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Luke Bell has been selected for the MSBOA All State Middle School Band! This prestigious ensemble is made up of the top middle school musicians from across Michigan, and students must audition each fall to earn a spot.

Luke is one of only seven tubas chosen for the band this year—a remarkable achievement! The Middle School All State Band will perform on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 8:00 AM at DeVos Performance Hall.

Way to go, Luke! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off! 🥳🎶

🚨 Additional Performance Opportunity Alert 🚨

🎄🎶 TUBA CHRISTMAS RETURNS TO THE GRPM! 🎶🎄

Calling all tuba and euphonium players—it's time to ring in the season with the warm, wonderful sound of low brass caroling at the Grand Rapids Public Museum!

Join us for an afternoon of festive music-making as our annual Tuba Christmas concert returns to the museum’s galleria, right beneath “Finny” the whale skeleton!

🎺 Who Can Play?
Anyone! All valved low brass players of any age and experience level are welcome.

📅 Schedule for the Day:

• 12:00 PM – Musician Registration
  Upstairs by the Musical Instruments display
  Includes pizza and pop!
  Please drop your horn case and belongings in the auditorium first, then follow the narrow, twisty corridor to the classroom for registration.

• 1:00 PM – Rehearsal
  In the theater next to the classroom and the same display.

• 3:00 PM – Concert
  Performing on the galleria under Finny!

💲 Participation Fee: $15

Come share the holiday spirit, make some music, and be part of a beloved Grand Rapids tradition!

FIELD TRIP REHEARSAL AT CSHS – 12/9/25

6TH GRADE BAND (both hours)

Bus Riders: Stay on your bus all the way to the high school. Do not get off at the middle school.

Parent Drop-Off: Drop students off at the high school only. Do not go to the middle school. Doors open at 7:20 AM.

Entrances:

• Bus Riders (Door 13): Enter and go straight past the cafeteria (stop here for breakfast). Take the first right after the cafeteria, follow the hall to the end, turn left, then take the next right.

• Parent Drop-Off (Door 1): Enter and go straight down the hallway (cafeteria on your right, stop for breakfast). At the end, turn left, then take the next right.

Rehearsal:

• 1st and 2nd hour bands will rehearse together onstage during 1st and 2nd hour.

• Students will be marked “field trip”.

• It’s best to leave instruments at the high school until tonight’s concert. If you take your instrument home, you must bring it for the performance.

After Rehearsal:

• The band will return to the middle school by bus at the end of 2nd hour.

• Proceed to 3rd hour and continue the normal schedule.

7TH & 8TH GRADE BAND

Rehearsal Instructions:

• All bands report to the middle school band room for 3rd hour.

• Bands will take buses to the high school for rehearsal.

• Rehearsal will be onstage. While one band is onstage, the other will sit quietly in the front bowl of the auditorium.

• Instrument storage: It’s best to leave your instrument at the high school until tonight’s performance. If you take it home, be sure to bring it back for the concert.

• After rehearsal, bands will return to the middle school by bus during 4th hour.

• Both bands will take C lunch at the middle school; 7th grade will eat in the band room.

• Students will resume their normal schedule at 5th hour.

Field Trip FAQ

• Do I have to wear my concert clothes to the rehearsal?

  • No, only wear your concert clothes for the performance that evening. Your regular school attire is perfect for rehearsal.

• Will there be someone at the high school to guide me in the morning to the band room?

  • Yes. We will have high school band ambassadors to help guide 6th Graders to breakfast and the band room.

• Why does the 6th Grade Band start their day at the high school and not go the middle school?

  • Simple answer, bussing. All the buses stop at the high school after dropping off middle schoolers. They then head back out to pick up elementary schoolers for their school day. The earliest a shuttle could get students would be 9:30am, which does not work with our field trip schedule (which is built for minimal school day disruption). It's easier to start our day at high school with normal transportation operations, then get a shuttle back to the middle school. 

• How do I get my instrument to the high school?

  • You will load the trailer on Monday at the end of your class period. You are still welcome to bring it with you on Tuesday if you wish to practice Monday night.

• Can I leave my instrument at the high school after our rehearsal?

  • YES! It is best if you leave your instrument at the high school; it'll be one less thing you have to remember that evening.

• What if I miss something in my other class?

  • The teachers have been notified of this field trip. That being said, it is the student's responsibility to check with your teacher and make sure you make up any work according to their absent work policy.

🎄 Cedar Springs Middle School Band Holiday Concert 🎶

Join us for an evening of festive music and holiday cheer! The Cedar Springs Middle School Band invites you to their Holiday Concert on December 9 at 7:00pm in the Cedar Springs High School Auditorium.

Enjoy performances from our talented student musicians as they share the sounds of the season. From classic holiday favorites to exciting winter tunes, this is the perfect way to kick off your December celebrations!

🎟 Admission is free and open to the public — bring your family and friends for a joyful night of music! Overflow parking is available in the staff lot. Enter through Door 13. 

We hope to see you there! 🌟

BAND SCHEDULE – 12/9/25

6TH GRADE BAND

• 6:15pm — Arrive at CSHS. Eat before you arrive.

• 6:50pm — Head to the stage

• 7:00pm — Concert begins. 6th Grade Band on stage first.

• Return polo and load instrument on trailer following your performance

7TH GRADE BAND

• 6:45pm — Arrive at CSHS. Eat before you arrive.

• 7:00pm — Self warm up. Concert begins w/6th Grade.

• 7:10pm — Staged in auditorium hallway. 

• Return polo and load instrument on trailer following your performance

8TH GRADE BAND

• 6:45pm — Arrive at CSHS. Eat before you arrive.

• 7:00pm — Concert begins w/6th Grade Band

• 7:15pm — Self Warm Up

• 7:25pm — Staged outside auditorium hallway

• Return polo and load instrument on trailer following your performance

HOLIDAY CONCERT DRESS

All middle school students need to have the following for the Holiday Concert

• Black T Shirt

• Black dress pants

• Black socks

• Black dress shoes

• Splash of cheer 

Students will receive a polo to wear the evening of the concert. The polo must be returned following your performance. Leggings, jeans, athletic pants, crocs, etc are not acceptable professional wear for concerts. 

Students may supplement their concert wear with a splash of holiday cheer for the holiday concert. Holiday cheer cannot affect playing abilities. Splash of cheer can include:

• Santa hat (if the hat lights up or moves, these functions may not be used during performance)

• Holiday scarf

• Christmas tie

• Modest Christmas jewelry

🎉 Congratulations Luke Bell! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Luke Bell has been selected for the MSBOA All State Middle School Band! This prestigious ensemble is made up of the top middle school musicians from across Michigan, and students must audition each fall to earn a spot.

Luke is one of only seven tubas chosen for the band this year—a remarkable achievement! The Middle School All State Band will perform on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 8:00 AM at DeVos Performance Hall.

Way to go, Luke! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off! 🥳🎶

🎉 Join the Colorguard Club! 🎉

Learn how to spin flags, dance, and perform with style! The Colorguard Club starts Tuesday, November 18, and meets every Tuesday from 2:30–4:00pm in the CSHS Band Room.

Open to all 7th–12th graders — no previous experience necessary! Come have fun, make new friends, and learn something new.

✨ Join the fun. Spin with us! ✨

Reference Recording Sheet

Did you know you can listen to the recordings of our band pieces at home? A link to the Reference Recording Sheet is available at the bottom of the TWIB. Listening to the reference recordings is one of the best tools you have to understand what each piece should sound like. As you listen, focus on tone quality, balance and blend, style, and musical phrasing. Use these recordings to guide your practice and elevate your ensemble performance!

Fundraising pertains to 7th and 8th Grade Bands

Fundraising Guidelines

With fundraising kicking off for the year, here are a few important guidelines to help keep everything running smoothly:

• Submit one payment per order—either one check or one PayPal transaction—made payable to Cedar Springs Music Boosters.

  • Checks: Payable to Cedar Springs Music Boosters

  • PayPal: Send to csbandboosters@gmail.com

• No cash will be accepted for any fundraisers.

• When turning in your order, place everything in the black box outside the Band Director’s office.

• If you have any questions about fundraising, please reach out to our Fundraising Coordinator, Melissa.

Thank you for your support and attention to these details!

RaiseRight (formerly Scrip)

Use RaiseRight for all your shopping, and support Cedar Springs Music Boosters at no additional charge to you. Visit https://cedarspringsbands.com/raise-right-formerly-scrip/ for details on signing up and earning money for your child. 

🍕 It’s Pizza Time! Support the Cedar Springs Band! 🍕

For the next few weeks, the Cedar Springs Band is raising funds with Little Caesars Pizza Kits and Meal Deal Codes! Every purchase helps provide instrument replacements and support band programs.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Create your Seller Page – Using your phone, go to this link to set up your page. (Do not forward or post this link for purchases—this is only for setting up your Seller page.)

2. Customize it – Add a photo, special message, or video to make your page stand out.

3. Share your unique link – Send it to friends and family near and far. Pizza Kits ship via FedEx, and Meal Deal Codes are emailed immediately.

Why participate?

• Each item sold earns $6 profit for the band.

• Share your link on social media to reach even more supporters.

• Don’t forget to buy your own!

• Top seller wins a prize!

For questions about the fundraiser, contact Melissa (fundraising). For technical help, contact Little Caesars Fundraising Support at 888-4LC-KITS, Monday–Friday, 8:30am–6:00pm ET.

Let’s make this pizza fundraiser a big success for Cedar Springs Band! 🍕🎶