2-17-25 Newsletter

Parade Info

Water

We need water for the parade!  Several of our parents have suggested that the mini-bottle are easier for the parade route.  Small, non-messy snacks are also appreciated!  Please deliver them to the Band Room after practice on Tuesday or Thursday this week, or to the front office during school hours.  Thanks!

Parade Chaperones

Please sign up via this form if you would like to chaperone this year's parade.  We'll be marching with the Krewe of Mad Hatters on Sat. Feb. 22.  

 Parade Chaperone Sign-up 2024-25 

Also, we would like to invite a few of our 6th Grade band students to walk with us in the parade, carrying our Haynes Academy Band Banner!  (Students will wear their school bottoms along with our Haynes Band sweatshirt or t-shirt.). If your student is interested in this opportunity, please email Mr. Phelan.

Marching Band Uniform Requirements

Thank you to all of our students who came to be sized for their Marching Band uniform jacket this week!  We have nearly all of our students sized, and we will look better than ever as we march this year!

All students must have BIBBERS (we're trying something new :), SOLID BLACK SHOES, AND SOLID BLACK SOCKS to march in the parade.  No other options are acceptable.  We will again be marching with the Krewe of Mad Hatters on Saturday Feb. 22.  This gives everyone one week to secure the necessary uniform.  Please contact Mr. Phelan with questions or concerns.

Parade Schedule and Line-up Information

3:00 -- Band Room Opens  

3:30 -- Students Report and Load -- Brief Chaperone Meeting in Gym

3:45 -- Depart for Line Up   

4:00 -- Line Up   

5:00 -- Parade Starts   

8:30 -- Parade Ends   

9:00 -- Dismiss from school (Approximate)

This year we'll be marching behind float # 13, and just before the Streetcar Strutters.

Announcements

New Instruments ! ! ! ! ! ! !

We've been keeping this under wraps for a few weeks now, but it's time to share some exciting news!

Thanks to a major allocation of federal funds by the Jefferson Parish School System, the Haynes Academy Band has begun receiving several NEW BAND INSTRUMENTS!

We'll continue to receive these new instruments over the next few weeks, and will slowly begin distributing them to our students to use in class and for performances.  (We've got to properly unpack and set them up, verify their condition, record serial numbers, apply inventory tags, etc. before the students will be allowed to use them, so it may take a few days.). Students will be able to leave the older instruments at home for practice, and we'll coordinate that as needed.

Please help us to thank all of the folks in the JP Schools Central Office for making this happen, especially Dr. A. J. Pethe, Dr. Emily Davis, and of course our Superintendent, Dr. James Gray.  They have been very active in supporting Music Education in Jefferson Parish, and this is another concrete example of their ongoing support of our students and our Band programs!

Performances at Airline Park and Metairie Academy

The Haynes Marching Band will be visiting Airline Park and Metairie Academy on Tuesday Feb. 25, to share some Mardi Gras cheer, and to encourage those students to join our Band when they get to Haynes.  If you know any students at either of those schools, please be sure to encourage them to Be a Part of the Band!

Permission forms were sent home Thursday, and must returned before Feb. 20.  There is a $9.00 fee, to cover the cost of a gourmet CiCi's Pizza lunch between visits.  This fee may be paid online or by cash or check to Mr. Phelan.  Thanks to Mrs. Babin and Ms. Griffin at Metairie Academy, and to Ms. Jackson and Mr. Rockvoan at Airline Park, for helping us to put this tour together!

District Honor Choir

Congratulations to the following students for participating in the LMEA District 6 Honor Choir this weekend at Loyola University:

Sumaiyya Baig

Gracie Bunch

Bryce Davis

Rhys France

Sam Giles

Camille Oxenrider

Zack Kervin

Tony Liu

The students will rehearse Friday afternoon and Staurday morning. They will be in concert at the Loyola University College of Music and Media at 6:00 pm on Saturday. The concert is free and open to the public.

Band Parents' Group

Our first meeting was very productive!  Congratulations to Mrs. Sarah Lauten, who put a ton of time and effort into organizing this group.  We are looking forward to growing this organization to help suypport our amazing students.

Please complete this form to be added to future activities of our (temporarily unofficial) Haynes Band Boosters:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpXMiO_7FRnrqWgjjJS4dAZWjcGnta0LDqyaaOO2JTSS0RXg/viewform?usp=sharing

They have also set up a face book page for additional communication.  Be sure to answer the three questions before attempting to join.

Band Parents Face Book Page 

For more information, please email Haynesbandparents@gmail.com    All are welcome.   

Jefferson Parish Honor Bands

For the first time in over twenty years, Jefferson Parish Music Educators will be hosting the Jefferson Parish Honor Bands!  Students were invited to sign up, and then selected from Band Director nominations, and we made sure to include students from every school that chose to participate.  Please see those rosters below. The Jefferson Parish Honor Bands will rehearse and perform on Saturday Feb. 15 at Riverdale High School (schedule linked below).

Junior High JP Honor Band Final Roster

Senior High JP Honor Band Final Roster

Honor Band Welcome Letter

Taste and Tunes Spring Concert

We have scheduled our annual Taste and Tunes Spring Concert for Sunday April 6 2025, with set-up the day before.  Watcn for more information soon!

New Orleans Piano Institute

We are happy to share that applications are now open for the 2025 New Orleans Piano Institute, which will take place from July 19-27, 2025! The application deadline is March 15. Financial Assistance is available. 

The New Orleans Piano Institute (NOPI) is an international, award-winning, intensive solo performance program for advanced and intermediate college, high school, and junior high school pianists. The 2025 NOPI participants will receive lessons, master classes, attend lectures, discussions, guest artists recitals, and perform in the Showcase Recital. In addition this year participants may enter the 2025 NOPI Solo and Concerto Competitions. 

Applications and more information can be found here: https://masno.org/new-orleans-piano-institute/

Haynes Band to Host Visiting Musicians

The Haynes Band will play host to students from Calabasas High School, from Calabasas, CA on Friday March 28!  We're still working out the final details, but we are looking forward to meeting and sharing music with our guests (and maybe even lunch :)

After School Practices

It is imperative that students attend every rehearsal of the Haynes Band.  Conflicts should be discussed with Mr. Phelan in advance, so we can attempt to work out the best solution.  Thank you for your cooperation.  (Don't forget to use the Absence Request Form to let us know that you will be missing.)

Tuesday will be Marching Band music.

Thursday will be Concert Band music.

Also, after school practices will still end at 5:30.

Jazz Band

We'll hold Jazz Band practices on Wednesdays after school until 5:30 pm.  We invite any interested members of the Haynes Band program to participate.

Calendar

Please refer to our Calendar for a complete list of activities.  Our Calendar is the most up-to-date information we have available.

Morning and Afternoon Procedures

Students may drop off their instruments in the Band Room before school, and pick them up at the end of the day.   Students may not loiter in the Band Room before school.

Band Fee

The Haynes Academy Band charges a $30 annual fee, which covers the purchase of music, transportation, etc.  This fee has been posted to student accounts.  Please contact Mr. Phelan with questions or concerns.

Student Information Form

We ask all parents to fill out the Student Information Form on our website, to continue to receive our weekly-ish email newsletters.  This will also allow you to include additional email addresses as needed.  Thanks!

Band Camp 2025

We are *tentatively* planning for our Band Camp to be held July 28-Aug. 1, 2025, with clean up and organizing days likely the week before.  We'll let everyone know as locations and schedules become finalized.  High School Band students are expected to participate in Marching Band in the fall semester, including Band Camp.  Middle School Band students are invited to join us.  We hope to see everyone there!

Closing

Please visit our Calendar for all the latest updates, and feel free to contact Mr. Phelan at any time with questions or concerns.  We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Mr. Phelan