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Conferences: Thursday, 10/23 - 4:00 - 8:00 PM; Tuesday, 10/28 - 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Teachers available starting at 4:30 PM each evening.
BAND NOTES - October 2025
BAND NOTES - October 2025
Extra Playing Opportunities!
Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble are ensembles that meet in the morning and are open to 7th and 8th grade students.
Wind Ensemble meets on Monday and Thursday mornings from 7:40-8:40 am. Here is a weekly schedule. We perform concert band music that is a little more challenging and focused around popular music. This is a great opportunity for students to play in a full band setting on a weekly basis.
7th Grade Jazz Band meets on Mondays during DS and Wednesday mornings from 7:40-8:40am. The first 7th Grade Jazz Band rehearsal will be on the morning of Oct. 15.
8th Grade Jazz Band meets on Tuesday mornings from 7:40-8:40am and Thursdays during DS. There are auditions for the rhythm section (Drumset, piano, guitar, bass, vibes) which are scheduled for the week of Oct 6-10. The first 8th grade Jazz Band rehearsal will be during DS on October 16th.
Students in these 3 groups perform a Pops Concert on January 22nd. Wind Ensemble and 8th Grade Jazz Band will tour our feeder elementaries on March 31st. If students are interested in these groups, you can email Mrs. Gage (Wind Ensemble) or Mr. Anderson (Jazz Band), or your student can sign up in the bandroom.
Combined “Side By Side” Concert (8th Grade Only)
Throughout the city, 8th grade students get to perform a concert at the high school they will be attending! Here are the rehearsal and concert details for all 4 high schools: Combined Concerts! 8th graders are expected to attend one of the high school concerts.
Middle School All-State Band Auditions
We have a record number of students working hard on the All-State Band audition material already! We are recording the auditions now through the deadline of November 21st. If your student is auditioning, the audition fee is $15 and can be turned in anytime. Those who are selected, prepare special music for an All-State concert in Mitchell on March 6th and 7th. Although we do have time during DS to work with students, it is important that students are working at home as well.
Audition Materials and info can be found here: Middle School All-State Band
Middle School All-State Jazz Band Auditions
Last year we had more students in All-State Jazz Band than any other school in the state! Auditions recordings are due December 18th and the event is January 30-31, 2026 in Mitchell, SD.
Audition Materials and info can be found here: All-State Jazz
Books and Materials;
Please make sure your student is prepared by having the appropriate book and materials for class. Every student needs a “TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE” method book (6th/7th grade is book 1, 8th grade is book 2). It is important that students have their own book so they can take it home for practice and to track his/her own progress. These books can be purchased online or at a local music store.
Other necessary supplies include:
Flutes: Cleaning cloth and rod
Oboe, Clarinets, Saxophones: at least 3 reeds (2.5 or harder depending on the level of the student), cleaning swab, neck strap (sax only)
French Horn, Trumpets, Baritone, Tuba: valve oil, straight mute (7th/8th grade trumpet only)
Trombone: Slide-O-Mix or Yamaha Slide Lubricant (please no slide oil)
Percussion: stick bag
Black Concert Clothes (accepting donations):
The concert dress is black top, pants, and shoes. We still have PHMS Music shirts available at school for $12. If you are unable to acquire the proper attire for concerts, please let us know. We have been collecting clothing to give to students who need it. If you have a child that has outgrown black clothing and/or shoes, we would also take that as a donation to offer to a student. Just send your black clothing donation to school with your student and give it to Mrs. Gage.
CALENDAR
The “Band Events Calendar!” Attendance at school concerts is required. Mark your calendar now for these events!
BAND NOTES - September 2025
BAND NOTES - September 2025
PHMS Band September News
Welcome to Band at Patrick Henry!
NEW BAND BOOKS!
Every student needs a “TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE” method book. It is important that students have their own book so they can take it home for practice and to track his/her own progress. 6th and 7th graders need book 1 (red). 8th graders will need book 2 (blue). These books can be purchased online or at a local music store.
SHIRT ORDER is due by Wednesday 9/3
All students and families have the option to purchase a music shirt at https://patrickhenrymusic2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/. For regular band concerts, students may wear either the PHMS music shirts or all black. Students in extra performing ensembles (marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble) should plan to purchase a shirt for all performances.
7th and 8th GRADE OPPORTUNITY
On November 6, 2025, a select middle school concert band comprised of students from Sioux Falls area middle schools and junior high schools will perform a concert at the Washington Pavilion with the Augustana University band ensembles. Attached are dates/times, and more information. If your student is interested and available for the rehearsals and concert, please let us know and we can nominate them.
SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS
If your student is using a school owned instrument, please make sure you fill out the “Usage Contract” that has been sent home with your student. You can send the usage fee to school with your student in a marked envelope.
PERCUSSION ONLY
Percussionists will again be expected to have their own "stick bag" with basic sticks and mallets. Please refer to the letter exclusively for percussionists. Please procure a stick bag with the appropriate sticks by September 8th.
PRIVATE LESSON LIST
Students in the Sioux Falls School District do not get individual music lessons during the school day. Students have band every other day in large, like-instrument classes. Private lessons outside of school are recommended. For students who struggle, it is helpful for them to catch up and better understand their instrument. For students who need a challenge, a private teacher is the best way to push them forward and help with audition material for Middle School All-State Band. If you are interested in private lessons, here is a list of reputable teachers in the area.
MARCHING BAND
The Patrick Henry Panther Marching Band is open to all band students, grades 6-8. Rehearsals will be before school on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:40am, beginning August 25th. We will have three performances: Friday, Sept 19 before school in front of PHMS, at the Lincoln High School Homecoming Football game on Friday, Sept 19, and then we will perform at the Sioux Falls "Festival of Bands" parade on Saturday, Oct. 4 in the morning.
Sign up using this link: PHMS Marching Band sign-up.
There is no cost to participate other than purchasing a Patrick Henry Music Department T-shirt which students will wear for performances in all the music groups throughout their middle school career.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL STATE BAND
Auditioning for All State Band is extremely beneficial and highly recommended for students as they improve immensely by going through the process. Auditions involve practicing and performing selected scales and etudes specific to their instrument. We record the auditions at PHMS in November and early December, and those who are selected prepare special music for an All-State concert in Mitchell on the first Saturday in March. Patrick Henry has been one of the top schools in the state for placing students in All-State Band, and we highly encourage students to give it a try! We can get you the music at school or you can find it here.
CALENDAR
The “Band Events Calendar!” Attendance at school concerts is required. Mark your calendar now for these events!
BAND NOTES - August 2025
BAND NOTES - August 2025
2025 PHMS Marching Band!
Get hyped! The PHMS Panther Marching Band is open to all band students, grades 6-8. We will march in the Festival of Bands parade on Saturday, October 4th. Other performances TBD.
Here’s the sheet music: Malaguena
Stay tuned for more info soon!
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