Hughes Middle School Band
316 SW Thomas
Burleson, TX 76028
www.burlesonbands.org/hughes
Dear Band Students and Parents:
Welcome to the Hughes Middle School Band program. We are so glad that you
have chosen to join us! We are excited about all of the performances, contests and
activities we have planned for the program this year.
The HMS Band program has an established tradition of excellence that we look
forward to continuing. In order to produce this quality program, every student is
important; each student must accept responsibility and work toward being a
contributing member of the band. This handbook is designed to communicate
these responsibilities and the expectations of our band program.
Thank you for being a part of the Hughes Middle School Band Program!
Sincerely,
Shane Johnson
Band Director
817-245-0663
shanejohnson@burlesonisd.net
Elaine Snider
Assistant Band Director
817-245-0664
asnider@burlesonisd.net
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Hughes Middle School Band Handbook
Grading Policy
Formative Assessment
 Weekly Rehearsal Grade:
Coming to class prepared and with all needed supplies and materials
(instrument, music, pencil, reeds, music, etc.)
Class participation
 Worksheets and Bell-work
 Music Pass offs
Summative Assessment
 Chair Tests
 Performances
2 Grades: 1 for preparation of music, 1 for attending the performance
 Written Tests
Behavior
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations outlined in the BISD School
Student Code of Conduct and the Student Handbook. In addition to these, we expect
students to follow the rules and regulations as set forth by the Hughes Middle School Band
Program when participating in any HMS Band Activity.
1. No gum allowed in the band hall
2. Come to class with all necessary supplies and materials for class
3. No talking during rehearsal
4. No books or binders allowed in the band hall. Only bring the things you need
for band class.
5. Keep the set up neat and tidy. Please do not move the chairs.
6. Respect your instrument.
7. Do not touch the percussion unless you are a percussionist.
8. Never give less than your best!
Discipline Plan
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Verbal warning
Contact Parent and write Discipline sentences in class
1 hour after school detention
2 hour after school detention
Office referral
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Financial Information
Payment
Throughout the school year, it will be necessary to pay for fees, supplies, fundraisers,
repairs, etc. Your student’s financial accounts can be viewed at charmsoffice.com. These
payments need to be placed in an envelope with the student’s name, reason for payment,
and amount enclosed, then placed in the Money Box. All money goes in the Money Box!
Envelopes are available in the band hall.
Checks for instrument repair should be made out to Johnny Paul’s Music. All other checks
(supplies, fundraiser, etc.) should be made out to HMS Band.
Band Fee - $35
The band fee is set in place to cover the expenses/items needed for your student to
participate in the year-long HMS Band activities. This includes, but is not limited to:
 T-shirt
 Binder
 Music
 Sheet protectors
 Music books
 Offset the cost of band contests
Due date: Tuesday, September 17
If the entire fee cannot be paid at once, please contact the band directors to set up a
payment plan.
If you are on Free or Reduced Lunch please contact the band directors to fill out the Free
or reduced band fee form. If you qualify for free lunch, your band fee can be waived; if you
qualify for reduced lunch, your band fee will be reduced to $10.
Activities and Trips
We have many exciting optional activities planned for the band program this year.
Unfortunately, the band program cannot pay for students to participate in everything.
Outside activities that are not for a grade are not required and may require anything from
$5 - $50. Look for information in emails sent out and info sheets sent home with your
child.
All trip and activity costs will need to be paid at least a week before the date of the event.
This is a list of cost estimates for some of the activities throughout the year. Please know
that these are only estimates and are subject to change.
Solo Contest (January):
$5
th
8 Grade Lock-In (April): $10 - $20
Hurricane Harbor (April): $25
Six Flags (May):
$30 - $50
Ensemble Contest (Feb)
$5
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Instrument Rental
The following instruments must be supplied by the student:
 Flute
 Clarinet
 Alto Saxophone
 Trumpet
 Trombone
You may purchase or rent an instrument on your own or you may come to the Hughes
Band Hall between 5:00 and 8:00pm on Tuesday, September 3 and discuss renting
options with Johnny Paul’s Music Shop.
Please bring money with you on this night. Johnny Paul’s will not deliver accessory
packets without payment or the instrument without the first month’s rent paid ($30 - $50).
Arrangements must be made to rent or purchase an instrument by Thursday, Sep. 5.
School-Owned Instruments
The following instruments are provided by the school and will require a $50 instrument
rental fee for the year, due on Friday, November 8.
 Oboe
 Bassoon
 Bass Clarinet
 Tenor Saxophone
 Baritone Saxophone
 French Horn
 Euphonium
 Tuba
 Percussion
At the time of check out, your student will have to sign an agreement stating the
instruments current condition and will be responsible for any damage not recorded at this
time.
If the entire $50 instrument rental fee cannot be paid at once, please contact the band
directors to set up a payment plan.
If you are on Free or Reduced Lunch please contact the band directors to fill out the Free
or reduced band fee form. If you qualify for free lunch, your band fee can be waived; if you
qualify for reduced lunch, your band fee will be reduced to $15.
Instrument Repair
A representative of Johnny Paul’s music shop will come to our school each week to service
instrument repairs.
 If your student has an instrument that is purchased/rented from Johnny Paul’s all
minor repairs are covered under the repair warranty. Repairs needed due to
negligence will be taken care of at your cost.
 If renting an HMS instrument, the student is responsible for damage.
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If the instrument is personal or rented through another source, a Repair Approval
Form must be signed before we will send the instrument to be repaired.
Instruments sent for repair average a full week to be fixed.
Supplies
All necessary supplies may be purchased through Johnny Paul’s Music Shop and delivered
to the school or online through Woodwind and Brasswind at www.wwbw.com. When
ordering supplies (especially reeds) please pay careful attention to brands and sizes.
Clarinets and Saxophones should purchase Rico Reserve Classic reeds unless otherwise
approved by a director. All reed players are responsible for having reeds every day.
If you have any questions about supplies, please ask a director.
We will also try to have stock of a few items to be purchased at the band hall
 Valve oil - $5
 Trombone slide cream - $5
 Cork Grease - $2
 Reed Case - $5
 Mouthpiece Patch - $1
Private Lessons
Individual instruction by a private teacher is encouraged and available weekly at HMS
either during band class or after school. Private instructors are professionals on their
instrument approved by the directors and administration. Private lessons are not
required; however, most students who take advantage of this excellent opportunity benefit
greatly. Cost is determined by the instructor but is generally $15-$18 per lesson. Checks
must be made out to the private teacher.
Partial Scholarships are available through the Band Boosters. Please contact the band
directors if you are interested.
Band Boosters
The Hughes Band Boosters is a non-profit organization formed to provide financial
support for the band program. They assist in providing funding for band activities,
equipment, instruments, buses, contest entry fees, etc.
There is no membership fee for the Hughes Band Boosters. If you have a child in the
band, you are a member!
One of the sources of funds is through concessions. We will need volunteers to help with
concessions for middle school football games.
Fundraisers
The Boosters also host two major fundraisers: Durham Pecans and Ground to Cup Coffee.
The Pecan fundraiser will run September 23rd through October 4th. As students sell more
in the Pecan fundraiser, they are eligible for larger prizes.
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Sell
$100
$200
$300
$400
Prize
Free Tuner! (required for class anyway!)
Ticket to Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor (can be used in conjunction with the
band trip)
Season Pass to Six flags or Hurricane Harbor
Dual Season Pass to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor
All profit from the pecan fundraiser goes to help the band pay for contest entry fees, buses,
new instruments and equipment.
The Ground to Cup Coffee Fundraiser will be held in the spring. All profit benefits the band
and will go to help the band pay for contest entry fees, buses, new
instruments, and equipment.
Concerts/Performances/Outside Rehearsal
All performances and outside rehearsals are required.
Participation in performances is only open to students who can demonstrate the ability to
correctly play the performance music two weeks beforehand. Students who cannot
perform the music at an acceptable level will be excused from the performance and will
receive an alternate assignment.
Absence Policy
 Excused absences include:
o Other school activities
o Sickness/injury
o Family emergencies
 A written notice from the parent is required 3 days prior to the absence. In the case
of emergencies, please follow-up with a written note as soon as possible upon the
student’s return to school. Verbal and student-written notices are not accepted.
 The student will be given an alternate assignment for any excused absence from a
performance or competition.
 Students are expected to stay for the entire performance and support the other
performing groups.
 Unexcused absences will result in a 0.
 Any student with an unexcused absence from a performance will be ineligible to
attend any trips.
 Any student who misses a rehearsal the week of a performance for any reason may
only participate in the performance at the directors’ discretion.
No Pass/No Play
Students failing any class (below 70) on their report card will be ineligible for
extracurricular activities. Students may become eligible at the Progress Report by passing
all classes (70 or above). This is a state law enacted by the Texas Legislature.
Extracurricular activities include the following: Mass Band Night, All Region Tryouts and
Concert, UIL Contest, Band-on-the-Run, Solo contest, other band contests, and the All-Star
Band Trip. Ineligible students may participate in Pep Rallies and concerts at school.
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Attire
There are two possible uniforms for band concerts/contests, formal and casual. You will
know ahead of time which uniform is required.
Casual
Band t-shirt/blue jeans
Absolutely NO SHORTS
Formal
 Black, long-sleeved, button-down shirt
 black slacks
 black shoes/socks. No sandals or flip flops
Contact Information
www.burlesonbands.org/hughes
www.charmsoffice.com
Shane Johnson
817-245-0663
shanejohnson@burlesonisd.net
Elaine Snider
817-245-0664
asnider@burlesonisd.net
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How to access parent/student information in
 Log on to www.charmsoffice.com, and click the “ENTER” link at upper
right.
 Locate the “PARENT/STUDENT/MEMBERS LOGIN” section of the web
page.
 Login to your child’s program account using the following School Code:
HughesMSBand
 This will bring up the main parent page. This will allow you to look at the
“public” calendar for your organization, event list, handouts and other
files.
 Clicking on an event on the calendar brings up the details for that event,
such as times, attendance requirements and equipment/uniform
necessities. Clicking on “event list” puts all of the calendar information in a
list form for easy printing. Note that if a calendar event is specifically
assigned to your child, it may NOT show up on this calendar – check the
“Student” calendar after entering the student’s ID number (see below).
 When you enter your child’s ID NUMBER (lunch ID #) as a Student Area
Password, another more detailed screen appears with even more options
to view your student’s uniform assignments, music assignments, financial
records, forms and inventory. Once you have first entered this ID number,
you may create your own, unique password by clicking on the “keyhole”
(Change Password) button.
 Two areas in which you can help the director maintain his/her records:
o Update Personal Information – if the director has allowed it, you
may help make changes to your child’s student information page
(such as updating phone numbers and email addresses if they
change) to help the teacher communicate with you more effectively.
Click the Personal Info button.
o If your program has setup online payments, you can make
credit card payments for fees, trips and deposits to your
student’s account. If credit card payment is activated, you will see
blue buttons in the four main areas of the financial statement
indicating your ability to make online payments.
 You will also see links to enter Practice Logs, view Grades, and use the
Recording Studio if the teacher has enabled these options.
 Most importantly, the parent page assists both you and the teacher to
communicate with each other. Stay up to date on what’s going on with
your student!!!
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