ATSSB All-Region Band General Info

What: Middle School All-Region Band Auditions are just around the corner. Region Band is the highest honor a middle school band student can attain. The competition’s goal is to find the best young musicians in this region of Texas. The music to prepare for the auditions is very challenging, and students have already been given the music. Students that make the All-Region Band will participate in an all-day clinic which leads to a concert performance in the evening. It is an exciting day. They will get to be among other students that share their same interest in music, and they will get to work with a well-respected band director throughout the day.

When: Deadline to sign-up to audition is Friday, December 16th. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, January 17 at LaVernia HS. We will take a bus from school. Auditions start at 4pm and usually go until at least 9pm. It will be a late evening. Some instruments are finished earlier than others. Parents wishing to meet at LaVernia HS and take their child home early may do so (there will be a sign-out sheet). Any student that makes the band will miss school all day Tuesday, January 24 for a required rehearsal and concert with the All-Region Band. The concert will begin at 7:00pm at LaVernia HS and is open to the public.

Who: Typically, only 7^th and 8^th graders audition, but 6^th graders that can prepare the audition music may be allowed to audition.  The band directors decide which students are ready to represent Blanco at this contest. Any students wishing to audition are required to play their music and scales for one of the band directors by Monday, December 19^th. Students must be passing all their classes in order to participate.

Practice: No after school practices are required, but Mrs. Conard will be available every day after school January 9^th-13^th from 3:30-4:30pm. Students are required to practice during tutorials and should be taking their instruments home daily! Students that need other practice times may arrange that with Mrs. Conard.

Awards: Every student that auditions has gone above and beyond what is required of them and will receive extra participation points and a “free day” pass in band. Students that make the All-Region Band will receive a patch and will have the option of purchasing a t-shirt, plaque, and CD/DVD recording of the concert. Any student that makes the region band will receive an additional treat. If a student gets 1^st chair in the Symphonic Band, their name will be added to the “Wall of Fame” in the MS Band Hall.

More info: Region band info/music can be found online here.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Conard or any of the band directors. We are always happy to help. 

Christmas Concert is only two weeks away!

(A letter has been sent home about our upcoming Christmas Concert. If you did not receive it, please continue reading.)

We are excited to be preparing for our annual Band Christmas Concert. This year’s concert will be

held on Tuesday, December 13^th at 7PM in the High School Cafeteria. The concert will be approximately one hour long and is free and open to the public.

·         5^th Grade Band:  Be in the HS Cafeteria ready to play at 6:30PM

·         6^th Grade Band:  Be in the HS Gym ready to play at 6:20PM

·         7^th/8^th Grade Band:  Be in the HS Band Hall ready to play at 6:40PM

For musical performances, it is important to dress for success. Boys should wear, at minimum, a collared polo or button-up shirt with khakis or slacks. Suits/Ties are optional. Girls may wear dresses or a nice blouse with a skirt or dress pants. Pay special attention to skirt lengths; knees should be covered when sitting! 

For all students' attire: Please, no t-shirts, shorts, athletic shoes, or fitness type clothing. School dress code applies. Fun Santa hats and Reindeer antlers are acceptable and encouraged!

This concert is an extension of our band class. All of our hard work in class culminates with this one performance. Every student is important to the success of the bands. All band students are required to attend and stay for the entire performance. As a reminder, all band performances are counted as test grades. Band directors must be contacted in writing, in advance, if there is a known conflict.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Conard, Mr. H, or Mr. Aly. You may also leave a comment or ask a question in this blog.

❄Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!🎄

Band Calendar

Updates have been made to the band calendar. Check it out!

8th Grade Invited to Play with the BHS Band this Friday!

8^th Grade Band Members – You’re Invited!

All 8^th Grade Band Members are invited to join the High School Band in the stands at the last Varsity Home Football Game. The last game is vs. Rogers on November 4^th. The High School Band will perform at halftime, and all band students will have 3^rd Quarter off to take a break and go to the concession stand. 8^th Grade Band Members should report to the stadium at 7PM. The game will be over by 10PM. Students are required to stay until the very end. 

Please bring your instrument, bring money for the concession stand, bring a water bottle, wear your MS Band Shirt (with jeans or shorts), and remember to HAVE FUN!

T-Shirts are in!

The 2016-17 BMS Band T-Shirts have arrived! We have a few extras, so if you would like one, let Mrs. Conard know. Every band student is expected to have one. We will wear them for various band performances. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Mrs. Conard.

Important! T-Shirt Money is Due by Friday!!!

Friday, September 30 is the final deadline to pay for all band t-shirts. Shirts are $15 each. You may pay by cash or by check. Make checks payable to Blanco ISD or Blanco Middle School. Please don't forget!!! 

Last call for T-shirt orders!

All students will need a band shirt, and this is the last call for t-shirt orders. If I don't have orders by tomorrow, I will have to guess on student sizes. I am placing the order tomorrow, Tuesday, at 4:00pm. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or email me at danette.conard@blancoisd.org.

Band T-Shirt orders due this Friday, September 16!

We are excited to have middle school band t-shirts this year! Every band student in 6th-8th grade will need a shirt. Students may be asked to wear these shirts at pep rallies, informal concerts, and on band trips. Family members, faculty and staff, and friends may also purchase shirts to show support of our awesome band. 

T-shirt is short-sleeved, soft style, heather charcoal (dark gray). Graphics are royal blue, gold, and white. Each shirt is $15. 

Order forms are due by Friday, September 16! Full payment must be received by September 30. Make checks payable to: Blanco Middle School.


Ask Mrs. Conard for an order form if you have not yet received one. Return all order forms and money to Mrs. Conard, BMS Band Director. 

We have a band page!

I'm in the process of creating this Website for our awesome BMS Bands! More coming soon!