Weekly “Music” Notes - December 8-13, 2025

Happy Sunday!

Here’s everything you need to know for this week.

December 8-13, 2025

Monday, December 8: Beginning Band After School Rehearsal, 4:15PM-5:15PM

Monday, December 8: Symphonic Band After School Rehearsal, 5:30PM-6:30PM

Tuesday, December 9: Umatilla Middle School Winter Concert, Umatilla High School Auditorium, 7PM (6PM CALL TIME)

Saturday, December 13: Umatilla Cracker Christmas Parade (email to be sent tomorrow)

Winter Concert Time!!!

It’s the week! Here’s all the information!

After-School Rehearsals:

Beginning Band: Monday, December 8, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Symphonic Band: Monday, December 8, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Please note that after-school rehearsals are graded, as band is a co-curricular class. This means participation in events outside of regular school hours is mandatory.

If any Symphonic Band students attend the Beginning Band rehearsal, they may:

      - Assist beginners in a positive and non-disruptive manner

      - Play their instruments alongside beginners, modeling excellent behavior and performance technique

      - Work quietly on their Chromebooks or homework

It is crucial that all students attend these rehearsals. Since Beginning Band and Symphonic Band meet during separate class periods, students do not have daily full-band rehearsals. Missing rehearsals results in lost instructional time and important information.

If a student cannot attend a rehearsal, please notify me at least two weeks in advance with the reason for the absence. In such cases, an alternate assignment may be provided to make up the grade. Students absent without prior communication will be marked as Not Handed In (NHI). Attendance is required for the entire rehearsal unless prior communications and arrangements are made due to other commitments (e.g., sports, dance practice, cheer, etc). Communications must at least be in writing!

Band Concert

Tuesday, December 9 - Umatilla High School Auditorium, 7PM (Call time 6PM)

The Winter Band Concert is the biggest grade that students will have this quarter. Attendance is mandatory. Students should plan to stay for the entirety of the concert to support fellow band members! This continues to build our community!

Students will meet in the band room, which is Building 4. Look for a big orange trailer that has a bulldog and says, "Umatilla High School Bulldog Band". Students should be able to go through the back door, but if that changes, I will post in the band app!

Band Concert Attire:

Beginning Band - New UMS Band Shirt (Will receive this week!), Black Dress Pants/Maxi Length Skirt, Black Dress Socks/Stockings, and Black Dress Shoes

Symphonic Band - Black UMS Dress Shirt (Will receive this week!), Black Dress Pants/Maxi Length Skirt, Black Dress Socks/Stockings, and Black Dress Shoes

PLEASE WASH THE SHIRTS!!!!!!!

If your student did not receive a shirt(s) from me, PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT COME TALK TO ME!!!!

STUDENTS CAN WEAR HOLIDAY ATTIRE AND DECORATE INSTRUMENT! As long as it is not going to damage you or the instrument, and it is not going to affect you (or others) performance wise, you can have it!

Examples:

- Santa Hat/Elf Hat (please no reindeer antlers, could block view of conductor)

- Lights Necklace (not flashing)

- Lights on Instrument (not flashing or affecting playing ability)

- Holiday Socks

- Holiday Earrings

- Tinsel

If there are any parents that would like to help supervise students while bands are performing, I would greatly appreciate it! That was something I noticed I needed the most help on last year was making sure students were not talking during performances and not constantly leaving their seats. Please email me if you are interested in helping.

Umatilla Cracker Christmas Parade!

Parade is THIS SATURDAY! We will be marching with the Umatilla High School Bulldog Band!

Meeting Spot & Times: Parking lot of the Southside Community Building

(on the corner of Church St and Ball Park Rd)

LEAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT CASES IN THE CAR!

MEET IN THE PARKING LOT BY 8:00 am

(the parade starts at 9:30)

Parents will pick up students at the Umatilla HIGH School Band Room between

10:15 – 10:30 am. Parents must SIGN THEIR STUDENT OUT.

Traffic: You MUST follow this route to the parade line up!

           (From State Road 19)

           Travel east on to 450A/Willis McCall Road

           Turn north on to Church Street

           Enter the Southside parking lot to drop off your student – no parking!

           Return to Church Street to exit

           Access to North bound Hwy 19 will be allowed ONLY at 450A/Willis McCall

Attire: Orange Band Shirt (new one with sponsors), jeans (no holes), and tennis shoes, and any festive items (hat, necklace, tinsel, same as winter concert)

UPCOMING DATES

December 22: Winter Break Begins

January 6: Classes Begin

January 7: After School Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

January 12: After School Jazz Band Rehearsal, 4:15-5:30PM

January 14-17: FMEA Conference & All-State (Pyburn Out)

January 19: Martin Luther King Jr Day (NO SCHOOL)

January 21: After School Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

January 22-24: All-District Band Rehearsals and Concert (Pyburn out 1/23)

Upcoming Pass-Off Performances!

Students can attend a music concert as a pass-off AS LONG AS THERE IS A PHOTO OR VIDEO! I will also accept a program if photo or video cannot be taken!

The Holiday Inn Available Shows! (Ms. Pyburn performing in the music ensemble for the show!

All shows are at Athens Theatre in DeLand, FL

Sunday, December 7, 2:30PM (SOLD OUT!)

Wednesday, December 10, 7:30PM (ALMOST SOLD OUT!)

Thursday, December 11, 7:30PM (ALMOST SOLD OUT!)

Friday, December 12, 7:30PM (ALMOST SOLD OUT!)

Saturday, December 13, 7:30PM (ALMOST SOLD OUT!)

Sunday, December 14, 2:30PM (SOLD OUT!)

Purchase Tickets Here!: https://athensdeland.com/event/irving-berlins-holiday-inn/2025-11-21/

And that’s everything! Please keep up to date with all of our communications and social medias!