MP BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Band account statements have gone out (through e-mail). This statement will show how much credit your child has in there account and how much is still owed for various fees. Please check your spam e-mail if you have not seen it yet.

In this week's edition:

• WINTERGUARD UPDATES
• UPDATES FROM THE CLASSROOM
• NEWS AND EVENTS FROM VARIOUS AREA COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES
• BAND PARENT CORNER
• SCHEDULE FOR 6 - 21 MAR 2026

WINTERGUARD UPDATES

WINTERGUARD REHEARSALS / SCHEDULE

In the event of absences for rehearsals, etc. (please read the handbook on the policy on this), absences can be requested through the Absence Leave Request form (NLT 48 hours prior to a planned absence). Emergency absences (under the 48 hour mark for emergency circumstances such as sickness, etc.) need to be submitted to me through an e-mail (keith.lee@cabarrus.k12.nc.us).

Winterguard Fee Payments

Per the Winterguard Handbook, the last payment of winterguard fees was due 1 FEB. If you have not made this payment (or the previous two payments) please do so ASAP.

To make payments online, please go HERE.

CWEA Contest @ Rock Hill High School (Saturday, 7 MAR 26)

Our third contest of the season will be at Rock Hill High School. To purchase tickets, find the schedule of the full show, etc., go HERE.

Our schedule for the day will be as follows (tentative):

• Report/Rehearsal: 12:00 PM
• Dress/Pack/Load: 2:00 PM
• Final Checks/Meeting: 3:45 PM
• Board Bus: 3:55 AM
• Leave for Rock Hill HS: NLT 4:00 PM; GRAB AND GO DINNER
• Arrive to Rock Hill HS: NLT 5:30 PM
• Unload Props/Floor at Staging Area: 5:35 PM
• Holding: 7:43 PM
• Warm-up: 7:48 PM
• Leave Warm-up: 8:04 PM
• Ready: 8:07 PM
• Perform: 8:12 PM
• Equipment Back to Truck: 8:22 PM
• Pack/Load: 8:25 PM
• Back to Gym for Remainder of Contest: 9:00 PM
• Awards: 10:05 PM
• Board Bus: 10:35 PM (approx.)
• Leave Rock Hill HS: 10:40 PM (approx.)
• Arrive to MPHS: 12:00 AM (approx.)
• Unpack/Change/Clean: 12:05 AM (approx.)
• Dismissal: 12:20 AM (approx.)

We will need parents/guardians to assist with moving of equipment. Plan to meet us at the equipment holding area.

UPDATES FROM THE CLASSROOM

3rd Quarter Has Officially Ended

The 3rd Quarter for the 2025-2026 has come to a close. All grades have been posted and finalized. As we look ahead, the 4th Quarter will be very busy for us. Students need to be prepared to come in and work extremely hard to finish the school year with a high level of success.

SmartMusic (MakeMusic Cloud Accounts)

To create SmartMusic accounts (if you have not done so), do the following:

• Go HERE to register
• The class code should automatically populate, but if it does not, it is UC7CCJ-V4WYE
• Hit “Find Your Class.” The class Mount Pleasant HS Band 2025-2026 should populate. Hit “Join this Class.”
• Please put in an e-mail address that you utilize often to establish your account.
• Check your e-mail for a confirmation e-mail. Please confirm your account.

To Login to SmartMusic: Go to HERE

NEWS AND EVENTS FROM VARIOUS AREA COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

News From Meredith College

Meredith College is an all female school in Raleigh, NC. They are hosting series of "Be a Music Major/Minor For a Day" events. To view information, please go HERE.

News from UNC Charlotte

Summer Music Camp (June 17th - 20th, 2026): students will work with faculty and guests in full band, chamber music, and composition (Tyler S. Grant, guest composer). See information below from Dr. Taylor: "I'm excited to announce registration for the Charlotte Summer Music Camp is now open! This year we will host Composer-in-Residence Tyler Grant. In the full band portion of the camp, students will workshop unpublished music with Mr. Grant to learn about the compositional process and refine compositions soon to be published. The full band will culminate with a professional recording session of Mr. Grant's music. Additionally, students will participate in chamber ensembles and masterclasses coached by UNC Charlotte Faculty and Charlotte Symphony Musicians. Students will get valuable experience performing in small groups and receive crucial individual instruction, and perform in a chamber concert on Saturday, June 20th. Finally, scholarships are available by audition. Students should submit a single video link of their District Band Audition Solo, Ab Concert Scale, and Chromatic Scale to be considered for Scholarship. Register here by January 18th to be considered for a scholarship! Registration fee of $30, final payment of $120 due by May 1.

Find all of our events stay up to date with registrations here and follow CLTBands on Instagram.

Finally, for any student interested in band or music at UNC Charlotte - encourage them to reach out! Check out the attached postcard for more information and visit our website for information about admissions and auditions. We highly encourage interested students to apply by November 1."

News From Western Carolina University

We are excited to announce that registration for the 2026 Summer Symposium is officially open! The Pride of the Mountains Summer Symposium is designed to serve both students and band directors, offering multiple instructional tracks that support musical growth, leadership development, and professional learning within the marching arts.  Student Tracks We are pleased to offer a wide range of student-focused instructional tracks, including:

• Drum Major
• Wind
• Front Ensemble & Rhythm Section
• Battery Percussion
• Color Guard

The 2026 Summer Symposium will take place July 5–9, 2026. Students will enjoy a full week of high-quality instruction, engaging activities, and meaningful mentorship. Participants will study with renowned clinicians from across the country, work closely with assigned WCU student leaders, and gain valuable skills in leadership and musicianship they can take back to their home programs. Guest Artist-in-Residence We are thrilled to welcome Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps as our 2026 Artist-in-Residence. Students will have the opportunity to observe a rehearsal, experience Crown’s Summer 2026 production, and participate in an exclusive clinic with this world-class ensemble. Eligibility Rising high school freshmen and rising college freshmen are also eligible to attend. The registration link can be found HERE. We would love to have you and your students join us for a rewarding and inspiring week. If you have any questions, please contact us at potminfo@email.wcu.edu.

BAND PARENT CORNER

Band parents make it possible for us to do what we do. We appreciate you so much!!!

The Band Dads Podcast

New season with new episodes are here!!! The latest episode of The Band Dads podcast is now available. Please go HERE to listen.

SCHEDULE FOR 6 - 21 MAR 2026

6 MAR 26: End of 3rd Quarter; Half Day

7 MAR 26: Winterguard Contest @ Rock Hill High School; Details Above

9 MAR 26: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

11 MAR 26: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

12 MAR 26: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

14 MAR 26: Winterguard Saturday Camp; 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

16 MAR 26: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

18 MAR 26: Percussion Rehearsal; 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

18 MAR 26: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

19 MAR 26: Leadership Training (Marching Band); 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

19 MAR 26: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM; Pictures will be made during this rehearsal

20 MAR 26: Spin Club; 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

21 MAR 26: Winterguard Contest @ Indian Land High School; Details TBD