MP BAND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 19 DECEMBER 2025

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From The Desk of Mr. Lee

WE HAVE MADE IT!!! The 1st Semester has come to an end. What a semester it has been. Thank you all for the wonderful work you have done. I am looking forward to the next semester. Please enjoy this holiday break with your family and friends.

In this week's edition:

  • WINTERGUARD UPDATES: Commitment Forms Past Due 15 DEC 25, Winterguard Rehearsals / Schedule
  • NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM: All-County Band Nominations, SmartMusic (MakeMusic Cloud) Registration
  • NEWS/EVENTS FROM AREA COLLEGES: Music Major/Minor for a Day Events at Meredith College, UNC-Charlotte, and East Carolina University
  • BAND PARENTS CORNER: Latest Episode of The Band Dads podcast
  • SCHEDULE FOR 19 DEC 2025 - 10 JAN 2026

WINTERGUARD UPDATES

COMMITMENT FORMS PAST DUE (15 DEC 2025)

For all members that have been selected for our varsity group, if you plan to carry on with participating in this group, you need to ensure you have completed the Commitment Form that is now PAST DUE (as of 15 DEC 25). Please ensure you read the Winterguard Handbook before signing the Commitment Form (can be found HERE).

Please go HERE to complete this.

WINTERGUARD REHEARSALS / SCHEDULE

Winterguard rehearsals are going extremely well, thus far. The schedule of events and rehearsals for the season are available on the BAND app, on the band's website, and the Winterguard handbook. Please ensure you are tracking the 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).

UPDATES FROM THE CLASSROOM

All-County Band Nominations

This year, the Cabarrus All-County Band Clinic will be held on Friday, 23 JAN and Saturday, 24 JAN. This is a month earlier than we have normally done this. Because of this, we are asking that if there are any students that would like to be nominated for this ensemble, to please let me know NLT Monday, 5 JAN (when we return from Winter Break).

Students who would like to be nominated for this ensemble need to understand that if picked, they are obligated to all rehearsals and the performance that occurs on Saturday, 24 JAN. Schedule of events will look like the following:

Friday, 23 JAN 2026

  • 8:00 a.m. – Meet at West Cabarrus High School
  • 9:00 a.m. – Rehearsal Begins
  • 12:30 p.m. – Lunch (provided as part of fee paid)
  • 1:30 p.m. – Rehearsal Resumes
  • 5:30 p.m. – Rehearsal Ends; ALL STUDENTS will need to ensure they have transportation from West Cabarrus HS at the end of the rehearsal day.

Saturday, 24 JAN 2026

  • 8:30 a.m. – Arrive to West Cabarrus HS
  • 9:00 a.m. – Rehearsal Begins
  • 1:00 p.m. – Lunch/Time to Change into Concert Attire. Please ensure you have your black concert attire with you this day.
  • 2:30 p.m. – Students arrive to designated areas for placement of cases and seating in the Auditorium. I suggest that parents/guardians, family and friends start arriving at 1:45 p.m. It will be a packed house.
  • 3:00 p.m. – Concert begins in the West Cabarrus HS Auditorium. Upon the conclusion of the concert, students will be released to their parents/guardians. All students will need to ensure they have transportation from West Cabarrus HS.

If you are interested in being nominated for this ensemble, please let me know NLT 5 JAN 2026.

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 East Carolina University

From John Bishop, Assistant Director for Student Services: "As application season begins, I wanted to share that ECU will host its first satellite audition day at the Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC. This event is designed to give students in western North Carolina access to our programs and scholarship opportunities without the need to travel to Greenville. Attached is the flyer for this event!"

"ECU offers a highly competitive scholarship program—last year alone, we awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to our incoming class. Students auditioning at the Charlotte location will receive full and equal consideration for admission and scholarships as those who audition on campus."

BAND PARENT CORNER

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

The Band Dads Podcast

The latest episode of The Band Dads podcast is now available. Please go HERE to listen.

SCHEDULE FOR 19 DEC 2025 - 10 JAN 2026

10 DEC 25: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

22 DEC 25: Winterguard Staging Camp #1; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

29 DEC 25: Winterguard Staging Camp #2; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

3 JAN 25: Winterguard Saturday Camp; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

5 JAN 25: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

7 JAN 25: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

8 JAN 25: Winterguard Rehearsal; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

10 JAN 25: Winterguard Saturday Camp; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM