Dear Percussion Students and Parents:

Thank you for the wonderful job you have been doing through two weeks of drum camp and now summer band. As we continue through summer band and into the school year, here are a few reminders of what the students need to have at rehearsal everyday:

• At least a gallon of water per student.
• A white t-shirt. Yes, it can have writing on it.
• Athletic SHORTS. Please, no denim.
• Athletic shoes properly laced.
• Sunglasses and/or hat
• Sunscreen
• Music binder

The drumline shirts this year will cost $12.00. Please have money turned in by the first day of school (August 14). Parents, if you would like a shirt, please include your shirt size and an additional $12.00.

When we begin the regular school day, students may take a *free* 30 minute lesson with me per week. It is not required, but it is encouraged. I give lessons mornings and afternoons that we don’t have rehearsals. During the school year, I will do my best to keep the webmaster of the band booster website up to date on the percussion schedule. If you ever have any questions, check the website bastroptexasusa.com/bandboosters/ or e-mail me at jsnow@bastrop.isd.tenet.edu.

I want to remind you of the required purchases for the percussion students this semester. Here is a list:

• Stick bag
• Metronome
• One pair of Vic Firth SD-1 General Concert Snare Sticks
• One pair of Vic Firth T-1 General Timpani Mallets
• One pair of Innovative Percussion (IPF9) Xylophone Mallets
• One Timpani Tuner or “Pitch Pipe”
• Two Pair of Innovative Percussion (IP300) Blue Yarn Marimba Mallets
• Two pair of Innovative Percussion (IPF4) Cord Vibraphone Mallets
• One pair of Vic Firth Ralph Hardimon Nylon Tip Marching Snare Sticks
• All students are strongly encouraged to purchase a Real Feel practice pad.

You may purchase these items locally at Owen’s Music, Brook Mays Music, Holze Music or Strait Music. You may also purchase these items online at lonestarpercussion.com.

I would like to clarify about the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) that will be held in Austin this November. I would like to take a bus of students to this convention for the day. They will miss a day of school. All students going must be passing all their classes. The convention is NOT required, but I strongly encourage all percussion students to attend. It is an excellent opportunity to see percussion clinics and concerts by the world’s best percussion educators and performers. The exhibit hall is a wonderful opportunity for students to purchase all kinds of percussion products at 25% - 75% off the listed price.

To go, students must be a member of the Percussive Arts Society (www.pas.org). Memberships via e-mail are $28.00 and memberships via snail mail are $60.00. Students must also pay the convention fee of $100.00. These fees must be paid prior to September 29. Once your student is a member of PAS and has paid registration fees for the convention, I must have a copy of their membership card and a copy of the receipt for the registration fees. The registration fee covers the entire convention, so they can go back on their own on the days we aren’t there as a group. This convention only comes to Texas every 6 years, so I strongly encourage you all to send your students.

I am also hoping to order “hoodies” for the percussion students. I will start designing those after the start of school. We won’t purchase those until late September and should cost around $40.00.

Thank you for all your support of the band, the drumline and your students. I am really enjoying working with your students!

Jana Snow

Assistant Director of Bands

Percussion Instructor

Bastrop High School

512-321-1155