Hixson Middle School Band

04/06/2022

07/03/2021

Torey Hart is a 2012 Hixson High School graduate. She attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN where she received her bachelor’s degree in music education. This year will be Torey’s fifth year teaching, and her first year serving as the band director at Hixson High School. From 2017-2019, she was the head band director at Cloudland High School in Roan Mountain, Tennessee. In this position she taught the Cloudland middle school and high school bands. While at Cloudland, Torey doubled the size of the band program. She also started a beginner guitar program, chamber music program, and a jazz band. From 2019-2021 Torey worked as the assistant band director at Daniel Boone High School in Gray, TN where she assisted with the high school marching and concert bands. In addition to working with the high school band program, Torey also ran the middle school band programs at Fall Branch School, Gray Elementary School, and Boones Creek Elementary School. Torey is a member of the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, National Association for Music Education, and Tennessee Education Association.

05/31/2021

Reminder: Summer band will start up next Tuesday (June 1). Email Mr. Rose ([email protected]) or call and leave a message (847-4810--ext. 41510) to set up times for lessons. This is FREE!! Please take advantage of this great learning opportunity!!

04/21/2021

I just finished up a long day at HMS by hosting the Matt McHenry and the HHS Band as they recorded their performance for submission to the ETSBOA concert festival. Let me tell you, it has been a frustrating year with our numbers down, teaching band online, and students frustrated by scheduling. After hearing the high school band perform so beautifully and seeing the excitement of the students at the end of each recording, I was reminded again why I got into this profession so long ago.
HMS students and parents, please know that your child's musical education is in great hands as they progress to the next level at our high school. Mr. McHenry does a wonderful job and I have been a little overwhelmed by the HHS band kid's commitment during the pandemic. Please consider extending your musical excellence by becoming a member of this outstanding organization. Without the participation from our middle school band students, the high school band ceases to exist. Those of you parents who were members of your high school band know what an incredibly important impact band makes not only on your school life, but life in general---even after graduation. Please encourage you kids to stay in band!
Thank you Hixson High Band for making a long day so worthwhile. I enjoyed your performance so much and I look forward to seeing what you have in store for next year!

04/21/2021

A LIVE CONCERT!! Just approved for Thursday, May 20! The HMS band and orchestra will present their Spring Concert in the HMS gymnasium. The concert will begin at 6:30. Please make arrangements now for your child to be able to attend this event!
A letter will be going home on Thursday with details. I will post the letter here by the weekend.

01/17/2021

Ok, Hixson Middle School Band students! I still have several of you that haven’t checked in on our Zoom classes. You are supposed to be following your normal school schedule and that includes your Related Arts classes. I will see all band classes on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday! Have your instrument and be ready to log into your SmartMusic account. If you are still having trouble with SmartMusic, join our Zoom anyway. We will help you with that too. We are going to get through all of this eventually and we can’t stop playing and practicing in the meantime.

09/09/2020

Welcome back!!
With all of the new protocol, playing in band will look a little different this year. All wind instruments will be required to have an "instrument mask!" Don't worry, though. Thanks to former band parent, Doreen Davis, those have already been taken care of (for advanced band). Also, everyone except flute and percussion will need to have one of the disposable paper masks. They will need to cut a slit in the mask that can accommodate the mouthpiece for their instrument. Not a round hole--just a slit. With all chairs being 6 feet apart, there will be no sharing of music stands. Students must always have their own music/books for class. We can not share.
Percussion: You will be given a letter this week concerning personal percussion equipment. You will be required to purchase your own sticks/mallets/stick bag. Advanced band percussionists should have this anyway, so this is not something new for many of you. I have equipment here at school for you to purchase or you are free to get your own at a local music dealer.
We are awaiting the school board's approval on a great program called SmartMusic. This program will prove to be an invaluable practice tool at home. Once approved, I will be giving playing assignment tests online. I'll let you know more about this when we get word on it.
Your child has probably already mentioned that our numbers are small this year. About half of our band program has chosen the home-learner option. Although it has greatly impacted our numbers, we will persevere and carry on!!
I will let everyone know when we know more about the possibility of performances as well as tryouts for clinics. These are very important parts of the band experience and we are currently discussing safe options for these as well.
So glad to be back for year 31!! Now let's make some music!
H.Rose