June 29, 2025 Band Notes

It’s July, and that means Band Camp is soon to be upon us! Be sure to check the BAND CAMP GUIDEBOOK as the “one stop shop” for all the information. The most important aspect is the weekly schedule with times, special events, and theme days!

Percussion & Guard Camp SmugMug Photos

Check out the great pictures our Photo Corps got of our percussion and guard students this past week.

REMINDERS

2025 Band Camp T-Shirt Orders

This year’s Band Camp shirts are now available to order!

Click here to place your order through Friday Threads. The deadline for orders is Sunday, July 6th. NO ADDITIONAL SHIRTS WILL BE ORDERED.

Available in cotton T-shirt, drifit, men’s tank, and women’s tank. Optional personalization is available for an additional charge.

The T-shirts are optional for students but are useful on the rehearsal nights the band directors request the students to wear white T-shirts.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is NOT the shirt you purchased in your consumables fee.

Ultimate Drill Book - Optional

This year we again have the ability to allow students and families who like having access to the “Ultimate Drill Book” tool to purchase this individually for the season. This is not required, and is completely optional only for families/students. This is the same drill tool that the directors and staff use, and allow students to hear and see their individual “dot” in the show as the drill moves with the music on their device. The cost is $10 plus tax, that covers the entire season. Families can purchase anytime between now and July 27th.

To Purchase UDB for your student:

Go to this link: CLICK HERE
Add the subscription to your cart
Pay the fee ($10.30)
Download the "UDB" app from the App Store on your phone or Ipad (see UDB website for compatible devices)
Once per week on Wednesdays, Mr. Hinson will receive an email from UDB with students that have purchased. Students will then receive an email to their school email with the ensemble code that allows them to join the Mason UDB group.

If you'd like to learn more about UDB before purchasing, see this video from the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps about UDB: CLICK HERE

Tutorial for students on how to use UDB: CLICK HERE

MMS Symphonic Winds selected as an American Prize Finalist!

The MMS Symphonic Winds have been selected as a 2025 finalist in the School Band/Wind Ensemble division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. You can read more about this honor by clicking HERE. Congratulations!

Marching Band Woodwind/Brass - Summer Director Updates

Both Mr. Hinson and Mr. Jackson have sent out their summer emails. These have information about the required summer Smart Music assignment for Woodwinds and Brass and other important information for the summer leading up to band camp. Links to the emails are below:

Woodwinds - CLICK HERE
Brass - CLICK HERE

2025 Marching Band Next Steps

Marching Band Registration Next Steps:

Registration Guide is now live.
PAST DUE:

2025 MARCHING BAND COMMITMENT & FINANCIAL AGREEMENT
Band School Fee #1, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
Band School Fee #2, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
Band School Fee #3, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
FINAL FORMS

Fill out all forms
Upload a current physical

Complete Student Care Forms

Accept BoosterHub Invite

Other Marching Band Documents:

Color Guard Handbook Extension

IMPORTANT: For all payments by check - please include the student’s name and student ID and the fee you are paying on the memo line of the check. Example: “Jane Doe 987654 Band Fee 1”

School fees are available in PaySchools Central. You will find the fees under Performing Arts. Scroll to the bottom of that section and look for the ones that start with "NEXT SEASON". All three school fees are live and payable, with the due date for each listed in the name.

Step 1

Complete: 2025 Marching Band Commitment and Financial Agreement

Pay: $400 MB School Fee 1 to Mason City Schools via PaySchools Central

By MAR 1

PAST DUE

Step 2

Pay: $400 MB School Fee 2 to Mason City Schools via PaySchools Central

By APR 1

PAST DUE

Step 3

Pay: Consumable Fee to Mason Band Boosters

By MAY 1