HCB INFORMATION GUIDE FOR BAND MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization is open to all qualified musicians age 18 or over with concert band experience. An exception to this age limit may be High School students in good standing in their H.S. band and at the minimum, have a NYSSMA level 5 / 6 ability level. These students must have the approval of the HCB Music Director. Limitations to membership in the HCB will be based on balanced instrumentation and availability.
REHEARSALS - MONDAY NIGHTS AT 7:00 PM SHARP!
ATTENDANCE
Membership in the HCB requires a commitment to consistent participation. We will rely on the information you provided on your band commitment form as a basis for keeping sections of the band BALANCED for the duration of the season.
Sometimes conflicts arise at the last minute that force you to miss a rehearsal or concert. We certainly understand a one time emergency change in your band commitment/participation. However, we respectfully ask that you contact Vickie Henson immediately as soon as you know that there is a change in your availability.
Please do not jeopardize the integrity of your band section or, the public performance of our band by being a surprise “no show” – talk to Vickie so that we may work out the conflict work for everyone concerned. Each member of this band is a “key” performer.
Membership in this organization is open to all qualified musicians age 18 or over with concert band experience. An exception to this age limit may be High School students in good standing in their H.S. band and at the minimum, have a NYSSMA level 5 / 6 ability level. These students must have the approval of the HCB Music Director. Limitations to membership in the HCB will be based on balanced instrumentation and availability.
REHEARSALS - MONDAY NIGHTS AT 7:00 PM SHARP!
- Factor in time for parking at Heckscher Park.
- We rehearse from 7:00PM to 9:30 PM with a short break in rehearsal scheduled at 8:30 PM.
- Please keep our rehearsal area clean by removing water bottles and any trash around you.
- Take all personally owned instruments and equipment with you at the end of rehearsal.
ATTENDANCE
Membership in the HCB requires a commitment to consistent participation. We will rely on the information you provided on your band commitment form as a basis for keeping sections of the band BALANCED for the duration of the season.
Sometimes conflicts arise at the last minute that force you to miss a rehearsal or concert. We certainly understand a one time emergency change in your band commitment/participation. However, we respectfully ask that you contact Vickie Henson immediately as soon as you know that there is a change in your availability.
Please do not jeopardize the integrity of your band section or, the public performance of our band by being a surprise “no show” – talk to Vickie so that we may work out the conflict work for everyone concerned. Each member of this band is a “key” performer.
If you cannot attend a rehearsal, you cannot perform in the concert 2 days later.
CONCERT DRESS / BAND SHIRTS
CONCERT DRESS: White HCB polo shirt, black pants/shoes. HCB polo is not a required purchase, as a plain white polo shirt with no other logos is perfectly acceptable.
CONCERT DRESS: White HCB polo shirt, black pants/shoes. HCB polo is not a required purchase, as a plain white polo shirt with no other logos is perfectly acceptable.
- HCB logo polo shirts will be available for order. Shirts will be $25 each. Please specify size when you order. You may pay for shirts by check made payable to the Huntington Community Band or below via PayPal.
- You can also use Venmo @HCBandNY If you just send $$ via the app, please leave shirt size in comment.
CONCERT LOCATION / PARKING
Please do not confuse Huntington’s Heckscher Park with Heckscher State Park in East Islip!
CONCERT CALL / START TIME / END TIME
The call for our concerts on Wednesday evenings is 7:30 PM SHARP, RAIN OR SHINE (unless otherwise notified – see cancellation policy below).
The first 4 concerts conclude at approximately 9:30PM. Concert 5 (our last performance and grand finale) sometimes goes just a little later.
CONCERT CANCELLATION POLICY
It never fails that we may have one or more Wednesday evening concerts where the weather is threatening to cancel our performance. The decision to cancel is based NOT on the rain as much as it is based on lightning action. We have a very loyal audience who come prepared with rain ponchos and umbrellas so, do not assume that even if it is raining heavily by you that it is the same at Heckscher Park. Despite the threat of rain and occasional light drizzle, we try our best to get our concerts in for the benefit of our audiences.
The ultimate call to cancel a performance is made by the Huntington Arts Council and the Huntington Parks Public Safety, sometimes at the very last minute. On the day of each scheduled Wednesday evening performance I remain in close contact with the arts council regarding weather concerns throughout the day AND, I will post updates and get them out to you, as warranted. All cancellations will go out via the HCB remind group and on this website. Therefore, unless you receive notice from me or, you see an advance cancellation notice on this website, our Facebook page or, on the Huntington Arts Council website (www.huntingtonarts.org) - PLEASE plan to show up for the concert at 7:30PM (our normal call time).
CONCERTS - CLEAN-UP
Concert clean-up responsibilities for the end of each concert will rotate through the sections. Any additional help is greatly appreciated. At the end of each concert please make certain that your folder is returned to the folder crate so that the last concerts music may be removed and new music placed in the folder.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: HCBMusicDirector@gmail.com. Vickie Henson will answer these emails. If you need to get a message to Vickie, feel free to text, email or call anytime!
FOLDERS & MUSIC / SIGN-OUT
Concert folders are normally shared 2 on a folder. In general, concert folders will have the entire seasons music. This gives stand partners an opportunity to sign out the folder to take home for practice. Some important requests:
If possible, use a scan app or the camera on your phone to take a picture of the parts you want to practice. If not:
LIBRARIAN / MUSIC
Requests for copies/missing music should be directed to the Band Librarian's attention. Please see them at a rehearsal if you are missing any music or need an additional copy.
MARKING MUSIC
Please bring a pencil for marking music to every rehearsal. Thanks!
HCB “BIG BAND”
The “HCB BIG BAND” (jazz band) performs during week 4, in a split concert with the HCB. The band is under the direction of HCB Assistant Director Dan Bilawsky and will rehearse at our 4th rehearsal at 6PM. Further details and personnel assignments will be forthcoming.
DONATIONS
The HCB relies on Town of Huntington / Huntington Arts Council funding in additional to band sponsorships for our rehearsal space rental, year-end party, purchase of band music, supplies, printing, equipment, postage and shipping fees, honorariums, and guest soloist/conductor honorariums. In addition, funds are required for application and membership to the Huntington Arts Council, borrowing fees to professional band lending libraries and fees associated with our domain name and website.
Any band or member or family wishing to contribute to our annual cost of running the band is welcome to contribute to sponsoring the band. Sponsors will be listed in our concert program. Tax deductible donations can be made via Paypal (@huntingtoncommunityband), Venmo (@HCBandNY) or Checks made payable to the HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY BAND, Inc. Thank you.
MATCHING DONATIONS - If your company participates in matching donations please consider the Huntington Community Band!
ONLINE RESOURCES
Huntington Arts Council
www.huntingtonarts.org
Huntington Community Band
www.HCBand.org
HCB Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/Huntington-Community-Band-Huntington-NY-93878881286/
HCB Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/huntingtoncommunityband/
Please do not confuse Huntington’s Heckscher Park with Heckscher State Park in East Islip!
- Our concerts are held at the HARRY CHAPIN STAGE in Huntington’s Heckscher Park at the intersection of ROUTE 25A (Main Street) and PRIME AVENUE.
- Parking at Heckscher Park in Huntington can be a challenge on the Wednesday evenings of our performances. There is handicap parking in the lot immediately adjacent to the Heckscher Museum (entrance on Prime Avenue). There is street parking on 25A by Old First Church and, also Prime Avenue paralleling the park (and on some side streets, too).
CONCERT CALL / START TIME / END TIME
The call for our concerts on Wednesday evenings is 7:30 PM SHARP, RAIN OR SHINE (unless otherwise notified – see cancellation policy below).
- Please unpack and leave your instrument case in the air conditioned green room backstage. DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES in this space.
- Arriving prior to our call at 8PM should (in most cases) allow you to secure a parking spot.
- At 7:45PM I will give last minute performance notes and then we will tune carefully.
The first 4 concerts conclude at approximately 9:30PM. Concert 5 (our last performance and grand finale) sometimes goes just a little later.
CONCERT CANCELLATION POLICY
It never fails that we may have one or more Wednesday evening concerts where the weather is threatening to cancel our performance. The decision to cancel is based NOT on the rain as much as it is based on lightning action. We have a very loyal audience who come prepared with rain ponchos and umbrellas so, do not assume that even if it is raining heavily by you that it is the same at Heckscher Park. Despite the threat of rain and occasional light drizzle, we try our best to get our concerts in for the benefit of our audiences.
The ultimate call to cancel a performance is made by the Huntington Arts Council and the Huntington Parks Public Safety, sometimes at the very last minute. On the day of each scheduled Wednesday evening performance I remain in close contact with the arts council regarding weather concerns throughout the day AND, I will post updates and get them out to you, as warranted. All cancellations will go out via the HCB remind group and on this website. Therefore, unless you receive notice from me or, you see an advance cancellation notice on this website, our Facebook page or, on the Huntington Arts Council website (www.huntingtonarts.org) - PLEASE plan to show up for the concert at 7:30PM (our normal call time).
CONCERTS - CLEAN-UP
Concert clean-up responsibilities for the end of each concert will rotate through the sections. Any additional help is greatly appreciated. At the end of each concert please make certain that your folder is returned to the folder crate so that the last concerts music may be removed and new music placed in the folder.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: HCBMusicDirector@gmail.com. Vickie Henson will answer these emails. If you need to get a message to Vickie, feel free to text, email or call anytime!
FOLDERS & MUSIC / SIGN-OUT
Concert folders are normally shared 2 on a folder. In general, concert folders will have the entire seasons music. This gives stand partners an opportunity to sign out the folder to take home for practice. Some important requests:
If possible, use a scan app or the camera on your phone to take a picture of the parts you want to practice. If not:
- ALL MUSIC FOLDERS MUST BE SIGNED OUT AND ONLY COMPLETE FOLDERS MAY BE SIGNED OUT – Please DO NOT take individual parts home where they may be lost or separated from the folder.
- PLEASE use clear tape to join together multiple pages of music whenever you take the folder home. This will: (1) help to keep multiple pages together in sequence; help to keep multiple pages from blowing off your stand; and, (2) help to keep individual pages from blowing off your stand.
- ALL FOLDERS MUST BE RETURNED AFTER SIGN OUT! If you are going to be absent and have a folder in your possession YOU assume complete responsibility and must make arrangements to get the folder to the rehearsal/concert! Thanks for your cooperation.
- Fill red file folder, found in your band folder, with music from previous concert. We will collect that right after the concert.
LIBRARIAN / MUSIC
Requests for copies/missing music should be directed to the Band Librarian's attention. Please see them at a rehearsal if you are missing any music or need an additional copy.
MARKING MUSIC
Please bring a pencil for marking music to every rehearsal. Thanks!
HCB “BIG BAND”
The “HCB BIG BAND” (jazz band) performs during week 4, in a split concert with the HCB. The band is under the direction of HCB Assistant Director Dan Bilawsky and will rehearse at our 4th rehearsal at 6PM. Further details and personnel assignments will be forthcoming.
DONATIONS
The HCB relies on Town of Huntington / Huntington Arts Council funding in additional to band sponsorships for our rehearsal space rental, year-end party, purchase of band music, supplies, printing, equipment, postage and shipping fees, honorariums, and guest soloist/conductor honorariums. In addition, funds are required for application and membership to the Huntington Arts Council, borrowing fees to professional band lending libraries and fees associated with our domain name and website.
Any band or member or family wishing to contribute to our annual cost of running the band is welcome to contribute to sponsoring the band. Sponsors will be listed in our concert program. Tax deductible donations can be made via Paypal (@huntingtoncommunityband), Venmo (@HCBandNY) or Checks made payable to the HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY BAND, Inc. Thank you.
MATCHING DONATIONS - If your company participates in matching donations please consider the Huntington Community Band!
ONLINE RESOURCES
Huntington Arts Council
www.huntingtonarts.org
Huntington Community Band
www.HCBand.org
HCB Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/Huntington-Community-Band-Huntington-NY-93878881286/
HCB Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/huntingtoncommunityband/