Weekly News of Note

December 7 – December 13

@NMSBandorch – @NIMASParents – www.nmsim.org – NIMAS Facebook Group

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC HANDBOOK – 2025-2026

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

*Doors are open from 7:00 – 7:15 am. If you arrive after 7:15 am, you will need to buzz into the building using the main entrance.

Monday 12/8

Early morning orchestra 7:15 am

Tuesday 12/9

Early morning orchestra 7:15 am
Jazz band during homeroom 8:15 – 8:45

Wednesday 12/10

Early morning jazz band 7:15 am
Winter orchestra, jazz and choral concert Reprot time 6:30 pm. Concert at 7 pm.

Thursday 12/11

Early morning band 7:15 am

Friday 12/12

Early morning orchestra 7:15 am
Field trip to LHS concert preview performance (Orchestra & Chorus) 9 am – 11:30 am

I have rearranged the early morning rehearsal schedule to accomodate the ensembles performing in the Winter Concert this week.

Monday, December 8 – ORCHESTRA 7:15 am

Tuesday, December 9 – ORCHESTRA 7:15 am

Tuesday, December 9 – JAZZ BAND 8:15 am

Wednesday, December 10 – JAZZ BAND 7:15 am

Thursday, December 11 – BAND 7:15 am

Friday, December 12 – ORCHESTRA 7: 15 am

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSON INFORMATION

All instrumental music students have access to school lessons. Students who take private lessons only need to attend the 4 scheduled chair auditions during the school year. Students who do not take private lessons are required to attend a weekly lesson during the school day to remain an active member of their ensemble.

Click here for your instrumental music lesson group assignments

All 8th grade students should bring their LHS audition information to their lesson.

LHS band and orchestra audition information was sent to students school email on Tuesday, November 25. Auditions are scheduled for January 14.

COLOR GUARD INFORMATION

COLOR GUARD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rehearsals are every Monday and Thursday from 7:15 – 8:05 am.

Make sure you are practicing your basic skills at home: marching skills, equipment skills, spins, combinations, routines, etc.

For information on how to:

How to put on your color guard uniform: https://youtu.be/OU3uGwYmVCI?feature=shared

How to put your tassels on your boots: https://youtu.be/1ob2k3HOUqw?si=u9-iIk89lJkKkP3p

How to make tassels: https://youtu.be/hQ8–w1-3h8?si=b_l56D9g0fibaK5J

The second payment for this trip was due on November 20, 2025. Payments due at this point at $175 per person. PAYMENT 3, $100 per participant, is due by December 18, 2025.

Any cancellations after February 13, 2026, will receive NO REFUND, unless substitute is found.

For complete details go to http://www.nmsim.org/spring-trip/.

Full payment of $130 per person for this trip was due on November 7, 2025

PLEASE NOTE: IF you are unable to attend thsi trip, notify me immediately. I do have a waitlist of people and can possible find a replacement so you can receive a refund.

Once you make the deposit you have committed to the trip and are responsible for the full cost of the trip. NO REFUNDS!

Go to http://www.nmsim.org/jazz/big-band-holidays/ for complete details and the payment schedule.

*All adults need to have their clearances and background checks on file before December 4, 2025

8th Grade Music & Drama Trip to NYC

The second payment of $50 per person is due by December 12, 2025.

This trip is only for 8th grade band, orchestra, jazz, choral, and drama students. Parents and guardians are more than welcome to chaperone. All adults must have all their background clearances on file by March 1, 2026. Chaperones and students must participate in all aspects of the trip.

For full details go to http://www.nmsim.org/8th-grade-trip/ .

Parents are encouraged to volunteer and get involved in the instrumental music program. We need volunteers for parades, concerts, and many other activities.

Parents must have their clearances on file in the Nitschmann office. If you are not sure if your information is on file, contact the Nitschmann office at 610-866-5781. Information on how to renew or apply for your clearances can be found at http://www.nmsim.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BASD-Volunteer-Clearance-Info.pdf.

Signing up for a volunteer job

Once a member or guardian has logged into their dashboard, they can click on “Events.” Events with open volunteer slots will show a green banner that says, “volunteers needed.”

When they click on the event, they’ll see the event details and all volunteer opportunities associated with that event, they’d click “Sign up” to reserve their slot. They’ll see all the names of people who have signed up for that opportunity.

Volunteers can remove themselves from a volunteer opportunity they have signed up for by clicking “Delete” next to their name.

NIMAS By-Laws 2024

The final NIMAS general membership meeting is this Wednesday, December 17 at 7:30 pm in the instrumental music room.

We will provide you with information about the instrumental music programs and happily answer any questions you may have.

Attendees should enter through the MAIN BUILDING ENTRANCE. Doors will be unlocked from 7:20 – 7:40 P.M.

Share your photos of our ensembles performances.

We have created a google folder for you to share your photos and videos of the music ensembles performing throughout the school year. Just click the link below and add your photos.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1L3mW4OtirRLvtJ_Mb1V61uoBNDL5R-dy?usp=sharing

UPCOMING EVENTS

2025-2026 Instrumental Music Calendar – You can now subscribe to the Instrumental Music Calendar and add it to your devices calendars. Click the following link, scroll to the bottom of the page, and follow the directions from there.

Dates for the 2025 – 2026 school year are available on the website calendar at http://www.nmsim.org/eventscal/

https://app.gocuttime.com/public/program/9c5cfa24-9906-4d05-9f6c-8e30d80045bd/events/calendar

DECEMBER

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Winter Concert (Orchestra, Jazz, Chorus)
Friday, December 12, 2025 Field trip to LHS preview concert (Orchestra & Chorus)
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 18, 2025 Jazz performance at Hanover and Asa Packer.

JANUARY

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 LHS Band & Orchestra Auditions
Friday, January 30, 2026 PMEA Intermediate Band and Orchestra Festival

FEBRUARY

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 All-City Band Rehearsal – Northeast Middle School 7:15 am
Wednesday, February 4. 2026 All-City Band Rehearsal – Northeast Middle School 7:15 am
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 All-City Band Concert – Northeast Midle School 7:30 pm
Friday, February 6, 2026 Phantoms National Anthem performance
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm

MARCH

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 PMEA Elementary Band & Orchestra Festival
Thursday, March 12, 2026 PMEA Elementary Band & Orchestra Festival (Snow date)
Friday, March 6, 2026 NMS at Northeast Jazz Festival
Friday, March 13, 2026 NMS at Broughal Jazz Festival
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Winter Color guard performance
Friday, March 20, 2026 NMS at Nitschmann Jazz Festival

APRIL

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 8th Grade Music & Drama Trip to NYC
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Mandatory Band Trip Meeting 7 pm
Friday, April 10, 2026 NIMAS Spring Bingo 6-9 pm
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Wendesday, April 29, 2025 Spring Band Concert 7 pm

MAY

Friday, May 15, 2026 Spring Band Trip
Saturday, May 16, 2026 Spring Band Trip
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2025 Orchestra Concert
Thursday, May 21, 2026 Uniform return night
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Performing Arts Banquet 6 – 9 pm

JUNE

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm

Share your photos of our ensembles performances.

We have created a google folder for you to share your photos and videos of the music ensembles performing throughout the school year. Just click the link below and add your photos.