Weekly News of Note
February 8 – February 14
@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 2/9
- Early morning band
Tuesday 2/10
- Early morning orchestra
Wednesday 2/11
- Early morning jazz band
Thursday 2/12
- Early morning band
Friday 2/13
- No School
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
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
PAYMENT 4, $100 per participant, was due on January 20, 2026. Please make sure your payments are up to date.
Payment 5, $144 per participant, is due February 20, 2026.
- 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/.
8th Grade Music & Drama Trip to NYC
The final payment of $50 per person is due by January 28, 2026.
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 next NIMAS general membership meeting is Wednesday, February 18, 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
FEBRUARY
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026 NIMAS General Membership Meeting 7:30 pm
- Thursday, February 19, 2026 SChool yearbook group photos (students need to wear their blue ID shirt)
MARCH
- Friday, March 6, 2026 NMS at Northeast Jazz Festival
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026 PMEA Elementary Band & Orchestra Festival
- Thursday, March 12, 2026 PMEA Elementary Band & Orchestra Festival (Snow date)
- 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
- Friday, April 17, 2026 Parkland Middle School Jazz Festival Time TBD
- 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.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1L3mW4OtirRLvtJ_Mb1V61uoBNDL5R-dy?usp=sharing
It is time for our second Java Joe’s fundraiser. It’s 100% contactless, students receive 20% of the profit and the product ships directly to the buyer.
Each participant creates their own store to sell Java Joe’s coffee, smoothies, frappes, non-frozen baking mixes and gourmet fudge!
Our fundraising window begins on February 01, 2026 at 12:00 PM and goes until February 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Before the fundraiser begins:
1. Download the Java Joe’s Fundraising App
2. Enter our event code LMZAKH in the app
3. Create your online Store
The app is available for free on iOS and Android.
A Sweet Treat for Valentine’s Day!
Get ready to share the love – and the cookies! Our local gourmet cookie shop, La Madame Biscuit (located at 716 E 4th Street, Bethlehem, PA), has partnered with NIMAS to bring delicious treats to our community just in time for Valentine’s Day!
We are selling, half dozen gourmet cookies in regular ($23) and gluten friendly ($25) options. Cookies will be sold in assortment (chocolate chip, funfetti and salted toffee) or by choosing one type of either chocolate chip, funfetti or salted toffee. Students will be earning $2 per half dozen towards their fair share accounts.
In addition to the half dozen cookies we are also selling Chocolate chip cookie bouquets, a perfect gift for someone special for Valentine’s Day!. They are available in regular ($45) or gluten friendly ($47) options. Students will be earning $2.50 per bouquet for their fair share accounts. Pre-order Is required for the cookie bouquets and will only be available for pickup on February 13 between 10am-6pm and February 14 between 12pm-5pm. Please make sure to contact La Madame Biscuit at 610-653- 2741 before picking up your bouquets.
When you order your cookies, you will be given a coupon for the type of cookies you have ordered. Then you can pickup your order between 2/13-2/27 at their location at 716 East 4th Street, Bethlehem, PA. Cookies are baked fresh to order. Walk-ins are welcome, but please allow 20 minutes for gluten friendly options. If you are short on time, feel free to call ahead with your order and they will have them ready for you when
you arrive.
Downloadable order form
Sold in $100 increments
$4.00 of every $100 purchased goes to your fair share account.
Contact Mrs. Prowse at georgiaprowse@gmail.com .
