Summer 2026 updates
@NMSBandorch – @NIMASParents – www.nmsim.org – NIMAS Facebook Group
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
I hope you have all had an enjoyable summer. It is hard to believe that Summer Music Camp begins next week on Monday, August 3 and will run Monday – Friday through Friday, August 14.
You can find many answers to questions you may have regarding all aspects of the program by viewing the Instrumental Music Handbook. You can find it at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s1RvpXNO9ap0kpYAGM5LEXuVW9nrHYMo6kpFtWnejvI/edit?tab=t.0
Please take a moment to fully read the information below. You will be able to access this information on the instrumental music website, www.nmsim.org. If your child will not be participating this year, please send me an email at dzettlemoyer@basdschools.org and let me know so I can remove them from the roster.
The most important item for everyone is the attached (writeable PDF) MEDICAL FORM that you will need to complete and bring with you on the first day you attend Summer Music Camp or email back to me before you attend Summer Music Camp. We do not have a school nurse on duty during summer music camp. We need this information in the event that there is an emergency. Your options for completing the medical form are:
1) Fill out the form, save it and email it to me. You can use a program such as KAMI. If you don’t know what KAMI is, ask your child as they use it regularly to complete online forms.
2) Print it out, write in your information and send it in with your child.
3) Print out the form, fill out the information, sign it, take a photo of it, and email it to me at dzettlemoyer@basdschools.org.
You will find all the details for summer camp in the section below. If you have any questions, please contact me via email as you will receive a faster response.
Sincerely,
Mr. Zettlemoyer
Summer Music Camp Information
SUMMER MUSIC CAMP DATES
Monday, August 3 – Friday, August 7
Monday, August 10 – Friday, August 14
*All students should enter through the auditorium entrance. Orchestra students who will participate in jazz band may stay through until their jazz band rehearsal begins.
The daily rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Orchestra: 7:30am – 8:30 am (This is for all students who are on the roster for orchestra. You will receive an email confirming your child’s participation in the orchestra. If your child is a string player they are definitely in orchestra. Wind and percussion students are selected at the discretion of the director. All wind and percussion members in the orchestra must participate in marching/concert band)
Marching Band: 9:00am – 11:00am (This is for all students who play a wind or percussion instrument **AND **the members of the color guard.)
Jazz Band: 11:30am – 12:30pm(This is an auditioned ensemble and generally consists of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass and drum set. Other instruments are added based upon the repertoire and students’ interest. Anyone interested in participating in jazz band is welcome to attend the open rehearsals during summer music camp. Student auditions for the jazz band will take place when the school year begins. (1st or 2nd week) Only materials covered during summer music camp will be on the audition.)
All wind and percussion members who want to participate in jazz band MUST participate in band. The only exception is electric guitar, electric bass, and piano.
*Please let me know if your child is interested in participating in the jazz band rehearsals during summer camp so I can make sure there are enough materials on hand.
ATTENDANCE FOR SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
It is highly recommended that students attend all the days of summer music camp. This is the only time all year where we have this much time to work on things. If your child will be absent, please send me an email so I can keep track of what they missed and make sure they receive all the materials that will be distributed.
SCHOOL INSTRUMENT AND COLOR GUARD EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION
School instruments and color guard equipment will be distributed to students who need them the first day they attend rehearsal. I will address the need for school and home instruments for the larger instruments on a case-by-case basis.
WHAT DO STUDENTS NEED FOR SUMMER MUSIC CAMP REHEARSAL?
Orchestra:
Students will need to bring a pencil, their medical form (day 1), and their instrument if they have a personal instrument. String bass and cello students will receive their school instrument on the first day. Violin and viola students who need a school instrument will receive their instrument on the first day.
String students should purchase their own instrument rosin. Recommendations for the type of rosin your child will need at available at http://www.nmsim.org/orchestra/
Band:
Band students will need a pencil, their instrument, a water bottle, an instrument lyre and music folio. Students who need a school instrument will receive their instrument on the first day of summer music camp.
(Click this link to see pictures of what the lyre and folio look like for each instrument.) These items can be purchased at most local music stores, online music stores or on Amazon.) Students will most definitely need an instrument lyre and march folio for the second week.
Students should bring water in a non-glass container.
Band students (this includes the color guard) must wear sneakers for rehearsals. Students cannot wear flip flops, sandals, or crocs. Closed toe shoes with a full back are required. Your child must have the appropriate footwear in order to participate.
Jazz Band:
Jazz band students will need a pencil and their instrument for summer music camp rehearsals. If you child is interested in participating in open jazz band rehearsals during summer music camp, send me an email and I will add them to the roster.
MUSIC DISTRIBUTION
Music for all ensembles will be distributed during rehearsal. Marching band music is also be available to download from the website. Students are responsible for all the music they receive. All music must be returned at the end of the season/year.
CUTTIME MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
All parents/guardians will receive a text or email from the Cut Time management program. them to set up their own username and password.
Please take a moment to add your personal contact information, including your address, and phone number were you can receive text messages. The new version of Cut Time is text driven, meaning that is the systems primary method of communication.
Cut Time is an online program is where you will find all the information for the instrumental music program from the weekly newsletter, to the calendar, to financial obligations. All emails I send will come from the Cut Time program.
All returning parents/guardians/students can log into the program using the current magic link. If you require a reset, just let me know.
If you have any questions or see that I have missed something, please let me know and I’ll make sure it gets added.
See all of your program messages, events, financial information, and more in your CutTime Dashboard. If you have not received a CutTime wleome message, email me and I’ll resend it to you.
7/17/2026 (2 items: Bingo & Dine to Donate)
SAVE THE DATE/PLAN YOUR BASKET!
NIMAS Families,
As you’re out and about this summer, it’s a great time to start scooping up items to make gift basket donations for our Fall Bingo and Basket fundraiser.
This year, bingo night will take place earlier than usual, on Friday, Sept. 18, to help raise funds to offset the costs of our anticipated band trip in November (pending school board approval), as well as other instrumental music expenses throughout the school year.
We need your support to make this fundraiser successful. One big way you can help is by donating gift baskets. (Sign-ups for monetary and food donations will be sent out closer to the event.) We won’t need the baskets until September, but now is the perfect time to start planning and preparing. Thank you for your support!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA5AA2FA4FBC70-64706667-fall
Maggie Georges
Wednesday, July 22 from 11am – 11pm
Join us for our dine to donate event at PJ Whelihan’s Bethlehem location (3395 High Point Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18017). The event runs 11AM-11PM.
Let the server know you’re with NIMAS/Nitschmann.
6/19/2026
Each person (students, parents, guardians) in the CutTime database has been sent an invite with a “Magic link” to sign into CutTime. This will be the primary means of communication to parents and students.
*Check your smap/junk folder if you did not receive the link.
6/19/2026
NMS percussion placement audition – Sent directly to each band percussion student and their parents/guardians.
Each percussionist is required to complete the percussion placement audition no later than Monday July 20, 2026. This audition will be used to place percussionists on the instrument they will play for performances with the marching band. (Snare drum, bass drum cymbals, quads)
Students are to play the top notes (snare drum part) of the music you received with the email with this form.
Directions for recording.
Music: Ensure you are practicing the top notes (snare drum part) of the sheet music that was emailed to you alongside this form. Even if you want to play quads or bass drum, everyone is being evaluated on this specific snare part.
Recording setup: When setting up your phone or camera to record the VIDEO, double-check the framing. The director explicitly needs to see both you and your hands clearly while you are playing so they he evaluate your technique, grip, and posture.
The File Name: Before you upload it, change the file name from whatever default your device gives it (like IMG_4321.mp4) to your full name (e.g., John_Doe.mp4).
The Upload: Make sure to use the specific Google Drive folder link provided in your original form or email to submit the video.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC HANDBOOK – 2026 – 2027
The calendar for next year is now available at http://www.nmsim.org/eventscal/
COLOR GUARD INFORMATION
COLOR GUARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
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, August 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the instrumental music room.
Attendees should enter through the MAIN BUILDING ENTRANCE. Doors will be unlocked from 7:15 – 7:45 P.M.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2026-2027 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 2026 – 2027 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
AUGUST
August 3 – 7, 2026 Summer Music Camp
- Orchestra 7:30 – 8:30 am
- Band 9 am – 11 am
- Jazz Band 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
August 10 – 14, 2026 Summer Music Camp
- Orchestra 7:30 – 8:30 am
- Band 9 am – 11 am
- Jazz Band 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Join us at our Red Robin Dine to Donate / Meet and greet with the director.
Sold in $100 increments
$4.00 of every $100 purchased goes to your fair share account.
Contact Mrs. Prowse at georgiaprowse@gmail.com .
