Hello Hellgate Band Family!

Wow, we have so many rewarding band events for everyone coming up THAT WE GET TO DO! I am so appreciative of your upbeat contributions to our growth every day. "Practice creates confidence. Confidence empowers you" and the whole band.  We all know that excellence is not an accident, it is the habit of practice. And Hellgate has a long tradition of excellence thanks to students like you.

Thank you for being enthusiastic, focused, and helpful every day!  -Mr. Dochnahl

Upcoming Events - See our Events Page for the Full Calendar

• Feb 16, Pep Band practice, 4PM
• Feb 17, Pep Band GOAT games at Adams Center, cross-town double header,
  • Meet at Hellgate at 4:30 PM for a quick meal (Thanks, Band Parents!). We'll walk over together as a band at 5PM. You know what to wear!
• Feb 16-19, All-Northwest Honors groups in Bellevue:  Good luck to Stella, Elliot and Noah!
• Feb 21, Pep Band game, 6PM (boys senior night)
• Feb 22, Jazz Band Collaboration Concert at Sentinel, students meet at 6:20 PM, concert at 7PM
  • free admission - check out the best show in town that night
• Feb 23, Pep Band game, 6PM (girls senior night)
• Feb 27, UM Concert Band Festival (schedule and info)
  • Concert/Symphonic Bands + Percussion Ensemble (who are sound awesome!)
• Feb 28, UM Concert Band Festival, 11:30-2:00 for Percussion Ensemble only (schedule and info)
• March 3, Jazz Band plays at First Friday for Hellgate art club, at the Missoula Public Library
  • Be there at 4:30 PM, perform at 5-6:30ish PM
  • Attire - Hellgate band shirt
• March 5-7, AA Band Festival in Kalispell (Wind Ensemble)
  • Info and schedule
  • Turn in your $60 fee ASAP
• March 10-11, Pep Band at the State Basketball Tournament in Butte
  • Travel schedule TBD
  • Complete and return Medical Emergency Info and Code of Conduct Agreement ASAP
• Wednesday, March 15, 6:00 PM:  Hawaii Trip Meeting
  • Mandatory for all travelers + parent/guardian
  • Meet in the HHS Auditorium
• March 15, 7:00 PM:  Aloha Concert! – Hawaii Wind Ensemble
• March 16 or 17, UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival (schedule TBD)
• March 25-31:  Hawaii Tour!!!  Let’s be incredible!

Hello Hellgate Band Family!

Winter is always a rather busy time with festivals, pep band, and lots of exciting new music to learn. Thank you for your dependable, upbeat leadership and mindset. Your approach as a band family makes every day the best day to play music! -Mr. Dochnahl

Upcoming Events - See our Events Page for the Full Calendar

• Feb 2, Pep Band game, 6PM
• Feb 7, Practice Journal 1 Due on Google Classroom (keep your eyes out for regular practice journal checks)
• Feb 9, Pep Band practice, 4PM
• Feb 16, Pep Band practice, 4PM
• Feb 17, Pep Band GOAT games at Adams Center, cross-town double header,
  • Meet at Hellgate at 4:30 PM for a quick meal (Thanks, Band Parents!). We'll walk over together as a band at 5PM.
• Feb 16-19, All-Northwest Honors groups in Bellevue
• Feb 21, Pep Band game, 6PM (boys senior night)
• Feb 22, Jazz Band Collaboration Concert at Sentinel, students meet at 6:30 PM, concert at 7PM
• Feb 23, Pep Band game, 6PM (girls senior night)
• Feb 27, UM Concert Band Festival (schedule and info)
  • Concert/Symphonic Bands + Percussion Ensemble
• Feb 28, UM Concert Band Festival, 11:30-2:00 for Percussion Ensemble only (schedule TBD)
• March 5-7, AA Band Festival in Kalispell (Wind Ensemble)
  • Info and schedule
• March 10-11, Pep Band at the State Basketball Tournament in Butte
  • Travel schedule TBD

Happy New Year, Hellgate Band Family!

Upcoming Events - See our Events Page for the Full Calendar

• Tuesday, January 10, 6 PM:  Pep Band game
• Thursday, January 12, 4 PM:  Pep Band practice
• Friday, The 13th, 4:45 PM:  Pep Band game
  • Call time 4:45 PM, Double header vs Sentinel. We get to perform at both games! We need as many students as possible since it’s a cross town! You bring the spirit and the soul!
• Tuesday, January 17, 6 PM:  Pep Band game
• Thursday, January 19, 4 PM:  Pep Band practice
• Friday, January 20, 3:30 PM:  All-State Jazz Band rehearsals begin, at Hellgate
• Friday, January 20, 7:30 PM: UM Fusion Concert -- a rapid fire, must-see set of amazing performances by UM student ensembles and soloists, @ Dennison Theater. FREE for all K-12 students.
• Saturday, January 21, 8 PM:  Missoula Jazz Collective Concert with guest artists, @ Hellgate Auditorium
  • Free
• Sunday, January 22, 2:00 PM:  All-State Jazz Band Concert, @ Hellgate Auditorium
  • $10 general admission
• Monday, January 23, All day:  Women In Jazz Festival, @Big Sky HS
  • It's not too late to participate. Register for this unique, free, and powerful festival. Go for it!
  • Parents, thank you for encouraging your daughters to try something new and get more experience in their craft.
• Thursday, January 26, 6 PM:  Pep Band game

Happy Winter, Hellgate Band Family!

(Photo: HHS Wind Ensemble outreach concert for Bonner Elementary, December 7)

Upcoming Events - See our Events Page for the Full Calendar

• Wednesday, December 14, Winter Band Concert @HHS Auditorium, 7:00 PM
  • All members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band (advanced), Concert Band (intermediate), Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Band will perform.
  • Students arrive 6:30 PM, Concert starts at 7PM
  • Concert uniform (tuxedos and dresses!)
• Thursday, 12/15  Jazz Band at Riverside Health and Rehab, during 6th period (we'll bus over)
• Tuesday, 12/19, Jazz Band at Missoula Manor, students arrive 6:30, perform 7:00-8:00 PM (big band plus combos)
• Play Tests:  Keep up with your Google Classroom assignments and play tests, reach out with questions, schedule lessons, remember retakes are available. Thank you for working towards being your best every day.

Announcing All-Northwest Honors and All-State Jazz!  - Congratulations to the following HHS band students who were selected for the 2023 NAfME All-Northwest Honors in Bellevue, WA!

• Stella Michini - Band, horn
• Noah Rosulek - Jazz Band, guitar
• Elliot Smith - Band, bassoon

The All-NW honors groups are selected every two years based on audition recordings students make in October.  They will perform on February 18, 2023, alongside the best musicians from six states across the region. Whew!

And another congratulations to the following HHS students who were selected for the MT All-State Jazz Band, who will perform in Missoula, January 22, 2023, alongside the best jazz musicians in Montana.

• Dominic Gingerelli, trumpet
• Jake Robbins, drums
• Julien Alviar, alto sax
• Odin Berryman, trombone
• Wyatt Moore, trumpet
• Garon Jones, bass
• Gus Hickey, alto sax
• Noah Rosulek, guitar
• Roman Hulsey, trumpet
• Shohei Mori, drums
• Charles Schwarze, tenor sax
• Chloe Cotton, trombone
• Finn Moynahan, bass trombone
• Jackson Queneau, piano

We're immensely proud of the All-NW and All-State achievements and the inspiring work it takes to audition for these opportunities!

Pep Band + Drumline Is Rocking for Winter Season - Here are the Pep Band Details and Schedule for 2022-2023. Practice each Thursday after school, 4-5pm.

A small dose of positive medicine from much smarter people than me:

• "Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right." - Henry Ford
• "The greatness of a person is not in how much wealth they acquire, but in their integrity and ability to affect those around them positively." - Bob Marley
• "Wherever you are, be all there." - Jim Elliot
• "Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy." - band conductor Eric Hammer
• “Being positive isn’t pretending everything is good. It’s seeing the good in everything.” - band conductor Matthew Arau

Band Photo Album for this year. Please view and add more.

Whew, you made it! I appreciate you.

All for now,
Mr. Dochnahl

Citrus Delivery Day!! - 7:00 AM, Monday, December 5, 2022

Hey awesome students:  we need YOU and all your friends to help unload the truck at 7AM on Monday. We know it's super early, but the delivery truck is on a tight schedule. I'll bring the donuts. We got this! Please do everything you can to be a part of this important moment for the whole band program. Are you with me?!

We will unload through the back library doors and sort boxes in the hallway above the band room. After we unload the truck, every band will work in teams to check each and every piece of fruit for rot. It will smell amazing!

• Come to the band hallway. Find your order stacked along the hallway in the ALPHA order.  Your yellow order sheet will be taped to your collection of boxes.
• Check-in with the parent volunteers and double check that your order is correct AND that it has been checked for spoilage.
• Please double check your order before you load it in your vehicle.
• Vehicles can access the SE parking lot and use the library/auditorium entrance for entrance and loading.
• We will try to have several hand trucks/carts around to aid with taking your order to your vehicle.

Hello Hellgate Band Family!

Upcoming Events - See our Events Page for the Full Calendar

• Friday, 11/11 Jazz Band at Dillards (mall), students arrive at 4:30, perform at 5:00 PM, big band and combos
• Fri and Sat, 12/2-3, evening:  Small groups are invited to play at the Vintage Market @ the fairgrounds
• Wed, 12/7 - Wind Ensemble plays at Bonner Elementary, during 1st period (we will bus).
• Thur, 12/8  Jazz Combo at Kiwanis Club, 7:30-8:30 AM (one jazz combo - TBA), at the Missoula Country Club
• Thur, 12/15  Jazz Band at Riverside Health and Rehab, during 6th period (we'll bus over)
• Tuesday, 12/19, Jazz Band at Missoula Manor, students arrive 6:30, perform 7:00-8:00 PM (big band plus combos)
• Monday, November 21, Hawaii Progress Payment #3 Due
• Wednesday, December 14, Winter Band Concert @HHS Auditorium, 7:00 PM: 
  • All members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band (advanced), Concert Band (intermediate), Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Band will perform.
  • Students arrive 6:30 PM, Concert starts at 7PM
• Play Tests:  Keep up with your Google Classroom assignments and play tests, reach out with questions, schedule lessons, remember retakes are available. Thank you for working towards being your best every day.

Pep Band + Drumline Starts for Winter Season - I'm very excited to invite you to one of the best parts of winter--the Hellgate Pep Band+Drumline! Here are the Pep Band Details and Schedule for 2022-2023. 

Citrus Delivery, December 5:  Please plan to sort and deliver your fruit on the delivery day.

Tips for making every day in band rewarding:

1. Sign up for Private Lessons - What could be a better gift for the holidays! Check the Band Handbook for a directory, or reach out.
2. Practice every day to build myelin and confidence. You are expected to practice at least an hour each week as a member of your band. Help yourself improve by putting in the quality time.
3. Be a positive leader and help set up sectional practices outside of class weekly. These are enriching, independent activities that are super fun and rewarding when you put in the time. Make it a fun hang for your crew!
4. Be present! Attend class, be on time. Absences and tardies have been proven to have a negative impact on learning for the WHOLE class, not just the individual. Plus, you lose daily points for an absence or tardy.
5. Regularly check the Events Schedule.
6. Demonstrate exceptional Ensemble Skills ("appropriate knowledge, skills & techniques with your band") every day by being an upbeat, positive, mindful musician who's here to make the music soooooo good.
7. Listen to excellent music and musicians that play your instrument. Every day. We learn through listening, so be active and specific about your choices.

• “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ―Winston S. Churchill
• “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” —Booker T. Washington

Band Photo Album for this year. Please view and add more. Thank you.

Thank you everyone for helping each other flourish through this early winter season!

All for now,
Mr. Dochnahl

Link to Donate

Below is a QR Code to Donate via Square. Please feel free to share!

Hello Hellgate Band Students and Family,

"Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right." -Henry Ford

Congratulations to everyone in the band family for contributing to a very successful and busy start of the year! Whew! From the UM parade to the homecoming assembly; from the Missoula Jazz Concert to the All-State Jazz auditions; from the late drumline practices to the late football games; it's been a student-led success from the first week. Thank you for your leadership, commitment, integrity, and smiles throughout. Let's keep going for it!

If you see a scheduling conflict below, I need to know right away so that we can work out a positive compromise with credit recovery. Be proactive with your work schedules, too.

Upcoming Events - See our Events Page for the Full Calendar

• NOW!  Return your complete marching uniform in the uniform bag checked to the band room. Please be sure it's all hanging appropriately in the bag, with shoes at the bottom. Thanks for your care and accountability.
• Thursday, October 6, at 5:45 PM, Band in the stands @MCPS Stadium, required for all.
  • Bring:  LYRE for your instrument, flip folio, water bottle, your instrument.  Please bring all of this with you to the MCPS stadium (Big Sky).
  • Uniform will be red, gold (or whatever the theme might be)! 
  • Percussionists - let's load gear after school at 4:00 (need parent volunteers to help with transport to AND from).
  • We are making plans to have food available for the band immediately after halftime.
• Citrus Sale Fundraiser starts October 10. Details and order forms will be distributed in class. Order forms and money due Tuesday October 25. 
• Monday, October 17, Hawaii Progress Payment #2 Due
• Tuesday, October 18, Fall Band Concert @HHS Auditorium:  All members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band (advanced), Concert Band (intermediate), Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Band will perform. Call time is 6:30 pm, Hellgate band room.
  • We hope to have our new Concert Uniforms checked out to all students after school Wednesday, October 12, 4PM (thanks to our incredible uniform parent-team!)
• All-State Music Festival in Bozeman, October 19-21:  Our amazing All-State Honors students will be rehearsing and performing alongside Montana's best. Wish them all the best!
• Play Tests:  Keep up with Google Classroom and our posted daily agenda during class to be sure you're keeping up with your performance assessments and our learning targets. Every week we work towards individual and group Step by S.T.E.P growth.

Concert Checklist for Students

• Concert uniform! See page 8 of the Band Handbook to review what you need (footwear, bowtie, etc).
• Music with folder, accessories (extra reeds, neckstrap, valve oil, etc)
• Percussion:  all instruments, sticks, mallets, music, music stand, trap table, all ready to go
• Patch cables and amps for guitar/bass
• Water bottle
• Mindful breathing and endless enthusiasm to share your bands' growth this fall.

That's all for now. I wish you a rewarding, productive, and upbeat October!

Mr. Dochnahl

Hello Hellgate Band Students and Family,

We have several exciting band events on our doorstep, so please read below for updates and reminders. I appreciate everyone's time, effort, and enthusiasm as we work together to perform at our first parade in 3 years! Thank you for your commitment to the band and community.

If you see a scheduling conflict, I need to know right away so that we can work out a positive compromise. Be proactive with your work schedules, too.

Upcoming Events - See our Events Page

• Monday, September 12:  Hawaii Trip, 1st Payment and Commitment Contract due
• Saturday, September 17, 12:30 – 7:00 PM (Saturday), Band Camp
  • Homecoming Practice (parade and field show) - have comfy shoes, dress for the weather
  • Required for all band/percussion musicians
  • Pizza dinner break provided 5:00 PM
• Uniform Checkout:  Sept 19-20
  
  • With help from our amazing parent volunteers, students will size and check-out uniforms during class and after school (preferable)
  • Bring your uniform home right away.
• Wednesday, September 21, 7:00 PM, Jazz Band Concert at Hellgate High School Auditorium
  • The band will open for the Missoula Jazz Orchestra and guest star Shane Endsley
  • Call time 6:15pm in Hellgate band room.
  • Uniform:  Hellgate band t-shirts, nice pants.
  • $10 admission for adults, free for MCPS students
• Shane Endsley will visit and work with the Jazz Band on Thursday, Sept 22, 8:00 - 9:00 AM.
• Saturday, September 24, 8:00 - 11:00 AM, UM Homecoming Parade
  • Arrive early in full uniform, check out beret and gloves, be ready to rock at 8:00 AM
  • 8:10 Full Band photo in the courtyard
  • 8:30 Load busses at Hellgate, bus to fairgrounds, form parade squads and warmup together on grass area
  • 9:15 Perform with all bands in Band Circle (fairgrounds--parents/families are invited to watch this awesome event)
  • 10:15 - Rock the parade along South Ave, (Hellgate is slotted to be the 11th "band" in the parade order)
  • March back to Hellgate HS, put equipment away, cleanup band room, head home, ~11AM
  • Required curricular event for all band/percussion students
• Wednesday, September 28, 4-5:30 PM, our last Marching Band rehearsal. Required for all (field practice).
• Friday, 9/30, 2:50 PM call-time, School Assembly Performance (all bands/drumline) in main gym
• Friday, September 30, at 5:30 PM, Homecoming Game @UM Griz Stadium, required for all.
  • Bring:  LYRE for your instrument, flip folio, water bottle, your instrument.  Please bring all of this with you to the UM Grizzly Stadium.
  • We will likely wear our Marching Uniforms for this game. Berets, gloves, and gauntlets will be brought to the stadium for checkout. Return immediately after the game.
  • Percussionists - we will make a plan for loading gear after school at 4:00 (need parent volunteers to help with transport).
  • All, bring your instrument with you to the UM Griz Stadium, meet at the SOUTH entrance, 5:30 PM.
  • We are making plans to have food available for the band during 3rd quarter (after halftime performance)
• Thursday, October 6, at 6PM, Band in the stands @MCPS Stadium, required for all.
  • Bring:  LYRE for your instrument, flip folio, water bottle, your instrument.  Please bring all of this with you to the MCPS stadium (Big Sky).
  • Uniform will be the red, gold, black that you wear for Spirit Day on Friday! 
  • Percussionists - load gear after school at 4:00 (need parent volunteers to help with transport).
  • We are making plans to have food available for the band during 3rd quarter

Drumline Rehearsals (for all percussionists):  Mondays, 7pm. Our student leaders are coordinating with the whole drumline team for weekly evening practices. If you cannot attend a practice, please contact me. Thank you for your commitment to this extraordinary team of drummers!

Music Honors Groups to Join:  Go for it!

• Missoula Youth Symphony (yearlong): Details on Google Classroom. Audition with Mr. Davis this week.
• All-State Jazz Band:  Audition recordings due October 3, details and music on Classroom
• All-Northwest Band:  recordings due October 10, details and music on Classroom
• All-City Jazz: Online registration coming soon. All Jazz students should consider this amazing program!

AND FINALLY, it was a delight to meet so many parents at our first Band Parent Meeting last week. If you missed it, please signup for volunteer opportunities. Thank you! All band parent communication can be sent to: hellgatebandparents@gmail.com

That's all for now. Here's to a wonderful year of music, together! -Mr. Dochnahl

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato

Dear Hellgate Band family,

Welcome to a new year with YOUR Hellgate High School Band Family! Congratulations on your decision to commit to something very special with so many students this year; a tradition of comprehensive musicianship, leadership, and excellence with the Hellgate Band.

Students and parents, please read the attached Welcome Letter. It will direct you to our Band Handbook on our band website for specific details on grading, uniforms, concerts, fees, and much more. It also provides a checklist and forms to help get a successful start to the year of music. I've also snail-mailed a hard copy of this letter--hopefully you will receive it. I can't thank you enough for your time and efforts in these first few weeks!

– Mr. Jesse Dochnahl, your band teacher-conductor

Some of my early summer fun other than music:  raising money for kids (and breaking my body) by riding the RATPOD and running the Missoula Marathon on the same weekend. Type 2 "fun"! -Mr. Dochnahl