OCHS BAND PROGRAM FAQ s

Transcription

1 OCHS BAND PROGRAM FAQ s - Frequently Asked Questions - What is the time commitment for 9th Graders, and for 10-12th Grade Marching Band? What is the volunteer time commitment for my family? Can my child participate in other clubs and be a member of the band? Can students participate in marching band and be enrolled in accelerated classes? We go on vacation in the August; can my student miss practices or performances? Are the performances mandatory? (Concerts, Marching, Pep Band) What is the OCHS Band Requirement for music lessons? What is Studio? How often will my student have band? What is Knight Advisory? Are there any other expenses to participate in band? Explain the Bi-Annual Spring Trip. What are the different fund raisers? Explain the Bradley Center fund raiser. How much does the Bradley Center pay to work their events? I m not sure my questions were answered in this packet, how can get more information?

2 What is the time commitment for 9th Graders, and for 10-12th Grade Marching Band? 9th Graders will experience everything that the Marching Band Experiences in an introductory way without the rigorous schedule during their first transitional year into High School. They will not be required to attend any weeknight rehearsals or weekend performances for MB. They will be required to attend 4 Summer Sectionals, ½ of all BB Pep Band Performances, Summer Sectionals, ALL Homecoming Week Festivities, the Saturday State Competition, and the Sunday Encore Performance. For 10th-12th Grade MB, Marching Season usually begins the 1st full week of August and continues until late October. The band rehearses M-T-Th from 5:30-9:30pm in August and T-Th from 6-9 pm once classes begin in September and October. There are also band camps from 9 am-3 pm on Saturdays in August and September. In addition, there are Performances on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October as well as home varsity football games on Friday nights. Students are required to be at all rehearsals, camps, and performances. It is busy, but a very rewarding schedule. What is the volunteer time commitment for my family? The level of commitment is entirely up to you and your family; however, the atmosphere is addicting. While your student is getting to know his/her new classmates, parents are also making some new lifelong friends. During Marching Season parents gather in the band room to fit uniforms, sew, iron, do paperwork, cook, chaperone, as well as move, repair and create equipment and best of all, help out wherever needed. There are a lot of students in band, and it takes many volunteers to make it successful. No matter what your level of expertise, we always welcome your help. After October, the schedule is less intensive, and volunteering is much less. Volunteers are needed during concerts, pep bands, solo ensemble, band tour and fundraisers. Can my child participate in other clubs and be a member of the band? Absolutely! EVERY activity offered at Oak Creek High School is represented by at least one member of the OCHS Band. Obviously Marching Season has the most conflicts (Boys: football, cross country, volleyball, soccer. Girls: swimming, cross country, volleyball, tennis). We encourage our students to be active, and are known by all coaches to be very flexible with student athletes. Students who choose to belong to more than one group will be faced with the task of communicating with the coaches and directors, and planning ahead to be at BOTH events as much as possible. Students involved in this type of schedule will usually attend their sporting event, and immediately come to band rehearsal for the remainder of the practice. Priority should be given to the activity which has a game or performance, versus just a practice. For 9th graders, this is not nearly as much of a problem, as they are not required to attend after school rehearsals 1st Quarter. They must plan ahead to attend the Homecoming Friday Night Football Game and the Homecoming Parade, as well as State and Encore Marching Band Performances. Many students are very successful at participating in multiple groups. Please keep in mind that the more groups your student is a part of, the bigger the time commitment. They will need to be prepared to manage their time wisely in order to balance their extra curricular activities with their studies. A students studies are always the most important thing, and per the activity code their grades often dictate whether or not they are allowed to participate in extracurricular activities.

3 Can students participate in marching band and be enrolled in accelerated classes? Yes, most students are able to do very well in both. The band consists of many High Honors and Renaissance students. We have had multiple Valedictorian and Salutatorian students that were 4 year members of the band. We expect high academic performance from all of our students. The most amazing thing is that many students actually do better during marching season because they have to manage their time better. Band students have a long standing reputation for being among the best in the school! We go on vacation in the August; can my student miss practices or performances? The expectation from the band is a 100% commitment th graders learn most of their marching show in the month of August. If your family is able to vacation in June or July that is HIGHLY preferred. However, we understand that families go on vacation and have things to do and will work with your family to balance practice and home life. We work very hard to present the Full Year s Schedule to you in May of the previous year to avoid any and all conflicts. Please check the band schedule and make every effort to avoid conflicts if at all possible. Are the performances mandatory? (Concerts, Marching, Pep Band) Yes, students are required to participate in all activities as part of their comprehensive music education within the OCHS Band. It is expected that students and parents will make every possible effort to avoid missing any performances. The band schedule is in place for the entire year so that you are able to plan ahead 9th graders are expected to be at every performance on their schedule. Most Marching Band dates do not apply to 9th graders. However, 9th graders are required to attend 4 Summer Sectionals, One Summer Saturday Camp, The Homecoming Parade and Game, The State Marching Competition and the OCHS Encore Performance. ½ Basketball Pep Band performances, 3 Concert Band Concerts, and The Solo Ensemble Festival are required as well. What is the OCHS Band Requirement for music lessons? What is Studio? Lessons are recommended. Lessons are always available with either Music Director, and can be arranged by setting up a time with them. Private lessons outside of school are highly encouraged! Lessons are the most valuable form of enrichment that will benefit your individual student and the entire band program. If you can afford private lessons for your student, you should definitely sign them up. If you need help finding a teacher, just ask the band directors for assistance. While lessons are not required, we do have studio sessions in each ensemble, which are breakout sessions for each instrument section. These are part of their daily band class 2-3 times / Quarter. How often will my student have band? What is Knight Advisory? Your student will have band class every day during school for at least one period. Some students take multiple periods of band when they are older. They also must ensure that they are in a Band Knight Advisory which serves as a Homeroom, but also gives us time to stay organized, and build our family unit through activities, study habits, and work ethic.

4 Are there any other expenses to participate in band? At the mandatory parent meeting in August, Freshmen parents are asked to pay a $100 transportation fee and 10th 12th grade parents are asked to pay a $200 transportation fee to help cover the cost of all busses which are used for student travel, Clinicians, Equipment, and Expenses throughout the school year. Percussion students are required to purchase an OCHS Stick Bag (or equivalent) from Lincoln Music House for approx. $48. This 1-time purchase will follow percussionists all 4 years. During performances, rehearsals, and band camps, parents are also asked to provide various food items which are used to feed the students. Generally your assigned item will cost about $5. Students are also required to make a one time purchase of a Blue Band Polo, which costs $25. This shirt will be used for the next 4 years for all Basketball Pep Band Games, and the 4th of July Parade, as well as other public performances. Money should NEVER be a reason for our students to not participate. There are many ways to help offset difficult times for families, and can usually be worked out through the directors. Explain the Bi-Annual Spring Trip. The band trip is one of the highlights of the OCHS band program. The average cost of the trip ranges from $ per student. Fundraising opportunities are available to offset the cost of the trip. The dates of the trip vary every other year during Spring Break SY; SY and so on will be trip years. Students should not usually miss school if any at all because the trip occurs during break. We also try to take a Single Day Trip somewhere more local during the off-trip years (Chicago, Madison, etc) SY; SY. On a trip year - Parents whose students are traveling are required to attend a mandatory meeting with their student prior to the trip where the detailed itinerary and expectations are reviewed. The schedule is filled with a variety of educational and musical experiences. All students and staff travel via coach busses. The students are supervised by staff and parents who are familiar with the students and are able to care for them if medical issues should arise. The trip is not mandatory; however, all students are encouraged to attend and most will choose to do so. Some of our past trips include: New Orleans, LA, Colorado Springs, CO, Atlanta, GA, Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL, Toronto, CAN, Philadelphia, Nashville, TN, and Boston, MA. What are the different fundraisers? The band has many different fundraising opportunities throughout the year. You can choose to participate in some or all opportunities. We have many popular fundraising items; McDonald's Coupons, & Cheesecakes. You can also choose to work at the concessions stand at the Home Football, or Basketball Games as a way to offset your child s trip cost. If you re looking for a more flexible option; The Bradley Center / New Bucks Arena is our largest and most efficient fundraiser by far.

5 Explain the Bradley Center / Bucks Arena fundraiser. The band has been involved with the Arenas for many years and was recently named Group of the Year for our dedication. We are committed to working approximately 50+ events a year. Lists of events are ed and you can choose to work as few or as many events as you would like. If you choose to work an event, all parents carpool together to get to the Arenas. Groups are responsible for: managing the operation of a stand, serving guests, handling cash and food products, dispensing soda and beer, accounting for cash and inventory, and cleaning up the stand at the conclusion of the event. Some online alcohol training, and dress code are required. How much does the Bradley Center / Arena pay to work their events? Every event is different. A typical Bucks game can give you between $30 - $40 in your child's account. Some events will pay as much as $90. Most events are in the evening and last approximately 5-6 hours. You are responsible for writing down the name of the student you are working for before you leave the event. It s a great way to earn money for your child and to get to meet other parents in band. I m not sure my questions were answered in this packet, how can get more information? Please Come to the Band Meeting during the OCHS Open House in February. Talk to current OCHS Band Members and Parents If that doesn t work Please us! is always the preferred method of contact for both Ms. Fuchs and Mr. Gregg. We welcome your questions ANY time, and will usually get back to you within 1 business day. Amy Fuchs: a.fuchs@ocfsd.org Guy Gregg: g.gregg@ocfsd.org Please visit our website by Google Searching Oak Creek High School Band Also ask to join our Facebook page : Oak Creek HS Band