BE PART OF THE BAND! An informational packet for prospective students and parents WELCOME It is my pleasure to invite you to become a part of the 2018-2019 Freedom High School Band Program! Our award-winning band is one of the largest and most popular organizations at Freedom High School. In our short history, we have earned many accolades and are recognized as having one of the finest band programs in the area. The band program is a four-year Virginia Honor Band. The concert bands have earned superior ratings at the District XVI Band Assessment and first place honors at competitions in Jackson, NJ, Myrtle Beach, SC, and Universal Studios, Orlando, FL. The band also recently performed at You re Instrumental workshop at Disney World and will perform at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL in 2018. The Jazz Ensemble has performed alongside Grammy-nominated professional musicians and has earned superior ratings at the Chantilly, Mid-Atlantic, and Loudoun County Jazz Festivals. In 2016, the Jazz Ensemble was named Best Overall at the Loudoun County Jazz Assessment. The Winterguard has earned many first-place awards at Atlantic Indoor Association, Winter Guard International, and USBands competitions and has earned the gold medal at the Atlantic Indoor Association Circuit Championships. The Indoor Drumline has also earned many awards at Atlantic Indoor Association and Winter Guard International competitions and is a four-time silver medalist at the AIA Championships. The Indoor Drumline has also earned the bronze medal at the WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH. The Marching Band has earned numerous first place awards at local and regional competitions, superior ratings at the VBODA State Marching Assessment, is a three-time USBands Virginia State Champion, earned second place at the USBands National Championships at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, and earned first place for two consecutive years at the James Madison University Parade of Champions. As you begin thinking about your plans for next school year, especially for rising freshmen who will are preparing for the exciting transition from middle to high school, I want to share some thoughts about our program and how it benefits your child. Playing music in band allows students to be artistic and creative, but it is so much more. For four years, the Band Room becomes like a second home its members who are surrounded by supportive and safe atmosphere. Members are engaged at the highest levels among the best and brightest students at Freedom High School. Often, the senior class valedictorian or salutatorian (or both!) is a band member. Band is a place where students will be challenged to pursue excellence while learning about character, commitment, teamwork, and leadership. These are the values and skills will help students grow into successful young adults. This packet contains a lot of information about the various band programs we offer at Freedom High School, how you can get involved, and some interesting facts and statistics about band members. Feel free to contact me anytime at joel.galway@lcps.org or visit the FHS Band page at https://www.lcps.org/domain/1997 if you have further questions. Joel P. Galway Director of Bands
WHAT ARE THE BAND CLASSES? Concert Band (Concert Band 1) is our intermediate-level concert band class consisting primarily of 9th and 10th grade brass and woodwind players. No audition is required for placement into this ensemble if you participated in 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade band. Wind Symphony (Concert Band 2) is our advanced-level concert band class consisting primarily of 10 th through 12 th grade brass, woodwind, and percussion players along with some advanced 9th grade students. Placement into this ensemble is by audition. Artist Wind Ensemble (Concert Band 3) is our artist-level concert band class consisting of the most advanced brass, woodwind, and percussion players. Placement into this ensemble is by audition. Jazz Ensemble is our advanced-level jazz class consisting of saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, and drum set players. Placement into this ensemble is by audition with priority in placement given to students taking Jazz Ensemble as their second band class, coupled with another band class. Percussion Ensemble (Instrumental Methods) consists of intermediate-level percussion players. Members of this class perform as a percussion ensemble and serve as the percussion section for the Concert Band. Each band class meets during a regular class period and fulfills one fine arts credit needed for graduation. Subsequent years fulfill required elective credits. For classes that require an audition (Wind Symphony, Artist Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble), auditions consisting of major scales, a prepared piece, and sight-reading are held in April. Initially, rising freshmen brass and woodwind players should register for Concert Band 1 and percussionists should register for Instrumental Methods. Rising 10-12 th grade members can sign up for any band class, then after auditions are completed in April, schedule changes will be taken care of automatically. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BAND CLASSES How often do the band classes perform? Every year, the band classes perform a Holiday Concert in December, at the District Assessment in late February/early March, and a Spring Concert in May. In addition, the Jazz Ensemble performs at one or two regional competitions, at the Loudoun County Jazz Festival, and at the Freedom High School Jazz Cabaret in May. Do the band classes practice outside of school hours? Yes, but not very often. Prior to each concert, the various band classes rehearse 2-4 times. Prior to District Concert Assessment, the groups rehearse 4-6 times. Please see the 2017-2018 Band Master Calendar for an idea of how this works. We work hard to minimize conflicts with sports practices. Can I be in band if I m also in AOS or AET? Yes! However, Wind Symphony and Artist Wind Ensemble usually meet on B days which is when Freshmen and Sophomores go to AOS and AET, so freshmen and sophomores who place into those ensembles must be in the Concert Band/Percussion Ensemble which meet on A days until their junior and senior years. Freshmen and Sophomores in AOS or AET may need to take a summer or online class to make room for an elective. Can I play sports and be in band? Yes! We have many athletes in the band program at Freedom High School. Scheduling conflicts in the evening between games, rehearsals, and concerts are infrequent and always easily resolved by the band director and coaches. Do the band classes take any trips? Yes! In 2012, the band performed in Myrtle Beach, SC, at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ in 2017, and in Orlando, FL in 2010, 2014, and 2018. Can I be in a band class all four years of high school? Yes! The first year, band fulfills one elective credit needed for graduation and subsequent years fulfill elective credits. Even students who strive for an advanced-studies diploma, take several AP classes, and are part of the Academy of Science program can be in band four years. Colleges love to see students stick with an activity for many years. How does being in band help me get into college? Colleges appreciate students who participate in activities like band in addition to maintaining good grades. Band experience looks great on college applications! Students in band learn how to work hard, manage their time effectively, how to work together as a team, and leadership skills. These valuable skills help students succeed in high school and beyond. In addition, many schools offer scholarships for participation in band at the college level, and you don t have to be a music major to get them!
WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM MARCHING BAND? The Spirit of Freedom Marching Band is one of the largest, most popular, and most successful activities at Freedom High School. Marching band is an optional co-curricular, after-school band activity that takes place during the fall sports season (August through early November). It operates much like a fall sport with after-school practices and weekend competitions. The band consists of brass, woodwind, percussion, and piano players plus a dance-oriented color guard. Membership is encouraged but not required for students enrolled in a band class. woodwind players must be enrolled in a band class to participate in Marching Band. Percussionists must be enrolled in a music class. Colorguard members do not need to be in a music class. Membership is by audition. A three-day audition camp is tentatively set for the following dates: o Friday, June 1 from 6:00 o Saturday, June 2 from 1:00 4:00 PM o Monday, June 4 from 6:00 o Attendance at all three sessions is required. If selected, members are required to attend 90% (113 out of 126 total hours) of the summer rehearsals listed on the calendars below: JULY 2018 Tentative Subject to Change SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Percussion 6:00 18 19 Percussion 6:00 20 21 22 23 24 Full Band 6:00 25 26 Full Band 6:00 27 28 29 30 31 Woodwinds 6:00 Red = Full Band (Everyone) Purple = Woodwinds Blue = Percussion Green = Colorguard Orange =
AUGUST 2018 Tentative Subject to Change SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 3 4 5 6 7 Mandatory Parent Meeting 7:00 PM 8 2 Colorguard 1:00 Percussion 1:00 4:15 5:15 PM Woodwinds 6:00 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Parent Preview Show 7:00 PM 18 19 20 26 27 4:15 5:00 PM Percussion 6:30 21 28 Woodwinds 4:30 Colorguard 6:30 22 29 Full Band 5:00 8:00 PM 23 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Woodwinds 4:30 Percussion 4:30 8:00 PM 30 Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion 4:30 24 Possible Home Football Game 31 Possible Home Football Game 25 SAT TEST Mattress Sale Fundraiser Full Band 1:00 Red = Full Band (Everyone) Purple = Woodwinds Blue = Percussion Green = Colorguard Orange = When the school year begins, the Marching Band schedule is as follows (subject to change): o Mondays: Percussion, 6:30 (if no school on Monday, percussion will rehearse on Tuesday from 4:30 ) o Tuesdays: Woodwinds, 4:30 ; Colorguard, 6:30 o Wednesdays: Full Band, 5:00 8:00 PM o Thursdays: Woodwinds, 4:30 ; Percussion 4:30 ; Colorguard, 6:00 8:00 PM o Fridays: 5 or 6 Home Football Game Performances o Saturdays: 5 or 6 Competition Weekends; 1 Rehearsal Weekend (8/25), 2 Fundraisers (8/25 and 9/8) There is a cost associated with membership in the Spirit of Freedom along with two important fundraising events. Approximately one-third of our operating income comes from these important fundraisers while the other portion comes from membership fees. The cost of membership for 2018-2019 is tentatively set at $400. No student will be excluded from participation because of financial hardship. Contact Mr. Galway to arrange for financial assistance if needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MARCHING BAND Am I required to be in Marching Band if I m in a band class? No, you are not required to participate. Membership in Marching Band is voluntary. Can I be in Marching Band if I m not in a band class? woodwind players must be enrolled in a band class. Percussionists must be enrolled in a music class (percussion student leaders must be in a band class). Colorguard members do not need to be in a band or music class. I m a rising freshman I m nervous about the transition to high school. How does Marching Band ease this transition? Being in Marching Band provides rising freshman with the opportunity to make 150+ new friends and learn the layout of the building before school starts. New Marching Band freshman approach the first few weeks of school with a much higher level of confidence than their non-marching counterparts. This is often the #1 benefit members cite as the best reason to join Marching Band as a freshman. I heard Marching Band is really time-consuming. Is this true? Marching Band is no more time consuming than any sport. We practice only as much as we need to so we can maintain our consistent level of excellence, and we are recognized as having one of the best programs in the area. Members will tell you the extra time commitment is worth it. I m nervous about the extra time commitment interfering with my ability to get homework and studying done. How can I make it work? We have many of the highest academic achievers at FHS in the Marching Band. The 2014 salutatorian was a four-year member and drum major currently attending Yale University. The 2013 salutatorian was flute rank leader studied engineering at Virginia Tech (she was also a member of the Marching Virginians). The 2012 salutatorian was a four-year member and percussion captain who studied engineering at Georgia Tech (he was also a member of the Yellowjacket Marching Band). The 2010 and 2011 valedictorians were band members, both of whom attended MIT. The point is, if you manage your time carefully, there is plenty of time to get your schoolwork done. A bonus is since you re in a group with such high achieving students, there is a lot of opportunity to get extra help and tutoring within the band. I heard there are a lot of leadership opportunities available. What are they? Each section of the Marching Band has a captain and rank leaders who help teach marching and music. We also have two or three drum majors who conduct the band in performance. Leadership positions look great on college applications and the Spirit of Freedom offers more leadership opportunities than any other activity at FHS. Rising second, third, and fourth year members are eligible to apply for leadership positions. Can I play a fall sport and be in Marching Band? Probably not. Sports generally practice at the same time as the Marching Band. Am I allowed to miss summer rehearsals? You must attend 90% of the summer rehearsal hours which roughly translates into attending a minimum of 113 out of 126 total hours. The only exception is students marching drum corps. How does Band Camp work? It seems like such a long day. Band Camp consists of a wide variety of activities to help prepare students for the competitive season. Here is how the schedule works: o 9:00 AM 12:00 PM: Marching Outside o 12:00 AM 1:00 PM: Lunch on Campus o 1:00 4:00 PM: Music Inside o 4:00 6:00 PM: Dinner (students can leave campus for dinner) o 6:00 : Marching and Music Outside As you can see, we are outside during the coolest parts of the day (early morning and evening) and we are inside during the hottest parts of the day (late morning and afternoon). I heard there are no trombones or French horns in Marching Band. Is this true? We have many trombone and French horn players in the Marching Band. Both instruments can be unwieldy for students to march with, often causing damage to studentowned instruments, so for the past several seasons, trombone players performed on marching baritone, and French horn players performed on mellophone. The mechanism is a little bit different but the mouthpiece and playing technique is the same making it extremely easy to learn. Our trombone and French horn players continue to play trombone and French horn in class while playing baritone and mellophone for marching band only. Students will be provided with an instrument at no charge. I am not a percussion player, but I would like to be in the percussion section for Marching Band. Can I do that? No. woodwind players are expected to play a brass or woodwind instrument which is where we need the highest number of performers. Why is there a fee for membership? LCPS provides only limited funding for Marching Band which covers the costs of some instructors and basic equipment. To cover the costs of bus transportation, equipment truck rental, competition fees, additional instructors, music, drill design, colorguard equipment, uniform cleaning, and end-of-year awards, we must fundraise and charge fees. There are two important fundraisers: The Mattress Sale in August and Tag Day in September. Funds raised through these two fundraisers cover one-third of the expenses not covered by LCPS. The remaining two-thirds is covered by student fees. HOPE YOU DECIDE TO BE A PART OF NEXT YEAR S BAND!