• Primary Band class (during-school fine art credit) - Varsity, Non-Varsity, or Sub-Non Varsity Band, or Percussion Studio

• Marching Band class (after-school PE credit)

• Optional elective during school - Jazz Ensemble thru audition or Steel Drums or AP Music Theory with director approval

The Fall semester includes Summer Band (July-Aug), Marching Season (Aug-Nov), & Winter Concert Season (Nov-Dec). Students can also choose to participate in optional activities like region band auditions.

• Wind players can be moved into Varsity or Non-Varsity Band class depending on December auditions

• Percussionists stay in Percussion Studio year-round regardless of audition placement.

• Continue optional elective during school - Jazz Ensemble thru audition or Steel Drums or AP Music Theory with director approval

The Spring semester includes UIL Season (Jan-Mar) and Spring Concert Season (Apr-May). Students may also choose to participate in optional activities like a Spring Trip and Solo & Ensemble.

Summer Band Camp (on weekdays; mandatory for all band students)

Freshman percussionists start July 17

Freshmen wind players start July 24

Q: How much does band cost for the year?

There is only one fee that applies to every band student, and that is a $350 Fair Share fee. This fee is the lowest of all the South Austin HS band programs and covers all marching band expenses for students, including the cost of their marching show, all meals, uniforms, instruction, consultants, travel costs, marching contest entry fees, and more. Our incredible band boosters fundraise enough money to offset band fees by hundreds of dollars so that we can continue making band as affordable as possible for our community (Without booster fundraisers, Fair Share would have to be almost $700 per student! Thanks boosters!). Scholarships are also available to assist our band families if needed - money is never a reason a student is prevented from participating in the Cougar Band program.

Freshmen usually have a few extra fees that only apply to their first year in band, including their $35 marching shoes and around $20 for a flip folder.

Lastly, throughout the year, students may opt to participate in optional contests or performances like solo & ensemble or band banquet. Those events have small entry fees or ticket prices or may require a piano accompanist for performances.

Q: What is the time commitment for marching band?

Marching band starts in late July during band camp and extends through the first week of November, and consists of weekday morning rehearsals, Thursday or Friday evening weekly football games, and 3-5 Saturday obligations (fundraisers or marching contests). It's a large commitment, but like any high school activity your student will be in, the students gain invaluable skills and experiences that are worth the time spent with their band family.

Q: I don't want to be in marching band but I want to stay in band. Why can't I do this?

Marching band used to be optional, but what we found is that students who were in band class but didn't participate in marching band didn't get to experience any of the trips, performances, or section activities that marching band students did. This would be like being in football class but never playing in a game - it would be hard to feel like a real member of the team. For this reason, marching band is mandatory except for those with certain medical conditions and for certain rhythm section members of the jazz ensemble (bass guitar, guitar, and piano).

Q: My student wants to be in the Early College program or a sport. Can they still take band?

Absolutely! Over 65% of our band students are also in at least one college-level course, with the majority of students taking three or more per school year. Part of what students learn in high school band is valuable time and stress management skills that will serve them their entire lives, and our students are very successful in multiple activities on campus simultaneously because of this. Our band students participate in student council, SOAR, No Place for Hate, wrestling, basketball, soccer, baseball, early college, OnRamps courses, AP courses, and more depending on the school year.

Brianna Moehnke - Director of Bands

brianna.moehnke@austinisd.org

Diego Palacios - Associate Director of Bands (Habla español!)

diego.palacios@austinisd.org