• Primary Band class (during-school fine art credit) - Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion Class

• 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 are 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.

"5-8 Skate" January 18th, 2024 from 5pm-8pm at the Austin Roller Rink

Any 8th grade band student in Austin ISD may come skate and eat for free and meet their high school section mates!

Incoming Freshman Info Meeting February 15th, 2024 from 6:30-7:30pm

All incoming freshmen and at least one parent are encouraged to attend and learn more about the Cougar Band Program, important summer band dates, 2025 Spring Trip information, and more. Students should bring their instrument and solo music so they can get a tutoring session from a high school buddy!

Cougar Band Spring Concert May 15th, 2024 in the Crockett Gym

8th graders are invited to perform with us! One rehearsal will be scheduled beforehand to help students feel comfortable about the music, then away we go at the concert!

Freshman Registration Day May 22nd, 2024 at 5pm in the Crockett Band Hall

Freshman signing day! All new freshmen will pay $50 to order their summer uniform shirt and marching shoes for Fall 2024. Parents will complete all necessary band forms and register for Cut Time and the Band App.

Everything Day July 22nd, 2024 from 10a-6p in the Crockett Band Hall

Mandatory for ALL band members - get fitted for all band uniforms, check out instruments, get all marching band music, and returning parents sign forms.

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 ended up feeling excluded; they 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 serious 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.

Fall Primary Band Courses (concurrent with marching band)

Woodwind Methods (for flutes, clarinets, & saxophones; MS band prerequisite)

5201.R000.Y Band I (Grade 9)

5202.R000.Y Band II (Grade 10)

5203.R000.Y Band III (Grade 11)

5204.R000.Y Band IV (Grade 12)

Brass Methods (for trumpets, horns, trombones, baritones, & tubas; MS band prerequisite)

5201.R100.Y Band I (Grade 9)

5202.R100.Y Band II (Grade 10)

5203.H100.Y Band III (Grade 11)

5204.H100.Y Band IV (Grade 12)

In December, Woodwinds & Brass will audition for varsity and non-varsity band placements in the Spring. Woodwind & Brass method class periods will turn into varsity & non-varsity band classes; students will change class periods based on audition results. Percussion will remain in the Percussion Studio class year-round.

Percussion Studio (for percussionists; MS band prerequisite)

5201.R300.Y Band I (Grade 9)

5202.R300.Y Band II (Grade 10)

5203.H300.Y Band III (Grade 11)

5204.H300.Y Band IV (Grade 12)

Spring Primary Band Courses (placement based on December auditions)

Non-Varsity Band

5201.R200.Y Band I (Grade 9)

5202.R200.Y Band II (Grade 10)

5203.R200.Y Band III (Grade 11)

5204.R200.Y Band IV (Grade 12)

Varsity Band

5201.R300.Y Band I (Grade 9)

5202.R300.Y Band II (Grade 10)

5203.H300.Y Band III (Grade 11)

5204.H300.Y Band IV (Grade 12)

Elective Courses (concurrent with a primary band course)

Jazz Band (director approval required due to limited seating)

5221.R000.Y Music Stage/Jazz I (Grade 9)

5222.R000.Y Music Stage/Jazz II (Grade 10)

5223.H000.Y Music Stage/Jazz III (Grade 11)

5224.H000.Y Music Stage/Jazz IV (Grade 12)

Steel Drums (director approval required due to limited seating)

5211.R100.Y Instr. Ens. I (Grade 9)

5212.R100.Y Instr. Ens. II (Grade 10)

5213.H100.Y Instr. Ens. III (Grade 11)

5214.H100.Y Instr. Ens. IV (Grade 12)

Music Theory (open to any student that cannot read music - geared towards non-band students)

5841.R000.Y Music Theory

AP Music Theory (must be able to read music and pass placement exam)

5641.P000.Y AP Music Theory

Marching Band (after school; Fall only; concurrent with a primary band course)

6015.R00A.X Marching Band I (Grade 9; 0.5 PE credit)

6015.R00B.X Marching Band II (Grade 10; 0.5 PE credit)

6015.R00C.X Marching Band III (Grade 11)

6015.R00D.X Marching Band IV (Grade 12)

Brianna Moehnke - Director of Bands

brianna.moehnke@austinisd.org

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

diego.palacios@austinisd.org

Elsa Ramos - Crockett Band Parents Association President (Habla español!)

elsagramos@gmail.com