Frequently Asked Questions?
1) Does Band Conflict with a Sport? – ABSOLUTELY NOT. We try to schedule our events around the SBHS athletic calendar as much as possible to make sure of this and we make Marching Band a class in the fall specifically for this reason. As a result, MANY of the students in High School Band play sports in all seasons. We enjoy a great relationship with our athletic director and are willing to work with the coaches at SBHS. We are committed to this not ever being an issue. It DOES require an ability to keep up with multple things but there are enough students who've done it successfully to help you through that transition to high school.
2) Should I do marching band?- MARCHING BAND IS FUN! We try to encourage all students to try marching band at least one season, especially as a freshman. This ensemble usually has the most rehearsal time but also the most exposure and events…. Football games, parades, competitions, etc. Most kids look forward to show themes and competitions each year more than most other activities… In most cases, you’ll have so much fun that I probably won’t have to convince you to do the next year! 😊
3) When is Jazz? – Jazz is a 2nd semester class based on auditions in the spring prior to that school year so they’ll be announced and shared w/ the middle school directors beforehand. We base selection off a “big band format” having room for up to 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 2 percussionists and 2 each of piano/vibraphone, bass and guitar. For students that do not make the jazz ensemble or are just interested more casually, we do offer a jazz flex period during the year open for interested students.
4) Can I take other electives and band? – YES! You have 8 classes a year. Freshman typically have 5 required classes plus 3 electives. That enables you to take 2 bands (1 each semester) and still have an additional elective at your disposal to double up on something or explore an additional interest. Freshmen generally get the least elective options because so much is required and older kids take up many of the spaces in some elective classes, but as the years progress there are many, many opportunities. You should easily be able to have a band every semester and still get your graduation requirements and some other interests as well.
5) Can I take band for Honors Credit all 4 years?- That is definitely possible, you just need to discuss the requirements with your middle school director and the high school director before signing up. This is a great opportunity and a great possibility for added GPA points if you are willing to do work on the Honors Levels. This curriculum is a bit more rigorous, but if you are going to be doing Honors Level work you should be getting the credit for it. Having said that there is nothing wrong with taking band for standard credit. You may also start in a lower level and work your way up. Where you start doesn’t have to be where you end up over 4 years.
6) How much after school time does band take? – There are regular after school practices for marching band due to the bulk of activity that goes with performing at games and parades along with the competitions, which are usually the highlights of many students as they look back on the year…. Concert band will have a few after-school practices prior to events in order to tie groups together, but much less than marching band. Jazz band also has a few through spring as needed but typically much less than the other ensembles.
7) Is band hard? – As long as you start in the right level I feel like the answer is “no”- We do a good job of teaching you what you need to know from the level you are at. A 9th grader thrown into the honors levels might find it very hard, though doable. But… if you are in class section with all the other 9th graders we just start where you are and start teaching from there. It does require that your skills continue to improve, but if you are trying you will be successful. I believe the preparation at our middle schools right now is going to help kids to be more prepared for high school than normal for this coming school year.
8) What if I dislike the class? – What could there be to not like? In all seriousness, if it somehow isn’t a fit for you, schedule changes might be possible in extreme situations. That being said, if you aren’t enjoying the class and getting better, please let a student leader, especially our spirit captains, or the director know and they might be able to adjust things or deal with whatever is causing you to not have a great experience.