Embedded Files
Welcome Band Students from CFB Middle Schools!
Welcome Band Students from CFB Middle Schools!
We are excited for you to join us as you advance in your musical education. Our high school band program is an extension and major destination for the journey you began in 6th grade. Everything you have done and learned in middle school prepares you to be a successful member of the high school band! Your Band experience in high school will include socials, football games, contests, travel, field trips, Jazz, drumline, guard, banquets, leadership training, concerts, musicals, parades, fun spring trip destinations, and much more!
You are the future of our CHSBAND, and we know we will achieve great success together as you continue to grow skills in leadership and in musicianship, to become our Drum Majors, Band Presidents, Drum and Guard Captains, and very important Section Leaders of the band! We know you will make a huge impact on our program and we look forward to growing our band family with you this coming year!
Meet Our Directors
How to Sign Up for High School Band
How to Sign Up for High School Band
Enroll in Course 2706
Enroll in Course 2706
To enroll in Band this fall, be sure to use our Band Course Number 2706. High School band is a journey to experience the opportunity of being in a greater variety of events, performance opportunities, growth, leadership, friendships, and memories! We're a TRADITION RICH, FAMILY CULTURE! You belong here.
Then Come to In-Person Registration
All incoming students must attend a registration day!Then Come to In-Person Registration
BAND REGISTRATION - Two available dates in May and July are CRUCIAL to ensure we know you're coming and can write a marching spot for you.
Make a DEPOSIT for your band fees
Turn in Registration Forms
Get fitted for your MARCHING UNIFORM
Get fitted for an OFFICIAL LETTERMAN JACKET
PREORDER your duffel, shirts, compression gear, marching shoes, gloves, and other spirit items!
Pick up SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
Identify Private Lesson teachers and begin scheduling lessons
Meet the directors in person and ask all the questions you have!
Join our Booster club, get involved with our band, and have fun!
Complete and turn in waivers, physical/medical history forms, release forms, and contracts
Band Onboarding Timeline
Band Onboarding Timeline
Counselors will visit students at their Middle Schools to talk with 8th graders about High School course offerings
Students will fill out their "9th grade Course Sheets," placing BAND COURSE 2706 as an elective choice
Students will visit Creekview High School during their 2nd semester of 8th grade to explore our offered programs of study
All band students will receive the Creekview Band audition material before Spring Break so they can prepare for auditions, at Creekview High School in May, to determine their playing ability and band placements
Band students MUST attend our CHSBAND Registration Days in May and July
When the Summer Band schedule is released, it will be emailed to everyone!
BAND BEGINS - your kids are now in High School and the BEST BAND IN WORLD!
Course Placement
Course Placement
Creekview Band - FINE ARTS: Programs of Study
Creekview Band - FINE ARTS: Programs of Study
View a variety of 4-year graduation plans that include band courses based on playing ability and interest. Your kids will move up through our ensembles over the course of their time in CHS.
Students may begin in Concert Band or Symphonic Band and will continue to improve and move up. We have additional courses they will be interested in such as Jazz Band, Colorguard, AP Music Theory, and Independent Study their senior year. In the coming weeks you may keep hearing more information about the high school plan and the endorsements that you can select – the ARTS and HUMANITIES Endorsement is one that you will be able to achieve EASILY as it calls for 4 courses (credits/years) in Band!
Remember that Band is the largest organization on Campus, and our band members co-participate in Band and in NEARLY ALL other organizations or clubs on campus, including Athletics! If you have a special skill in the field you can take part in both – We want to help you achieve and support you throughout! We project our students will be a part of Music from 6th grade through Senior year, as it is not an organization that anyone can join midway!
Course Placement Considerations
Course Placement Considerations
New Member Auditions: We will be listening to your prepared audition scales carefully so that we can place you in the band that will meet your playing ability. Want to be in a top group? A high chair?? Then be sure to practice and play the very best you can - we have our students ACTIVELY take private lessons to ensure one-on-one coaching to identify your fastest accelerated plan.
If you do not have an instrument or don't submit your audition, you will be AUTOMATICALLY placed in our concert band PENDING your live audition performance upon return to campus.
Marching Spot: Listen - EVERYONE wants to march and in order to secure a marching spot for the EXCLUSIVE and AMAZING marching show, you will need to audition and attend all our scheduled marching band clinics and workshops. We will be awarding marching spots based on performance ability in Marching and playing. This is a PERFORMANCE-BASED ENSEMBLE and want to provide the appropriate challenge for all our students!
Band Registration is one of the MOST IMPORTANT events in order to secure membership in the band and to qualify for a Marching Spot in our Show Production. This is the day that we receive all the documentation required and also secure a DEPOSIT on your band fees for the coming school year.
Band Physicals: the expectation is to have a physical/medical history form for ALL students. It is best to schedule your medical physical with your physician (or Urgent Care) in the spring, so that the paperwork is complete and ready before May registration.
School-Owned Instruments: we will schedule a time to have you come to CHS to pick up a school instrument - let us know in advance so we can place holds on instruments for you to ensure a smoother and quicker time frame in getting you an assigned instrument.
Welcome Letter from Mr. Denis
Welcome Letter from Mr. Denis
Dear Future Mustang Band Members!
My name is Arturo Denis, Director of Bands at Creekview High School, and am excited to have you join our program! Share this presentation with your 8th-grade students to enroll for BAND going into High School. Being in band 9-12th grade is a commitment we make together through mutual investments in lessons, equipment, time management, instrument upgrades, trips, leadership, band fees, volunteer time, and booster boards!
Welcome Future Mustang! (PDF, 2021)
The Mustang Band has already established itself as one of the most successful, fastest-growing organizations at CHS! Not only do students learn to perform on a musical instrument in a variety of different settings, they learn the essentials of teamwork, self-motivation, self-discipline, individual responsibility, and social skills that prove to be effective in any career, sport, or other activity.
BAND students START TOGETHER and we want them to FINISH TOGETHER: Let's help our kids cross the finish line and have the opportunity to see the amazing experience that awaits them in their High School Years!
Students are offered instruction in marching band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, color guard, winter guard, full symphony orchestra, and concert band techniques. Hopefully, many of the questions you have about signing up, schedules, and requirements for participation will be answered by reading this publication thoroughly. If not, please feel free to contact us at any time. We will be more than happy to answer your questions as quickly as possible.
Arturo Denis
email: denisa@cfbisd.edu
Director of Bands
Creekview High School
New CHSBAND Parent Information
New CHSBAND Parent Information
Welcome Parents! We introduce you to the world of high school band and cover events from fall to spring. We can’t wait for you to see the transformation and growth your kids will experience while a part of our band program. Together, we will have a memorable and incredible 4 years of music and performance! We're partners with you in seeing your kids succeed - Band can be their home and place of belonging - leadership, life skills, academics, and performance will greatly enhance your students' lives!
To have an AMAZING band program you need the following ingredients:
AMAZING Parents (check)
INCREDIBLE Middle School program (check)
HARD WORKING Students, staff, directors, parents (check)
STRONG EFFORT in fundraising & timely paid band fees (check)
HIGH EXPECTATIONS, STANDARDS AND GOALS (check, check and check)
As they begin making selections for courses and decisions on continuing band, we want you to know that we are counting on you and have been since your child began their journey in 6th grade. We have a place for your student in our high school band program and a really strong band family to share the experience with you! All of our CHS graduates advance to college and are very successful, it is not necessary to attend a particular academy in order to secure admittance or success in college.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about enrollment, course sign up or simply want to discuss options for band. We are so excited about your children coming to high school and hope you will help them transition to our program with lots of support!
See you soon!
Arturo
Rehearsals are Mandatory to Earn a Marching Spot
Rehearsals are Mandatory to Earn a Marching Spot
In order to secure a marching spot on our Marching Show, our students must attend all mandatory rehearsals, including summer rehearsals. This will help us plan to ensure that we have our drill written for the right number of students and prevent having a surplus of alternate marchers. Students that do not attend these rehearsals waive the opportunity to have a marching spot written in for them and will be dependent on an irregularity in order to have a chance to march.
Enroll in HS BAND COURSE
Audition for HS BAND
Visual and Music Block attendance
Fundamentals Camp
Resources
Resources
Creekview Band FAQs
Creekview Band FAQs
At the beginning of the school year we collect and verify your information through CHARMS. We will keep a finance account for your child through this portal and use it to communicate on a weekly basis.
Get Involved
Get Involved
How will I receive communications from the band directors?
Marching Band:
Marching Band:
When will we get music?
We host a Hype week in May - all students receive the marching show music and stand tunes at that time.
When do we learn to march with the band? When is Summer Band?
we begin learning fundamentals in May during Hype Week, then apply that info in our June Camp and expand on it during JULY camp and Aug Summer Band camp, this will then lead into the start of school.
When can I check out an instrument?
Students are assigned school-owned instruments during Hype week in May.
Why Choose Band?
Music For AllWhy Choose Band?
Belonging
Belonging
Band gives kids a place to belong.
Band is a family – a lot of students don’t have a support system in my district and this helps them “belong” to something.
Band is a home to many kids who don’t feel accepted elsewhere.
Band provides community and a place where kids can feel confident and safe.
It gives kids a sense of belonging especially if they don’t have their own family.
It’s a home for my kids.
It’s teamwork, ownership, and talent all rolled into the surname of FAMILY.
Band matters because you build friendships and skills to carry you though life – wherever it takes you.
Kids, especially middle school kids, need to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Creative Expression
Creative Expression
Band enhances creative thinking and is an enriching creative outlet.
Band gives us the chance to create beauty, elicit emotion, create that work of art through music.
It allows expression without words.
It teaches skills not reached in other content areas. Artistic expression is something our society is in desperate need of … and fosters creative thought and growth.
Band helps create a family of musicians while helping students learn to cope with life through creating art.
Because it allows us to teach love, joy, and humanity to the next generation.
It gives students an outlet to be creative and be involved in something other than athletics. It improves brain synapses.
Life Skills
Life Skills
We teach excellence in all things by achieving excellence in small things.
Band allows students a chance to practice emotions, fine motor skills, discipline, rigor, and persistence.
Band is a safe place where all students can develop discipline, teamwork and the love of making music together.
Band is collaborative! It teaches patience, persistence, and responsibility.
In a world of instant gratification, it teaches students how to handle failure and keep on going.
It teaches all the skills needed to succeed in life, and builds life long relationships.
Students get to learn skills needed in today’s workplace: critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and social skills.
Students in band learn so much more than music (which is proven to impact brain power!). They learn self discipline, team skills, goal setting, and work ethic.
Teaches focused concentration, grit, cooperation and shared responsibility; gives an emotional outlet.
Band is not only good for the brain, but a student’s first apprenticeship opportunity.
Balance
Balance
Band matters because it gives students balance at school where importance is placed so heavily on academic performance.
Band matters to balance our education. It incorporates science, math and physical activity.
Band matters because it becomes the reason why some students strive to do well in school so they can participate in the things they love.
Not every student experiences success in the academic classroom. Band is a great way for students to experience success.
It can be the area that shines for non academic students and enriches the lives of everyone.
Band also serves all, whether it is a student who does it all (3 sports, NHS, choir, drama, band, etc.) or someone who loves music and just music.
Band is an activity that involves all students at all levels of interest and ability.
Team Work
Team Work
Band matters because every kids plays and contributes to the team. Every kid is engaged and participating and can enjoy the final product.
Band teaches students to work together in an environment where everyone is important all the time.
Because kids need positive role models in an atmosphere where kids learn how to respectfully work together towards a goal that is bigger than themselves.
Biggest group project the students do all year. Results and process to take pride in.
It’s a team where everyone wins and no one is ever on the bench.
It’s team building, problem-solving, skill building hard work that is immensely rewarding.
Students become part of a group and learn to think beyond themselves.
Working together to achieve a common goal with students who may have little in common.
Band is an important outlet for students to be a part of team, and express themselves musically.
The Whole Child
The Whole Child
Music helps educate the whole child, and improves brain function.
Band teaches skills not necessary taught in the academic classroom and fosters community building in unlikely places.
Band provides so many important attributes for students to have a well-rounded education. From discipline, structure to social interaction and needed in the real world.
Band addresses the social, emotional, and musical needs of students around the world.
Band develops students into better humans – socially and emotionally as well as making their brains better!
Band is a safe place for all, a creative outlet and a challenge.
Increases cognitive reasoning, enhances collaborative works, gives emotional outlet and offers creative thinking.
It is a comprehensive education that improves the IQ, creativity, leadership and problem solving in multiple areas of study.
Music is a foundational discipline that aids in the learning of all other subjects.
We are building a whole child to work collaboratively in their future.
We teach students how to be better people through music.
Band gives kids a chance to work with students they don’t see in their other classes, helps them develop confidence, and is the reason that certain children come to school.
Still wondering?
Still wondering?
Let’s assume, for simple math, we have a moderate to above average-sized marching band of 100 wind players, 20 percussion, 20 color guard, and two drum majors. Now, while it seems fairly straight forward…just play your music and march to various spots on the field… here’s what REALLY is facing them.
In an average production of 2 minutes duration, there will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 notes played per student (some parts will be less, some more). For each note played, the student must be responsible for:
Correct fingering of note
proper tone quality
proper pitch
correct beginning articulation
correct release/ending
correct duration/timing
balance to other players
blend with other players
appropriate volume
This means at least 9 responsibilities per note times 300 notes…understand that sometimes the student will not play during segments, so this is an average…2,700 responsibilities per student…times 100 players = 270,000 musical responsibilities for the wind section.
Percussion will have more notes in snare/mallet parts, perhaps fewer in bass drum and accessory parts, but on average, about the same number of musical concerns …substitute stick heights for pitch correctness, since it is not typical to tune drums as you go. This adds 2700 responsibilities…times 20 percussionists = 54,000 musical responsibilities for percussion.
Color Guard must be concerned with:
timing
hand positions
equipment angles
speed of spins
height of tosses
direction of spins…not to mention holding on to or catching equipment
Number of counts roughly parallels musical notes, so assume 300 beats times 6 responsibilities, or 1800 items per guard member…times 20 members = 36,000 more things to do.
So far, we are up to 360,000 responsibilities, and we haven’t touched marching. With marching, there are at least the following considerations:
posture
direction of facing
instrument position
staying in step
staying in form
size of step
tempo
style of movement (Toes up? Knees straight? Shoulders square?)
control of space between members
On average, there will be one step per beat of music, or approximately 240 steps. This means 240 times 9 responsibilities per member,…times 140 members …302,400 more things to think about.
The drum majors must be on top of:
tempo, beat pattern
dynamics
communication of style/energy to band
poise/showmanship
or approximately 1200 items… times two majors…2400 more responsibilities.
Keeping up so far? We’re up to 664,800 things that have to be done correctly… AND WE’RE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST PRODUCTION OF THE SHOW!! Assume there are three segments in the average show, our grand total jumps to a staggering 1,994,400 responsibilities on the members for a single performance.
The next time you watch a marching band show, examine the level of expectation and delivery that occurs with each student. It is truly remarkable, and it will help you appreciate even more the feeling that comes from a well performed show. When they are done, stand up and cheer their efforts…they are truly at the top of the ‘responsibility pyramid’ when performing in marching band.
Why Band? That's why ...
Report abuse