The Heritage High School Marching Band

The Heritage High School Marching Band is an extracurricular activity, that meets primarily in the fall. These students begin rehearsing approximately 3 weeks before school begins, and work all the way until the season ends, usually the second weekend in November. The band has ranged in size from 20-92 over the years, and we can handle a virtually unlimited number of students, so if you are interested, we have a place for you.

The marching band is made up of 3 main components (winds, percussion/battery and color guard) that work together to create a dazzling halftime show, as well as entertaining the crowds at home football games, and the occasional away game. The wind section is your typical woodwind and brass instruments, except for oboe and bassoon. For a variety of reasons, we don't march these instruments. Instead, we work with each student to find a best fit secondary instrument for each of them, which can range from clarinet or flute, to the more typical placement in the percussion/battery sections. The percussion and battery sections play all of the front ensemble instruments (marimbas, vibes, cymbals, timpani, etc.) as well as the on-field battery instruments (snare drum, bass drum and quints). The Color Guard is made up of students from all different kinds of backgrounds, some have a dance background, some are wind players, some come from orchestra class, and others come from all over the school (art students, choir students, etc.).

The decision to join the marching band and commit to all it requires can be a challenge for students, and often for their parents. If you've not experienced marching band before, the activity may hold some mysteries or misconceptions. Here's the truth: There's really nothing like it. Few activities can promise the life-changing positive impact delivered by the HHS band.  Still skeptical?   Here is a video one of our students made about the marching band to give you an idea of what marching band can be like:

Marching Band Dates:

All Marching Band dates are listed on the linked google calendar

All dates listed on this calendar are considered mandatory, from the first day of camp (July 31) through the last performance (Nov. 10).  Students are not permitted to leave practices or performances without expressed permission from Mr. Herrmann and the affiliated paperwork. LCPS requires students to be present in school by 9:45am to participate in any extracurricular activty that same day (or on Friday for over the weekend).  Please plan any absences carefully.  Also, students must be present at Thursday practices to be eligible to perform for Friday and Saturday events unless Mr. Herrmann has explicitly excused them.  From time to time, events or practices are added to the calendar (this really isn't all that frequent), but we will either check with families before scheduling or make the event optional. Please pay careful attention to when you sign up for the SAT test.  We can work with you if you take the test in October or December, but the if you really want/need to take the SAT on the November date, then you won't be able to participate in Marching Band this year due to the conflicts that are unique to that date.  If you feel that you have a conflict with any of these dates, please contact Mr. Herrmann by e-mail with your conflicts or concerns as soon as possible.

Marching Band Fees: 

The cost of marching band this year for returning members is $350, and the cost for rookies is $400. The higher cost for rookies is to cover their costs for various uniform parts that are considered personal and they keep those (shoes, gloves, etc.). Fees can be paid through the LCPS payment portal  -or- check (made out to Heritage High School) and mailed to Heritage High School, c/o George Herrmann, 520 Evergreen Mill Road  Leesburg, VA  20175 .  A deposit of half of the fee is due by May 20, and the balance is due by July 1.

If paying the fee would prohibit you from participating in marching band, please speak with Mr. Herrmann about other options. We have lots of ways to help make it more affordable.

Up to May 20, if you change your mind about marching band, you can receive a full refund. From May 20-July 1, if you change your mind, there is only a 50% refund of the total fee. From July 1 onward, there is no refund if you change your mind about marching band. Unfortunately, on these dates, large portions of the fee become obligated to other people (competition fee's, music built for our instrumentation, marching coordinates/drill for our exact numbers, transportation, t-shirts, etc.).

Uniforms: 

Uniforms are provided as part of being a member of the marching band. We will do measuring and fitting on the first Saturday of Band Camp, Aug. 3. However, if you have not paid your fees, no uniform will be issued and you will not be able to march until your fees are squared away.

Registration: 

If you would like to join marching band, please read the commitment information below, and then click the JOIN link afterwards. Clicking that link indicates that you are accepting all of the terms of joining the Heritage Marching Band for the 2024-2025 season. Receipt of the deposit (or full fee) is the parents agreement to the commitment terms as well. There will be a specific permission form that will be e-mailed to you later in the summer (permission click) regarding all band events for the year.  Registration is due by May 20, 2024 at 9am.

Statement of Commitment: 

I understand that joining the marching band requires that I attend rehearsals outside of the normal school day and participate in all performances and extra activities that are associated with the marching band. While marching band is intended to be an enjoyable activity, it does require these additional commitments to make it successful. In addition to the Marching Band Camp, there are after school rehearsal held every week during the marching season (usually on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday). In addition, on any Friday that has a scheduled football game that the band is performing at, I will be required to stay after school in the band room (dinner and activities provided at no additional cost).

Band Camp must be attended in its entirety.  If you will be missing any part of band camp for any reason, you will not be allowed to participate in marching band without the expressed writtent consent of Mr. Herrmann, the Band Director.  

Proper Conduct is expected from each member at all times, whether in the classroom, in the community, or at a performance venue. Any conduct that is deemed detrimental to the overall goodwill and positive interactions between students, between students and staff, or between students and the community may result in removal from the program.

Receiving D-hall, lunch detention, or ISR, or having a unacceptable academic status will result in a review of a member’s status in the marching band. Depending on the infraction, it could result in a conference with the parent, a removal from a performance, removal from any travel, or removal from the marching band altogether.

Members of the Marching Band are allowed 3 absences from practice during the season (not including band camp). After the second absence, the performer’s status will be reviewed by the Band Director, and confirmed with an administrator. Excused absences are medical and legal appointment (with a note from the doctor or legal office, not a parent note). When a performer has been tardy to school or has had an early dismissal, they must obtain a “Permission to Practice” note from the attendance office. All members are expected to be in school by 9:15am. If unexcused after that, you will be removed from practice for the day, and for the next performance. If you are in school through the last block, you must be at practice. If you are not in school due to illness, you are not expected to be at practice.

No absences from performances are allowed for any reason except personal illness. All other activities should be scheduled around the marching band calendar. Students that miss a performance for any reason not previously cleared with Mr. Herrmann will result in dismissal from the marching band. If you are present in school, you expected to be at practice.

Marching Band is a unique activity, in that there are no substitutes or backups to fill your spot if you aren’t there. Every absence hurts the entire band. There are no unimportant practices or performances. We are constantly working on changes and improvements, and must have everyone there at all times. Absences for any reason other than those listed above will be considered unexcused, and will be dealt with accordingly.

By clicking JOIN  below, you are agreeing to attend all practices, performances and specially designated activities that are affiliated with the marching band. I understand that if I miss more than two practices for any reason at all, then my membership will be reviewed by the band director and a school administrator.

Questions before you register?  E-mail Mr. Herrmann (the band director) at herbert.herrmann@lcps.org