High School Band

The high school band consists of the marching band and the concert band, both ensembles are required to be a part of to be in the Rittman High School Band program. In both marching and concert band students will meet everyday and will continue to develop music literacy, develop advanced ensemble skills, proper technique for their chosen woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument, proper care for their instrument, proper performer/audience etiquette, and be exposed to diverse genres, styles, and cultures of music through playing and listening.

Throughout the summer and fall is marching band season, during this time we learn various stand tunes and shows to perform at all football games and perform at various band shows. At the end of October/beginning of November we switch to concert band season. Throughout concert season we have various performances, some during school but most after, and a few off our campus. We have regularly scheduled after school practices for both marching and concert band that attendance is mandatory at (see the attendance policy in the handbook for more details).

A common question is "Can I still join band in high school if I never was a part of it?" The answer to this is YES! You will be in with the rest of the high school band and it will take some work on your own outside of class as well as some after school sessions with Mr. C to get caught up, but you are absolutely allowed and encouraged to still join!

Another common question I get asked is "Can I rejoin band if I left and decided I wanted to come back?" The answer to this is YES! You will just need to make sure you get band added back to your schedule.

In addition to our performances we have many band bonding activities set up by our boosters, for example in the summer at the end of the long week of band camp we rented out the Rec Center for swimming and gym time. We also take small performance trips, such as traveling to Cleveland for the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game in January and playing stand tunes.

Career Center Letter.pdf

Career Center and Band

Another common question I get asked is "Can I still be a part of the band if I go to the career center?" The answer to this is YES! Students who go to the career center can still and are strongly encouraged to remain a part of the band program. They are expected to come to all after school rehearsals for both marching and concert band as well as summer band camp and all performances. They are able to earn a 1/2 credit of fine arts each year as well. Attached is the information letter that is sent home to families of sophomore students planning on attending the career center.

High School Marching Band Instrumentation

Below is the common instrumentation used in the high school marching band.

Piccolo
Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet
Mellophone
Trombone
Baritone
Sousaphone
Percussion
- Marching Snare Drum
- Marching Bass Drum
- Marching Quints
- Cymbals

High School Concert Band Instrumentation

Below are the common instruments used in the high school concert band, instruments marked with an asterisk (*) are specialty instruments used for certain pieces.

Piccolo*
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Contra-Alto Clarinet*
Soprano Saxophone*
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Euphonium/Baritone
Tuba
Concert Percussion

2025-2026 Concert Dates

Marching Band Performances (Bolded Performances Are Required)

Rittman Community Parade: Thursday July 24, 2025 at 6:00pm, Report at 5:15pm
Parent Show: Wednesday August 13, 2025 at 7:00pm, Report at 5:45pm
Mogadore Band Show: Saturday August 16, 2025 at 7:30pm, Report at 4:30pm
Cleveland JFK Game (H): Friday August 22, 2025, Report at 6:00pm
Streetsboro Band Show: Saturday August 23, 2025 at 7:00pm, Report at 4:00pm
Coventry Game (A): Friday August 29, 2025, Report at 5:00pm
South Central Game (A): Friday September 5, 2024, Report at 4:45pm
Wayne County Fair Day Performance: Monday September 8, 2025, Report at 8:00am
Waynedale Game (H): Friday September 12, 2025, Report at 6:00pm
South Central Band Show: Saturday September 13, 2025 at 7:00pm, Report at 4:00pm
Norwayne Game (A): Friday September 19, 2025, Report at 5:15pm
Chippewa Game (H): Friday September 26, 2025, Report at 6:00pm
Dalton Game (A): Friday October 3, 2025, Report at 5:00pm
Barberton Band Show: Saturday October 4, 2025 at 7:00pm, Report at 4:30pm
Smithville Game (H): Friday October 10, 2025, Report at 6:00pm
Buckeye Trail Band Show: Saturday October 11, 2025 at 7:00pm, Report at 2:30 pm
Hillsdale Game (A): Friday October 17, 2025, Report at 5:00pm
Rittman Band Show: Saturday October 18, 2025 at 7:00pm
- Decorate/Rehearse Report Time: 12:30pm
- Performance Report Time: 5:45pm
Northwestern Game (H): Friday October 24, 2025, Report at 6:00pm
RHS Band Tag Day: Saturday November 1, 2025, Various Times/Locations
Monday May 25, 2026: Memorial Day Parade, Report Time 8:00am

2025-2026 Concert Dates

Concert Band Performances (Bolded Performances Are Required)

Tuesday November 11, 2025: Veteran's Day Assembly Performance
Saturday December 13, 2025: 7-12 Winter Concert at 7:00pm, Report at 6:15pm
Saturday January 17, 2025: OMEA District VI Solo and Ensemble at Barberton HS
Saturday March 14, 2026: All Bands Concert at 6:00pm, Report at 5:00pm
Friday March 6, 2026 or Saturday March 7, 2026: OMEA District VI Large Group Contest at Medina HS Date/Time TBD
Tuesday May 12, 2026: HS Spring Concert at 7:00pm, Report at 6:15pm
Saturday May 23, 2026: Graduation, Report at 12:00pm

Marching Band Uniform

The marching uniform is used for all marching band performances, except for the few occasions where summer uniform is used.
The marching uniform consists of the following parts:
- Jacket
- Plaque
- Pants
- Band T-Shirt
- Long Black Socks
- White Marching Shoes
- Beret
- White Fingerless Marching Gloves (Woodwinds)
- White Finger Marching Gloves (Brass)
- Black Sure Grip Marching Gloves (Percussion)
The marching uniform is expected to be clean and worn with all the listed parts to be considered in full uniform.

Concert Band Attire

The concert band uniform consists of two choices:
- Option 1: Long black dress, appropriate tights, dress shoes (avoid wearing skinny high heels)
  - Jewelry may be used as long as it is small and does not distract from the look of the band
- Option 2: White long sleeved button shirt, black suit jacket, black bowtie, black dress pants, black dress shoes, black dress socks
The band boosters fit and provide students with the black dress, black suit jacket, and black bowtie. All other items are expected to be purchased on your own.

Band Handbook

At the beginning of the year students will be given the Rittman High School Band Handbook. This needs to be read and the contract page signed as this contains all the important information about how band class works, concert attire, performance dates, etc. The signed contract and medical form pages will be the first grades of the school year.

HS Band Handbook Revised for 25-26.pdf

School Instrument Information

Students who play oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, horn, baritone/euphonium, and tuba will use school owned instruments as these are very expensive and are only responsible for getting the supplies needed for their instrument.

Percussionists will use school equipment during class, but are encouraged to have a practice bell set and snare practice pad to use at home.

The school also owns some flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, and trombones that are able to be loaned out for the year. If you find that you are in need of a school owned instrument I need a signed note from a parent/guardian stating so.

Anyone using a school instrument must turn in the signed instrument loan form attached here.

Instrument Loan Agreement.pdf

Instrument Care and Maintenance

This document provides you with instrument care and maintenance guidelines, important for keeping your instrument working properly.

Instrument Maintenance.pdf

HS Band Supplies.pdf

High School Band Supplies

In this document are the supplies you will need for your instrument in high school band.

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