OHS Freshman Band

Contact Mrs. Kowalczyk

kowalczyk@owosso.k12.mi.us

(989) 729-5595

Parade info - Memorial Day

Memorial Day Parade 2026

Where: Owosso. Parade route will start at Fayette Square continuing south on Washington Street.

Uniform:"Curwood Khakis" (khaki shorts/pants/skort/etc) and Band polo, tennis shoes. Please do not wear hats or sunglasses.

Student Report Time: 5:30pm, Fayette Square

Step off 6:00pm

Parade end: 6:30pm-ish. Parade route ends for Band students at Baker College (Corner of Washington and Gute).

Students may be picked up there OR coordinate a ride/buddy to walk with from parade end back to Fayette Square for pickup.

This parade is REQUIRED for Freshman Band members.
TMB members are invited and encouraged but not required.

Parade Performances - general information

Parade information (time, location, etc) will be shared as soon as it is made available to the director.
Students will wear their "Spring Parade Uniform" for the two Freshman Band Parade performances - Memorial Day Parade and Curwood Heritage Parade.
- "Spring Parade Uniform" = school appropriate khaki shorts/capris/pants, closed toe shoes with no heel (tennis shoes preferred) and a Band issued uniform t-shirt. Long hair should be up and secured. No hats, no sunglasses.

Concert Performances - general information

All students are required to perform in every scheduled performance.
- Yes, all performances are graded.
- More importantly, every student in Band matters. We rely on eachother for every rehearsal and performance. The absence of one student will affect the entire ensemble. We thank you in advance for your dedication and for understanding the importance of your contributions to the ensemble.
- Please see the attendance policy tab for clarifications regarding how to navigate scheduling conflicts. The attendance policy will also provide clarification regarding what is considered an excused absence from a Band performance and the consequences for that absence.
Concerts will start at 7 PM unless otherwise noted
Student report time will be 30 minutes before concert start time, unless otherwise noted.
The auditorium will be open for audience members 30 minutes before concert start time.
Students will wear their full concert uniform at concert season performances
- Band issued black pants, black jacket, white shirt (tux shirt or blouse dress shirt). The tux shirt uniform will also include a bow tie and cummerbund.
- Students must provide their own tall black socks and plain black dress shoes.
- Hair color, makeup and jewelry should be as natural a possible in an effort to maintain a uniform look.
- Students should strive to present an overall professional look and demeanor at performances.

OHS BANDS SPRING CONCERT UPDATE

Due to multiple athletic conflicts with the originally scheduled date, the Spring Band Concert will now be on TUESDAY April 21, 2026.

Freshman, Jazz, Concert and Symphony Band Report Time: 6:30

Concert start: 7:00pm

We will recognize our seniors at this concert as well.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding. Thank you also to the kids for their communication with scheduling conflicts AND to our athletic director, PAC manager and administrative team for their efforts.

Hauntcert

Who: OHS Freshman Band and Jazz Band

When: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Where: Owosso Performing Arts Center

Report: 6:30, OHS Band room

Performance Time: 7:00PM

Uniform: Hauntcert attire - choose from the following. While this is meant to be fun, please remember this is still a performance and we need to dress appropriately. Please avoid pajama pants, sweats, etc.
- Concert Black (black dress clothes: long sleeve plain black shirt, pants or skirt/dress with black tights, black shoes)
- Fall Festive (orange shirt and khakis, etc)
- Halloween Costume (no gore, weapons, questionable attire... if you have to ask, it's probably not ok) Student must be able to perform successfully and easily in costume. Costume must not inhibit the ability of other students performance either.

When you arrive at OHS, please get out your instrument and folder and take your seat in the OHS Band Room (just like we do for class). Please do not play until you get the ok from your director.

Freshman Band Students will warm up and tune with the director prior to the performance. They will then be the first group to perform on stage. After the performance, Freshman Band members will exit the stage and move to the reserved seats in the PAC. Band Students will then have an educational opportunity to hear the other groups at OHS perform and support their peers. Students will stay in the audience for the remainder of the concert and will be dismissed after the performance of the last group, OHS Symphony Band.

Listening to other groups perform is a very important educational opportunity and a chance to support their peers. Thank you for supporting your students in their performance and those of their peers.

Students and family members are reminded that all performances are required and graded. More than that, it is an opportunity for students to share their accomplishments from their hard work this season with friends and family members. Every Band student plays a vital part in every performance - YOU MATTER! Students, this is YOUR chance to make your mark and continue the legacy and tradition of excellence of the Owosso Band Program. Make it count! <3

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 729-5595 or kowalczyk@owosso.k12.mi.us.

We hope to see you at all of your student’s performances and appreciate all that you do for the Band program here in Owosso!

Pre-Festival Concert

Wednesday, February 18 2026

Owosso Performing Arts Center

Report to OHS Band Room - 6:15 PM

Concert Start Time - 7:00 PM

Uniform - Full Concert Uniform
- Concert Pants, Tux Shirt* or Performance Blouse Top, Jacket, Black Shoes, tall Black Socks
*Students wearing the tux shirt will also need their tie, cummerbund and tux shirt studs ("buttons")

When you arrive at OHS, please get out your instrument and folder and take your seat in the OHS Band Room (just like we do for class). Please do not play until you get the ok from your director.

Freshman Band Students will warm up and tune with the director prior to the performance. They will then be the first group to perform on stage. After the performance, Freshman Band members will exit the stage and move to the reserved seats in the PAC. Band Students will then have an educational opportunity to hear the other groups at OHS perform and support their peers. Students will stay in the audience for the remainder of the concert and will be dismissed after the performance of the last group, OHS Symphony Band.

Listening to other groups perform is a very important educational opportunity and a chance to support their peers. Thank you for supporting your students in their performance and those of their peers.

Students and family members are reminded that all performances are required and graded. More than that, it is an opportunity for students to share their accomplishments from their hard work this season with friends and family members. Every Band student plays a vital part in every performance - YOU MATTER! Students, this is YOUR chance to make your mark and continue the legacy and tradition of excellence of the Owosso Band Program. Make it count! <3

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 729-5595 or kowalczyk@owosso.k12.mi.us.

We hope to see you at all of your student’s performances and appreciate all that you do for the Band program here in Owosso!

MSBOA District Band Festival Performance

Owosso HS Freshman Band Festival Performance

Saturday, March 7, 2026 - Owosso Performing Arts Center
*Students MUST take their instruments home with them on Friday immediately after school. Students will not have access to the instrument room from 3:30 on Friday through Saturday.
Instruments should remain cased (with the exception of Tubas) until otherwise instructed by your Band Director.

Report to OMS Band room - 11:00 AM - full concert uniform, instrument with you, cased*

Performance Time - 11:50 AM

Sight Reading - immediatly following stage performance in the OHS Band Room

Dress - Full Concert Uniform - Concert Pants, Top, Jacket, Black Shoes, tall Black Socks

The Band will be performing their prepared music for the first phase of the festival on the stage. Immediately following their prepared performance, the Band will move to the Sight Reading room to participate in the final portion of the festival. You are invited to attend both portions of the festival. Your support would be greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 729-5595 or kowalczyk@owosso.k12.mi.us.

We hope to see you at all of your student’s performances and appreciate all that you do for the Band program here in Owosso!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 729-5595 or kowalczyk@owosso.k12.mi.us.

We hope to see you at all of your student’s performances and appreciate all that you do for the Band program here in Owosso!

Anniversary Spring Concert

Who: OHS Freshman Band, OHS Jazz Band, OHS Concert Band, OHS Symphony Band

When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Where: Owosso Performing Arts Center

Report: 6:30, OHS Band room

Performance Time: 7:00PM

When you arrive at OHS, please get out your instrument and folder and take your seat in the OHS Band Room (just like we do for class). Please do not play until you get the ok from your director.

Freshman Band Students will warm up and tune with the director prior to the performance. They will then be the first group to perform on stage. After the performance, Freshman Band members will exit the stage and move to the reserved seats in the PAC. Band Students will then have an educational opportunity to hear the other groups at OHS perform and support their peers. Students will stay in the audience for the remainder of the concert and will be dismissed after the performance of the last group, OHS Symphony Band.

Listening to other groups perform is a very important educational opportunity and a chance to support their peers. Thank you for supporting your students in their performance and those of their peers.

Students and family members are reminded that all performances are required and graded. More than that, it is an opportunity for students to share their accomplishments from their hard work this season with friends and family members. Every Band student plays a vital part in every performance - YOU MATTER! Students, this is YOUR chance to make your mark and continue the legacy and tradition of excellence of the Owosso Band Program. Make it count! <3

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 729-5595 or kowalczyk@owosso.k12.mi.us.

We hope to see you at all of your student’s performances and appreciate all that you do for the Band program here in Owosso!

Solo and Ensemble Festival (optional event)

What: Solo and Ensemble Festival - this is an optional and student driven event. Students and their families are responsible for their own transportation to and from the event. All students are also responsible for their own preparation and completing teacher check points. In addition to this, soloists are responsible for finding an accompanist or communicating their accompanist needs to their director.

Where: St. Johns High School
501 W. Sickel Street, St. Johns MI 48879

When: Saturday 2/7/2026 - each performer/ensemble has an assigned time. FULL SCHEDULE BELOW

What do I wear? Dress your best! Some students choose to wear their concert season uniform. Others wear professional looking dress clothes of their choice.

What do I bring? Your instrument in its case, your copy of your music and the judge's original copy. A tuner (cell phone app is fine) is also recommended.
Students who are sharing an original book with another student should pick up their book in headquarters when they check in and return the book to headquarters following their performance.

What do I do when I get there?
1. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your performance time.

2. Go through the main entrance doors and check in at the main table to get a map. The students at the table will also assist you in which direction you should go to find your warm up and performance rooms. These maps are also available below.

3. When you find your warm up room, check in with the room worker (the person who looks like they're in charge). Tell them your name, which school you are from and your performance time. They will let you know when you are allowed to warm up. Until you are allowed to warm up, stay in the warm up room and wait for your turn. During this time, you should also fill out an info sheet which will be supplied by the room worker.

4. When the warm up room worker gives you permission, you may start to warm up. Warm up on scales, tune yourself (establish pitch THEN look at the tuner - no cheating.) You may run through your piece or spot check. Play as much as you need to but as little as you have to - AKA - don't play too much. You're fine.

5. When the room chair gives the ok, go to your performance room by referencing the map. Give your original score and info sheet to the MSBOA director in charge of your room. This is a band director with an MSBOA badge and is a different person than your judge. :)

6. The performance room worker will guide you into your performance room. They will give the judge your score and info sheet. You will set up your stand (and chair if applicable) the same way you have rehearsed. Be sure that the judge can clearly see you. If you are a soloist, make sure that you can see both the judge and your accompanist.

7. Play a tuning note and adjust if needed.

8. The performance room worker will announce your information and you may begin to play.

9. Play your best. YOU GOT THIS!!!!

10. When finished, your judge will talk with you about your performance and offer helpful hints and comments.

11. When the judge is done (or runs out of time) you will be guided into the hall. You will wait outside the performance room for the room worker to bring you your music and, if you have earned a 1 or 2 rating, a medal sheet.

12. YOU DID IT! Go to the warm up room, pack up your stuff and leave the room. Return your original book to the folder near the door at headquarters (where you picked it up). If you recieved a medal sheet, go to the medal table (on the map) and get your medal.

13. Go home and celebrate being awesome!

Maps - available at the main door at BCCHS and below

SEE GOOGLE CLASSROOM FOR MORE DETAILS AND CONTRACT INFORMATION

Schedule is below. Note event changes if applicable.

TMB requirements

Hello future TMB Members! Auditioning for the Owosso High School Trojan Marching Band (TMB) is an opportunity to become part of a team that creates entertaining and enjoyable performances, builds lifelong friendships, and strives for excellence on and off the field. We are looking for passion, focus, and a willingness to learn. This process is designed to show us your potential, not just your current skills. Become part of the excellence and tradition of the historic Owosso Band Program!

Future TMB members should have previous successful experience in the Owosso Band program. Students who wish to join the band without previous experience in Owosso should contact the director. We want to give you and the ensemble the most successful experience possible!

Future TMB members should also be able to deomstrate knowledge and mastery of the following skills in the following areas:

SCALES
Concert Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
Concert Harmonic Minor Scales: a, d, g, c, f, bb
Chromatic scale: Concert Bb
-One octave of each is required unless otherwise indicated by your director. Demonstrating mastery of additional octaves is encouraged but not required.

MUSIC
Music excerpt: provided by the band director in class. Sight reading may also be required.

MARCHING
Demonstrate mastery of marching fundamentals within a group setting. *

The performance portion of the audition will be graded using the MSBOA Rubrics as a foundation and guideline.

MUSIC THEORY
Music Theory test will cover necessary fundamentals.*

CHARACTER
Demonstration of good character, teamwork skills and commitment to the ensemble*. Contact your director for more info.

Where there's a will, there's a way! Do your best and give it a try! Contact your director for materials, assitance and questions.