WELCOME TO BAND AT OLATHE EAST!

• The focus of this group is year-round, indoor concert band. In many respects this is very similar to their band experience in middle school.

• This is a non-audition group; you simply enroll and show up in August!

• This group gives the students the opportunity to get adjusted to high school life and their new band directors, while continuing to develop on their instrument in a lower-pressure environment.

• Percussion students in concert band will meet in a separate class to develop percussion specific skills during the fall semester. In the spring semester, they are integrated into the Concert Band winds class.
  
  

• Marching Band Woodwinds and Brass–

  • Marching band is an auditioned group that requires a larger time commitment than the concert band. You can find our camp and rehearsal schedule HERE!

  • It is a high investment, high reward ensemble that often becomes our students’ favorite band activity. 

  • Participation in marching band automatically qualifies students to play in one of our top two concert ensembles once marching season is over in mid-October! 

  • Auditions will be March 31, 4:00 PM at Olathe East High School.  Audition information can be found HERE.

• Marching Percussion—

  • Students that wish to audition for the drumline will complete a separate Audition on April 4. Audition information can be found HERE.

For Option Two, after marching season, students are placed in either Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble:

• Symphonic Band–

  • This is primarily an upperclassmen group, with the exception of the freshmen that participated in the marching band. 

  • This is our second highest level group, and it does participate in large group festival in the spring, along with the wind ensemble.

• Wind Ensemble–

  • This is the premier concert band at Olathe East. Wind Ensemble is highly competitive and requires significant individual practice time outside of the school day.  

  • In addition to the extra practice time, most of the members of this ensemble take private lessons on their instrument. 

  • Students grades 9-12 wishing to participate in this ensemble may audition in the spring, concurrently with their marching band audition on March 31. Audition requirements will be communicated at least a month prior to the audition date.

• All freshmen that are taking band should simply enroll in Concert Band – PA 500x for one credit. Once all marching and wind ensemble auditions are completed, Ms. Fillingham will work with the counselors to get students assigned to their correct class. 

• Students enrolling in jazz band as a freshman should choose Jazz Band – PA 530 for a half-credit.

• Any student can sign up for the jazz combo class during the fall semester, and no audition is required!

• You must also be enrolled in either concert band or marching band to be in a jazz class.

• It is possible to participate in Jazz Band all four years of high school, but you will need to really plan your schedule carefully. For a sample schedule to see how you can do band and jazz band all four years of high school, please contact Ms. Fillingham. 

• Any student can join the Basketball pep band!

• This group is not tied to any particular class, and they perform at all the Varsity home basketball games.

• This group is FUN! Sign-ups will go up in early November.

Will my child have to attend band camp?

• • Only if they auditioned and were selected to participate in marching band/drumline.  All camps are mandatory for students in marching band. Click HERE for the marching band rehearsal calendar!

Can I participate in band and still do sports or other activities?

• • Yes! We have students participating in every sport at the school–as well as drill team and cheerleading–that are able to also do band.  Many of our band students are involved in multiple activities. We have had starting varsity football players that played in band every year. We even have had one of our drum majors that also was the Cheer Captain at Olathe East. We can make it work!

Can I still participate in one of the 21st Century Programs and be in band?

• • Yes!  We have several kids participate in both programs every year.  It just takes a little more planning.  Please let Ms. Fillingham know if you have questions. 

Tell me about the trips? 

• • Once every three years the band takes a major trip!  We’ve traveled to perform in Orlando (Disney World!), Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and even Hawaii! Students that wish to travel with the band will have several fundraising opportunities to cut the cost of the trip. MANY of our students say their band trip was the highlight of their high school band experience!