Band is different than anything else in school. It's a little academic, a little athletic, a little social, and a lot of music! But, that also means that the way we do things is a bit different as well. This page is an overview of how things work in our program.
After you review the website, if you still have a question - don't just wonder about it, ask it! Mr. Hebert is available for you anytime the office door is open. If you need more than just a drop-in, send an email to schedule a longer time. Mr. Hebert is available for questions, chatting, musical help, or anything else you need. You can also send an email anytime to derek.hebert@theacademyk12.org.
Instruments are the obvious part of the materials required for band, but there are a few extras to have as well. There is an entire page of the website devoted to getting instruments and keeping them in working order - be sure to review it!
In-Class Materials
Instrument in full working order that is regularly maintained
Folder with all books and sheet music
Pencil
Spit Towel for all brass players
Materials for Home Practice
Music Stand
Tuner and Metronome (MS & HS)
If you get an app, use Tonal Energy. If you get a standalone device, here's a solid model.
Beginning Band students will be given a free Beginning Band Trail Map to keep when you join band that will be used throughout the year. If you need to replace it, speak to Mr. Hebert. Replacements are $10.
All students will receive a free music folder each year. Do not use regular folders or binders for band! Many of our music pieces are larger than normal paper and will get damaged in regular-sized folders.
Books and music that are checked out from the Academy Bands library must be returned in similar condition to how they are checked out. Damages are charged to students at the replacement cost of the item.
Below are performance attire requirements for each band class. If you're not sure if you are going to choose something that fits the requirements or if you have questions or issues with anything attire related, ask Mr. Hebert before the first performance!
2025-26 Blue Band T-Shirt
Long Pants (Shorts okay for outdoor events)
Any long pants are okay, including jeans, uniform pants, skirts with leggings.
Closed-Toe Shoes
Any shoes are okay as long as they are closed-toe.
Accessories like jewelry, headbands, etc. are all okay but hats and sunglasses are only okay if we are performing outdoors.
Informal Performances - used for KMF, Bandapalooza, and other similar events
2025-26 Blue Band T-Shirt or 2025-26 Green Wind Ensemble T-Shirt
Long Pants (Shorts okay for outdoor events)
Any long pants are okay, including jeans, uniform pants, skirts with leggings.
Closed-Toe Shoes
Any shoes are okay as long as they are closed-toe.
Accessories like jewelry, headbands, etc. are all okay but hats and sunglasses are only okay if we are performing outdoors.
Formal Attire - used for festivals, auditorium concerts, and other similar events
All Black Formal Wear
Tops should be long sleeved button and collared, bottoms should be dress slacks.
Dresses should be long with full sleeves and formal cuts. This is a link to some good examples.
Black socks, formal black shoes, and belts (as appropriate) should be worn.
Royal Blue Accent
Necktie or satin sash. The links will take you to the preferred options. The accent cannot have any patterns or other markings. Be sure to select an item that is Royal Blue when ordering!
Accessories like jewelry, headbands, etc. are all okay but should be minimal and formal. Colors should be black or royal blue.
Jazz students will often wear the same attire as their concert ensemble, with the exception of the Starlights Jazz Dance and UNC Jazz Festival where all students will dress in more formal attire. Any other modifications will be announced in advance of the event with specifics.
It's impossible to develop as a musician if you only play in class. Everyone is expected to know your instrument, play with appropriate technical ability, and be able to perform all music assigned. That might mean 10 minutes a day, it might mean an hour a day. Each student should put in the time it takes to be prepared for each class. Your practice is evident in the way you perform!
Every practice session should include basic technique, something hard, and something fun. Don’t just play through a song a bunch of times and call it a day! If you need help with the “how to” of practicing efficiently and effectively, come talk to Mr. Hebert!
For most ensembles, you will have specific practice assignments. Watch your due dates and be sure that you are getting in the time necessary to be successful on your instrument! Don't expect to earn higher than a B in any band class without practice.
🐈⬛ The first student in each band class that reads this and sends Mr. Hebert a text or email that says "I found the cat" will earn bonus points for their section.
Mr. Hebert makes every effort to communicate clearly and often and provide resources with all information necessary for a successful year in band. Each student and family must share the responsibility and check the website and emails regularly to stay informed!
academybands.org will always include up-to-date information on everything related to the band program. This should always been your first stop to find out about anything band related. You can subscribe to the Google Calendar on the home page so that events are automatically shared with your personal calendar as well.
These are student resources for assignments and grades. All assignments, rubrics, due dates, feedback, and materials will be posted on your Google Classroom page. PowerSchool will be updated as soon as official grades are available on each assignment.
Students in Wind Ensemble, Jazz, Tri-M, and leadership positions are required to join our Remind text groups to receive regular important updates. Some special events will also have their own groups, such as the Disneyland Trip and the Elitch Music Festival.
Information and reminders will regularly be sent to families via email. Although students will be sent emails as well, most student communication will be through the website, Google Classroom, and texts. Event information for families is typically sent one month out, one week out, and the day before each major event.
🐶 The first student in each band class that reads this and sends Mr. Hebert a text or email that says "I found the puppy" will earn bonus points added to their fall semester grade.
Attendance Requirements
Band is a co-curricular class. "Co-Curricular" means that class meetings and events can happen outside of the regular school day, can be required, and can be graded.
The band Google calendar on the home page of this website can be subscribed to and kept on your personal devices to help with outside of school events. There is also a overall annual calendar and the events page of this website. Mr. Hebert will send regular emails as events approach, typically one month out, one week out, and the day before.
If a conflict arises with a required event, speak to Mr. Hebert as soon as possible - at least a week prior to the event. Excused absences are not guaranteed, but every effort will be made to accommodate each student's personal situation. Unexcused absences may result in a zero grade for an event and may affect future ensemble placement and extra opportunities such as trips and festivals. Non-emergency absences with less than a week's notice will be considered unexcused.
Keep in mind that "I didn't know" is never accepted as an excuse.
Grading in Band
The point of your grade is to give you objective feedback on your technical skill, performance ability, musical knowledge and understanding, and day-to-day progress in band. Keep these things in mind as assignments come up and your grades are posted through the semester:
Do your best, and do it on time. If you need extra time - ask, don’t just be late. If you bomb something, talk to Mr. Hebert about what you can do to try again.
Mr. Hebert will always try to give you specific feedback. If anything is unclear or if you don’t feel like you’re getting sufficient feedback, come chat! The goal of every assignment is to show progress in your musical skill and understanding.
If you need help - ask! You can think of everything as an “open book” assignment that Mr. Hebert will give you all of the answers to. You just have to do the work and submit it!
Remember that Mr. Hebert would honestly love to give you all 100% and he is always rooting for you to show your best work.
Assignments, grading rubrics, and feedback are all shared on Google Classroom. Official grades are always posted in PowerSchool as soon as they are available.
Classroom Norms
Although there is some variation between Elementary, Middle School, and High School, general routines for band classes are followed throughout the day.
Entry | You can enter through any of the doors to the band room. "On time" means that you are inside the door before the tardy bell. The door from the locker room to the hallway will remain unlocked but closed at all times.
Prepared for Class | You have two minutes from the tardy bell to be ready to play for the day. That means your instrument is assembled, your chair and stand are setup, your music is prepared based on the posted agenda, and you are ready for the first note. If you aren't prepared within two minutes, you are considered tardy to class.
Storage | Cases should stay in lockers during class and backpacks or other gear should be stored in lockers if possible or along the walls of the instrument locker room. The floor of the locker room and the doorways should always be completely clear and easily walkable. 6th-12th grade students may check out a band locker at no charge. Locker check-outs will happen during the first week of school.
Phones, Food, & Drinks | Electronics, food, and drink are allowed in the locker room as long as you pick up after yourself. In the band room, you're allowed to bring water only unless Mr. Hebert specifically makes an exception for a special event day.
Daily Agenda | An agenda for the day including our objectives and all music to be rehearsed will always be posted. You're expected to have music in order and books out and ready before the first downbeat of the day.
Rehearsal Etiquette | You are expected to be attentive to instruction, mark your music as appropriate, and engage in the rehearsal process. If your section is not being worked with, you are expected to be looking ahead and silently practicing on your own. Band and music are supposed to be fun and a light atmosphere is encouraged, as long as we are able to rehearse well and continually make progress towards our objectives.
Restroom & Water Breaks | You are allowed breaks as needed, as long as you do not abuse them. Beginning Band & Concert Band members have a silent signal and Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band members are allowed to go as needed. All students must sign out a pass at the kiosk by the door and end their pass when returning. Only one student is allowed out of the room at any time except in emergencies and no one is allowed to leave the room in the first or last ten minutes of class.
Basic Supplies | Mr. Hebert maintains an inventory of basic supplies on the shelf under the windows. You are free to use these supplies as needed. If anything is running low, let Mr. Hebert know. Be respectful when using these supplies so that they can benefit all members of the band program. Some of the supplies are limited in quantity for the year so when they're out, they're out until next year.
Pencils | You're required to have a pencil every day. There is a box of pencils on the shelf under the windows and you are free to take one as needed. If the box is running low, let Mr. Hebert know.
Lost and Found | There is a lost and found box on the shelf under the windows. Anything found within the band suite will be put in this box. The box is emptied regularly.
Ending Class | Mr. Hebert will always try to give enough time at the end of class to put away chairs, stands, and instruments before the passing period bell. Every student has the responsibility to maintain the cleanliness and organization of the band room. You're expected to remain in the room until dismissed by Mr. Hebert.
When students don't meet our expectations, it's an opportunity to learn how to do better in the future. Mr. Hebert will always consider the specific issue, the student's history, and the context of the situation. Consequences are designed to be appropriate, related, and proportional to the action. In cases where issues are repetitive or severe, parents will be contacted.
Anytime we leave the school building, you are representing The Academy, Academy Bands, the ensemble, yourself, and Mr. Hebert! Be sure you are always providing everyone with the right impression of who we are and what we’re all about.
Always plan ahead for off-site travel, including potential travel time, traffic, and parking information.
To be early is to be on time; to be on time is to be late; to be late is to be...
Always leave any space we use better than we found it.
Treat any instructions from staff members in facilities the same as you would from Mr. Hebert.
Any student not adhering to school and band policies can be removed from a trip, including being immediately sent home at the expense of the family.
Students with any disciplinary issues including general suspensions, behavior referrals, or any prior trip issues will not be allowed to travel with Academy Bands.
These activities are Academy-sponsored events that take place at locations other than Academy's main campus. These are graded curricular events that are required for students based on their ensemble. These events do not require additional trip forms.
Homecoming Football Game - Adams 12 Five Star Stadium
Spotlights Concert - Frolic Brewing Company
Disney Trip Preview Concert - Broomfield Auditorium
MS/HS Spring Concert - DL Parsons Theatre in Northglenn
These activities are considered official field trips for specific ensembles. All of these events will require an online field trip form to be completed by families at least one week prior to the event. Some trips do require fees as indicated below. However, no students will ever be excluded from any band activity due to money. Speak to Mr. Hebert right away if you ever have any financial concerns!
Wind Ensemble Camp - required for Wind Ensemble, overnight at The Academy
Adams County Honor Band - selected high school students, full day at the Mapleton Arts Center
Tri-M State Conference - optional for Tri-M students, full day at The Broadmoor, $40 fee per attendee
Cal-Wood Retreat - required for Wind Ensemble, overnight at Cal-Wood Educational Center, $30 fee per student
CBA Pre-Festival Performance - required for Wind Ensemble, half day at Broomfield Auditorium
CBA Regional Festival - required for Wind Ensemble, full day at Englewood High School
CBA Middle School Festival - required for Symphonic Band, full day at Mountain View High School
Disneyland Music Trip - optional for Wind Ensemble, five days in Anaheim, CA
CBA State Festival - required for Wind Ensemble if we qualify, two days at CSU Fort Collins
UNC Jazz Festival - required for Jazz Cats, full day at UNC Campus Commons
Elitch Gardens Music Festival - optional for selected Concert Band, all Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble, full day at Elitch Gardens, $70 fee per student ($35 if you have a 25-26 season pass) / $45 fee per non-performer
Graduation Performance - required for selected Symphonic Band & all Wind Ensemble, half day National Western Complex
Complete the online field trip form here for all events. Per school policy, a form is required for students to participate on any of these trips. For all payments except for the Disneyland trip, you can pay online at this link (Disney trip payments should be made on the 2026 HS Trip page). Payments are typically accepted from the start of the new school year (around early September) through the trip date. If you aren't able to pay online, speak to Mr. Hebert to pay with cash or check.
All Beginning Band students completing their first year will receive a recognition ribbon. Students who achieve the highest performance standards will be eligible to receive additional outstanding musician recognition awards as well. Awards are presented at our final performance.
Middle School Band students receive outstanding musician recognition by meeting all objectives of their class and earning an "A" in band for both semesters. Additional awards are presented to the most improved and most outstanding sections in each ensemble, as well as our top overall Middle School Band Student. Awards are presented at the MS Music Awards.
High School Band students can letter in band each year by completing various activities that are not required for a music class to earn points. All lettering points must be submitted by mid-April.
First Award: Academy Music Letter with Band Patch
Second Award: Letter Certificate and Service Pin
Third Award: Letter Certificate and Service Pin
Fourth Award: Letter Certificate, Service Pin, and Graduation Medallion
Additional awards are presented each year in special categories, to the most outstanding section in each ensemble, to students who participate in honor ensembles, to students who earn Tri-M service awards, and to students selected for the national awards in band: the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, the Patrick S Gilmore Band Service Award, and the John Philip Sousa Band Award. Awards are presented at the High School Music Banquet.
