Marching Band

The marching "Band of Blue" performs during the fall semester at 3 Saturday marching competitions, Union County Marching Preview, pep rallies, select home soccer games on THURSDAY or FRIDAY evenings, and in local holiday parades.

ANY STUDENT who completed a full year of concert band in 8th grade is eligible to participate in marching band, even if they are not scheduled for Symphonic Band in the fall or spring semesters. Color Guard students are considered members of the marching band program as well and do not have to be band students to participate!

The marching band season kicks off every year with a summer band camp on the CATA campus. Summer marching camp is an essential first step towards a successful marching season. During camp students learn marching fundamentals, pep band music, and begin learning set design and music for a halftime show.

Please click here to sign up to Pre-Register for the 2025 CATA Band of Blue. The deadline to pre-register is March 7th for CURRENT CATA students. New students will have a different deadline to register and a different link. Please email Mr. Retzlaff with any questions you have craig.retzlaff@ucps.k12.nc.us

Recordings

Sheet Music

Student Leadership Information

Student leadership is integral to the success of any great marching program. Any marching band student that has participated in at least one marching season is eligible to apply for student leadership. The student leadership process begins every Spring Semester. Students interested in apply for a position must do the following:

Fill out the Student Leadership Application

Late applications will not be considered.

Commit to all leadership training dates unless approved by the instructors ahead of time.

Student Leadership Training

April 17th 4:00-5:30 PM

June 6th - Student Leadership/Mini Camp Planning 9:00-4:00 PM

June 9 and 10 Mini Camp 9:00-4:00 PM

July 21-25 Student Leadership Training 9:00-4:00 PM

Complete and submit all necessary required videos listed in the areas below

Video #1: Marching/Commands Video

- - Commands while marching the following:
    - Mark time- 8 counts
    - Forward March- 8 counts
    - Left Slide- 8 counts
    - Backwards March- 8 counts
    - Right Slide- 8 counts
    - Halt
    - About Face- twice
    - Call Pride

Video #2 Playing/Guard Work Video

Winds and Brass

- - Play the excerpts requested by the band and staff instructors.
  - Last season we put ourselves "On The Map". If want to kindle the flame of last season into a roaring fire, the work starts now. Expressive dynamics with defined heights, correct sticking, great technique, and perfect tempo management (including feet) are all expected. You MUST set the example and expectations for your peers. Being on leadership requires you to be exponentially more prepared than your peers so that you can effectively lead and help as needed.

Dance and Flag

*Tempo: 100 bpm

16 Counts Jazz/ Kupe walks
16 Counts Chasse
16 Counts of Sautee
50 RIGHT drop spins
50 LEFT drop spins
Cone experiences
Stir toss (1/3 in silk and bottom cheater)- 2 rotation

**Please Note: We will be looking for unrolled flags for drops spins, and flag angulation during cones.

Video #3 Conducting Video

Please video you conducting the opener with the click track recording.

All students going for leadership are automatically in the running for the position of Drum Major or Assistant Drum Major including color guard. Get outside your comfort zone.

Video #4 Interview Questions

- Interview Video (Questions for the video will be released April 18th via google drive folder I share with you to upload your videos.)
- There will be 3 generic leadership questions and 1 individual question for you to respond to in under 1 minute per question.

Submitting videos via google drive:

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT THEY ARE DUE TO SUBMIT THE VIDEOS DUE TO INTERNET ISSUES, GOOGLE DRIVE ISSUES, YOUR ISSUES :). LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE IN THE ENTIRETY OF THE FRAME WHILE MAKING THE VIDEOS SO WE CAN ACCESS TECHNIQUE AND OTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENTS.

PLEASE TAKE THE VIDEO ON YOUR PHONE IN HORIZONTAL NOT VERTICAL ORIENTATION.

DURING THE INTERVIEW PORTION...DRESS TO IMPRESS AND ENSURE YOU ARE IN A QUIET AREA WITH A NEAUTRAL BACKGROUND.

PLEASE LABEL EACH VIDEO LIKE THE FOLLOWING BELOW:

FIRST NAME LAST NAME TYPE OF VIDEO

CRAIG RETZLAFF MARCHING VIDEO

CRAIG RETZLAFF GUARD VIDEO OR CRAIG RETZLAFF PLAYING VIDEO

CRAIG RETZLAFF CONDUCTING VIDEO

CRAIG RETZLAFF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL VIDEOS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR LEADERSHIP.

All videos must be uploaded to your google folder by May 4th. Results for student leadership will be posted below by May 9th.

Important Links