Parent FAQ

Can I balance band and academics?

Yes! We have members who are ranked at or near the top of each grade from the band program. Our rehearsal schedule leaves time each week to focus on academics. Being a well-rounded, multi-dimensional student is highly valued by college admissions officers. We believe that involvement in band combined with academic success will ultimately help students achieve their future goals. 

Can I balance band and athletics/other organizations?

Yes! We have members who participate in various activities, including theater, choir, cheer, dance, track, tennis, football, baseball, volleyball, wrestling and more. Directors, Coaches, and Sponsors want you to be successful in all of our groups. Your job is to communicate the band schedule with your other groups and their schedules with us. Speaking with your coach/sponsor and director can avoid conflicts and create schedules where you share time in all organizations. 

What is the time commitment?

Marching Season- We rehearse a maximum of 8 hours/week outside of the school day from around the beginning of school until around the end of October. Football games are usually Friday nights, with some Thursday night games. Marching Contests are on Saturdays. 

Concert Season- For the rest of the year (around November-May), we rehearse before or after school in sectionals or full band practices for an hour to a few extra hours a week. Wind Ensemble class first period will begin before the school day starts much of the year. 

Am I good enough for HS band?

Yes! After your time in middle school, you are ready for high school band! We offer three ability-based groups to support wherever you are in your growth as a musician! We will teach you everything you need to know! 

I don’t know how to march - is that OK?

Yes! We expect our new members to be beginner marchers. Our staff and student leaders will teach you everything you need to know about marching!

What will I get from being in Band?

A great set of life long friends, you become part of our band family! 

Meeting almost 200 high schoolers even before the school year starts! (great way for incoming freshman to be more comfortable at HS)

Learn the value of hard work, service, long term projects rather than instant gratification, communication, accountability, and teamwork.

Potential college scholarships, leadership opportunities, and things to set you apart on college applications.

An appreciation of music and development of important life skills that will serve you well after high school.

Are there opportunities to be recognized for doing well individually?

Yes! There are All-Region, Area, All-State, Solo & Ensemble competitions. All-State musicians typically receive large scholarships to college. There are also student leadership positions, such as section leaders and drum majors. These leadership opportunities look great on a college application! 

Is high school Band fun?

YES!! In addition to getting to hang out and play music with your friends, we have social events and a banquet to party together! We also go on a trips every few years. We went to Disney in 2024! Most students say that band is their favorite part of the day. 

Is band expensive?

Band does have fees, but they are some of the lowest in our entire area. Some local band programs charge over $1,000 per year just for marching season alone and we are not even half that amount for the whole school year. 

What is June Camp and Summer Band Camp?

It is important for the band to begin practicing as early as possible to be ready for games and competitions in the fall. We technically begin the next school year in June with our June Camp, where students are introduced to marching and marching music. Students begin practicing again in late July for summer band camp and it continues through the start of school. They start early and move indoors after lunch to limit time outdoors in warmer weather. These practices are mandatory to build a strong foundation to start the year.

What is Bandtober?

Band parents affectionately refer to October, the crazy month of juggling game nights and competition Saturdays as ‘Bandtober’. It is an intense few weeks of non-stop activity! But it is also a time of fun and camaraderie for students, staff, and parents alike! Please keep your Saturdays in October free for marching contests. 

What is a marching competition?

In addition to performing our marching show at football games, we participate in competitions on Saturdays in late September sometimes and through October. During competitions, each band is judged based on the quality of their musical performance, marching, percussion, color guard, and overall visual effect. The bands are ranked based on their scores. The top bands across all classes advance to the final round and perform again to be ranked to determine their final competition placement.

What are UIL Marching Region, UIL Marching Area, and UIL Marching State Contests?

Earlier competitions (festivals) prepare the band for the UIL 5A Region Marching Competition. At UIL Region, all Class 5A bands in our region (Region 30) perform one time for judging. Bands that achieve a score of 1 advance to UIL Area (usually the following Saturday). UIL Area competition follows the Preliminary/Finals structure, with the top 10 bands advancing to finals. After finals, the top ~4 bands advance to UIL State 5A competition.

What is the schedule like on competition days?

Competitions are all-day events. Students typically arrive early morning and return late evening (later, if we advance to finals). The following shows a typical schedule, with advancement to finals (which is always our goal). Meals are typically provided throughout the day, but the timing will vary based on performance times.

• Arrive at the school and rehearse

• Load the trucks

• Gather uniform, instrument, and meal/snack and load the buses

• Unload at the competition site and change into uniforms

• Warm up before preliminaries

• Perform in the preliminary round

• Return to designated location between rounds (debrief, meal/snack, watch other performances)

• Gather in stands for preliminary results

• Warm up before finals (if advancing)

• Perform in the final round

• Load trucks

• Gather in stands for final results

• Return home

• Unload buses and trucks

• Debrief meeting

What is the schedule like on game days?

Games occur on Thursday or Friday typically, but will follow the same general schedule:

• Report to band hall after school

• Eat dinner (sometimes provided by Boosters)

• Load trucks

• Dress in uniform

• Gather instruments and load buses

• Unload trucks/buses at game site

• Perform in stands (before and after half-time)

• Perform at half-time

• Load trucks/buses

• Return to school (Director will typically notify parents via Remind on student pickup time, but students are encouraged to communicate with parents about return times also)

• Unload

• Debrief meeting

Can parents attend games and competitions?

Yes! Parents are STRONGLY encouraged to attend games and competitions! It is important to see the hard work our students put into their performance, and to cheer their efforts! Parents who come as spectators must purchase tickets to events. However, volunteers are ALWAYS needed to support the band! From chaperones to food crew to loading/prop/field crew, there are many roles to help the band succeed! Volunteers may receive free admission to games, and may receive admission to competitions (varies by competition).

Whom do we ask regarding band payment questions? 

Payment plans need to be made with Mr. Williams directly. His email is ajwilliams@wsisd.net 

Billing and payment questions can be directed to Mrs. Gutierrez. Her email is dgutierrez@wsisd.net 

How will I find out information during band season? 

Information is given at the annual required parent meeting during Summer Band Camp.  We typically have a “Parent Night” in August.  We try to keep parents in touch with what is going on during monthly booster meetings, email notifications that are sent out via charms or skyward and our band website.  Band event updates can be found on our calendar housed at the band website. The majority of the performance calendar is set by May before the Academic Year begins. Remind messages are our main form of communication. 

As a parent, what can I do to help enhance my child’s experience in band? 

The best thing you can do is come to the performances and watch your child perform.   Give them a pat on the back, and praise.  So they feel their participation is important to you and your family. You can also enhance your child’s experience by giving them the opportunity to take lessons with a professional.  They get one-on-one tutoring where a child can work on independent learning and can grow as an individual musician.  The better each individual student gets, the better the band or ensemble will be.  That in turn, makes for a more pleasant experience for all. Providing them with a high quality advanced or professional level instrument will help them progress. Playing on a beginner level instrument as a high schooler can hold back their growth. Encouraging them to practice 30 minutes a day and providing a space to practice can help a lot! Coming to volunteer at the concession stand, participating in fundraisers, and cheering us on at games and contests goes a long way! 

What is my obligation (besides financial) to the band as an adult? 

The more adults we have involved in supporting the many needs of the band will lighten the load for the few who hold chair positions and/or board positions in our Booster club. We need your time, talents, and man power to do all that we do. We need parents volunteering in concessions, coming to games and contests to move equipment and instruments and set up props, helping feed the kids, etc. All volunteers must fill out the volunteer form with the district, check for the tab called "Volunteer" under the home page. 

What is the best way to know/keep up with what is going on in band? 

1. Look for Remind messages from the band directors, this is our main form of communication with parents and students

2. Keeping checking this info site 

3. Referencing the band calendar regularly as it is a live and changing document all year

Attend Booster monthly meetings and any band activity.  You’re more then welcome to join and help out in any activity whether it be watching from the stands or participating behind the scenes to get the group ready.  There is always something that a parent can be involved in. 

Where to I purchase my student’s black pants (concert season Symph band and Concert band) and black shorts (marching season)? 

Shorts- Purchase black dickie style shorts (fingertip length or longer) similar to this... Amazon link

Dress Pants- Purchase black dress slack style pants for concert season in Symph and Concert Band similar to this... men Amazon link or women Amazon link

What is the difference between the pit (front ensemble), battery (drum line), and percussion? 

Members of our Percussion Program perform in a variety of ensembles, including our concert bands, and marching band. Percussionists are expected to know how to play all percussion instruments, keyboards, drums, and auxiliary instruments. 

Drum Line or Battery- Moving/marching percussion instruments worn on the body while moving such as: snare, tenor, and bass drums. 

Pit or front ensemble- Stationary instruments at the front of the marching field such as: keyboards, auxiliary instruments, synth, etc.  

(Drum set- we typically only have 1 drum set player in jazz band) 

What is the difference between color guard and winter guard?

The band consists of three primary sections – the winds (instruments played with air), the percussion (instruments that make sound by being struck), and the color guard (the body, flag, rifle, etc. adding the element of dance and artistry) . 

The color guard enhances the music that the marching band is playing via dance, movement, and the synchronized spinning of flags, sabers, rifles, etc. This is also the name of their section of the band. 

Winter guard is an indoor color guard contest season (around November-April). Performances take place in a gymnasium or other indoor arena. Performances make use of recorded music rather than a live band. There are additional fees for students participating in winter guard. Students must be in color guard to do winter guard. Students must re audition for winter guard season to make the performing team. 

Uniform Parts

Jacket/Coat:  Jacket worn over undershirt and Bibbers/pants

Bibbers/Pants:  Black overall-type pants. The overall-like garment worn under a jacket in standard marching band uniforms. 

Shako/Hat:  A shako is a tall band hat with a visor; worn with or without the plume or hat wrap. 

Marching shoes: Special black shoes each marcher wears during shows and competitions. 

Gauntlets: The cuff that is placed at the bottom of uniform sleeves near the wrist. 

Hip Cape: The Velcro piece that is attached near the hip.  

Hat wrap: The Velcro piece that is attached onto the hat/shako.

Shako box/Hat Box: The special box created to hold the shako.

Plume: Feather adornment worn on the Shako with the marching band uniform. 

Garment Bag: The plastic bag with your name on it that holds the uniform parts safely.