Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers to help you navigate through the whole band process!
What groups are included in the marching band? The band consists of musicians; brass & woodwind instruments and percussion as well as the auxiliary unit known as the Knights Visual Ensemble (KVE), dance and color guard.
What is the auxiliary(KVE)? The auxiliary units perform with the band during field shows, parades and many other band performances. They are part of the visual effect of the show. Members of the auxiliary will be asked to dance, spin flags, rifles, sabers and other equipment that will add visual enhancements to the band presentation. Auxiliary groups participate with the marching band at all events.
What types of groups are there for musicians? Musicians have the opportunity to be in one of the three concert band classes, two jazz bands, percussion ensemble and a variety of instrumental choirs as well as the Indoor Percussion Unit, Winter Guard and KVE Company Dance Team.
What types of performances does the band do? Field show at varsity football game halftime (home & away); as well as marching band assessments; Various Holiday and other community parades; At least one concert each quarter; Solo & ensemble festival; Pep rallies; Numerous other functions.
How often does the band practice? Band camp dates are listed above. During football season, the band practices Tuesday evenings and Thursday after school; Additional practices are scheduled throughout the year as needed to prepare for various performances.
Is marching band mandatory? Marching band is a mandatory part of the band curriculum. Students receive participation points for marching band attendance.
How much does it cost to be in the band? There is a “Fair Share” band/auxiliary assessment each year that helps to cover the costs of clinicians, dry cleaning, uniforms, T-shirts, equipment, transportation and other band expenses. This years’ Fair Share Assessment is: $275 for ALL Band & KVE members: There is a $65 instrument rental assessment for any students that uses school own instruments.
Does the band go on any trips? The OHS Band takes a big out of state trip every other year. Our last travel year would have been 2020-2021 but due to the pandemic we were unable to take a trip. Plans for a trip during the upcoming 2021-2022 school year are pending but nothing is confirmed.
How does the band get to events? For away events the band takes either school or charter buses. These types of events depart from OHS and it is the responsibility of the parents to get the student to the school at the designated times. For events at the high school, such as home games or concerts, it is the parent’s responsibility to get the child to the high school at the appointed time. For all events, parents are responsible for ensuring their student is picked-up after the event by the designated time.
In which concert band class will my child be placed? Students are assigned to one of the three concert bands: Freshmen Band (all incoming 9th graders), Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. We are establishing a 4th band (Concert band) for this upcoming school year. ALL Percussion students (grades 9-12) will be placed in the 3rd Period Percussion Class. Any students interested in being a part of the Jazz program should contact the band office immediately at ocoeehsband@gmail.com
Do students taking honors/advanced placement (AP) classes have time for band? Yes! The majority of band students take honors & AP classes. The band is well represented in the National Honor Society, Student Government and other academic and leadership organizations. Also, several OHS valedictorians were also band students!
Can students participate in sports and other activities? Yes. The band has students in Football, Track, Soccer, NHS, Drama, FFA, Chorus, Leadership, Basketball, Art, Water polo, French and Spanish Clubs to name a few. Communication between the student, coach, parent and band director are important to make this work.
What do Oboe & Bassoon players do for marching band? Oboe & Bassoon musicians can choose to be part of the percussion, a member of the auxiliary, or march with an alternate instrument such as mellophone or baritone.
Does the band provide instruments to students? The band typically provides instruments for students that have an alternate marching band instrument. This includes tubas, percussion, French horns and baritones. Other large instruments are provided by the school but the majority of band students use their personal instruments. There is a rental assessment for school owned instruments of $65 for the year.
What options are there for percussion students? Percussion students can be part of the battery (Drum Line) or the Front Ensemble. Placement is based on playing ability, skills and potential.Generally, new percussion students begin in the front ensemble in order to gain valuable marching band experience.
What about the Parents? What do we do? Well, the parent is just as important as the student. The foundation of success in any high school band program is the band parent/booster organization. If your child is in the band… YOU ARE A BAND PARENT☺ We encourage and welcome all of our parents to participate in the various volunteer areas, including: chaperones, concession workers, Grill dads, KVE moms, seamstress, and many other positions that will be announced as needed. It is our expectation that each household participate in at least one band activity during the football season or during the rest of the year. Please look for volunteer opportunities in communications from the director and/or band parent officers and GET INVOLVED!
What types of communications can I expect to receive? This website will be our central hub for the majority of our communication. We also have a texting system and we are on Instagram @ocoeehsband. Please bookmark this website, so you can stay informed of ALL events and activities.
Should my student take any online classes? Students are encouraged to take HOPE online during the summer between their 8th and 9th grade years. Taking HOPE online will allow students to free up a class slot for band and/or jazz band. STudents can take HOPE through Orange County Virtual School. The HOPE class is a graduation requirement as well. More info can be found at this link: http://tiny.cc/ocvsreg
Is the band program at OHS FUN? Of course! We believe strongly in a music experience that is both enriching and enjoyable.
What is the auxiliary(KVE)? The auxiliary units perform with the band during field shows, parades and many other band performances. They are part of the visual effect of the show. Members of the auxiliary will be asked to dance, spin flags, rifles, sabers and other equipment that will add visual enhancements to the band presentation. Auxiliary groups participate with the marching band at all events.
What types of groups are there for musicians? Musicians have the opportunity to be in one of the three concert band classes, two jazz bands, percussion ensemble and a variety of instrumental choirs as well as the Indoor Percussion Unit, Winter Guard and KVE Company Dance Team.
What types of performances does the band do? Field show at varsity football game halftime (home & away); as well as marching band assessments; Various Holiday and other community parades; At least one concert each quarter; Solo & ensemble festival; Pep rallies; Numerous other functions.
How often does the band practice? Band camp dates are listed above. During football season, the band practices Tuesday evenings and Thursday after school; Additional practices are scheduled throughout the year as needed to prepare for various performances.
Is marching band mandatory? Marching band is a mandatory part of the band curriculum. Students receive participation points for marching band attendance.
How much does it cost to be in the band? There is a “Fair Share” band/auxiliary assessment each year that helps to cover the costs of clinicians, dry cleaning, uniforms, T-shirts, equipment, transportation and other band expenses. This years’ Fair Share Assessment is: $275 for ALL Band & KVE members: There is a $65 instrument rental assessment for any students that uses school own instruments.
Does the band go on any trips? The OHS Band takes a big out of state trip every other year. Our last travel year would have been 2020-2021 but due to the pandemic we were unable to take a trip. Plans for a trip during the upcoming 2021-2022 school year are pending but nothing is confirmed.
How does the band get to events? For away events the band takes either school or charter buses. These types of events depart from OHS and it is the responsibility of the parents to get the student to the school at the designated times. For events at the high school, such as home games or concerts, it is the parent’s responsibility to get the child to the high school at the appointed time. For all events, parents are responsible for ensuring their student is picked-up after the event by the designated time.
In which concert band class will my child be placed? Students are assigned to one of the three concert bands: Freshmen Band (all incoming 9th graders), Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. We are establishing a 4th band (Concert band) for this upcoming school year. ALL Percussion students (grades 9-12) will be placed in the 3rd Period Percussion Class. Any students interested in being a part of the Jazz program should contact the band office immediately at ocoeehsband@gmail.com
Do students taking honors/advanced placement (AP) classes have time for band? Yes! The majority of band students take honors & AP classes. The band is well represented in the National Honor Society, Student Government and other academic and leadership organizations. Also, several OHS valedictorians were also band students!
Can students participate in sports and other activities? Yes. The band has students in Football, Track, Soccer, NHS, Drama, FFA, Chorus, Leadership, Basketball, Art, Water polo, French and Spanish Clubs to name a few. Communication between the student, coach, parent and band director are important to make this work.
What do Oboe & Bassoon players do for marching band? Oboe & Bassoon musicians can choose to be part of the percussion, a member of the auxiliary, or march with an alternate instrument such as mellophone or baritone.
Does the band provide instruments to students? The band typically provides instruments for students that have an alternate marching band instrument. This includes tubas, percussion, French horns and baritones. Other large instruments are provided by the school but the majority of band students use their personal instruments. There is a rental assessment for school owned instruments of $65 for the year.
What options are there for percussion students? Percussion students can be part of the battery (Drum Line) or the Front Ensemble. Placement is based on playing ability, skills and potential.Generally, new percussion students begin in the front ensemble in order to gain valuable marching band experience.
What about the Parents? What do we do? Well, the parent is just as important as the student. The foundation of success in any high school band program is the band parent/booster organization. If your child is in the band… YOU ARE A BAND PARENT☺ We encourage and welcome all of our parents to participate in the various volunteer areas, including: chaperones, concession workers, Grill dads, KVE moms, seamstress, and many other positions that will be announced as needed. It is our expectation that each household participate in at least one band activity during the football season or during the rest of the year. Please look for volunteer opportunities in communications from the director and/or band parent officers and GET INVOLVED!
What types of communications can I expect to receive? This website will be our central hub for the majority of our communication. We also have a texting system and we are on Instagram @ocoeehsband. Please bookmark this website, so you can stay informed of ALL events and activities.
Should my student take any online classes? Students are encouraged to take HOPE online during the summer between their 8th and 9th grade years. Taking HOPE online will allow students to free up a class slot for band and/or jazz band. STudents can take HOPE through Orange County Virtual School. The HOPE class is a graduation requirement as well. More info can be found at this link: http://tiny.cc/ocvsreg
Is the band program at OHS FUN? Of course! We believe strongly in a music experience that is both enriching and enjoyable.