After school practices typically run about 2 ½ - 3 hours after school on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (or Friday depending on the football game schedule). Some practices start right after school and others start an hour or so after school ends.  Some students use this time to form study groups in the band hall, find a quiet corner to work on homework, or just enjoy hanging out with friends.

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The band generally practices for one hour after school on football game days.

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On days with after school practice, in addition to their school backpack, your student will need to take everything they need with them in the morning. The duffle bag you purchased can be used to carry band equipment.

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• Instrument

• All music and fanny pack

• Practice clothes

• Athletic shoes/socks

• Water jug (tip: if you fill it about 3/4 full of ice and then add water, they will still have cold water and some ice after school)

• Whatever else they have been using at practice (chalk, etc...)

• Hat and Sunglasses

• Small snack

• Sunscreen

• Deodorant

 

Traditionally, the Tuesday after school practice is from 5pm to 8pm. This practice is on the JV football field. Some students go home and come back, others stay, sit in the commons, do homeworks, and eat dinner (delivered by parents, delivery service, or brought with them that day.)

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​Flip Folders and Lyres - Information about what flip folders and lyres are needed will come from the band leadership and the directors. These will be needed for practice of the “Celebrity Block” (when the band performs the Celebrities’ music during half-time) and in the stands for football games.

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Band Hall Life

• The students can drop off their items in the band hall before heading to class each morning. In fact, many band students hang out in the band hall before school. It’s a great place to wait for the bell to ring. At the end of the school day, they will need to head straight to the band hall to change clothes and begin warm ups. If your students have questions, encourage them to talk to their section leaders or upperclassmen. They are willing to help freshmen through this first year whether it be about band or school. A lot of kids have older band friends that helped with homework and gave advice on navigating their way through high school.  It also helps to talk to someone who may have had a particular teacher.

• Most kids don’t have lockers. They use their band hall cubbies as a locker. Since the band classes are roughly in the middle of the school day, it’s a great place to swap out morning class items for the afternoon ones. And unlike intermediate school, students are allowed to carry their backpacks all day. If they are bringing a sack lunch, they can store it in their cubby, but take it to the cafeteria to eat lunch because eating is not allowed in the band hall.

 

Credits

• One year of band counts as the required 1 credit of Fine Arts needed for graduation. One year of band also counts as ½ credit for PE (1 PE credit is required for graduation). If your student stays in band through their Sophomore year, they will also earn enough points to get a letter jacket. Letter jackets are ordered in spring of the Sophomore year and are delivered to the band students at the start of their Junior year.​​​