Can I be in band and play sports? Can I be in band and join other clubs? How am I assigned to a high school band? I've heard that I have to be in marching band if I participate in high school band. Is this true? Why is marching band required for Advanced Band students? When is band camp? Is it required? Marching Band seems to take up a lot of time. How can I keep up my grades? Where do the Marching Rebels perform? What is a Drum Major? What is a Section Leader? Can I be in band and play sports? YES! We have many student athletes in the band program, and some even do both marching band and a fall sport! However, it is important to remember that in making a commitment to participate in either band or your sport, you must also make the commitment to yourself to keep a responsible calendar. Students must work out any conflicts between band and their sport in advance between the Band Director and their coach. Conflicts are often not the issue - the calendar and the communication (or lack of) on the part of the student can be an issue. As long as you plan ahead, keep your calendar current, and do your best, you should be fine. Remember, communication is a TWO WAY street. Can I be in band and join other clubs? ABSOLUTELY! Once marching band is over, there are very few band commitments after school. You will have most of your time after school is over to join the variety of clubs and organizations that FHS has to offer! How am I assigned to a high school band? After festival competitions are over in March, I will be coming to Lanier to hear you play and will assign you to the high school group that will be the best fit for you. All students need to audition for Ms. Benson so that you are placed in the most appropriate ensemble. Mr. Miles will tell you when the auditions will be and will pass out your music, so be on the lookout! Your audition will consist of scales (up to 4 flats/4 sharps), a prepared piece, and possibly some sight-reading. Just relax and play your best - you will be fine! I've heard that I have to be in marching band if I participate in high school band. Is this true? No. Not all high school band students are required to march. Only students enrolled in Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble I (Advanced Band) must participate in the Marching Rebels. Students enrolled in Concert Band are highly encouraged to march, and most of them choose to do so! Those Concert Band students who do participate in marching band will receive advanced credit for the course. Why is marching band required for Advanced Band students? Marching Band is a requirement of Advanced Band students as listed in the FCPS course description catalog. This practice is used by all FCPS high schools. When is band camp? Is it required? Band camp will begin for us during the second week of August (see the attached tentative schedule). All rehearsals are required as our preparation in August lays the foundation for our entire marching season. The days are long, but we have a lot of fun. Believe it or not, most students look forward to band camp each year! Marching Band seems to take up a lot of time. How can I keep up my grades? Our students really responded well last year to marching band. Band members are typically very good students, and most budgeted their time well last year. In fact, the FHS Bands had fewer members on the R/R list first quarter (during marching band) than we did when marching band was over. Participation in marching band forces students to use their time wisely out of necessity, helping teach them efficient study skills. In addition, freshmen have a support network of upperclassmen and other freshmen, who provide tips for successfully negotiating their first weeks at a new school. Where do the Marching Rebels perform? The Marching Rebels will perform at every home football game next season (Friday nights), and will travel to at least one away football game to support our team. In addition to our football responsibilities, the Marching Rebels will compete at three regional marching competitions before the season ends with our biggest performance of the year - the VBODA regional marching band competition. The Marching Rebels also perform in several Fairfax City parades, including the Mosby Woods Halloween Parade, the Fairfax Memorial Day Ride of the Patriots Parade and the Fairfax City 4th of July Parade. A full fall marching band schedule will be distributed at our meeting in May and will be posted on our website: www.fhsbands.org. What is a Drum Major? What is a Section Leader? Drum Majors and Section Leaders are student leaders. The Drum Majors are responsible for the band while they are on the field during a performance; the Drum Majors command the band and conduct the show from the front podiums. Section Leaders are marching members who are responsible for the playing and marching of their individual sections. They are there to provide feedback and guidance to all members in their sections. Any Sophomore-Senior member of the Marching Rebels is eligible to interview for one of these student leadership positions.