Frequently Asked Questions

What’s this “band camp” thing I keep hearing about?

It’s where the magic begins! Band camp happens the first full two weeks before school starts—it’s two weeks of learning the show, making friends, and sweating a lot. Seriously, it’s the best way to start the year. And yes, it’s required.

What is needed for Band Camp?

First and foremost – A great attitude!

Students should come prepared for camp with the following:

Water bottle – the bigger, the better!
Comfy clothes – shorts, t-shirt, socks and supportive tennis shoes (no Crocs, Vans, Hey Dudes, Converse, Flip Flops, etc.)
Instruments and accessories in great working condition
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Fully charged phone (to access UDB and music)
A packed, healthy lunch for week 2
Enthusiasm!!!!!! This will make their Band Camp experience so much better, really!

See the Band Camp page on the website for more information!

When Band Camp says 7:00am to 5:00pm – what does that really mean?

Any report time listed for our band events means that is the time that all students are expected to be in the band room (or other location), seated, and ready to listen to announcements. 7:01 is LATE and important information will be missed.

When practice runs until 5pm – that typically means that is when they are wrapping up rehearsal, listening to end-of-day announcements, and leaving the practice field for the walk back to the band room to pack up. Students are typically ready and available for pickup 10-15+ minutes later than the posted end time.

What paperwork do we need to turn in?

You must complete Steps 1 and 2 on the yearly Band Registration page which includes the online registration/medical form and the paper copy of the medical form. You can print that yourself or get one from the band assistant.

Do I need my own instrument?

If you’ve got one, great! If you are able to rent one yourself, fantastic! If not, we have some school-owned instruments you can borrow. We’ll help you sort it out. (Percussion and tuba folks—yep, we’ve got you covered.)

Where do I go for band information and how do we keep up with everything?

You’re looking at it! Our website has pretty much everything you will need to know, especially the band calendar. Attending monthly Booster meetings and reading the weekly newsletter are also vital sources of information. Students will receive communication and assignments via Google Classroom. We also use the Remind App for student and parent communication.

We use social media on these platforms:
Facebook (staff and booster-run): https://www.facebook.com/SherandoBandBoosters
Instagram (student officer run): @sherandobandboosters

Our Boosters utilize the Band App for volunteer communication. Click this Invite Link to join or scan the QR Code below with your mobile device.

What if my kid is in sports or other activities too?

We’ve got lots of students who juggle marching band and sports, theater, or other clubs. Talk to the director early and we’ll do our best to work around conflicts. Teamwork goes both ways!

Does it really matter if my kid misses a rehearsal/game/competition?

YES! The entire program for the band has been written with your child in mind. Band is not an individual event, but a team event and it is important for EVERYONE to participate! It doesn’t hurt only your child to miss – it hurts the entire formation.

How and who do we let know if our student needs to miss a practice or performance?

Attendance for all practices, performances, and our Tag Day fundraiser is required. We make sure to have our schedules available months in advance for your planning, however, if you need to miss a rehearsal or performance, please complete an absence form as outlined in the band handbook and on the Student Absence Policy page.

Why does band cost so much?

We work really hard to keep the costs down for our program – it is much less expensive than many other schools that we meet at competitions and events. In addition – there are options to assist with the costs.

The yearly band fee covers the entire school year from marching through concert season. This amount will help cover staff, clinicians, supplies, travel, instrument repair, software, etc. The show shirt is also included in this cost.

What are the extra costs associated?

Marching shoes
Instrument supplies, maintenance, & repairs as needed
Color guard jacket & hair/makeup supplies
Spirit Wear (optional) – we typically have a store open a few times a year
Section Shirts/Jerseys (optional) are designed and organized by student leaders
Game & competition admission fees for parents who are not in a volunteer role

I’m not sure what I owe or how to pay?

There is a black box on the wall in the band room next to Mrs. Stein’s office door. All booster payments of any kind (band fee, shoe payment, spring trip payment, etc) can be deposited here throughout the year. Make sure to put your payment in an envelope (available next to the box) and label it with the following:

student’s name
payment type
amount enclosed

Additional questions about band fees? Visit our Band Fee page to learn more. Or you can email the Booster Treasurer at treasurer@sherandoband.org

Why do you always ask for volunteers?

Our program simply cannot function without our amazing volunteers! To keep fees down, our volunteers work hard to fundraise by planning and working events, coordinating tailgate and band camp meals for our students, organizing and cleaning uniforms, helping move props and instruments during shows and competitions, and chaperoning buses and groups of students for parades, competitions, and spring trips just to name a few! Just as our students are able to make lifelong friends in this program, our parent volunteers also do the same!

How do football games work?

For home football games, students are to report at their assigned time to warm up stand tunes in the band room. After warm ups, students are provided a tailgate meal before they get into uniform and head to the bus loop for their show music warmup. After this warm up, students march into the stadium and filter into their reserved area in the stands.During the games, they play the national anthem and stand tunes. During the second quarter, students exit the stands to head to their warm up on the track near the scoreboard for the halftime performance.

After the halftime performance, students are free to grab concessions and report back to the stands at the end of the 3rd quarter and play stand tunes for the remainder of the game. After the game has concluded, students return to the band room, put uniforms and instruments away, and then are free to go home. Students are expected to be in attendance for the ENTIRETY of the game.

How do competitions work?

Competition day itineraries are posted on the band calendar as soon as they are available. Itineraries include all of the details for students – from what socks to wear, to what time to eat a meal on the bus. For most competitions, there is a rehearsal at school before we leave. After rehearsal, students will prepare to load buses and head off to the event. Similar to football games, once we arrive, we warm up in various ways and locations, then it’s performance time! After the performance, depending on the timing of that event, students are able to watch other bands perform and then we all watch the awards ceremony before heading back to the buses to return to SHS. If our arrival times waiver from the planned itinerary, the band director will let parents know via Remind. Competitions will always be day trips and typically always fall on Saturdays (with the exception of our extracurricular indoor units in the winter season).

How do parades work?

Parades are easy since they are shorter days than competitions are! For most parades, students get into uniform at school before we leave, then hop on a bus with their instruments to head to the parade location. We typically take 2 chaperones per bus that walk with us and help with keeping students hydrated. For the homecoming and Newtown parades, dress is casual (khakis and band shirts) and we do not take buses, but meet at the lineup location since they are local. Parades are listed on the calendar on the band website and communicated to students in class. We typically march the following parades:

Sherando Homecoming Parade (Sept)
Winchester Holiday Parade (Monday night in late Nov/early Dec)
Middletown Holiday Parade (Sunday afternoon in Dec)
Apple Blossom Firefighters’ Parade (Friday evening in May)
Apple Blossom Grand Feature Parade (Saturday afternoon in May)
Newtown Heritage Festival Parade (Saturday afternoon in May – Memorial Day weekend)

Can I pick my kid up from a competition or parade so they don’t have to ride the bus?

Yes, with advanced notice and if your student has made arrangements for their uniform and instrument to return to SHS. It’s vital to let us know ahead of time so we can prepare our bus lists for the chaperones. Please note that a student can only be picked up by their own parent/guardian, per SHS administration, no exceptions. Please refer to our Parent Pick Up Policy.