MIDDLETOWN KNIGHTS BAND
F.A.Q.
MARCHING BAND - Also see A Parent's Guide to Marching Band
Do I have to be in Concert Band to do Marching Band?
How do I sign-up for Marching Band?
How many hours a week will I have to spend at Marching Band rehearsal?
When is Band Camp?
What days and times does the Marching Band rehearse?
Does the Marching Band go to away games?
How many competitions will the Marching Band go to?
Where are competitions held?
Can I play a fall sport and do Marching Band?
When will the Marching Band go on a trip?
How much does Marching Band cost?
What does the Marching Band fee cover?
Do I have to buy or rent a uniform?
Do I have to do fundraising?
Are travel expenses separate?
Does the school provide any of the Marching Band instruments?
BAND CLASSES
Why does the course catalog say that the fall semester of Band focuses on Marching Band?
When are each of the ensembles offered?
Are there auditions for any of the ensembles?
When are auditions held and what is required for the audition?
How hard is the music in Concert Band? Wind Ensemble? Jazz Band?
Are there fees for any of the ensembles?
BAND BOOSTERS
Who are Band Boosters and what do they do?
When and where are Band Booster meetings held?
Can students attend Band Booster meetings?
Do I have to be in Concert Band to do Marching Band?
No. Marching Band is a completely extracurricular activity, just like a sport. You do not have to be enrolled in any class to participate in Marching Band.
How do I sign-up for Marching Band?
Marching Band registration will begin during the Spring Semester and is online through the band website.
How many hours a week will I have to spend at Marching Band rehearsal?
What days and times does the Marching Band rehearse?
The band rehearses Monday and Wednesday every week from 5:30pm until 8:30pm, as well as on Fridays after school if there is a football game or competition that weekend. So, approximately 9 hours of rehearsal a week plus football games and Saturday Competitions. On football game days you will stay after school until the game is over around 9:30 - 10:00pm. For Saturday competitions the hours vary greatly so plan on all competitions taking all day, from early in the morning to late at night.
Band camp for 2010 will be August 9 - 13, 8am - 8pm everyday. There will be a meeting on August 8 at 6pm for rookies only. Friday of Band camp will end a little early for a preview of the show for families to watch followed by a picnic.
Does the Marching Band go to away games?
No. EXCEPT for a possible playoff game or state championship.
How many competitions will the Marching Band go to?
It varies every year. Usually, we go to about 5 to 7 depending on what competitions are available to go to.
Throughout Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Can I play a fall sport and do Marching Band?
I am willing to try to work out schedules with fall sports coaches. However, I do wish that you make a commitment to Marching Band by June and I have no control over what the sports coaches decide.
When will the Marching Band go on a trip?
There are currently no plans to take the Marching Knights on a trip. Our last trip was in December 2007 to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl!
How much does Marching Band cost?
What does the Marching Band fee cover?
There is a fee which varies each year ($200 - $400) depending on the status of the Booster's accounts. This fee covers school buses to competitions, uniform cleanings, band camp dinners, band staff, music, drill (the movement we do on the field), instruments, repairs, etc... The Marching Band could not operate without this required fee.
This fee does not cover: black, and white marching shoes(around $40 total); dance line shoes($25-$40), charter buses($40 - $60 per trip), and gloves($3 - $6).
These are only estimates, more specific information will be provided by the MHS Band Boosters.
Do I have to buy or rent a uniform?
No. There is a fee for Marching Band that covers uniform cleanings as well as many other things. See "What does the Marching Band fee cover?"
Only if you want the band the be the most awesome it possibly can be and if you would like to see the participation fee go down in the future. Information regarding this will come from the MHS Band Boosters Inc.
There will be separate fees for when we travel to competitions by charter bus(between $40 and $60 per trip). Overnight trips are also extra expenses.
Does the school provide any of the Marching Band instruments?
The school will provide the following instruments: All Percussion, Mellophone (for horn players), Marching Baritone, Tuba, Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, Tenor Sax, and Piccolo. All other instruments should be provided by the student.
Why does the course catalog say that the fall semester of Band focuses on Marching Band?
This is because at most other high schools in Frederick County, their fall band class is their Marching Band. We are the one of the only schools in which Marching Band is entirely extracurricular. See "When are each of the ensembles offered?" below.
When are each of the ensembles offered?
Concert Band, String Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble will all be held during the Spring Semester.
Are there auditions for any of the ensembles?
When are auditions held and what is required for the audition?
Auditions are required for Jazz Band and are held the end of February or early March for the following school year.
Music will be provided to prepare. Also required will be scales up to four sharps and four flats, and sight reading. Contact Mr. Shearer ASAP if interested in auditioning for either of these ensembles.
How hard is the music in Concert Band? Wind Ensemble? Jazz Band?
Concert Band plays grade 4 music on average. Some music will be grade 3 and grade 5. This music is just a little harder than music played in middle school. It will be challenging but we will make sure you can get through it.
Jazz Band plays all levels of music from easy to advanced.
Are there fees for any of the ensembles?
Information regarding this will come from the MHS Band Boosters Inc.
Who are Band Boosters and what do they do?
The band boosters are parents of students who are in any MHS instrumental ensemble (Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band) as well as any member of the community who is interested in supporting the band program at MHS. To be a voting member of the boosters you must have a child in the program. There are no dues to be a part of the Band Boosters. The boosters exist to support the entire band program financially through organizing fundraisers and soliciting donations and to help with any tasks in which the band staff cannot or should not handle on their own (such as repairing and modifying equipment, driving trucks, pulling trailers, building props, chaperoning students, providing food and drinks, administering first aid, stuffing letters, publicity, taking pictures, etc...)
When and where are Band Booster meetings held?
Band Booster meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30pm in room 210 at the high school.
Can students attend Band Booster meetings?
Yes, students can attend booster meetings and are encouraged to attend to provide the student view of the program.