2011 Marching Band Season post--already....

[Kirby]

Wish I could have watched, but we had our first Symphonic band concert tonight. Can anyone please explain to me what the difference is between a concert band, a symphonic band and wind ensemble? DS is in symphonic band but the rest of the freshmen are in concert band, and he's also in wind ensemble (which just appears to be a smaller version of the symphonic band ). I've asked DS about it, but all I get out of him lately are grunts. Three of the four electives he's taking next year are symphonic winds, wind ensemble and music theory (and I don't have any information on what any of that means either, I was just grateful that I was even told which electives he picked!).

At any rate, they were all wonderful. Even the concert band was light years better than the 8th grade band last year -- it's amazing how much the freshmen have improved since their last 8th grade concert back in the spring.

It could be different depending on the number of students in band, the region they are in, etc.

When my daughter was in band, wind ensemble (honors band to some) was the best players in the band. This band was required to compete at all contests at home and on trips during the concert season (second semester).

Symphonic was the next level, not quite up to wind level but still pretty good. While it was not mandatory for them to compete during the concert season, it was highly recommended. Participation would be taken into account when considering who might be moving up the next year.

Concert was the lowest skill level for band players. Usually consisted of freshman and sophomores but might have juniors and seniors also. While this band was lots better than the middle school bands, this group was not required to compete in trip contests but were encouraged to do so. They were required to compete in UIL and Solo/Ensemble. You might find upper classmen in this band whose skill level just never progressed past the concert level. You would also find upper classmen who wanted to be in band but could care less how well they played, they were mostly there for the social aspect.

All three bands were required to march during marching season. Alternates were usually from the concert band except occasionally you would find a great player who just couldn't walk and play at the same time but that is rare.

Jazz band, during my daughter's time, was an extra class that any band student could take. The program hadn't progressed very far when she graduated. The school had only been open for four years at that time.

 

[marcyinPA]

Wish I could have watched, but we had our first Symphonic band concert tonight. Can anyone please explain to me what the difference is between a concert band, a symphonic band and wind ensemble? DS is in symphonic band but the rest of the freshmen are in concert band, and he's also in wind ensemble (which just appears to be a smaller version of the symphonic band ). I've asked DS about it, but all I get out of him lately are grunts. Three of the four electives he's taking next year are symphonic winds, wind ensemble and music theory (and I don't have any information on what any of that means either, I was just grateful that I was even told which electives he picked!).

At any rate, they were all wonderful. Even the concert band was light years better than the 8th grade band last year -- it's amazing how much the freshmen have improved since their last 8th grade concert back in the spring.

I'm really not sure! In our district, we have marching band and concert band. If you join band, you are in both automatically. It is for grades 9-12. It is a class- for credit- all year long.

You can also audition for orchestra if you want. Orchestra is also a class. Unfortunately, our HS does not have a jazz band. Our rival HS does, but it is student led. We did have a small jazz group that would play ocassionally, but being student led, it kind of fell apart.

At the middle school level, there is marching and concert band (again, if you are in band, you are in both), orchestra and jazz band. My DS12, the drummer, is in all four.

 

[KiminChicago]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I'm guessing that the differences between the groups is just about the same at our school. DS said concert band is the frosh band and symphonic band is mostly upperclassmen (with a few really talented freshmen like DS ). Wind ensemble is (I guess) a subset of the symphonic band -- from what I could tell, the clarinet section of the wind ensemble was made up of the first 6 chairs of the symphonic band (I think there are 12 clarinets total). The top four chairs of the clarinet section also play with the orchestras (freshman orchestra and symphonic orchestra) so DS has been really busy learning new pieces. The symphonic band members also make up the marching band whereas the concert band members are the bulk of the pep band. Symphonic band members are also part of the pep band for basketball games, but they split into two groups and only have to attend half the games. DS's first pep band appearance is December 2nd.

Jazz band requires an audition, but they don't accept clarinets, so DS would have had to audition with his saxophone. He decided that he's just too busy with the rest of the music program to attempt jazz band too. And to think that back in the spring he was also talking about being in chorus -- poor kid would have had a breakdown!

 

[klj27]

I am so tired and have to have my daughter at school bright and early for her trip to BOA Grand Nationals. I am so tired and not looking forward to the drive home tomorrow night. The band is staying but we have First Reconcilliation with our youngest on Saturday morning.

 

[Gina]

So excited - just have to share with people who understand! My DS just found out today that he has been given the only solo in his band for their upcoming concert next month!!

He's a Sophomore in the cadet band... like most of y'all, they have 4 bands -- prep, cadet, symphonic, and wind ensemble. He tries out for symphonic band next month too. So proud of my sax player!!

Thanks for letting me share!

First playoff game tomorrow night! The kids don't do their show anymore, just play one song and form one set. Tomorrow's is patriotic in honor of Veteran's Day. Hopefully the crowd will like it!

 

[golfgal]

Nice "band" story....

Our band directors were talking to some of the volunteers at BOA--one guy is there every year I guess. Turns out he is an admissions counselor at a major university. He was telling our band directors that they LOVE to see "marching band" on kids' college applications--especially kids that participate in BOA and similar. He said that when he sees that on their applications that he is almost always guaranteed responsible kids that have the qualities they are looking for-dedicated, hard working, works well with groups, punctual, etc. He said they also give preferential treatment to marching band kids for scholarships too

So, make sure your kids have this on their college info....

 

[marcyinPA]

Nice "band" story....

Our band directors were talking to some of the volunteers at BOA--one guy is there every year I guess. Turns out he is an admissions counselor at a major university. He was telling our band directors that they LOVE to see "marching band" on kids' college applications--especially kids that participate in BOA and similar. He said that when he sees that on their applications that he is almost always guaranteed responsible kids that have the qualities they are looking for-dedicated, hard working, works well with groups, punctual, etc. He said they also give preferential treatment to marching band kids for scholarships too

So, make sure your kids have this on their college info....

Good to hear! Along with band, theatre, and his unbelievable amount of community service hours, my kid might have a better chance! Eye roll inserted because while he is an very intelligent kid, his grades are, shall we say, inconsistent.

 

[klj27]

I am stunned and speechless. I spent the day at BOA Grand Nationals but had to leave at dinnertime. I just got the call that they made semifinals. I am so proud of them and all their hardwork.

 

[mrsklamc]

I'm so happy for you!!!

My DH puts in a good deal of time with BOA in the fall so your post just made me feel really good about that!

 

[golfgal]

I am stunned and speechless. I spent the day at BOA Grand Nationals but had to leave at dinnertime. I just got the call that they made semifinals. I am so proud of them and all their hardwork.

 

[mickeymo]

I am stunned and speechless. I spent the day at BOA Grand Nationals but had to leave at dinnertime. I just got the call that they made semifinals. I am so proud of them and all their hardwork.

Congrats!

 

[klj27]

This kids have had a crazy night. They didn't get to their hotel until late last night and they had to be on the bus at 6am this morning. Rumor has it the guard girls were getting up a little after 4 to get ready in time. They performed at 8:15 this morning.

We are a Class A band and this was their first time ever at Grand Nationals. Making it to Semi-Finals is really like making it to the Finals for us.

The kids are going to head to the mall when it opens for shopping, movies, lunch,etc. I wish they didn't have to wait until 5 for awards because they are going to be exhausted!

 

[golfgal]

This kids have had a crazy night. They didn't get to their hotel until late last night and they had to be on the bus at 6am this morning. Rumor has it the guard girls were getting up a little after 4 to get ready in time. They performed at 8:15 this morning.

We are a Class A band and this was their first time ever at Grand Nationals. Making it to Semi-Finals is really like making it to the Finals for us.

The kids are going to head to the mall when it opens for shopping, movies, lunch,etc. I wish they didn't have to wait until 5 for awards because they are going to be exhausted!

The BOA events are exhausting for the kids. I believe that the colorguard kids are getting up that early. It takes a lot of time to get their hair done, get their makeup on, etc. They have extra stretching to do, etc. The band most likely has to be warmed up and lined up ready to go into the stadium at least 30 minutes before performance time--it's a well oiled machine at these BOA events that is for sure. Hopefully they will head back to the hotel for naps before going back to the stadium .

If you are still there, I would make sure you are there to watch the last block of the day. That block is LOADED with top bands with amazing shows . (starts at 2:15) or even get there by 1:00 so you can catch Avon and then all of the OK bands along with Marion Catholic. All of those bands will be top ten.

 

[marcyinPA]

This kids have had a crazy night. They didn't get to their hotel until late last night and they had to be on the bus at 6am this morning. Rumor has it the guard girls were getting up a little after 4 to get ready in time. They performed at 8:15 this morning.

We are a Class A band and this was their first time ever at Grand Nationals. Making it to Semi-Finals is really like making it to the Finals for us.

The kids are going to head to the mall when it opens for shopping, movies, lunch,etc. I wish they didn't have to wait until 5 for awards because they are going to be exhausted!

It sounds exciting!!

 

[marcyinPA]

At any rate, they were all wonderful. Even the concert band was light years better than the 8th grade band last year -- it's amazing how much the freshmen have improved since their last 8th grade concert back in the spring.

Isn't it amazing, the difference between middle school and high school? A year makes a huge difference!!! I always think about that at the beginning of a new school year- after hearing the middle school band in May. (they are good, but...well...they are 6-8 graders ). Then the 8th graders move on to HS and WOW....

 

[klj27]

The BOA events are exhausting for the kids. I believe that the colorguard kids are getting up that early. It takes a lot of time to get their hair done, get their makeup on, etc. They have extra stretching to do, etc. The band most likely has to be warmed up and lined up ready to go into the stadium at least 30 minutes before performance time--it's a well oiled machine at these BOA events that is for sure. Hopefully they will head back to the hotel for naps before going back to the stadium .

If you are still there, I would make sure you are there to watch the last block of the day. That block is LOADED with top bands with amazing shows . (starts at 2:15) or even get there by 1:00 so you can catch Avon and then all of the OK bands along with Marion Catholic. All of those bands will be top ten.

I wish I was still there but my youngest makes his First Reconcilliation this morning. I missed seeing Avon by 15 minutes last night.

 

[marcyinPA]

Well, today is "packing day". Everyone needed to have their suitcases and instruments at the school today for shipping. The band leaves a week from tomorrow!

Great news is that they found several businesses to underwrite the shipping charges- $30,000! Everything is going UPS, but needs to be shipped a week in advance.

We just did the last minute scramble to make sure he has everything he needs- all his uniform parts, and his shorts and swim suits...I'm a little jealous!

They have a practice today from 10-1, and then the instruments will be packed and on their way. The good news is that there is no early morning band this week because, well, there are no instruments! They still have band first block- I think they are practicing marching.

He is so excited, but to be honest, my stomach is a bit in knots. This is the farthest I've sent him alone. I know he will be just fine, but I can't help being a mom!

 

[golfgal]

Well, today is "packing day". Everyone needed to have their suitcases and instruments at the school today for shipping. The band leaves a week from tomorrow!

Great news is that they found several businesses to underwrite the shipping charges- $30,000! Everything is going UPS, but needs to be shipped a week in advance.

We just did the last minute scramble to make sure he has everything he needs- all his uniform parts, and his shorts and swim suits...I'm a little jealous!

They have a practice today from 10-1, and then the instruments will be packed and on their way. The good news is that there is no early morning band this week because, well, there are no instruments! They still have band first block- I think they are practicing marching.

He is so excited, but to be honest, my stomach is a bit in knots. This is the farthest I've sent him alone. I know he will be just fine, but I can't help being a mom!

Does he have a debit card? I kind of kept tabs on DS19 when he was in China that way. When I saw the first charge on his debit card I at least knew he made it there .

 

[marcyinPA]

Does he have a debit card? I kind of kept tabs on DS19 when he was in China that way. When I saw the first charge on his debit card I at least knew he made it there .

I got him a prepaid Visa...I think I can track the balance online I told him he has to take a picture every day and text it to me. Yeah right. Wishful thinking, I'm sure!

I'm waiting for the first 3 am phone call because he forgot about the time change. Did that happen to you when your DS went to China??

 

[golfgal]

I got him a prepaid Visa...I think I can track the balance online I told him he has to take a picture every day and text it to me. Yeah right. Wishful thinking, I'm sure!

I'm waiting for the first 3 am phone call because he forgot about the time change. Did that happen to you when your DS went to China??

DS did not call home while in China, WAY too expensive. He took exactly 2 photos the entire trip--both from the Chicago airport while they were waiting for their 3rd plane to come after the other two had mechanical difficulties---set them back 12 hours on their trip. He did not take his cell phone to China. They were gone for 10 days and while it would have been fun getting updates every day, it was good for him not to be in contact with us. It was a big growing up period for him. The band directors did post photos to the school website so we did see those.