8th Grade Band Parents & Students
SMNW Incoming Freshmen (2010-11)
updated 1/19/10
Welcome to SMNW Band.
There is a lot to take in as an incoming parent/student. What are the different bands? What does each band involve? How do we know which band to enroll in? Where do we find out information about band and its varying activities? This handout is designed to help with all these questions. The most important thing to remember is that band is a wonderful community for students to belong to and a great introduction to Northwest. Welcome!
Where to find band related information at SMNW?
For all the up to the minute information the best resource is the SMNW band website www.smnwband.com. It is the primary source for ‘all things band related’ for both students and parents. This year a section just for incoming freshmen is being added to the website to allow the band staff to get announcements to you directly. A full calendar for the upcoming school year (2010-11) will be posted on the band website as soon as it is available, usually in May.
As an incoming freshman the biggest question is which band do I enroll in?
All freshmen (woodwinds and brass) should enroll in Concert Band (course #007195) first semester and Freshman Band (course #007196) second semester. All percussion students should enroll in Percussion ensemble (course # 7188). Freshmen may audition for Marching Band. If they are accepted into the marching band, their schedule will be changed to Marching Band first semester.
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First Semester Bands |
Second Semester Bands |
Extra Curricular Bands |
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Concert Band Marching Band1 7th Hour Jazz Band1 Percussion Ensemble1 |
Concert Band Symphonic Band1 7th Hour Jazz Band1 Percussion Ensemble1 Freshman Band |
Basketball Pep Band1 Symphony Orchestra1,2 Pit Orchestra1 |
1 Selection is by audition
2 An after-school class with class-credit. Students are given a letter grade at the end of the second semester. Taking this class for credit is optional.
Freshman Band - All Freshman will be in Freshman Band for the second semester. Students may still try out for Symphonic Band if they wish and their schedules will be changed accordingly if they are accepted.
What are the different bands and what do they involve?
The following is intended to cover some of the questions you may have as an incoming freshman to the band program concerning each band. Class descriptions can be found in the SMNW enrollment booklet.
Marching Band (First Semester):
Attendance: Marching band starts at 7am each school morning and runs through first hour. The band rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 unless there is a scheduled game or another school activity performance. This is strictly a music rehearsal.
Performances: Once the school year begins the marching band will perform at all SMNW football home games (usually held at SMN in the new stadium) and at marching band festivals in the metro area as well as at KU.
Audition: Participation is by audition, which will occur in April /May. Students will be given a piece of music to learn ahead of time and then they will be asked to perform it from memory while marching.
Uniforms: Uniforms are provided by the school. Marching band shoes cost $35 and are purchased through the school. Shoe and uniform sizes will be taken once tryouts are completed.
Summer Marching Band Camp: This is a week long camp with Freshmen coming a few days earlier to learn basic marching techniques before joining the full band. On the last day of band camp there will be a performance for parents.
Cost: Marching Band fees are $140 which pays for summer band camp, band t-shirts, dry-cleaning of uniforms and other sundry items during the season. (There is a discount for siblings enrolled in marching band).
Marching Band Trip: Every 3 years the marching band goes on an out of town trip. The next trip will be in your students Junior Year.
End of marching season: Marching band ends at the end of the first semester. Most freshmen join the Freshman band for the second semester but they may choose to tryout for Symphonic Band.
Freshman Band (Second Semester):
Attendance: Classes are during the school day
Performances: Performances are through out the semester
Enrollment: Freshman
Uniforms: Concert attire this year is ‘all black’, professional/formal attire. Boys may choose to wear a tuxedo but it is not mandatory.
Concert Band (First and Second Semester):
Attendance: Classes are during the school day
Performances: Performances are through out the school year
Enrollment: Students not participating in marching band during the First Semester enroll in Concert Band. For the second semester the students are joined by Marching Band students.
Uniforms: Concert attire this year is ‘all black’, professional/formal attire. Boys may choose to wear a tuxedo but it is not mandatory.
Jazz Band (7th Hour) (First and Second Semester):
Attendance: Classes are during the school day
Performances: Many performances during the school year at both Jazz and Band concerts in and around the school district
Auditions: Auditions are held in April/May
Uniform: Concert attire
Percussion Ensemble (First and Second Semester):
Attendance: Classes are during the school day.
Performances: Percussion Ensemble students participate in Marching Band in ‘the pit’ as well as Drumline performances and percussion ensembles.
Auditions: Auditions are held in April/May
Uniform: Varies depending on the performance
Symphonic Band (Second Semester):
Attendance: Classes are during the school day.
Performances: Performances are through out the semester.
Auditions: Auditions are ‘by tape’ and are held in November. The music piece required for each instrument is usually known at the start of the school year and will be posted on the band website when it is available.
Uniform: Boys – Tuxedo, Girls - long black dress (provided)
Other band opportunities during the school year:
Basketball Pep Band: Perform at home basketball games during the basketball season (Dec – March).
Pit Orchestra: Perform in the pit at the high school musical in November.
Symphony Orchestra: One evening a week for 2 hours (usually Mondays) beginning in November through the second semester. An after-school class with class-credit. Students are given a letter grade at the end of the second semester (optional).
Competitions: There are several competitions held during the school year for solo’s and ensemble performances in the metro area. These will be listed on the band calendar when the dates are known.
District/State Band: District and State Band auditions are open to grades 10 – 12. Freshmen may want to be aware of this opportunity beginning their sophomore year.
Solo & Ensemble Festival is held in April and is open to all students. Students who participate in the Regional festival and receive a superior rating may go on to state solo and ensemble, the last weekend of April. Students should begin preparing for this early in the second semester.
Please check out the enrollment booklet for more details on each class.
As you can see there is a wealth of opportunities at NW to participate in band from the light and fun to the serious musician. We welcome you to the band program.