FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How Do I Juggle Band With Grades & Sports? Can I Do Sports AND Band?
One of the great skills that high school band teaches is time management, which is one of the reasons band students from strong programs have an edge when applying for college. The best and brightest students at SFHS find a way to be in band all four years, and be highly successful, even when taking Honors/AP classes and participating in our Athletics. We love having students in other classes and activities, including athletics, theater, dance, choir, orchestra, etc... In the past our band has included members of the football teams, cheer, dance team, soccer teams, and many more. Schedules are always workable and good communication is key to making this work. Additionally, during marching season "homework hour" is built into the rehearsal schedule as a time when students can receive tutoring and work on assignments for the week. Many students and parents are surprised to find that their grades are strongest during our busiest times of the year, because of how motivated and focused our students are during those periods.
Are All Band Members Marching Band? What About Concert Band?
YES!!!! The Concert Bands and the Marching band are the same group of students. We have 3 different, ability-based "Concert Bands" - Varsity Wind Symphony, JV Symphonic Band, and "C" Concert Band. They all combine to form the SFHS marching band during "marching season," from August to early November, then transition to their respective, separate "Sit-Down Concert Bands" for the remainder of the year. We are one, unified program and this philosophy is the core of our program. Students must be in marching band in order to be in a concert band, and vice versa. This is the standard structure for the majority of programs nation-wide, and allows us to provide the best possible experiences to our students, as well as prepare them for collegiate and post-high school opportunities and expectations.
What About Jazz Band?
After marching season has concluded, interested students will have the opportunity to participate in Jazz Lab, if they choose. These are additional, voluntary ensembles. Jazz Lab 1 is by audition and is course during the school day. Jazz 2/3 is an additional course that meets occasionally after school when scheduling is possible. Students must be in marching/concert band in order to participate in a jazz lab.
Why Are Private Lessons So Important?
Band teaches ensemble skills: How to work together, play together, listen, balance, blend, etc... These are different from individual technique and solo skill. In order to achieve a high level of success on an individual instrument, students need to study with an expert on that particular instrument (I.E. a clarinetist should work with someone who has a degree or professional background specifically in clarinet). In addition to being the best way to prepare for Allstate auditions and Solo & Ensemble Contest, this the only way to be truly prepared for a collegiate audition. Regardless of what a student plans to study in college, their ability on their instrument can help them gain admission to the college of their choice. Their solo audition on their instrument is what will determine this.
What Can I Do To Prepare For High School Band?
Besides the easy answer (practicing), the main thing you can do is check the schedule regularly and communicate with your directors!
I’m A Parent/Volunteer, How Do I Get Involved?
Band has so many moving pieces that we just couldn’t function without our incredible band parents and community volunteers! They help us with fundraising for trips, equipment, travel, staff, and clinicians, as well as help us with concerts, events, props, and even uniforms. Band Booster Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30PM, in the SFHS band hall. If you would like more information about how to get involved, please click the "boosters" link above, or email sfhbandboosters@gmail.com
How Do I Juggle Band With Grades & Sports? Can I Do Sports AND Band?
One of the great skills that high school band teaches is time management, which is one of the reasons band students from strong programs have an edge when applying for college. The best and brightest students at SFHS find a way to be in band all four years, and be highly successful, even when taking Honors/AP classes and participating in our Athletics. We love having students in other classes and activities, including athletics, theater, dance, choir, orchestra, etc... In the past our band has included members of the football teams, cheer, dance team, soccer teams, and many more. Schedules are always workable and good communication is key to making this work. Additionally, during marching season "homework hour" is built into the rehearsal schedule as a time when students can receive tutoring and work on assignments for the week. Many students and parents are surprised to find that their grades are strongest during our busiest times of the year, because of how motivated and focused our students are during those periods.
Are All Band Members Marching Band? What About Concert Band?
YES!!!! The Concert Bands and the Marching band are the same group of students. We have 3 different, ability-based "Concert Bands" - Varsity Wind Symphony, JV Symphonic Band, and "C" Concert Band. They all combine to form the SFHS marching band during "marching season," from August to early November, then transition to their respective, separate "Sit-Down Concert Bands" for the remainder of the year. We are one, unified program and this philosophy is the core of our program. Students must be in marching band in order to be in a concert band, and vice versa. This is the standard structure for the majority of programs nation-wide, and allows us to provide the best possible experiences to our students, as well as prepare them for collegiate and post-high school opportunities and expectations.
What About Jazz Band?
After marching season has concluded, interested students will have the opportunity to participate in Jazz Lab, if they choose. These are additional, voluntary ensembles. Jazz Lab 1 is by audition and is course during the school day. Jazz 2/3 is an additional course that meets occasionally after school when scheduling is possible. Students must be in marching/concert band in order to participate in a jazz lab.
Why Are Private Lessons So Important?
Band teaches ensemble skills: How to work together, play together, listen, balance, blend, etc... These are different from individual technique and solo skill. In order to achieve a high level of success on an individual instrument, students need to study with an expert on that particular instrument (I.E. a clarinetist should work with someone who has a degree or professional background specifically in clarinet). In addition to being the best way to prepare for Allstate auditions and Solo & Ensemble Contest, this the only way to be truly prepared for a collegiate audition. Regardless of what a student plans to study in college, their ability on their instrument can help them gain admission to the college of their choice. Their solo audition on their instrument is what will determine this.
What Can I Do To Prepare For High School Band?
Besides the easy answer (practicing), the main thing you can do is check the schedule regularly and communicate with your directors!
I’m A Parent/Volunteer, How Do I Get Involved?
Band has so many moving pieces that we just couldn’t function without our incredible band parents and community volunteers! They help us with fundraising for trips, equipment, travel, staff, and clinicians, as well as help us with concerts, events, props, and even uniforms. Band Booster Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30PM, in the SFHS band hall. If you would like more information about how to get involved, please click the "boosters" link above, or email sfhbandboosters@gmail.com
