FAQ
Why does a student audition?
Student’s who enroll in band, audition so that they can be placed in a band class with students at their skill level and be assigned the appropriate part for marching band.
How many bands are there and how does placement in a band affect a student’s schedule?
There are three bands, beginning with the most advanced: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band. Which ensemble you are placed in determines which class period will be your band class.
Does a student have to come to summer band practice?
A student who is interested in marching for the Fall show should make every effort to come to summer practice. In August, the band begins learning music and drill to the Marching Show. A student who shows up the first day of school without having been to summer practice will be approximately 2 months behind the other students.
What happens if the student’s family will be out of town or there is some other reason the student cannot attend summer band practice?
The directors need to know if the student intends to stay in band, but cannot be at practice for some reason. Writing for the show’s drill begins early. It is a complicated geometrical problem, and it is not so easy to add and subtract students without changing the look of the show. Please e-mail or call the directors if the student cannot attend any or all days of summer practice.
What is the difference between a “Varsity” spot and a “Junior Varsity” spot?
A Varsity spot is designated for performers participating in the Competitive Show. A Junior Varsity spot is designated for performers not participating in the Competitive Show. Both spots will perform at all football games during halftime. Junior Varsity spots will travel to all competitions, but will not perform.
How is a student assigned a Varsity spot or a Junior Varsity spot?
During summer band camp, the director’s will evaluate each student. Varsity spots will be assigned to student’s that play their music and march at a basic proficiency level. Spots are not finalized until the beginning of competition season (October). Someone in a Junior Varsity spot can move over to a Varsity spot and vice versa. This will be based on playing proficiency, marching proficiency and/or attendance.
What does “ineligible” mean?
When nine-week progress reports come out, students with one or more failing grades cannot participate in extracurricular activities such as band events or contests at least until the student has brought the grade up (including all classes) for the three-week grading period.
Does “ineligibility” include Pre-AP, AP, IB and Con-Current classes?
Yes and No. Based on the language of SB 1517, advanced courses are eligible for exemption as noted in section 33.081 of the Texas Education Code. Tyler Legacy High School requires that all Pre-Ap, AP, IB, and Con-Current classes maintain a grade of 60 or above to meet the exemption. Students receiving between a 60 and a 70 will receive and exemption.
What should a student wear for marching practice?
Summer and Fall practices take place during the hottest time of the year. Most practices are on the hot concrete parking lot, where temperatures may reach above 100 degrees. Students should be attired in shorts (no long pants), light-colored shirts, socks and tennis shoes. Sunscreen and hats are strongly advised.
What should a student bring for marching practice?
Each student should have his or her own RED half-gallon or larger water jug, marked with the student’s name and filled with water each day. Students should also have his/her instrument in working condition and fully charged device with up to date drill on UDB. If any student is without a device, they must have coordinate charts w/lanyard.
What is the fair share fee supposed to cover?
The fair share covers transportation to and from games and contests, drinks throughout the year, food at contests, uniform cleaning and pant hemming. Families whose financial situations make payment difficult should contact the band directors.
What else will a student need to purchase?
All members must purchase 2 shirts (1 Red Raider Band shirt and 1 Show shirt) to wear under their uniform bib pants and at any other performances in which students are not wearing the full uniform. Students, except those in percussion, will also also need to purchase at least two pairs of black gloves each year. New students, or those who have outgrown last year’s shoes, must purchase black marching shoes.
Game day back packs will also be available to purchase. The back packs are necessary for keeping all necessary items organized while traveling to and from the stadium, including music, lyre, rain poncho, water, shako, etc. Even though we have experienced great weather in the past, all band members will also be required to own their own rain poncho.
Other items needed are a flip folder (w/extra pages), lyre and a Foundations for Superior Performance book. All of the above items can be purchased during registration before band camp begins.
On their own, students should buy two pairs of LONG black socks to wear with the uniform.
What other optional items can students and parents purchase?
The TL Band Parent Association sells clothing and other spirit items to promote the band and school. Please see the website merchandise page (coming soon) for other available merchandise.
How much is the rental fee for school-owned instruments?
Students who play french horn, tuba, baritone/euphonium, oboe, bassoon, percussion and other school-owned instruments pay a fee of $50 to the school for the maintenance of those instruments.
Can we purchase our own instrument?
Many students own their own instruments and directors can advise students and parents about brand names and where to purchase them. Some wind players purchase a second higher quality instrument for concert season and save the instrument they first learned on for marching season.
If a student plays an instrument not used in marching band, what should he or she play during marching season?
Marching programs usually do not include bassoons and oboes. Students who play these instruments during concert season should discuss the possibilities with the directors and his/her private lesson instructor. Some students have opted to participate in color guard or percussion during marching season, while others have switched to similar instruments for the Fall.
Should students take private lessons?
Private lessons are not required, but are highly recommended. The school district contracts with several instructors, who are mostly college or high school music teachers.
How often do students take breaks during marching practice?
Band directors take frequent breaks during hot practices. The TL Band Program acknowledges the importance of health concerns associated with the heat/sun. A drum major is assigned to keep track of the frequency and length of the water breaks in order to reinforce the importance of these health concerns.
How can parents find out information if the students do not tell them?
Students have often had a long day before they see their parents each evening, so they might forget to tell parents key information. Parents should sign up to receive band e-mails and check the website for announcements and calendar updates. Also, please sign up for the Parent Band Page through the Band APP.
What does UIL mean?
The University Interscholastic League began at the University of Texas. UIL rules govern Texas intrastate competitions in music, athletic and scholastic competitions in the state.
When and how should I get my sons/daughters uniform fitted and cleaned?
The uniform committee fits the pants for each student during registration day before summer band begins. It is necessary throughout the course of a marching season to have the uniforms cleaned. We as a band staff have them sent off several times to have them professionally cleaned.
What are the different parts of the uniform?
Jacket – self explanatory
Bibbers – the overall style pants that are worn under the jacket
Gauntlets – Removable cuffs that are worn over the jacket
Gloves – white gloves to be worn when playing the instruments
Shoes – must be purchased through the BPA to insure uniformity
Socks – must be black and be calf high in length
Shako – band hat
Plume – tall red feathery adornment that is attached to the shakos just before performances
Show shirt or TL Band shirt – the show shirt has a logo representing the year’s show theme. The Band shirt has a print of the Band’s motto. This shirt is included in your fees and belongs to the band member. It is worn under the bibbers and jacket.
What kind of uniform do students wear during concert season?
All students wear the marching uniforms for UIL contest. Concert attire for performances other than UIL contest is “Sunday dress.” Young Men are expected to wear a long-sleeve button down shirt with a tie, dress slacks and dress shoes. Young Ladies are expected to wear a dress with appropriate length) or a button down shirt with dress slacks. All students are required to wear dress shoes and not flip flops or tennis shoes.
What are the main parts of a marching band?
The marching band consists of the brass’, woodwinds, drumline and color guard.
What is the drumline?
The drumline is made up of the marching percussion instruments (snare, quad, and bass), and the front ensemble (marimba, vibraphone, bells, timpani and auxiliary percussion instruments). The marching percussion is more commonly referred to as the battery and the front ensemble is more commonly referred to as the pit, however, both sections make up the drumline.
What is Winter Guard?
Winter Guard refers to the competition season for the Color Guard that follows the marching season. These contests are held indoors and separate routines for groups as well as individuals are learned and performed.
How often does the band travel out of state?
The full band trips occur every year, but out-of-state travel is typically scheduled every 2 years due to the cost.
How many hours a week does the band practice?
UIL rules allow for a maximum of eight hours per calendar week of marching practice outside of the school day, plus warm-ups prior to games and contests. When school begins, rehearsal is 7 hours.
What if it rains at a football game?
A poncho is one of the items necessary at all football games. The band is expected to attend the game even if it is raining. The district safety regulations are in effect so if there is lightning detected the game will be delayed, paused, rescheduled, or called complete. Rehearsals and competitions will follow the same procedure. Unless there is severe weather in the area, all band members are expected to be in attendance at all rehearsals and performances.
What if the football team makes playoffs?
If the football team makes the playoffs the band is expected to play at the games. This usually includes a game during Thanksgiving break so you need to plan accordingly. The schedule for these games will be different from the regular season so watch for directions to come from the band directors.
What are Marching Contests?
Besides football games, the fall is all about the marching competitions for the TL Band. These competitions are held on Saturdays. They are comprised of UIL and other marching competitions.
Most competitions have a preliminary contest; they announce winners; and then have a finals competition for those bands that qualify. After the final awards are announced the band will reload the buses and return to the school.
Once again we recommend that you wait for a phone call from your student telling you that they have been released before you go to the school to pick them up or watch for a message on the Band APP.
Can students succeed in advanced classes and march in the band at the same time?
Yes! Plenty of band students enroll in advanced classes and succeed. Band students are constantly being a awarded as top graduates in their respective classes. That does not mean it is easy, but band seems to help the students learn discipline and time management.
Why should families join the TL Band Parent Association?
The Band Parent Association supports the band financially by covering expenses not paid for by the school or school district. The organization also facilitates communications among the directors, students and parents and provides a physical presence to help cheer for the band and assist the students in numerous ways. Families who participate find fun and friendships with other parents and students within the band program.