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Can just anyone be
in the band?
Yes and No. A student interested
in playing a musical instrument in marching band will need previous
experience like middle school band or strong private musical background in
order to perform with that group. Mountain View High School will offer band
classes for every level of player from basic beginner to advanced. All
students enrolled in Band must play an approved instrument.
Do students have
to try out for band?
Students are placed in one of
several performing bands by ability and experience. An audition is a great
way to evaluate a student’s ability level. Auditions can also be used for
chair placement in various bands. While an audition is not required to be in the band program, students must audition for placement in any
intermediate or advanced band class.
Can a student be
in marching band if they are not in a band class?
No. Students must sign up for a
band class which covers the state mandated Standards of Learning for
Instrumental Music. Further, all of the concepts introduced and taught
during the regularly scheduled band class are prerequisites for the
performance level necessary for a high quality marching band.
Do all band students
participate in marching band?
No. Students may elect to enroll
in a band class but not participate in marching band. Marching band is a
co-curricular activity, which means that the musical concepts necessary for
performance in marching band are taught and reinforced in band class.
Are the August
“Band Camp” rehearsals required for membership in the marching band?
Yes. Students electing to become
a part of the Mountain View Marching Band must attend all rehearsals
beginning in mid-August of each year. Much of the material that will be
learned and performed through the fall marching season is introduced
during this time to allow the students enough time to master the skills
necessary to perform effectively throughout the marching season.
What expenses can
a marching band student expect?
Marching Band membership does require certain expenses for each student. These expenses include marching shoes, gloves, an “official” Mountain View
High School Band polo-shirt and a pair of “approved khaki slacks” for the
“informal uniform”; a music flip-folder, and a lyre, during the fall
marching season. In addition, the band will use charter buses for some competitions, so there are travel expenses. Each student is also required to pay a $35.00 maintenance and cleaning fee for the band uniform. Students using school-owned instruments must pay a $40.00 yearly rental fee. For your convenience, many of these items are included in one "marching band fee".
Click Here for more information on the marching band fee.
What kind of
credit does a student receive for Band?
A student receives one full fine
arts credit for each band class. One fine arts credit is required for
graduation. Additional credits are applied as elective credits. Students
do not receive academic credit for marching band.
How much after
school rehearsal time is expected of a band student?
Marching band students can expect
to rehearse for approximately 2 ½ hours a day for three days a week during
football season. A few additional rehearsals are called for parade
preparation in early December. Marching band students participating in the
annual spring trip can expect to rehearse 2 days a week for the two weeks
prior to the trip. All students enrolled in a band class can expect only
one or two extra rehearsals prior to the District Concert Festival. Wind Ensemble
will rehearse once a week for two hours in the evening starting in early
February through the middle of March. For rehearsal schedules, please refer to the on-line Band Calendar.
Can a student
participate in athletics and band?
Yes. If a student is a member of
the marching band, that becomes their “fall activity” and they would not be
able to participate in a fall sport. They will, however, be able to
participate during any other season. Non marching band members can
participate in athletics year round. The Band and Athletic departments work
closely together to arrange practice time and rehearsal schedules to
accommodate students participating in both activities. It is not always
easy, and does require some advanced planning, but most conflicts are worked
out with good communication between students, parent, coach, and band
director. The student must take initial responsibility for working out
conflicts by communicating with the coaches and band staff.
In what kind of
contest/competitions does the Band participate?
The Marching Band usually attends
at least three competitions prior to the VBODA State Marching Festival, which is held in late October. The Concert Bands will participate
in the VBODA District Concert Festival in March. Marching Band members may
optionally participate in our annual spring trip, which usually involves a
parade exhibition performance.
What types of
individual competitions are available for Band students?
Individual competitions available
to students are: All-County Band auditions, Regional Orchestra auditions, All-District Band auditions,
*All-Virginia Band auditions and Solo and Ensemble Festival. *(Specific
qualifications are required to allow a student to progress to the next
highest level of competition.)
Who provides the
Band uniforms?
The Stafford County Public
Schools provide uniforms for the Marching Band, including the Color Guard.
Some concert attire may be provided for students by the school and/or
booster club.
How much does the
Band travel during the school year?
The Marching Band attends all
Varsity Football games that are in-county as well as a few select out of
county games. The group will also perform in three competitions in late
September and October, the VBODA State Marching Festival in late October and
a parade in early December. The Concert Bands only travel to a local school
for the District Concert Festival The Marching Band will have the
opportunity to travel on a Spring Band trip (in usually out of state)
provided necessary funds are available through fund raising, Band Booster
contributions, and student/parent monetary contributions.
Are private
lessons required for band students?
Private lessons are not
required of any student. However, in the extremely competitive areas of
honor band auditions in Virginia, private lessons will be a definite
advantage to any student. We will do all that we can to provide good
quality private instructors who are specialists on their chosen instrument
to teach private lessons to MVHS band students.
In what extra
music experiences can a band student participate?
Band students can participate in
auditions for All-County Band, All-Regional Orchestra, All-District Band,
*All-Virginia Band auditions and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students may
also participate in local youth orchestras or church bands. If the drama
department produces a musical, band students will have the opportunity to
audition for the “pit” orchestra. Mountain View band students will also have the opportunity to advance their performance skills through a sequential individualized music awards program. More information on this program, which is exclusive to the Mountain View Bands, will be available soon. *(Specific qualifications are required
to allow a student to progress to the next highest level of competition.)
Do band students
do a lot of “fund raising” during the school year?
Fund raising projects are always
optional for students enrolled in a band class. We would like to encourage
all students and parents to participate in whatever way they can to help our
band program. Marching Band students are required to participate in fund
raising and will be expected to earn their “fair share” for the band. An
individual student account is set up for each student in the band program by
the band boosters. Students earn money in these accounts by participating
in fund raising projects. The accounts may be used to pay band expenses as
outlined in the Band Student Handbook.
Can a student rent
an instrument from the school?
A certain number of instruments
are owned by the Stafford County Public Schools for student use. The annual
rental fee is $40.00, but availability is limited. Marching Band students
who use a separate school instrument for marching and a school-owned concert
instrument only pay a single $40.00 rental fee. All Percussion
(Concert, Marching and Jazz) & Color Guard students are
required to pay the rental fee for use of all school-owned equipment during the year.
Is there a Color
Guard program?
Yes. A color guard program is
offered during the fall marching season. Color Guard members are required to
attend summer camp at their own expense. Color Guard members are the only
marching band students who are not required to be enrolled in a band class.
Is there a Jazz
Band program at MVHS?
Yes. A jazz program is offered to
interested students in grades 10 - 12. Jazz Ensemble is an advanced instrumental music course
and will meet as a regularly scheduled band class.
Is there a Band
Booster organization?
Yes. The Mountain View Band
Parent Association is an important part of our band program. This
group has become a very active group of volunteers that are vital to the success of the Mountain View Bands.
During the 2006-2007 school year, the Band Parent Association logged over
6,000 hours of volunteer service to the bands at Mountain View High School!
Does Band involve
students to the exclusion of other school activities?
No. We have students that are
involved in all aspects of student organizations, clubs, and sports.
Students will have to learn to manage their time wisely to be involved in
several school activities, but it can be done and has been done successfully
for many years throughout Stafford County.
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