Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

If you have questions about the South Hills Band Boosters, please take a moment to review this page, as it answers the questions that we are most frequently asked.

 


Booster FAQs

If your student is part of the South Hills High School Band and Color Guard Music Program, you are ! All current parents and family members are strongly encouraged to become actively involved! We need assistance on a continued basis to keep the program as successful as it has been. Everyone is welcome to work together to support and improve the instrumental music program for our students. Attend the monthly meetings and get involved in the decision making.
We provide support in the form of volunteer time and money. Both of these aspects are extremely important! Without volunteers, we cannot raise the necessary funds to support the South Hill High School Music Program or provide physical assistance in the form of uniform fittings, truck driving, feeding the band, etc.
No, there are no financial dues, but the Band Boosters depend your support.
If you have a child in the band program, you’re already a member. Parents and guardians are asked to support the organization by volunteering whenever possible. In addition to helping to enrich your child’s experience, volunteering is a great way to meet other band parents. Many close friendships have started while serving in the concession stand, chaperoning, working in the pit crew, etc. Planning meetings are held approximately once a month during the school year. Just show up and see what’s it’s all about !
We appreciate all the help and support from everyone involved in the booster organization, and we would not be able to function without everyone helping out. Passing out plumes before a football game, getting donations for baskets to auction, or even ideas given at a booster meeting are all ways to help. For more information, please contact booster from the Exec Board Page or fill out our online Volunteer Form.
The Band Booster Exec Board is comprised of elected positions to help the Booster organization run smoothly. The positions are President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary. To so who currently holds these positions and their contact information, go to the Band Booster page.
Boosters meetings are generally the second Tuesday of the month. Sometimes other events arise so please check the Calendar or contact the booster president to check for updated meeting dates.
On the website, click on the "Volunteer" of the Contents menu link and contact the person in charge of the committee you are interested in or simply contact the volunteer coordinator to see where the greatest need may be.
The band boosters will take whatever you are able to give. You will find the boosters to be encouraging and appreciative for the time you are able to give. And you will certainly feel more connected to the process, the parents, and your students by spending time with the band family.
The Bylaws of South Hills Band Boosters are available right here, online.
If your child is part of the program, then you are part of the support system. If each of the band parents contributed a modest effort, none of us would find the tasks difficult. Some of us enjoy the camaraderie of regular band events and look forward to the opportunities band parents are given to interact with a terrific bunch of kids!

Student FAQs

The Marching Band is an award winning musical ensemble consisting of students from grades nine through twelve (with special invitations given to selected eighth grade band members from our feeder schools). The Marching Band performs frequently in the community, at football games, and at various band competitions. All band members are members of the Marching Band. Marching Band is designed for students interested in playing band instruments or in flags and dancing. Students will develop instrumental/movement skills as well as precision teamwork, body carriage, musicianship, and showmanship. Attendance at summer, after school, and Saturday rehearsals and performances is mandatory.
For many, band becomes a second family, where there is a support system in place to help students deal with the stresses of high school life. Younger students receive help and wisdom from older members. Older members receive the opportunity to mentor younger students, offering guidance and support.
The Color Guard are an important part of the Marching Band. They provide "color" to the overall effect of the show by closely choreographed interpretative dance routines that match the drill design. The Color Guard utilizes flags, saber, rifles, and other props to enhance the overall show and make it visually appealing.
Like any other worthwhile activity, performing with the Color Guard requires time, hard work, and dedication. Practicing and performing with the guard teaches members valuable life skills such as team work, discipline, and leadership. Most of all…IT’S FUN ! ! !
No. Many of the current members had no prior experience.
The Drum Line or Battery consists of marching members of the percussion section and includes drums and base drums.
The Pit consists of the percussion section. Timpani, xylophones, electronic instruments, gongs, and other noise makers. It is located at the front of the field. The members of the pit do not march.
A "section" is a component of the Concert or Marching Band and consists of a group of like instruments.
The band fee is used to help purchase music, drill, outside instructors, and other expenses.
You will re-audition, and then be placed into one of our three concert bands. Each of these three groups goes to festival and contests in the spring!
No. Marching Band is a PE credit.
NO ! Marching experience is not required of anyone interested in becoming a member of the band. We understand that there is no marching in junior high school. We train you on marching technique at band camp.
Yes. Your student can easily arrange his or her schedule to accommodate more than one music program.
The Symphonic Band is a prestigious musical ensemble consisting of students from grades nine through twelve. Membership in Symphonic Band is by audition. The focus is on continued technical development band the performance of classic band literature and ensemble repertoire.
Band Camp is the time when members, old and new, of the band and color guard get together to learn how to march, play, and perform the music for the upcoming marching band season.
Yes, it is absolutely essential you attend the full sessions of Band Camp to learn the music, choreography, and team building. If, for any reason, for any length of time you wish to be excused from any portion of band camp, you must first get permission from the director. There are extremely few exceptions for missing band camp. All Marching Band members are required to attend.
The marching season starts with band camp in August and typically lasts until November. Our last field show competition typically occurs mid-November.
Hair needs to be UNDER your shako (hat). Use ponytail holders and bobby pins to get your hair up and out of the way.
Sure you will ! That's why we have Band Camp ! You may not believe it now, but any veteran band member can tell you that you will be marching like a pro by the end of the week. Band Camp is usually the first week of August. New students even get a few extra days beforehand to learn how to march. We publicize this date months in advance, so families can plan vacations and other activities. It's very important for all students to attend this important week of rehearsal.

Parent FAQs

As with each Band Program, there is a fee assessed to each student to cover our basic operating costs (assessments fees, uniforms, travel, etc). But don’t let that frighten you off, Our Band Booster Organization works very hard to ensure that there is ample opportunity to fundraise throughout the year. Some students have their entire fee paid through fundraising opportunities. More information regarding fees and payment options are discussed at the New Student Orientation meeting. If you have questions regarding this, please feel free to contact the Band Director for further information.
Often times this can be done. Talk to the coach and the Band Director to see what can be worked out.
ABSOLUTELY! BAND STUDENTS CLEARLY STAND OUT! In fact, most college admissions departments seek out music students, as they recognize all that is involved in our academic discipline.
In short, it is both. Practice, especially the early days, can seem a lot like a sports practice. Modern Marching band requires quite a bit of athletic and musical training. Endurance training like running and push­ups help the kids get physically ready for some very long days ahead. The modern marching band member must be flexible, powerful, conditioned, and expressive. For some children it is a very intense experience that can leave them feeling sore, frustrated, and off balance. How you handle this is likely based on your parenting style and your child’s personality. Try not to blow off your child’s concerns, but keep in mind there are some valuable life lessons to be learned about working with others. Talk to them, support them, and encourage them to hang in there.
They are all-day events that serve as fundraisers for the hosting bands. Bands from many surrounding schools compete for various awards, such as Music, Overall Performance, Color Guard and Best in Show, to name a few. A competition day lasts about 12-14 hours, depending on the location of the competition. Students spend the morning at South Hills High School campus practicing their show, then eat lunch, pack up the buses, and head out to the competition. All families are encouraged to attend competitions to support our SHHS Band & Color Guard.
You will need to pay for a ticket into most competitions ($10 to $15 per person). Bring cash. Tickets and concessions are usually cash only, as are some souvenir vendors. Many times you will be sitting on concrete bleachers ­ stadium seats that you can carry in are great investments for competitions and football games!
Call time is the time that the students must be ready (dressed in uniform, full water bottle, instrument, sitting in cafeteria) to meet prior to loading the buses.
Typically, a marching band will have one show that is used for halftime performances and competitions. This involves complex music, intricate drill maneuvers, and colorful flag choreography. This show will have a theme that runs throughout the music, the colors of the flags, the shape of the formations, etc. It is a lot of hard work, but it is also a great deal of fun ! By using the "total show concept," marching band then has a greater challenge, more visual appeal, and a greater performer and audience interest level. This year's show is in the planning stages. We should have the theme picked, as well as having the music available, by Band Camp. There will be many visual effects, poses, lunges, dance, props, and many more fun and creative effects to enhance this great musical program. The staff is very excited about the show ! We are sure that the students will enjoy it as well !
SCSBOA is the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. They provide opportunities in music, raising performance and adjudication standards, and improving teaching techniques. Meaning they are the association that creates competitions for the bands in Southern California.
Absolutely ! Color Guard is the visual ensemble that complements the marching band
Absolutely ! Not only are parents/families allowed, they are encouraged to come and cheer for the band. The students love to hear cheers and applause from SHHS Band & Color Guard supporters. Don't forget your camera !
The success of our program depends on each student being prepared and fulfilling their commitment to the band by being present at every scheduled practice and performance. Unless there is a serious reason, students are expected to attend every scheduled practices and performance. We understand that illness, unforeseen events and emergencies will occur but we request that doctor’s appointments or other activities not be scheduled during practice or performances.
Again, no child should be denied a chance to participate in band because of money. Some level of expenses can be offset by participation in fundraising events. If there is real financial hardship, parents should speak to the band director privately to see what arrangements can be made.
Studies have shown that a marching band student’s grades are actually higher on average during the marching band season. Students learn to manage their time between rehearsals and schoolwork. Students will have plenty of time, even on rehearsal days, to go home and complete homework adequately.

Miscellaneous FAQs

Charms is a web based system that was designed specifically to help band programs manage student information, calendar, volunteer, communication, and more.
Feel free to contact Mr. Mike Wooten at any time to ask any question, he is always open to talk !

 

Thank you and we’re looking forward to seeing you as part of the South Hills High School Music Program !

 

 

Total Page Visits: 3500 - Today Page Visits: 1