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Marching & Movement Clinics
These clinics are held in monthly starting in January and are the first official Band events for the next school year. They are typically held on three Wednesdays or Saturdays. All rising 9th grade students will meet together for the first time with the 9-11th graders to begin training for the next season. May Marching Band Camp Typically occurs the last week of May - First week of June. Here we will begin introducing key concepts for the marching show as well as complete band registration, uniform sizing, and a number of other projects. Student-led sectionals These are held throughout June and July prior to Summer Band Camp. Your student’s SLT will communicate time/place. |
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Summer Band
This starts at the end of July and ends right before school begins in August. Summer Band Camp is mandatory for all band/guard. The keys to surviving summer band are sleep, sunscreen, nutrition, hydration and good comfy shoes. Students need an insulated jug for summer band. Please write your student’s name on it! The kids work hard for several hours a day, half of which is spent marching outside. There is not only a lot of physical training happening, but mental training too as they learn drill and fundamentals. Consider arranging a carpool if your student does not drive him/herself to practice. Band Registration This process usually coincides with Summer Band Camp. There are many forms to be filled out and submitted, band pictures taken, and an opportunity to find a place to volunteer! We will also begin collecting band fees and you will be able to purchase many of the items they will use every year, including a personalized jug hug, garment bag, and a set of marching shoes and gloves. These costs can be significant, and PBBC offers payment plan options to help you plan your budget! |
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Fall Summer band rolls right into the start of school. Right out of the gate they will be playing at football games. The band will have after-school marching practice several days each week. UIL rules stipulate that a band may have eight hours of rehearsal outside of school, plus an additional 1 hour for every performance (i.e. 1 extra hour for a football game performance, 1 extra hour for a marching band contest, etc.). The band directors ask for flexibility in maintaining these hours if for unforeseen reasons (bad weather for example) time needs to be shifted during the week. Please stay on top of your band emails and alerts for the latest information. Weekly Band News details the week’s marching schedule and updates. October and November are busy times for the marching season. The show gets tightened up and we start heading to competitions. Concert band auditions will run through the fall. There are four to five rounds of auditions based on the same etudes selected for Region Band auditions. These auditions take place during band classes and help to solidify concert band placement, chair order, etc., as well as help prepare many students for the Region Band auditions in early December. |
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Winter
For Band, “Winter” is generally from mid-November to the start of January, which is the time between when marching season ends and the official concert season begins. The number of after school rehearsals diminishes dramatically after our last marching competition. However, the band continues to rehearse once a week in order to play and perform at football games until PHS are no longer in the playoffs. For the band musicians, concert music starts to take the forefront, but things don’t necessarily slow down. Everyone begins to focus their efforts on preparing for their upcoming Region Band auditions in early December as well as Spring Band Auditions. For the Guard, “Winter” means mid-November through mid-March, and this is when Winter Guard takes place. The Guard start their auditions for Winter Guard fairly soon after marching season ends, and they will begin regular rehearsals for their WGI contest season. The Winter Guard will rehearse weekly after school to perfect their contest show. |
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Spring
Spring is for concert band! Percussion holds its ensemble concert in April. Each concert band competes at UIL and there is a Pre-UIL concert before spring break at the school. Check the calendar! Spring Concerts cap off the season in late April/mid-May. During concert season, every concert band has a full 2-hour rehearsal once a week after school and each individual section will have a 1-hour sectional with their director once a week. These after-school rehearsals are required. Throughout the Spring, marching band pre-season training is also taking place weekly to help prepare the rising 9th graders for the upcoming transition to high school band! The end- of-year Band Banquet will be held towards the end of May. This is a ticketed event. This is a dress-up, catered affair to celebrate the end of what we know will be a year full of amazing accomplishments. All are welcome to attend. Then it’s time for Movement and Marching Clinics, May Marching Band Camp, and we start all over from the top! |