Frequently
Asked Questions About Irondale Marching Band
Q. What
is the Marching Schedule? How will it
impact my family’s summer?
A. The schedule is available as handouts throughout
the season and on our online group site (schedule highlights are on this site).
Q. Can you be in sports and marching band at
the same time?
A.
YES! Many marching band and color guard
members are also athletes. Scheduling
can be arranged if you talk with your captain and director. Students who need extra study time may have
to prioritize which activities they want to join.
Q. Can
we take a family vacation in the summer if our teen is in Marching Band?
A.
YES! Every band member needs to submit
the dates they will miss marching band activities. Band members MUST attend Band Camp which will
be held late in July. First year band
students should attend as many rehearsals as possible because there is SO MUCH
to learn.
Q.
What does Marching Band Cost?
A. Annual fees for marching band are
approximately $650 per year. Membership
dues pay half the costs required to run this program. The remaining amount is
raised through a variety of fund-raising events. Remember, your investment in your child will
teach them discipline, teamwork, coordination, manners, dedication, and they
will get in great shape (not to mention, they will experience GREAT
music). There is scholarship assistance
for families in need.
The mega-raffle is a major fund-raiser for
the marching band, and provides the funds necessary to take the Bands of
America trip each fall. To ensure that the band can commit to this trip,
there is a $250 plan-for-success fee. This fee will be refunded based on
the number of raffles sold. Each student is required to sell 20 raffle
tickets. $25 will be refunded for each raffle sold up through the first
10 raffle sales.
Q. As a
parent am I required to be involved in Marching Band Boosters?
A. We love to involve new parents in our activities. The benefit to you is that you get to hear
news about your child, even if they never tell you what happens at marching
band! We have a lot of fun working on
fund raising, making flags, hemming uniforms, building props and chaperoning
great teenagers. When your teen
registers for marching band, you can indicate the activities that interest
you.
Q. How
will my child get to and from practice all summer?
A. Many of the older marching band kids drive to
practice. You will receive a membership
directory that could help you to arrange rides for your teen when needed. Parents are usually eager to carpool, also.
Q. My teen is not a great student and good organizer of
time. How will they balance homework
& marching band in the fall?
A. Many students become more disciplined after
joining marching band. Also, your teen will have great role models in marching
band. Older students really work hard to help rookies (incoming freshmen) to
understand how to stay on track with school and band. If your student is interested in help, there
are many possibilities within the school to meet his/her needs. As a parent,
you may need to help your teen prioritize homework ahead of the weekends that
will be spent away at band shows. Many students bring their study materials
along on field show weekends.
Q. My teen is SHY & doesn’t know
anyone who’s joining the band. Will he/she fit in with the group?
A. YES! Each
instrument section has team captains who work hard to integrate all students in
section activities. Many students develop lasting relationships, weird
wardrobes, strange nicknames, and really take pride in their section T-shirts.
Q. My teen doesn’t really
play his instrument all that well. Are there auditions for marching band?
A.
NO!
Everyone is welcome in marching band.
All of this extra practice will really improve your student’s playing
ability. There are so many other
dimensions to marching band that playing skill is really only one small part of
the whole experience.
Q. My teen is not very
coordinated. How will he/she be able to march and play at the same time?
A. It’s a miracle! You won’t believe this is the same teen you
sent to the first practice when you see them in their final show. An amazing transformation occurs. It’s from hard work and a lot of
encouragement (and fun!).
Q. My teen is from
A. YES!
Absolutely! The marching band is
open to all high school students in the Mounds View 621 School District. We want any interested student to be a part
of this great group.
Q. My teen is in
confirmation class and is required to attend a fall retreat weekend. What if this conflicts with a field show?
A. Students and
family members will need to make the decision that best suits their beliefs and
priorities. In previous years, students
have missed a field show to attend important church events. You need to complete an absence request ahead
of time.
Q. Can
my teen have a job and be in marching band?
A. We sure hope so. Many students learn to juggle jobs and band. Schedules should be arranged so that the
student minimizes absences from practice.
Q. Can
my teen be in orchestra and marching band?
A. Yah, sure, you betcha
they can! Some orchestra students pick
up completely different instruments for marching band. Other orchestra students join the color
guard.