Welcome Band Parents & families!
Congratulations on being a member of the Central High Grizzly Band whether as a performer or a parent. Band is life changing and we hope you find this a very positive experience. We want to make sure you, as parents understand the “Band Life’ so you can know how to best support your student(s), after all it requires a lot from families including two things in today’s world that can seem scary; your time & money.
This is a highly visible, award winning Music program including New York Carnegie Hall, Grand Sweepstakes at Festival of Champions, 1st place Heritage Festival- Seattle, Unanimous Superiors 4 years straight at CMEA US Davis Wind Ensemble Festival, SJV CGPR Scholastic Open Class Marching Percussion Champions, Festival of Gold Invitational Washington DC 1st place and many more. So you can see this program provides great opportunities for your student to develop and mature musically and educationally for many facets of their future.
Director: Mr. Jack Frank - jfrank@centralusd.k12.ca.us
Assistant Director/Percussion: Ms. Sarah Pearce- spearce@centralusd.k12.ca.us
Jazz: Mr. Andrew Munoz- andrewmunez@centralusd.k12.ca.us
Booster President: Michelle Mott (band mom)- grizzlyhighband@gmail.com
Most of the information and questions you may have about how to be successful in band can be found below. Please read carefully! Most importantly though, if you have questions please email Mr. Frank! He is here to help and wants to make sure everyone is set up for success!
Congratulations on being a member of the Central High Grizzly Band whether as a performer or a parent. Band is life changing and we hope you find this a very positive experience. We want to make sure you, as parents understand the “Band Life’ so you can know how to best support your student(s), after all it requires a lot from families including two things in today’s world that can seem scary; your time & money.
This is a highly visible, award winning Music program including New York Carnegie Hall, Grand Sweepstakes at Festival of Champions, 1st place Heritage Festival- Seattle, Unanimous Superiors 4 years straight at CMEA US Davis Wind Ensemble Festival, SJV CGPR Scholastic Open Class Marching Percussion Champions, Festival of Gold Invitational Washington DC 1st place and many more. So you can see this program provides great opportunities for your student to develop and mature musically and educationally for many facets of their future.
Director: Mr. Jack Frank - jfrank@centralusd.k12.ca.us
Assistant Director/Percussion: Ms. Sarah Pearce- spearce@centralusd.k12.ca.us
Jazz: Mr. Andrew Munoz- andrewmunez@centralusd.k12.ca.us
Booster President: Michelle Mott (band mom)- grizzlyhighband@gmail.com
Most of the information and questions you may have about how to be successful in band can be found below. Please read carefully! Most importantly though, if you have questions please email Mr. Frank! He is here to help and wants to make sure everyone is set up for success!
Student Communication
What’s great about the Central Grizzly Instrumental Music Program?
Well aside from what they can achieve as listed above, every student benefits differently from being part of the team. For some it’s a huge boost in self-confidence, for others it’s a network of the band family and friendships, for others it’s a sense of accomplishment. They also learn to work hard, and experience many triumphs as well as a few bumps and disappointments – all things that prepare them for the ‘real world’ after high school. The discipline and focus band demands, will truly carry over positively into their future.
You are now part of the band! This is an area of activity that truly needs all its parents and their support! We succeed together!
What is the Time Commitment?
Band is without a doubt, a big time commitment! Band requires 100% participation at summer band camps, Tues/Thurs rehearsals, Friday Night Football Games, Festivals and Saturday Competitions as well as fundraisers. Time Management is the key to success in band and in life. Students will learn to manage their time wisely – how to keep a schedule, how to be punctual, and how to set priorities.
*Practices: Every Tuesday & Thursday night from 6-9 PM for Field Show/Marching @ Koligian. Percussion schedule is also Tuesday /Thursday but at the start of the season they are at East. Colorguard is usually also at the field. Bring water. Wear your section t-shirt, wear appropriate marching/practice shoes, bring your drill charts, spot markers, name tag, and tool belts. They will need it for every single day of camp and every single Tues/Thurs practice until they have learned their entire field show. It is their specific placements for their 'spot' in the show.
Does my student really have to be there all the time?
Yes! All camps, rehearsals and performances are mandatory. If your student is absent or unable to play/march/perform their part, it will negatively impact the efforts of ALL the other students.
The Band and it’s Budget:
Band is an activity which receives funding from the school system, but not enough to make it into the developed, award winning program your student deserves, to develop musically & academically as talked about above. That is why we need every parent actively involved as participants to help fundraise and support our students to continue progressing forward and expanding the program musically and to foster an environment that is richly rewarding for them (and you as parents as you watch that growth!)
Some of the items the band needs to cover:
You and your student will have several opportunities to fundraise to help the band! Band fundraisers are designed to support the band’s general operating fund and help cover some of the Band Expenses listed above.
Wearing the Uniform: (band contract on Forms page)
Putting on the Band Uniform under the lights of the football stadium in front of a home crowd is an exciting time!
For at least the 1st home game, usually the Director will have the students wear their Field Show t-shirt with this year’s theme. (Those are purchased during camp, and parents/family are more than welcome to buy them too to support the band). Students will be told when they are switching to their full uniforms by the Director.
Students should always wear appropriate work-out clothes (shorts/sweats & tennis shoes with their section color t-shirt) for every practice. *Note: At all practices students should bring water, their DOT books, and use sunscreen if appropriate for outdoor weather.
The band will provide your student with a marching uniform which whey will wear for all competitions, parades and most home football games. The band issued uniform consists of overall style pants (referred to as ‘bibbers’), and overjacket, and a helmet. Colorguard uniforms change to fit the theme. Wind Ensemble is provided with a tuxedo-shirt-cumberbund-tie/dress. Shoes & socks are on your own, but you can use your well-maintained marching shoes with the tux’s.
All band members are fitted for their uniform early in the season. The uniforms are to stay at school, in the band room in their designated location (in each student’s assigned garment bag). For each game/competition they will have a “Call Time” (must be in the band room by this time- no exceptions) get dressed in the room for games and often for competitions (some competitions with long travel, uniforms will be taken on the truck and they will dress there. At the end of a game/competition- each uniform is to be taken off, properly hung in it’s bag, and placed on the proper rack in the fitting room.
The band-issued uniform is only part of the uniform a student needs to wear to be properly attired for an event. These items that are student provided are:
Parent Involvement – Successful Band Program
Easy Ways for a Parent to Help the Band Program:
What You Can Expect:
Band Camp: Band camps happen each summer for Marching Band/Percussion, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz. Your student’s Section leader (Student) may also call summer practices. Dates are decided prior to the end of the school year- usually by early May so summer plans can be made around the schedules. Camps are required attendance to prepare for the year ahead. Band camp specific info is posted and sent out weeks prior to actually happening, so you can be prepared for those days.
Rehearsals: Rehearsals aren’t much different than band camp, just shorter. Weekly rehearsals are required attendance so that the performances can be honed and perfected. As discussed earlier, when a student misses- it affects the entire group. Students should be ready to go with instrument out when practice starts. Arrive early to be set up!
At Football Games: Students report to the band room at the designated call time. It is critical to not be late! During this time, the band will get ready and warm-up. Students ride together on the bus to all games. The band will march in together before the game, and sit in their designated section. Band plays during the game. Parents & friends are not allowed to sit within the band, but are welcome to sit in the section next to the band for support & encouragement. The band plays their field show at most halftimes. After they play, they come back to their section for a short break for water/bathroom. They must remain with the band, in the section the entire game. During the Half-time Field Show, we need parents to help take the Pit Instruments, props and equipment out onto the field (on the job training will happen- it’s really easy, and a big help!). This is also a 'silent' time- as students are mentally preparing for their show. We also need parents before the game, after the field show, and at the end to “block’ the walk-way so the band can safely get to their section or get down to their bus. Students ride the bus back to East campus to help unload equipment, and return uniforms. Dismissal to leave is from the Directors.
At Competitions: For the band, competitions are their “game days”. Band competitions are hosted by another school’s band program within our Division and take place in their city. Bands that perform are critiqued and ranked in different areas of band performance by qualified judges.
Parents! Please come to as many competitions as possible. The band needs your support as a cheering section! We also need help chaperoning, dressing them, with equipment movement, feeding them and support. Competitions are a fundraiser for the host school, so there is a small entrance fee charged to attendees (not band members). There are also usually concessions and band-related merchandise available.
Competitions during Marching season are on Saturdays but may vary for Winter Percussion, Wind Ensemble & Jazz. Once the performance time is set by the host location for a Marching season competition (often only a week or so before the competition) the itinerary will be completed and posted. At that time, students will know their call time, and expected arrival home. Many of these competitions have very long days involved. Some distant competitions mean we may leave very early, and return very late at night (and students will still have to unload), sometimes they are 12-14 hour days. Students will be transported by bus to the competition. Students are expected to remain with the band throughout the entire competition unless extenuating circumstances that have been arranged with the Director prior to the event have been made.
We feed our students at the competitions. We will ask for parent donations of food items for a pre-set competition menu to be prepared on site (or in some cases some of the items can be prepared ahead of time). For some competitions it is 1 meal, for some long days- up to 3 meals plus snacks. If your child has food allergies, please discuss those with the Band Mom. Eating healthy meals (low in sugar) are necessary to being able to have good energy and the ability to perform. Also, make sure if your child needs any personal supplies like sunscreen, etc- make sure they are prepared for the long days.
At the end of the competition, an awards ceremony is held. Students sit together as a team. Once awards are given, students return to their buses, complete loading and travel back to the band Room. Back at the band room, students are formally dismissed as a group once everything is unloaded and put away (including uniforms). Students are to be picked up within 20 minutes of dismissal so please have a system in place that your student can reach you.
Rain and inclement weather do not normally cancel rehearsals or performances. Students should be prepared.
Other notes:
Most students (all freshman & sophomores required, most juniors & seniors) will have 2 band classes. It takes 2 band classes to cover your general PE requirement. PE is required for 3 years.
Well aside from what they can achieve as listed above, every student benefits differently from being part of the team. For some it’s a huge boost in self-confidence, for others it’s a network of the band family and friendships, for others it’s a sense of accomplishment. They also learn to work hard, and experience many triumphs as well as a few bumps and disappointments – all things that prepare them for the ‘real world’ after high school. The discipline and focus band demands, will truly carry over positively into their future.
You are now part of the band! This is an area of activity that truly needs all its parents and their support! We succeed together!
What is the Time Commitment?
Band is without a doubt, a big time commitment! Band requires 100% participation at summer band camps, Tues/Thurs rehearsals, Friday Night Football Games, Festivals and Saturday Competitions as well as fundraisers. Time Management is the key to success in band and in life. Students will learn to manage their time wisely – how to keep a schedule, how to be punctual, and how to set priorities.
*Practices: Every Tuesday & Thursday night from 6-9 PM for Field Show/Marching @ Koligian. Percussion schedule is also Tuesday /Thursday but at the start of the season they are at East. Colorguard is usually also at the field. Bring water. Wear your section t-shirt, wear appropriate marching/practice shoes, bring your drill charts, spot markers, name tag, and tool belts. They will need it for every single day of camp and every single Tues/Thurs practice until they have learned their entire field show. It is their specific placements for their 'spot' in the show.
Does my student really have to be there all the time?
Yes! All camps, rehearsals and performances are mandatory. If your student is absent or unable to play/march/perform their part, it will negatively impact the efforts of ALL the other students.
The Band and it’s Budget:
Band is an activity which receives funding from the school system, but not enough to make it into the developed, award winning program your student deserves, to develop musically & academically as talked about above. That is why we need every parent actively involved as participants to help fundraise and support our students to continue progressing forward and expanding the program musically and to foster an environment that is richly rewarding for them (and you as parents as you watch that growth!)
Some of the items the band needs to cover:
- Music & Field Show programming, design & props
- Competitions and Festival entry fees
- Equipment maintenance, Building equipment and repairs
- Music & Instruments
- Marching Band and Wind Ensemble Uniforms & Care (except shoes, socks, team t-shirt & gloves)
- Equipment maintenance, Building equipment and repairs
- Transportation
You and your student will have several opportunities to fundraise to help the band! Band fundraisers are designed to support the band’s general operating fund and help cover some of the Band Expenses listed above.
Wearing the Uniform: (band contract on Forms page)
Putting on the Band Uniform under the lights of the football stadium in front of a home crowd is an exciting time!
For at least the 1st home game, usually the Director will have the students wear their Field Show t-shirt with this year’s theme. (Those are purchased during camp, and parents/family are more than welcome to buy them too to support the band). Students will be told when they are switching to their full uniforms by the Director.
Students should always wear appropriate work-out clothes (shorts/sweats & tennis shoes with their section color t-shirt) for every practice. *Note: At all practices students should bring water, their DOT books, and use sunscreen if appropriate for outdoor weather.
The band will provide your student with a marching uniform which whey will wear for all competitions, parades and most home football games. The band issued uniform consists of overall style pants (referred to as ‘bibbers’), and overjacket, and a helmet. Colorguard uniforms change to fit the theme. Wind Ensemble is provided with a tuxedo-shirt-cumberbund-tie/dress. Shoes & socks are on your own, but you can use your well-maintained marching shoes with the tux’s.
All band members are fitted for their uniform early in the season. The uniforms are to stay at school, in the band room in their designated location (in each student’s assigned garment bag). For each game/competition they will have a “Call Time” (must be in the band room by this time- no exceptions) get dressed in the room for games and often for competitions (some competitions with long travel, uniforms will be taken on the truck and they will dress there. At the end of a game/competition- each uniform is to be taken off, properly hung in it’s bag, and placed on the proper rack in the fitting room.
The band-issued uniform is only part of the uniform a student needs to wear to be properly attired for an event. These items that are student provided are:
- Students must wear their Field Show tshirt under their bibbers (no other shirt is acceptable, unless extremely cold- then a long sleeved black tshirt/thermal is ok, but tshirt must also be on).
- Marching Shoes (purchased at beginning of season)
- Black socks
- Hair Accessories (long hair must be worn up, under helmets/berets)
Parent Involvement – Successful Band Program
Easy Ways for a Parent to Help the Band Program:
- Give your child support & encouragement for being in band! Tell him/her how proud you are of what they are learning and how they are changing as part of the band!
- When picking up your kids from band, leave your car and get to know the other parents! (Please park in stadium parking lot, not on transportation row) Better yet, come early to watch the kids’ progress and socialize with other band parents. The last 15 minutes of practice are open for parents to view our progress. Building relationships with other adults in the program will benefit both you and your child!
- Come to the Band Booster Meetings! Booster Meetings will be scheduled for the 1st Tuesday of each month (except August when it is the Tuesday after school starts) You’ll always walk away with information your kids forgot to tell you.
- Donate if you can- $$, food & supplies, time & talent. We know it’s not easy, but it is important to the existence of the band program.
- Join the “Care Crew” and help with the Care & Feeding of students.
- Help build stuff. Every year, something besides musical instruments needs repaired or built. This can be anything from repairing the drum major podium to rewiring the band’s equipment trailer to prop design and storage needs.
- Attend football games and competitions to cheer for them! The band ALWAYS performs better with a large cheering block behind them.
- Volunteer to help. After all, you’re coming to the game/competition anyway!
- Join our Field Crew for performances. Not everything is heavy, and much of it is on wheels. Not able to attend? Lend a hand at the school when you drop-off & pick-up your child.
- Don’t do it for your student! Thought you’d help load the truck after a performance, nope- that’s part of their PE grade. Your student’s management of their equipment & its use, plus practices is how they are developing as all around better stewards & students.
- Take Pictures and Videos for our social media accounts. Help us show how amazing our students are by sending pictures or videos to our social media team members or directors. Following us on Instagram is also helpful! #centralhighgrizzlyband
- Help with FUNdraisers! The more hands, the easier the work!
What You Can Expect:
Band Camp: Band camps happen each summer for Marching Band/Percussion, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz. Your student’s Section leader (Student) may also call summer practices. Dates are decided prior to the end of the school year- usually by early May so summer plans can be made around the schedules. Camps are required attendance to prepare for the year ahead. Band camp specific info is posted and sent out weeks prior to actually happening, so you can be prepared for those days.
Rehearsals: Rehearsals aren’t much different than band camp, just shorter. Weekly rehearsals are required attendance so that the performances can be honed and perfected. As discussed earlier, when a student misses- it affects the entire group. Students should be ready to go with instrument out when practice starts. Arrive early to be set up!
At Football Games: Students report to the band room at the designated call time. It is critical to not be late! During this time, the band will get ready and warm-up. Students ride together on the bus to all games. The band will march in together before the game, and sit in their designated section. Band plays during the game. Parents & friends are not allowed to sit within the band, but are welcome to sit in the section next to the band for support & encouragement. The band plays their field show at most halftimes. After they play, they come back to their section for a short break for water/bathroom. They must remain with the band, in the section the entire game. During the Half-time Field Show, we need parents to help take the Pit Instruments, props and equipment out onto the field (on the job training will happen- it’s really easy, and a big help!). This is also a 'silent' time- as students are mentally preparing for their show. We also need parents before the game, after the field show, and at the end to “block’ the walk-way so the band can safely get to their section or get down to their bus. Students ride the bus back to East campus to help unload equipment, and return uniforms. Dismissal to leave is from the Directors.
At Competitions: For the band, competitions are their “game days”. Band competitions are hosted by another school’s band program within our Division and take place in their city. Bands that perform are critiqued and ranked in different areas of band performance by qualified judges.
Parents! Please come to as many competitions as possible. The band needs your support as a cheering section! We also need help chaperoning, dressing them, with equipment movement, feeding them and support. Competitions are a fundraiser for the host school, so there is a small entrance fee charged to attendees (not band members). There are also usually concessions and band-related merchandise available.
Competitions during Marching season are on Saturdays but may vary for Winter Percussion, Wind Ensemble & Jazz. Once the performance time is set by the host location for a Marching season competition (often only a week or so before the competition) the itinerary will be completed and posted. At that time, students will know their call time, and expected arrival home. Many of these competitions have very long days involved. Some distant competitions mean we may leave very early, and return very late at night (and students will still have to unload), sometimes they are 12-14 hour days. Students will be transported by bus to the competition. Students are expected to remain with the band throughout the entire competition unless extenuating circumstances that have been arranged with the Director prior to the event have been made.
We feed our students at the competitions. We will ask for parent donations of food items for a pre-set competition menu to be prepared on site (or in some cases some of the items can be prepared ahead of time). For some competitions it is 1 meal, for some long days- up to 3 meals plus snacks. If your child has food allergies, please discuss those with the Band Mom. Eating healthy meals (low in sugar) are necessary to being able to have good energy and the ability to perform. Also, make sure if your child needs any personal supplies like sunscreen, etc- make sure they are prepared for the long days.
At the end of the competition, an awards ceremony is held. Students sit together as a team. Once awards are given, students return to their buses, complete loading and travel back to the band Room. Back at the band room, students are formally dismissed as a group once everything is unloaded and put away (including uniforms). Students are to be picked up within 20 minutes of dismissal so please have a system in place that your student can reach you.
Rain and inclement weather do not normally cancel rehearsals or performances. Students should be prepared.
Other notes:
Most students (all freshman & sophomores required, most juniors & seniors) will have 2 band classes. It takes 2 band classes to cover your general PE requirement. PE is required for 3 years.