why DO WE HAVE band fees?

Though the ECISD provides all band programs with some amount of operational funds, these funds are limited and fall short of the needs of a successful competitive band program. Additional funds are needed to purchase equipment, uniforms, and to pay for costs associated with some of the Band Contests and trips that our Band takes. Our booster club works hard behind the scenes to keep these fees reasonable.

DO YOU HAVE FUNDRAISERS OR A PAYMENT PLAN FOR THE BAND FEES?

The band boosters offer both fundraisers and a payment plan for the yearly band fee. Even though fundraisers are not required, many students fundraise more than their entire fee and apply the extra funding to the spring trip or other activites such as the WT Band Camp or to pay for private lessons. Fundraisers are on-going throughout the year. Boosters will post information on the Band App about fundraisers.

CAN MY STUDENT PARTICIPATE IN OTHER ACTIVITES WHILE BEING IN BAND?

As the largest student organization on campus, we have many students involved in other school activities. These include including Athletics, Choir, Orchestra, Theater, National Honors Society, and school clubs. Directors work with Permain coaches and directors to avoid conflicts. Occasionally students will participate in activities outside of Permian HS, and, while this is typically a non-issue, students are not allowed to miss rehearsals or performances for activities outside of Permian, such as club sports.

will my student be able to keep up with their school work?

Educational research has shown (and parents agree) that the discipline and focus developed in marching band carries over into the classroom and into life in general. Not surprisingly, many Marching Band students are Honors, AP and/or Dual-Credit and receive numerous academic accolades and college scholarships. It is extremely common that there are multiple band students in the Top 10 of their graduating class. Additionally, a very large portion of the National Honor Society students in most schools are band members. Our student leadership team also schedules tutoring sessions to help band members. Also, UIL requires students to be passing their classes in order to participate in marching band, so we work together as a team to be sure that all of our band students are successful.

WHAT ARE ALTERNATES (B-Marchers)?

During Summer Band, students will have to audition for “spots” in the competition show. Students who successfully meet the musical and marching standards of the Permian Band will named an "A" Marcher. Students who do not earn a “spot” in the show are still a part of the band and are given a "B" marcher. They will still learn the show and music and be given opportunities to earn an "A" marcher position. All students must still attend all rehearsals and all performances. All students will perform at every performance and contest.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY STUDENT MISSES A PRACTICE?

Attendance will be checked and documented promptly at the start of every rehearsal. Absences will be excused at the discretion of the directors. Absence due to personal illness requiring medical attention, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances (approved by director) may be considered for excused status. Students who are continually ill may be required to provide a doctor’s note releasing them from participation to ensure the well-being of the child and to reduce concerns of the band directors. If in doubt, an absence should be checked with a director. An absence request form is provided on our band website: www.permianband.org and this form must be completed. Failure to complete a form will automatically make the absence unexcused. In order to have and maintain a high quality band program, attendance from all members is essential. Any unexcused absence will result in a student being moved to a "B" marcher position.

WHAT IF IT'S RAINING?

The band directors will always have an indoor "rain-plan" in place. Rain or shine, scheduled rehearsals will still take place.

WHAT Is "BAND-TOBER"?

Most marching band competitions are generally held on Saturdays, many of them in October. Often, there is a football game the night before – thus the renaming of October to “Bandtober.” Students will meet in the band hall in the morning at a designated call time, and they will not return to the school until late in the evening. Students must ride the bus to and from the performance venue and stay with the band all day. Students will move through various stages of preparation before taking the field to perform in preliminary competition. There is sometimes quite a bit of time between preliminaries and finals. If the band qualifies for finals, the warm-up process begins again as the band prepares to compete once more. Finally, scores are announced, awards are presented, and then the band boards the bus to return to the school. Parents are encouraged to drive themselves to the competition venues to cheer on the band.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SPIRIT SHOW AND COMPETITION SHOW?

The spirit show is both the early and late season half-time performance show. Like our Pre-Game show, it is based on the traditions of Permian High School This show will feature all members of the band. Everyone will have their own drill spots and responsibilities. The Spirit show is constantly rehearsed during the summer camp, and occasionally once the school year starts. After the competitive marching season is done, the band will retire the “contest show,” and go back to playing the spirit show for the remainder of the football season. The competition show is performed for the majority of the football games, and at all marching contests. All eligible students participate in the contest show, but will participate in different ways. Students can earn their own “spot” by competitive audition. Some students will be assigned to share a “spot” and will compete weekly to see who will perform that week.

HOW DOES MY STUDENT EARN A LETTER JACKET?

Letter jackets are awarded to all senior band members. If a senior already has a jacket, they will receive an additional letter. Students can earn a letter jacket early by advancing to the Area Round of the TMEA audition process before their senior year. Band students will receive audition music for TMEA during summer band. Students are not required to audition. The audition process begins in December and students will compete with students from other area high schools.

WHAT ARE PRIVATE LESSONS?

Private music lessons can help your child improve their skills and technique on their instrument, gain a deeper understanding of music theory, and develop their musicality and expression. With one-on-one instruction from a qualified teacher, your child can receive personalized attention and guidance to help them reach their full potential as a musician. Private lessons can also help students prepare for auditions, performances, and competitions, and can foster a lifelong love of music. Our private lesson teachers are highly qualified and have been vetted by the school district.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE BAND UNIFORM?

All students are fitted for a uniform and the uniforms STAY in the uniform room at the band hall. The uniform committee maintains and washes them on regular basis, does all sizing and distribution. The band shirt and black shorts are worn under the marching uniform. This allows modest changing on busses and in the band hall in mixed company. All students must provide their own crew all-black socks and band shoes. At the parent meeting we will explain which shoes to order as we all wear the same marching shoes.

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Help your student learn time management

Help your high-schooler to learn how to set priorities. Band rehearsals and homework will likely fill their free time. While this may seem daunting - your high-schoolers, as others have before them, will find time to make friends and excel in academics!

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encourage your student

Encourage, remind and offer assistance, but do not do everything for your child. Taking responsibility is one of the most valuable life skills your child will learn though band. Inform your child ahead of time of the consequences of potential misjudgments and let them handle their schedule and situations.

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attend booster meetings

This is the easiest way to stay up-to-date on band activities, learn of schedule changes, and meet other members of your ‘band family’

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STAY INFORMED

​Read the ​band handbook​, ​Band App posts​ from the band directors and boosters carefully, and sync dates to your calendar. Refer to the band website and CHARMS​ frequently for dates, events, volunteer information, and other useful information.

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VOLUNTEER

The band boosters need the involvement of every parent! This is also the best way to get to know other students and band parents. Your high-schooler will be aware of your support – just don’t expect him/her to acknowledge it! ;-)

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PARTICIPATE

Participate​ in the band’s activities by cheering at competitions and half-time performances. It is hard to perform your best to an absent or silent audience. The band students will perform better with you cheering in the stands!

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BE FLEXIBLE

In the band world, things can change in a minute!

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STAY POSITIVE

Find things to compliment or praise. Remember that everything we do and say has an impact on the success of our students and the program. Band is fun!