Yes, you can do band and ____. We’ve had students participate in band and just about every other activity at RRHS. Some schedules are easier to manage than others depending on the activity’s primary season.

Consideration must be taken about the communication between all parties - parents, students, coaches and directors AND the student’s willingness and ability to manage time and multiple responsibilities.

We are not able to accommodate outside of school league sports schedules but can work with our coaches here at the high school.

Success in multiple activities is determined almost entirely by the student’s time management skills and the good news is that many students in our band have found this success. It is possible!

Yes it does. Students in the Varsity group will pay between $600-$700, students in Junior Varsity will pay about $250. This number can vary year to year but is usually in that range.

The funds cover expenses related to the marching shows that all students “use” like drill, music and various equipment and also to purchase items they will keep, like gloves, marching shoes and other apparel.

Lastly, students will enter individual TMEA and YAC contests and there is an entry fee for these events.

Band students learn how to manage their time in order to be successful in the classroom and during band. Many students in band are at or near the top of their class.

The Varsity Marching Band will rehearse 7-10 hours outside of the school day per week. The UIL allows for 8 hours per week which we will use - they allow an additional hour on days when there is a performance so when a given week has a football game and a marching contest we will use 10.

The Junior Varsity Marching Band will rehearse and hour to and hour and a half outside of the school day per week. Our primary rehearsal time with this group is during the class period.

During the spring semester, students will often have an hour sectional per week and possibly a practice for a chamber ensemble or private lesson outside of the school day.

Finally, students will need to practice individually, on their own, outside of school. This goes back to time management skills, particularly during marching season.

Yes, Summer Band is absolutely required!! We previously held a camp in the spring months where students would learn how to march. We no longer hold this camp so all the marching skills are taught at Summer Band!

Students will also learn their marching show music as well as music we play at football games.

Mornings are generally outside and afternoons are generally indoors. Students will work individually and in groups both small and large. They become familiar with others in their section and the band as a whole.

We will also cover knowledge and skills like how to read marching drill, overall band procedures, uniform etiquette, timing on the field and other skills.

Finally, Summer Band is a major opportunity for kids to get in shape for the marching season. They do this in a variety of ways as they build relationships and friendships throughout the band.

Summer Band is critical!!

The marching season is very busy. History has shown that students often perform better in their classes during marching season than they do in the spring. One, students want to remain eligible so they work to pass and do well in their classes. Two, the school year has just begun and students are more energetic about getting a fresh start and doing well. Three, the students are locked into a busy schedule so effort must be made to schedule activities, like schoolwork and reading and study, very carefully. The absence of busyness can sometimes lead to a more carefree attitude about keeping up with things.

HOW?

An organizer, either hand written or electronic or a combination of both, is absolutely essential.

Students must track assignments, projects, tests and MOST OF ALL, DUE DATES with utmost care. Those who do so have an easier time building those time management skills because they can easily see the tasks before them and undertake them one at a time.

Get help. Every student in band has taken and aced that course a student may be struggling in. Even a little asking will often yield several names of students who really know the material and how to do well in a given class!

Sit at or near the front in classes. Participate in class discussions and group work. Ask the teacher questions and also answer questions when asked of the class. Take notes diligently, keeping things organized in the process.

The Varsity band started traveling every other year to Indianapolis in November of 2013 for a huge marching competition . The group has been 6 times with the next time slated for 2025. The group will go again pending a successful 2024 marching season.

Additionally, multiple chamber ensembles have traveled to Chicago in December for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, most recently in December of 2023.

The whole band marched in the New Year’s Day 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade and will likely apply again to perform in the future.

In March of 2023 the band travelled to Disneyworld to perform and enjoy a fun time together!

Lastly, the band will be traveling this June to England for London Band Week! The Dragon Band is the first high school band to be invited! The group will perform a short parade, concert performance, drumline battle and military tattoo as well as take in the sights in and around London!