Learn about The Dragon Band

  • Close-up of orange and red autumn leaves on a tree with sunlight shining through.

    Fall Semester

    Auditions for the fall semester take place in May and that is when students learn in which marching ensemble and preliminarily, which concert ensemble they’ll perform in.

    Summer Band begins in late July and all band students will take part in one of two marching bands - Legacy or Horizon. Both bands will perform at home and away Varsity football games as well as various marching competitions.

    Our color guard all participates as part of Legacy.

    Both marching bands will compete at Bands of America and UIL marching contests. Legacy will perform at 2-3 additional contests.

    Viewing our Calendar will give you a good indication of our outside of school rehearsal dates and various performances.

  • Close-up of bluebonnet flowers with sunlight in the background.

    Spring Semester

    Starting in mid November, at the end of marching season, the marching bands will transition into concert ensembles.

    Students will audition again at the end of marching season, generally in December, for placement in the concert ensembles. This is often, but not always, the band class they’re already in. Schedule changes may take place from one semester to the next.

    The concert ensembles will perform roughly one concert per month from December through May.

    Wind Ensemble is our top group, Wind Symphony is our second band, Symphonic Band is our third band and Concert Band is our fourth band.

    Students will also participate in individual TMEA Region, Area and State activities, and of course our Spring Solo Recitals.

    Students in Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony have the opportunity to perform with one of our two full orchestras in January and February.

    In the spring the color guard brings their performance style indoors and competes as two winter guards.

    We also have a Jazz Band for students to participate in that will perform at various events in the spring.

I can without a doubt say that the Dragon Band is the best thing to happen to me in these past 4 years. I’ve made the most incredible friendships, traveled around the world, created amazing memories, and found the best community ever. This program is the perfect example of how fully dedicating yourself to something that you care about is extremely fulfilling and rewarding.
— Madeline Morrison, Senior Clarinetist
Band pushed me, challenged me, and gave me a place to belong.
— Ayush Chopra, Sophomore Bassoonist
For me, band is a family, filled with lifelong friends and memories that I will never forget.
— Maya Tallent, Junior Trumpet
Practice your etudes early on!
— Justin Kim, Freshman Tubist
I have no regrets joining this band program. The friends, memories and experiences are irreplaceable and this community has become my second family. From marching season to concert season, this band is full of passion, opportunities for growth and friendships. While it can be stressful at times, this program is so rewarding and teaches you so much about yourself and the things you can accomplish!
— Naviya Alwar, Junior Flutist
This band has brought me to work harder than I have ever had to before.
— Kolbe Berend, Junior Saxophonist
Band is where I made amazing memories with friends whom I’ll never forget, cherish every moment of the experience like it’s your last, because it will be gone faster than you know.
— Daniel Pi, Senior Trombone
Do good not bad! (trombone motto)
— Owen Hackett, Junior Trombonist, Daniel Pi, Senior Trombonist
Band is the place where I made my best friends and learned to love music! I am truly grateful to be a part of something so big and prestigious, as the band community fosters many opportunities to grow as a person and leader. Marching season can be very strenuous and difficult, but those are the moments where I have made some of the best memories. I am so thankful that I joined the band, and I can’t wait for the next two years to come!
— Leslie Chung, Sophomore Flutist
The band hall is my second home. It’s the place I want to be in before and after school, and I love spending time in there.
— Macie Dieterich, Junior Flutist

A Few Basics

Round Rock High School operates on a block schedule. “A” days start with period 1 at 9:00am, then 2nd, 3rd and ending with 4th. “B” days start with period 5 at 9:00am, then 6th, 7th and ending with 8th.

The A and B days simply alternate through the year so one week may have A days on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and B days on Tuesday and Thursday and the next week would be the opposite.

Band students are “double blocked” so they will take a band class on A days and also on the corresponding B day period.

Some other courses besides band are double blocked but most academic courses are single blocked so they will take that class every other day.

Legacy is made up of two concert ensembles

  1. Wind Ensemble, our top band, meets every day during the first block, periods 1 (A days) and 5 (B days)

  2. Wind Symphony, our second band, meets every day during the second block, periods 2 (A days) and 6 (B days)

Horizon is made up of two concert ensembles

  1. Symphonic Band, our third band, meets every day during the third block, periods 3 (A days) and 7 (B days)

  2. Concert Band, our fourth band, meets every day during the fourth block, periods 4 (A days) and 8 (B days)

A large, weathered rock formation by a body of water, with small piles of rocks balanced on top and circular man-made indentations filled with water.

Important Upcoming Spring 2026 Dates

Tuesday, February 24th - Incoming Parent Meeting @ 6:30pm in the RRHS Band Hall

Monday, April 6th - Audition materials released for woodwind and brass students

Week of Monday, April 28th - Auditions for Woodwind and Brass students

Oboe and Bassoon students audition on their oboe or bassoon

  • Monday, April 27th starting at 4:30pm - Incoming (8th grade or new) WOODWIND students, schedule TBD

  • Tuesday, April 28th starting at 4:30pm - Incoming (8th grade or new) BRASS students, schedule TBD

  • Thursday, April 30th starting at 4:30pm - Makeups

Monday, May 4th - Audition results released

Week of Monday, May 11th - Everything Day, after school times assigned by section, TBD

Wednesday, July 23rd - Summer Band begins, required of all students

Saturday, August 8th - Band A Thon fundraiser

Friday, August 14th - Parent Preview

Wednesday, August 18th - First day of school

  • Football games are generally every Friday evening, all students are required to attend. Football game dates will be added to the calendar as dates become available.

  • Marching competitions are generally on Saturdays and will be added to the schedule as dates become available.

I truly love band so much and I feel so grateful for the community that I have developed over the past three years. I have met my absolute best friends through band, and the family that is created is irreplaceable. I have also grown so much through band, growing as a musician, leader, and person. Marching band is one of the most challenging and rewarding activities I have done in my entire life, and all the amazing memories I have made at competitions and rehearsals are definitely worth all the hard work. I know that I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life, and I am so excited to have one last season next year!!
— Macie Dieterich, Junior Flutist
I was nervous going into high school as a freshmen, because RRHS is so big. However, because of summer band, I was able to make so many new friends and have them in my classes. And, I met so many upperclassmen who helped my transition into high school go smoothly. Band is a great way to meet new people and make lasting friendships!
— Sarah Chang, Senior Clarinet
Band proves you can achieve so much more than you thought you ever could!
— Benjamin Giles, Junior Saxophonist
The Dragon Band is an unforgettable group of amazing directors, talented musicians, and extraordinary supporters. The band hall, with its special culture and uplifting peers, has been my second home all throughout high school. Through this program, I have had so many learning opportunities and incredible memories that I would never have experienced without band.
— Seungwon Son, Senior Clarinet

How the band year progresses

In late January, next year’s students and parents will get an email describing and listing important events and dates for band activities. All of this information will be for returning and new students and will be in preparation for auditions and the fall.

In March or April, audition materials will be released for students to prepare for auditions

High School directors will audition all of the band students live for placement in Legacy or Horizon marching bands and the corresponding concert ensembles. These auditions usually take place in late April.

A google folder will hold important documents and materials for the upcoming marching season and school year. Students will go here for audition music, marching show music and other materials.

An incoming parent meeting will be held in late February or March outlining more specifics about the band program, Everything Day and Summer Band.

In May we’ll hold what we call Everything Day, where documents and approvals are signed, fees are paid and items are purchased or ordered. Parents and their student must attend.

Summer Band will begin in late July and all students are required to attend. The students will learn how to march, play their fall music and get to know one another.

School begins in mid August. Outside of school rehearsals begin for Legacy and Horizon. Legacy will rehearse during band class, usually two to three days per week before and/or after school and game day mornings; Horizon will rehearse on game day mornings as well as during band class and one before or after school day.

The marching season continues until early to mid November. After this, students will prepare a Holiday Concert in December, audition for TMEA region band, and audition for placement for the Spring semester band class.

Starting in January, the students will prepare a Winter Concert for February, then prepare their UIL programs for a Pre UIL Concert in March and the UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation in April, then finally, prepare for a Spring Concert and Graduation in May.

During the spring, each concert ensemble will have sectionals one day per week either before or after school and possibly an additional full ensemble rehearsal in preparation for big events or concerts.

Students will also form Instrumental Choirs (Clarinet Choir, Trumpet Choir, etc) and perform during our Solo Recitals

Through band, I’ve gotten the delightful experience of seeing hard work paying off. But most importantly, I’ve found a group of people to surround myself with who make my time in high school enriching and enjoyable
— Vishesh Mishra, Senior Saxophonist

Student Leadership

Students in the 10th-12th grades can apply for a leadership role. Each section has 1-2 Section Leaders and depending on the size of the section anywhere from 2-7 Squad Leaders. Students interested in these role must be good band students, make good grades and have excellent attendance. An application and an interview will take place around the same time in April or May as band auditions.

Legacy and Horizon will both have a full complement of student leaders, specifically Drum Majors, Section Leaders and Squad Leaders.

Drum Majors are tasked with leading the whole band. They conduct the marching show, assist running rehearsals, help with teaching during Summer Band, physically prepare for and tear down for every rehearsal and are excellent motivators for the group.

Section Leaders take care of their whole section and keep everyone informed and motivated. Section Leaders also take care of a squad of students of their own.

Squad Leaders are in charge of a smaller group of students, usually 3-5, within their section. They do a good deal of hands on teaching during Summer Band in addition to assisting the Section Leaders.

The Percussion and Color Guard sections also includes their own leadership structure and this can vary from year to year in structure. There is typically a Drum or Guard Captain, a Front Ensemble Captain and there can be various Section or Line Leaders in the ensemble.

Band Officers are not selected by the directors through an application, they are voted on by the students. These students run a small campaign and encourage their peers to vote for them. Students can run for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian and Historian.

We also have a Uniform Crew with a Uniform Crew Captain in charge of marching uniform storage, movement and upkeep. This student will select a team of their own to help with their duties.

Students often ask how to become a student leader and aside from the application and interview, students should consider their attendance, effort and participation during rehearsals, practice habits and motivations for wanting to become a leader. We’re always on the lookout for students who display a good attitude, who work hard and who have excellent attendance.

A young man in a black suit and glasses smiling at the camera.
A woman with long black hair smiling and holding a white baton, standing outdoors in front of a blurred natural background.
A female figure skater performing on ice, wearing a black and gray costume with designer logos, holding a baton, with a spotlight illuminating her against a dark background.

Parents - Get Involved

The Round Rock High School Dragon Band is supported by a robust booster group - Dragon Band Boosters. Learn more about the Band Boosters on their website here

There will be numerous opportunities for parents to get involved throughout the school year. From concessions to bingo to chaperoning to trucks, to loading and unloading, to props and uniforms and everything in between, there is a place for every parent of any skill level. All parents are highly encouraged to attend performances and are always welcome at rehearsals. Further, students whose parents are involved are better able to share their experiences with their families, creating stronger relationships through the high school years.

How many students are in the Dragon Band?

TO BE DETERMINED BASED ON INPUT FROM CURRENT AND RISING 8TH GRADE STUDENTS

Section Totals

  • Flutes -

  • Oboes -

  • Bassoons -

  • Clarinets -

  • Bass Clarinets -

  • Saxophones -

  • Trumpets -

  • Horns -

  • Trombones -

  • Euphoniums -

  • Tubas -

  • Percussion -

  • Color Guard -

  • Total - TBD

Marching Numbers

Legacy

  • Drum Majors -

  • Flutes -

  • Clarinets -

  • Bass Clarinets -

  • Alto Saxes -

  • Tenor Saxes -

  • Bari Saxes -

  • Trumpets -

  • Horns -

  • Trombones -

  • Euphoniums -

  • Tubas -

  • Percussion -

  • Color Guard -

  • Total - TBD

Horizon

  • Flutes -

  • Clarinets -

  • Bass Clarinets -

  • Alto Saxes -

  • Tenor Saxes -

  • Bari Saxes -

  • Trumpets -

  • Horns -

  • Trombones -

  • Euphoniums -

  • Tubas -

  • Percussion - will vary based on auditions

  • Total - TBD

In the Dragon Band I have learned so much about myself beyond the world of music. I entered knowing very little about what I wanted my musical journey to look like, knowing only that I was excited to find out. I leave having learned that the journey was about more than making music with others. I met some of my best friends in band, forming relationships and gaining life lessons that I will carry with me for a long time.
— Connor Hall, Senior Horn
Band is great because it’s where your hard work turns a group of strangers into a family that creates something beautiful together.
— Lucas Giannoules, Junior Saxophonist
A quote I usually go by is ‘to an engineer good enough is perfect but to an artist nothing is perfect’ and I never understood about the artist part till I joined RRHS band
— John Parker, Freshman Tubist
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Dragon Band!
— David Le, Senior Horn
I’m so glad I decided to do band because I’ve made a lot of new friends through this program, especially during marching season.
— Jaden Meekins, Sophomore Tubist
Don’t give up what you wish to achieve because you have just given up what you’ve long yearned for.
— Holden Sparks and Caton Bao, Sophomore Clarinetists
Band is a fun experience but it requires hard work and dedication!
— Naviya Alwar, Junior Flute
Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for success
— Wyatt Scott, Senior Tubist

Expectations for Dragon Band Members

Attendance

  • Arrive 5-10 minutes earlier than the posted start time

  • Be present at all required events

  • Be mentally and physically engaged at all required events

  • Follow all event procedures

  • Clean up and store items properly

Behavior

  • Abide by the RRISD Student Code of Conduct

  • Maintain passing grades

  • Listen carefully to instructions and explanations

  • Hold yourself to a high standard of excellence inside and outside of performance settings

  • Follow group procedures

  • Treat others the way you would like to be treated

Performance

  • Listen carefully to instructions

  • Listen carefully to feedback

  • Give your best effort at all events

  • Have patience with yourself as you learn new skills

Frequently Asked Questions