BAND PROGRAM "QUICK FACTS"

• Our program relies very heavily on communication, specifically through email and text message. ***We can't possibly stress this enough!***

  • Band program updates are sent once-per-week in the fall (typically on Sunday), and every 2-4 weeks during the spring.

  • For urgent communication, "day-of" information, and relaying pickup times from events to families, we utilize "Remind", which allows band staff to safely communicate between students and parents on a school-approved text message platform. There is a smartphone app available for Remind. Go to www.remind.com for more information.
     

• Incoming students are required to attend band camp throughout the month of August, which meets every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with occasional later rehearsals. Depending on the band's progress, some rehearsals may be removed. If a student does not attend band camp, they will not be permitted to participate in the program (unless they are accepted late to STHS).
   

• At Sussex Tech, we perform a high-step marching style. It is physically demanding, especially in the heat with uniforms on. Physical conditioning is highly recommended: running/stretching is encouraged prior to the start of band camp, and students must eat full meals before rehearsal and during meal breaks. We set up water coolers* with ice and canopies for shade during rehearsals, and our band staff is always on-hand for supervision to ensure student safety and well-being.

  • * We rely on donations (personal, business, and/or corporate) or booster parent organization funds for bottled water for the students, and are always in need. If you can assist at any time, contact the current Ravens Music Boosters president.

     

• For instrumentalists & drumline members, Marching Band is required to be in Concert Band, and vice versa, Concert Band is required to be in Marching Band. Both elements are part of the graded band course. Band members who are not scheduled for a band class period (Period 2, 4, 6 or Period 8) must show evidence of an academic conflict with a notice from a guidance counselor. 
   

• The full marching band has required rehearsal from 3:25 - 5:45 PM twice per week after-school during the school year. We rehearse Tuesday for Rehearsal #1 , and every Thursday for Rehearsal #2.

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• The "S.T. X-Press" Drumline (auditioned group) has an additional required rehearsal every Wednesday after-school from 3:25 PM to 5:45 PM. Students who do not successfully audition for the drumline are encouraged to seek private lessons and reaudition for the next school year.
   

• After-school rehearsals reduce in frequency in late October/early November to allow students time to focus on academics (around the end of Marking Period 1).
   

• The marching band performs at every home and away Sussex Tech varsity football game (10 consecutive Fridays). Games can also occasionally occur on Saturdays, or be moved to Saturdays due to inclement weather. The band will almost always be withdrawn from an event when rain or snow is forecast in the best interest of instrument longevity and student health.
   

• Outside of Friday night football games, we are anticipating that the marching band will participate in two parades in October, two parades in November, and four parades in December. Occasionally, other unique performance opportunities will arise.
   

• Personal practice time outside of rehearsal is a basic expectation. It is impossible to "check up" and make sure every student is practicing, nor is it a good use of the band staff's time to do so. The success of the band program will be equal to the time spent practicing at home or outside of rehearsal. We do not assign a specific/exact amount of practice time for students - every student is different.

  • Bare minimum expectations: practice time should be no less than 15 minutes after properly warming up ("warming up" = preparing the mind, body and instrument). Practice time should always include use of a metronome.
     

• Instrumentalists/drumline members will also perform a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert with the Concert Band as part of the Band 1/Band 2/Wind Ensemble class period. These concerts typically begin at 7:00 PM and are held at the Georgetown Community Cheer Center (Sand Hill Rd., Georgetown), as Sussex Tech does not have an auditorium or performing arts space on-campus.
   

• Jazz Band is a fully extra-curricular ensemble and is open to students who play saxophone, trombone, trumpet/clarinet, bass guitar, piano, and drum set. The ensemble meets throughout the year, but *may* be switching to occasional morning rehearsals to alleviate the after-school schedule.
   

• Our Basketball Pep Band is a volunteer-only group that plays at Boys & Girls Varsity home games during the months of January and February. 
   

• Sussex Tech band students are expected to audition for additional musical opportunities such as SCMEA County Band and the DMEA All-State Ensembles.

  • Additional opportunities such as the West Virginia University Invitational Honor Bands (acceptance based on resume), NAfME All-National Band (must make All-State first), the U.S. Army All American Band (seniors only, based on resume), the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall (video audition), and the Macy's Great American Marching Band (video audition), are exciting possibilities that open up when students successfully participate in honor band events as underclassmen. 

...still have questions?
Read the FAQ section which covers just about everything
else new (and current) members need to know.