What are the benefits of high school band?
Your student will become part of an outstanding music group. They have many opportunities to perform and travel throughout the year. Band is an activity that your student can participate in for four years and everyone is varsity! No one who tries sits on the bench! Additionally, band offers opportunities for individuals to compete as instrumentalists at Concert Band Festivals, as well as opportunities to gain acceptance into Honor Groups. Band offers students opportunities for leadership: upperclassmen who are section leaders have important leadership, teaching, and planning responsibilities, all of which are invaluable to successful college and career experiences. Also, band can potentially become the core of your student’s high school experience. Your student will find a supportive, friendly group with many role models and high achievers. Many of your student’s friends are already band members, and high school band can continue to provide a solid social and support network as the students mature and grow. Band becomes like a second family to many, and gives the students a positive place to put their energy instead of the many negative influences available to them these days.

How is credit awarded for band classes?
Marching Band is awarded 5 credits of Physical Education during the fall semesters, and after their four years students will have the 20 credits required. Concert Band fulfills their fine arts requirements for both graduation and college acceptance, and after 10 units becomes elective credits, also necessary for graduation. 

What does the high school band do?
The Marching Band and Concert Band are the bands that freshmen join when they first arrive at Bellflower. The Marching Band, approximately 50 students grades 9-12, performs at all football games and at marching band competitions. Students play the music for the football game’s half-time show as well as many popular tunes in the stands. They also play at some community functions, sometimes as part of a smaller group. Their goal for the year is to be in the top ten bands in the state in their division.
The Concert Band plays winter and spring concerts, and attends educational concert band festivals in the early spring months. Students expand their abilities and knowledge during this period and learn to become true musicians, learning to put expression into what they play. Their goal is to achieve a rating of “Superior” at festival, which will earn them acceptance into State Regional Festivals, the highest honor at their level.

Is band a big time commitment?
During the regular football season, band rehearses marching music during class everyday as well as the 2 days a week after school. We have Friday night football games and several Saturday commitments. After football season, perform at Basketball Games and a couple of Parades. Concert Band still meets during the day, and the curriculum becomes concert music.

Is band a big financial commitment?
Instrumental music, and more specifically marching band, is a very expensive activity. Instruments and their upkeep, specialized instruction, transportation, and performance entry fees are only a few of the things the program must pay for. Students are asked to make a modest contribution of $150 to the bellflower band boosters at the beginning of the year and actively fundraise at least $150 each quarter. If the student chooses not to fundraise, then they will subsidize the balance that was not raised.
It is necessary for you to let us know of your students intentions for involvement. Please return this letter with a non-refundable deposit of $40.00 that will be applied to your account and will be used to secure a place in the show design. The drill writer will write the show based on how many students return this intent letter.
The Bellflower Band Boosters provide thousands of dollars of support each year. But the students must also do their part to raise the funds necessary to run a successful and rewarding program. Other programs charge students thousands of dollars each year to participate, and we are able to keep that number much smaller.
First year students do need to make other investments to participate. Students must own marching shoes, a band shirt and a band jacket for marching season. These items will be used and last for all four years they are in band, maximizing your investment. Concert band students must have dress slacks & shoes, and a dress shirt & tie, and girls may optionally ear a conservative black dress.
Please remember: money is never a reason to quit band. If your student is working hard to try and help fundraise, then the director and the boosters will work hard to find them a sponsor or other way to help fund their way to stay in band!

What if my son or daughter is in a sport?
Well, once your student has done band, they will realize that band is a sport. But if they want to participate in other sports, we have successfully coordinated with sports and coaches in the past. In cases where after-school sports conflict with after-school band practices, we have worked with the students to allow them to still get a great marching experience while continuing in their sports. Remember, the majority of the bands after school obligations end when football season is over.

What are the summer obligations for band students?
We are fortunate to have a summer band program in our district. Details are not yet complete, but there will be band camp 1 rehearsals in June and July. Tentatively, these rehearsals will be 4 times weekly (TBA), for only 3 1/2 weeks. It is entirely understandable that some students will be unable to attend these rehearsals, but communication is expected.
All band students are required to attend band camp 2 in Aug. 21st to September 1st. This is when we begin learning the drill for our competitive field show. If a student does not attend, they may not have a spot on the field and may have to perform from the sidelines. Our first football game performance will be on September 1st before school has even started. During band camp, we rehearse every morning, afternoon, and some evenings. Band camp is when we learn much of our half-time show (and have some fun!). If your student has an absolutely unavoidable conflict during band camp, Mr. Mac will try to accommodate you, but please contact him early in the summer if your there is such a conflict.

Do all band members have to join marching band?
Marching Band is the best course for first-year high school band members and serves as an introduction to high school band. The first 11 weeks of the curriculum include marching band, an important part of a student’s high school band education, and the remainder of the school year is spent learning concert band music.
The freshmen year band experience includes marching band and concert band as means to reinforce and apply fundamental skills, which the students have learned in elementary and middle school band. Beginners are welcome, but will be asked to learn concepts at a rapid pace.
The band staff understands that eighth graders and beginners are often apprehensive about joining Marching Band, and all that we can tell them is "Try it & you’ll probably like it!" If your children are hesitant, please encourage them to join for one semester: they will likely have a great experience, and they will fulfill the prerequisites for the other band courses. Remind your kids that the marching ends in early December, so even if they don’t love it, they only have to do it for a few months.
Mr. Mac wants all students to continue playing their instruments in band. To that end, he will accommodate non-marchers into the band program. These students should enroll in "Concert Band." Non-marchers will still attend the class and learn the music with the other band members but will not be asked to march in class or to participate in any of the marching band activities or rehearsals outside of the school day. Please contact Mr. Mac if you have any questions regarding this option.

Are there other musical opportunities available for my student?
Yes! AP Music Theory is available to upper classmen that are interested in learning more about music, or may be considering a career in music. Students are taught information equivalent to that of a first year music major in college.  See Mr. Mac for more information.

What if my student or I have more questions?
The students receive weekly itineraries on Mondays in the band room. These itineraries are also available for download from the bands website. They contain information for the current weeks activities, and the tentative schedule for the following week.
The website and e-mail are the best options for finding out information. The website contains information about upcoming events, directions to places we are going, and weekly and monthly events itineraries and calendars.