Are there auditions for marching band?
No. Every student who desires to is able to participate in marching band. Make sure you sign up for marching band on your class schedule. Band is a year long class. Once the marching season is over, the band transitions into Concert band season.
What is a marching band competition?
The OMEA sponsors a marching band competitive season, which begins in September and ends with the OMEA State Marching Band Finals (States), which run the last weekend in October and the first two weekends in November. The marching band must to qualify for States by scoring a 1 at a competition leading up to States. The ultimate goal is to score a Superior (1) rating at the States finals. The Central and North band host a competition called the Pickerington Band Festival. The dates of the competitions are set by the OMEA. At Band Fest, our bands are able to qualify for States, but they are not able to compete for trophies.
What are my expected fees?
The school requires a Pay to Participate fee, which will show up on your child's Infinite Campus account. A portion of this fee goes towards transportation costs and the uniform replacement fund. This is currently set at $150. The booster fee is used for the day-to-day operations of the marching band. Things such as uniform cleaning and repair, instrument repair and replacement, transportation costs, etc. This fee is due by band camp registration each year and is set at $175. There is also a uniform fee of approximately $200 for freshman This fee is different for different sections and will be detailed for you at band camp registration.
when and where is band camp held?
Band camp is usually held the second or third week in July. The dates are set by the band director. Band camp is held at PHSC and goes from about 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8:00 to 3:00 p.m. Friday. Students bring a lunch with them in the morning, and a large water thermos to get them through the day. They will have multiple opportunites to refill their containers throughout the day. Although the get a two to three hour break for dinner each day, don't count on them coming home! Section leaders will host dinners at their homes, and some sections have a traditional outing to Buffalo Wild Wings. In addition to evening practices, there is a dance and talent show, as well as the parent preview concert wrap-up on Thursday night. Friday concludes with group and individual photos in full, fall uniform. Make sure your student bring their shoes and black socks to wear for the photos!
What is tag day?
Tag day is one of the bigger fundraising events that the Central and North bands participate in together. The schools alternate home base each year. On a designated Saturday, usually in August, the students arrive at school at 9:00 a.m. in the morning, for a brief instruction, before finding their assigned driver. They then walk through their designated neighborhoods, asking for donations to the band program. Tag day concludes early afternoon and the students and drivers are given lunch when they arrive back at the school. Summer polos and jeans or jean shorts are the uniform of the day.
What does my student need before band camp?
For the 4th of July Parade, your student will need no show white socks and white tennis shoes. For Band Camp and all practices, a large water jug and sunscreen.
I need a vacation!! When is it safe to plan for one?
Vacations and family time are important! We all need a moment to get away! Here are some suggested times, the month of June is usually safe, sometimes depending on where July 4th falls, we may have parade practice that last week of June. The week after July 4th is also generally a safe time. Missing pre-camp and band camp is not preferred as students learn music and field sets during these weeks.
Where do i pick up my student after a parade?
The band begins at the band lot and marches to Ridgeview going the long way through town. Some parents opt to park at Ridgeview and drive their student back to the band lot to put their instrument away. Others just pick up their student in the band lot.
