FAQ’S

1. Sign up for the Parent Remind: Directors will send out pertinent information with Band App texts. For parents of younger band students, we recommend that in addition to the Booster Band App you also sign up for the Student Band App so that you can help your student adjust to the responsibilities of High School Band. Please email the directors or the Band Booster Club for the codes.
2. Check the Band Calendar: The band calendar has the most up to date information about events and activities. Make sure to click on the actual activity to see additional information. We have created a link to make subscribing to our calendar a breeze.
3. Attend the Booster Meetings: Booster club meetings will be announced and usually take place at 7pm in the Band Hall. These meetings are a great way to stay informed!

Most instruments do need to be privately owned/rented and maintained by the student. There are a select few instruments (ie: tuba, euphonium, mellophones, etc) that are school owned and rented to students. If you are unsure whether or not you need to purchase/rent your own instrument, please email one of the directors.

Per Texas State (UIL) Law, before/after school activities are only allowed to practice for 8 hours per week once school has begun. During the summer, we have a Band Camp that runs during the weeks leading into the school year. These weeks are more intensive to prepare us for the marching season. When school starts, the band will practice after school. During the marching season there are Friday night football game commitments (performances) as well as Saturday Contests (competition) throughout the Fall Semester. The marching season finishes during the first part of November, and then the Band will only play at football games.

• Uniforms are provided by the band. All alterations will be made by the Booster Club. In addition to their issued uniform students will need: a band shirt, band shorts, marching shoes. All of these items can be purchased at Registration or from a uniform officer.
• It is also very important that your student have a pair of good athletic shoes for practice. These shoes can be kept in their band locker for them to change into after school if they would like to wear other shoes to school; however, a good pair of athletic shoes is very important in keeping your student in good marching condition on the blacktop.

1. Students will not wear makeup while in uniform.
2. Jewelry, hair ribbons & nail polish are not allowed while in uniform.
3. Hair must be its natural color.
4. Hair must not touch the collar of the jacket and must be above the top of the ear or pulled behind it. No visible hair on forehead.
5. Students must be clean shaven while in uniform.

Report time is the designated time that the students must be ready (dressed, full water bottle, instrument, etc.) and in the HHS Band Hall or other assigned area.

In order to get the band prepared for our marching performance, students are required to attend marching practice in the weeks leading up to the beginning of school. Attendance is required for all band students. Students will need to report to summer band with their instrument, full band water jug, good athletic shoes, lunch & snacks, their phone, and sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.). Summer Band times will be listed on the Marching Band Calendar.

Yes. It is imperative to the marching programs success to have all students attend Summer Band. Please consult the band calendar for summer band dates, and plan your vacation accordingly.

No, lunch is not provided. Students will need to bring their lunch with them. Students are allowed to leave during the lunch break. See schedule for times.

• In marching band we see many injuries that are a result of improper footwear. In order to protect our students and keep them marching, students should wear a good pair of athletic shoes that provides them with the support they need to have a good foundation on the blacktop. A good pair of athletic shoes will help prevent twisted & rolled ankles, shin splints, sprains and many more injuries.
• We have come up with Athletic Shoe Recommendations for men & women:
  • Men’s Recommended Athletic Shoes
  • Women’s Recommended Athletic Shoes

Yes! Students are highly encouraged to bring sun protection. This includes: sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, spf shirts, etc.

• report to the Band Hall after the final bell or release time.
• eat dinner
• gather their uniform & instrument
• load the busses
• play at the football game
• load the busses
• return to HHS

Most parents sit in the stands closest to the band. This is a perfect time to wear your Band Spirit Wear!

Football games are considered to be an extension of the classroom, and for everyone’s safety adults are not allowed into the band section of the stands. This helps us to keep everyone safe. Students are not allowed to accept outside food and beverages from parents while at football games unless given permission from the Band Director.

Students are encouraged to call/text their parents on the way home to the school, but an expected end time will always be posted.

Just like other sports, Marching Band participates in scored contests. These contests usually take place on Saturdays. Competitions are divided into Preliminary Performances and Final Performances. Please consult the Marching Band Calendar for the dates of contests.

• report to band hall
• rehearsal
• students will gather uniforms & supplies
• load the busses
• arrive at the competition site
• unload
• rehearse
• perform in the Preliminary round
• regroup and take a break (if able)
• gather for the announcement of awards
• Finals:
  • If we are selected for Finals: we rehearse, and perform, and wait for the final awards, and then we will head back to the school.
  • If we are not selected for Finals: we load up the students, and head back to the school.

Yes, meals will be provided on competition days. Meal times will vary according to the competition performance schedule. The schedule will alert families to exactly which meals will be provided. Students are allowed to visit concession stands during long breaks.

Yes! If time allows we do allow students to shop for souvenirs.

Yes! In fact we encourage you to make some noise for our band! Please read through this document on Competition Etiquette to get the lowdown on competition behavior.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE :
How well does the band play? Are they in tune? Are they together? Do they have an “ensemble sound”?

VISUAL PERFORMANCE:
How well do they march? Are they in step? How clean (together) is the color guard work? How is their body carriage? How are the horn angles? How is the spacing?

GENERAL EFFECT:
Is the music conveying a mood or message to the audience? Is the entire visual program conveying a mood or message to the audience? Are the forms and movements readable? How well do both music and visual integrate into a total package that represents the theme?

PERCUSSION:
How clean (together) is the percussion section? Are they playing musically? Is the front ensemble (pit) playing with the rest of the ensemble? How well do they balance with the wind section?

AUXILIARY:
How clean (together) is the color guard? Is their choreography properly reflecting the music? Is the difficulty of the work appropriate for the performers?

In the Spring semester the band gears up to participate in the UIL Concert programs. Each band will have 3 pieces that they will perform at the UIL Concert competition.

• Uniforms are purchased on your own: girls wear black dresses and boys wear tuxedos. The uniforms are fitted and altered by the parents. All students are required to wear black dress shoes.
• Boys will have to purchase the additional items: black bow tie, and a pleated tuxedo shirt. These items can be purchased as a bundle at Al’s Formal Wear or Burlingtons

Yes! Parents and friends are encouraged to attend the UIL performance. The dates, times and locations will be published on the Band Calendar and in the Booster Newsletter.

• Please silence your cell phone before entering the auditorium
• Only enter the auditorium between performances.
• You should NOT enter while a band is performing.
• Please do not talk during performances.
• Clapping at the end of performances is encouraged.

Just like in middle school band, students in the Hanks High School Band compete in the TMEA All-State (Region Band) process! Although Hanks is a 5A high school, our band students compete on both the 5A & 6A track in this process!

Students are assigned 3 etudes at the beginning of the year.

Auditions are held during the months of December, and January.

Perhaps the most exciting difference between the high school & middle school region experience is that, in high school, it doesn’t stop at Region Band / Orchestra! In high school, it’s possible to advance to Area and even State!

Students who earn membership in the TMEA All-State Band get to travel to San Antonio for 4 days and make music with the finest musicians in the State of Texas!

All students participate in weekly Master Classes (sectionals) throughout the Fall semester to prepare for the auditions.