Frequently Asked Questions about Band Programs
& BHSME
-
What does "BHSME" stand for?
It is the abbreviation for Beaverton High School Marching Ensemble.
We are an "ensemble" because the group also includes our Color
Guard.
-
What exactly are my obligations when taking
a band class or participating in the marching ensemble?
When you forecast for a band class, it means that:
- You will meet during the school day like any other class.
Taking Concert Band, Symphonic Band and/or Wind
Ensemble? As
part of your grade, you will be expected to sit with and perform in
the stands at all home football games and selected varsity basketball
games, and at a variety of school assemblies and concerts.
Joining the
Marching Ensemble is an extra-curricular
activity (outside of school hours.) In addition to what is listed above
for taking a band class, the requirements include:
-
In the BHS course catalog, there are three
levels of band classes available. I'd like to forecast for one of the
upper level bands. Whom do I contact and what arrangements do I need to
make?
Please talk to your middle school band director about making a recommendation
to Mr. Head, the band director at BHS, prior to February forecasting.
-
I signed up to take a band class - does that
mean that I'm automatically in marching band?
No. Being a member of
the marching ensemble is an extra-curricular
activity, much like a fall sport. Although you don't
have to audition, our season starts before school
opens, with Band Camp in the last part of August.
Attendance is mandatory, and the dates will be
posted each year as soon as they are set. Participation in marching band is strongly encouraged for
all band students.
- Can I still be in marching band if I don't
take a band class?
Yes. You will be expected
to attend Band Camp and all out-of-school rehearsals and performances.
Taking a band class for credit is highly recommended. Please contact
Mr. Head and the Band Booster president (listed below) to ensure that
you get onto our mailing list.
- I plan on attending
one of the BSD Option Schools
or a Private School. Can I still be in the Marching Ensemble?
Yes - as long
as the BSD Option School or Private School does not
offer Marching Band, you are within the Beaverton
School District attendance boundaries* and you can
meet the requirements listed in question #2. Please
contact Mr. Head and the Band Booster President to
ensure that you get onto our mailing list.
*Students may join
the BHS Marching Ensemble if their attendance area
school does not allow them to join. This policy is
subject to change as other BSD High Schools change
their membership criteria.
- I am
Home-Schooled. Can I still be in the Marching Ensemble?
Yes – as long as you
are within the Beaverton School District attendance
boundaries* and you can meet the requirements listed
in question #2. Please contact Mr. Head and the Band
Booster President to ensure that you get onto our
mailing list.
*Students may join
the BHS Marching Ensemble if their attendance area
school does not allow them to join. This policy is
subject to change as other BSD High Schools change
their membership criteria.
- I attend Highland
Park, Summa or Whitford Middle School. Can I join the Marching
Ensemble as a Middle School Student?
Yes - as long as you
are within the Beaverton High School attendance
boundaries and will be an 8th grader during the
marching season. 7th graders may participate
provided they obtain a letter of recommendation from
their music teacher. 6th graders may participate on
a case by case basis.
- What if I want to play a fall sport - can I
still be in the Marching Ensemble?
Yes! We have had band members involved with Cross Country and Soccer
- just about all fall sports are possible with the exception of Varsity
Football and Varsity Volleyball, because of the direct time conflict
with their games. Planning your time wisely and communicating with your
coaches, section leader and Mr. Head will be essential. Fall sport
tryout times may overlap - see Mr. Head and your coach in August to
arrange any short absences from either activity. Don't worry - it will
all work out.
- What happens after fall football and marching
competitions are over - are there other activities available to band students?
Yes!
If you are in Concert Band, Symphonic Band and/or
Wind Ensemble, you will be expected
to participate in the Basketball Pep Band, which plays at selected Varsity
Basketball games. We usually split the band in half, forming "Orange"
and "Black" groups, so that students will be playing at 8-10
games during the basketball season. The music is upbeat, fun and admission
to the games is always free! Participation in these performances
will affect your grade.
Band students also may play for school
assemblies, the spring musical (audition required), the Beaverton
Celebration Parade, Macy's Parade (optional but
encouraged, the BHS graduation ceremony, and one of
the Rose Festival parades.
- Does the Marching Ensemble
go on any trips?
We average 4
competitions per season. 2 are usually held at
Hillsboro Stadium, 1 TBD and we also travel to
either Eugene or Corvallis for the championship
competition. (Note: Championships will be held in
Hillsboro in Oct. 2011)
Competitions are all
day and evening in length, held on three to four
selected Saturdays between the end of September and
early November. Students ride on chaperoned buses to
and from the competition sites.
Every 4 years a big
trip usually takes place. Destinations have included
the Gator Bowl/Disney World in Florida and the
Heritage Festival in Hawaii.
- When does the marching
band hold their practices?
In late August we hold Band Camp,
where attendance is mandatory. where
attendance is mandatory. In the fall, the full
ensemble (band and color guard) usually practice
Tuesdays, 6:00-9:00pm and Fridays, 2:45 to 5:00pm.
Sections generally practice on Mondays from 2:45 to
4:15. Occasionally sections opt to meet more often -
this is a student-driven decision made by section
leaders and each section. The color guard practices
are tba. These practices
will end after our last competition.
Competitions are all day and evening
in length, held on three to four selected Saturdays between the end of
September and early November. Students ride on chaperoned buses to and
from the competition sites.
- What is "Band Camp" - and why is
attendance mandatory for Marching Ensemble members?
Band Camp takes place in
mid to late August. (See
#2 for specifics). This is a time of hard work, where students learn
the drill (field formations) they will use in competitions and at football
games.
It's also a fun
time - where friendships are formed as the band
comes together as a unit. On the final Friday
evening, family and friends are invited to see the band perform all they have
learned. A dessert potluck usually follows. You can expect to see a sea of proud, slightly sunburned faces
on the field, and hear enthusiastic cheering from the stands. It's
amazing to see how far the group comes in such a
short time!
Getting to know other
kids before school starts is a real bonus for freshmen band members.
Fall sport tryout times my overlap - see Mr.
Head and your coach
in August to arrange any short absences from either activity. Don't
worry - it will all work out.
- Can incoming freshmen and new marchers get their music early
in the summer, to prepare for Band Camp?
We always try to get
music to the middle schools before school is out for
the summer. Music will also be available at our
"Welcome" event, held at BHS in late spring.
Music will also be posted on our website.
- Do you have to have your own instrument, or
are some available through BHS?
BHS can provide for most large instruments, and percussion. Please
see Mr. Head for specifics.
- Are there fees involved with joining
the Marching Ensemble?
Yes. There is an Activity Fee levied by the Beaverton School
District, which you will pay directly to the District. The fee was
$85.00 for the 2010-11 school year. In addition,
freshmen can expect to pay a participation fee and a shoe fee to the
Beaverton Band Boosters,
the parent support group. These fees will be set at the end of the
current school year. The fees for the
2010-11 fall season were $250 (participation) and
$35 (shoes) and $150 (opt out of volunteering). The
fee structure will change for 2011-12. Participation
fees will likely increase for 2011-12.
Participation fees
cover many things including uniform fees,
competition fees, meals and transportation expenses.
Note: These fees are subject to change due to
Beaverton School Board action or budget constraints.
There are fundraising
opportunities for students, and scholarship options
are available through the Band Boosters, depending
upon availability of funds and family need.
Scholarship applications are due the first day of
Band Camp, and may be obtained during the summer
from the Band Booster Treasurer listed below.
- Can I letter in band?
Yes! The requirements
for lettering in band and color guard are listed on
our website.
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