2024 Season Information • Student/Parent Season Forms & Acknowledgements
Students & Parents: Please review this information together.
Welcome to the new season! Marching Band is one of the best experiences your student will have during their time in high school. We are so glad you are joining us!
Please read on for important information about the Buchanan High School Marching Band program and complete the action items and forms below. If there are further questions about the program, please feel free to message us through the BAND App or email us at notes@becmusic.org.
General Information
The Buchanan High School Marching Band is a competitive pageantry ensemble that participates in Bands of America (BOA), the Western Band Association (WBA), and other local competitive events. It is an elite ensemble comprised of students of the Buchanan High School Instrumental Music Program. To be part of the Marching Band you must be enrolled in instrumental music at Buchanan High School.
Program Goals
The Buchanan High Marching Band is dedicated to the total education of the student. The program is based on a strong foundation of technical development as well as musical and visual skills. In addition, the program serves a valuable role in the development of our students as productive members of society. We teach and encourage the values of dedication, perseverance, cooperation, and hard work. All of these goals are taught while maintaining a positive environment for learning and social growth.
Competitive Participation
All Buchanan Marching Band students are expected to demonstrate high-quality music and visual skills and observe all student performer expectations. Membership in the group also requires a commitment to mandatory rehearsals outside of the school day and several performances and competitions.
Because Marching Band has a set amount of designed positions, student participation in some aspects of the program may be limited by ability or space availability. As a result, performing (primary) spots in the competitive show must be earned by consistently having great attendance, mastering all musical and visual skills, and continually displaying an enthusiastic and positive attitude at all marching band rehearsals and events.
When necessary, evaluations for set positions in the marching band will be made by the band directors and staff. Students who do not earn a primary position will be an alternate for the competitive show, but will still fully participate in football games and other marching band activities. They will continue to attend all rehearsals and learn the show music so they will be ready to assume the role of primary marcher if a spot opens.
Attendance Expectations
Attendance expectations for the marching band are covered in detail on the attendance page of the website. Please review each aspect of the attendance policy carefully. All rehearsals, football games, and performances/competitions are mandatory for students participating in the Buchanan Marching Band with some exceptions being made based on the attendance policy. Please subscribe to and regularly review the website calendar page.
Spring & Summer
Marching Band workshops begin in the spring and continue with rehearsals throughout the summer for all sections of the band. Attendance is mandatory with exceptions being made for summer vacation. Uniform fitting also takes place in the spring.
Weekly Rehearsals
Once the school year begins, the marching band maintains a regular rehearsal schedule outside the school day (shown below). Rehearsals are mandatory for all band members. Some additional rehearsals may be added on weeks when we don’t have a football game scheduled. Please refer to the website calendar page for specific weekly rehearsal schedules.
Tuesdays: Hornline - 7:15am to 8:20am; Colorguard - 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Wednesdays: Hornline - 7:30am to 8:40am; Percussion - 3:18pm to 5:30pm
Thursdays: Hornline - 7:15am to 8:10am; Full Band* - 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Saturdays: Full Band* - 8:00am to 12:00pm
Hornline: If you are taking 0-Period PE, you’ll be excused from PE on mornings when we have rehearsal. When we don’t have rehearsal, you’ll go to PE as you normally would.
*Full Band = Everyone
Football Games
The band attends all home football games and away games vs. other CUSD/league schools as well as playoff games. Transportation is provided to/from away games. Games are typically on Friday nights and attendance is mandatory. All football games are listed on the website calendar page.
Performance Schedule
All competitions and performances are mandatory. See below for a list of major events and refer website calendar page for a specific performance schedule.
Major Events for 2024:
September 28th or October 5th - All Day Rehearsal & Family Night @ Location TBD
October 12th - WBA Washington Union
October 19th - Sierra Cup Classic @ Fresno State
October 30th - CUSD Band Night @ VMS
November 1st-2nd - Bands of America Regional Championships in Rancho Southern California @ Etiwanda H.S in Rancho Cucamonga (Depart Friday or Saturday Early AM, Return Saturday after the show, arrive at BHS early AM)
November 8th-10th - Bands of America Regional Championships in St. George, Utah at Utah Tech University.
Action Item #1 - Review
Course Information & Expectations
Expectations of students who participate in the Buchanan High School Band are outlined on the BHS Concert Band, Colorguard, Jazz, and Percussion pages of our website. Please click the buttons below to view. Please do not continue on this page until both parent and student have completely reviewed the applicable pages!
Action Item #2 - Completed By Parent
Buchanan Instrumental Music Voluntary Field Trip Form
Traveling to events and festivals is an important part of the instrumental music experience. This form will apply to all instrumental music (band, colorguard, orchestra, percussion) local, regional, and out-of-state instrumental music trips, including overnight trips, that occur during a typical school year. Please click the button below to complete the form, then return to this page. To be completed by the parent.
Action Item #3
Required Marching Band Items
The students use several different items throughout the season that are purchased from the program by the student/family. While there is a larger initial expense, these items stay the same year to year and may be used in subsequent seasons. Unless noted, these items must be purchased through our online store to ensure a consistent style and look. See the list below for the items needed by your student.
Please purchase these items right away so we can get them to the students before we have to wear our uniforms for the first time.
Financial Need: In cases of financial need, please complete the loan agreement for each specific item you would like loaned. Loaned items need to be returned at the end of the season in good condition. *We are unable to loan water jugs, black compression shorts, and several of the colorguard items. Please contact us if you have an issue securing these items (notes@becmusic.org).
Everyone:
• Nike Shoe Bag ($20)
• Red Water Jug (Igloo 1/2 Gallon size) with BEC Music Sticker ($20). If you have an old water jug, please stop by the office to get a free sticker.
Hornline & Percussion:
• Marching Shoes ($55)
• BHS Instrumental Music T-Shirt ($15)
• Compression Shirt ($40) NEW DESIGN THIS YEAR - Everyone needs one. No more Nike Compression Shirts.
• Black Compression Shorts (Buy on own: Available anywhere sporting goods are sold, including Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods.)
Hornline Only:
• Tuner w/contact microphone (optional, but STRONGLY encouraged). We recommend: Korg TM70BK Tuner and Metronome Combo with Korg CM-300 Clip-On Microphone.
Colorguard:
• Black Nikes (Buy from us through BEC Store)
• Black Jazz Pants (Buy on own)
More Coming Soon!
Action Item #4
Code of Ethics • Conduct & Expectations • Student Performer Contract
Parents & Students: Please review the BHS Code of Ethics & the Buchanan Instrumental Music Student Conduct & Expectations.
Parents/Guardians: Please review the Buchanan Instrumental Music Parent Expectations.
Students: Please complete the Student Performer Contract.
Action Item #5 (Optional/Strongly Encouraged)
Form for Medication on Trips
If your student takes any regular medication, or if you anticipate your student needing any type of medication on any out-of-town trip we take, your child’s physician must complete the medication form linked below. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications. Please click the button below for more information and to access the form. Having this form completed is STRONGLY recommended, though not required, and is no due date. We must have the form on file in the BHS Nurse’s Office before any medication can be taken/administered on an instrumental music trip.
Action Item #6
Chaperone Volunteer Clearance
If you would like to volunteer to chaperone on any trips this year, you must receive volunteer clearance through CUSD. Please click the button below for more information and to begin the clearance process. If you have completed the process in the past few school years, you may not need to complete it again. Send us a message at notes@becmusic.org and we can check your volunteer status,
