2005-2006 Band parent primer

Norman High Band Association (NHBA) would like to introduce you to the wonderful world of high school band. There are many new activities and opportunities for your student as well as volunteer needs for parents.

Included in this handout is an overview of activities for students, volunteer needs and general information about band and NHBA.

1. Bands
1. Freshman band: all 9^th graders belong to the freshman band
2. Marching band: During football season sophomores, juniors and seniors all participate in marching band. Band camp is held in August to prepare for the upcoming football season.
3. Jazz band: This band is open to all students by audition. It is a separate class.
4. Basketball band: students who volunteer can audition to be part of a small group that plays at NHS basketball games.
5. Wind Ensemble: Consists of sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students audition to participate in Wind Ensemble.
6. Symphonic Band; Consists of sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students audition to participate in the Symphonic band.
7. Musicals: Students who volunteer can audition to play in bands needed by school musical presentations.
8. Full Orchestra: This is a separate class. It is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors by audition.
   
2. Trips

These are trips that allow students to experience traveling and performing with the band. During high school students are able to go on three trips. These trips are on a rotation that runs: big trip, little trip and one year with no trip. The freshman trip is every year. 9^th grade band trip. Every year the freshman class goes on a “short” day trip in the spring to places such as Six Flags in Dallas.

1. Big Trip. When your student is a Junior/Senior they can go on a trip to a major destination. The trip is 4 to 5 days and usually involves flying. In the past the band has gone to San Diego, Denver, Orlando etc.
2. Little trip. Sophomores, juniors and seniors go on a trip to a closer destination such as Dallas, San Antonio, St. Louis etc. The trip is generally 3 days and is usually a bus trip.
3. Parents are needed as chaperones and those who wish to go will have their own “account” established by the director to keep track of their payments.
4. Money that is raised by fundraising is not payable to the student. Money that is paid toward trips directly by the student or parent may be refunded if the person is unable to attend the trip.
   
2. Website
1. The website for Norman High Band and Orchestra consists of Current Events, Calendar and Contacts. All the critical dates and information that your student needs to know is posted at the following URL address:

http://www.norman.k12.ok.us/site/nhsband/ OR http://www.nhsband.net

Students have access to this website at school for those who do not have a computer at home. Parents are encouraged to also check the website frequently for general announcements/information that their student may forget to share.

4. Fundraisers
1. Student trip accounts. Each student can participate in fundraisers organized by the band director(s) throughout the year. The funds a student raises goes into their own individual account that helps pay for their trip. Students and parents can also make payments toward their trips.
2. NHBA fundraisers. Money raised by NHBA consists of membership dues, corporate sponsorships and parental fundraisers. Currently the largest fundraiser is working concessions at OU football games. Funds raised help pay for things needed by the band that are not covered in the school budget. These needs include buying music/marching arrangements, extra equipment, food at some student activities, supplementing education funds for the directors and a number of miscellaneous needs.
   

5. Volunteering

Please consider volunteering for different events, offices etc. that help out the band.

1. Be a NHBA officer or committee chairperson. Positions include President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Committee chairs are Ways and Means, Ways and Means – OU fundraiser, Publications, Receptions, Football, Membership, Communications and Banquets. The group meets once a month during the school year to help coordinate many band activities and fundraisers. All parents can and are encouraged to attend the NHBA meetings. These are once a month.
2. OU concessions fundraiser. ________ volunteers are needed for each OU home game. You can volunteer for one game or all the games. It is necessary to obtain a food handlers permit from the Health Department, which costs $5 and requires taking a short class. The time commitment is the length of the game plus time before and after the game. This is a huge fundraiser for the band and we need volunteers to make it happen. It is hard work but fun and a great way to meet other band parents.
3. Football games. There is a volunteer chairperson who organizes volunteers needed to help set up/take down equipment, set up bleachers etc at football games.
4. Band camp. Need someone to coordinate lunches and volunteers to help in setting up and distributing lunches
5. Uniform checkout. Volunteers are needed to help with student uniform checkout and fitting.
6. Taste of Norman. Need parent volunteers to organize/coordinate this fundraiser and volunteers to work the event.
7. Marching competition(s): Need parents as chaperones.
8. Receptions:

-Winter concert and Spring Concert: NHBA sells roses to present to students. Need volunteers to help the volunteer reception chairperson set up the reception after the concert. Also need donations of foods such as cookies, nuts, other snack foods.

-Need parents to help with two football game receptions.

9. Solo and Ensemble. Need a volunteer to organize concessions and other volunteers. Volunteers are needed all day/part of day to help with monitoring the contest.
10. 9^th grade trip
11. Band/orchestra Banquet. Need chairperson to organize and volunteers to help set up etc. Work with the orchestra association.
12. Homecoming parade: Need two to three volunteers to pass out water to students at end of parade.
13. Band/Orchestra Banquet: Need parents to help with selling tickets. Need chairperson to organize and volunteers to work the banquet.