Azle High School Band

Welcome!

Welcome to the Azle High School Band program! You and your child are about to begin a very exciting four years. It’s hard to explain the energy and enthusiasm of this organization but as you start coming to events you’ll find parents and students from past years with the same excitement that you will be experiencing.

This band has a wonderful winning tradition.  Yes, winning is fun, but let’s not forget what is truly important—hard work, discipline, endurance, being gracious no matter how you score, developing musical appreciation and skills, and forging new friendships. These are far more important than any championships. You’ll find that these are the qualities our directors continue to stress everyday. It is our job as parents to reinforce these ideals to our children. Please remember it’s just as important for parents to show great sportsmanship and character as it is for our band to do so. Let’s be a part of this “first class operation” throughout the year.

It can be overwhelming for parents at the beginning of the year, and this handbook (and our web-site) has been compiled to help orient you to the many different aspects of the band. This information is not intended to replace your attendance at band parent meetings. You will receive a calendar that you need to keep close at hand. Freshman band members sometimes have a tendency to “forget” to relate information to their parents. Feel free to call any student leader or band director for help, and remember to come to the meetings to get the latest information.

So come and join the fun! You will see changes in your child that you only dreamed would happen some day. At first your band member(s) may act like they don’t want you any place near them, but trust all of us “old parents”— they will begin to look for you and cherish your attendance. Bring your family and friends to contests and concerts, and just see if your kids don’t get a sense of pride in all of the hard work they have done. Then you can really begin to sit back and enjoy, “live from Azle, Texas, The Marching Green Pride!”

Facilitating Achievement...  

• Academic excellence is understood. From AP Classes to No Pass No Play, the academic achievement of each Band member is monitored and promoted.
• Artistic achievement is the goal. Performance in Band demonstrates proper process for maximizing potential as an individual and as part of a group. This model is then applied to multiple facets of the life of the student. In this manner, musicianship, citizenship, and scholarship merge and develop.

       ...through helping students realize their potential in Band.

 PRIVATE LESSONS

 Private lessons can be an integral part of each student’s musical development. Lessons help the student achieve higher goals in music and improve study skills. Azle ISD has an outstanding faculty of private lesson teachers. Lessons are once a week for thirty minutes (or half of a class period) at a cost of $16 per lesson. The directors feel that every student can benefit from lessons. The private lesson program is an optional program to supplement the instruction received in band class. It has proven to be a most efficient and thorough method of developing the student's talent. The opportunity to study on an individual basis with an accomplished musician is an invaluable asset. This affords the opportunity for in-depth study of the student’s instrument.

 Please call or email any of the instructors listed on the PRIVATE LESSONS link to schedule an appointment.  

FRESHMAN CAMP (1st week of June)

 The main purpose of Freshman Camp is to introduce incoming students to marching techniques, and also to some of the high school music. The section leaders are a tremendous help with the teaching process while building camaraderie with the new band members. The camp is held on the days immediately following school dismissal to minimize disruptions in vacation plans. If you anticipate any problems with attendance, please contact one of the directors.

AUGUST CAMP (SUMMER BAND)

 August is the beginning of our marching season. Attendance at this camp is very important, so please plan vacations accordingly. Feel free to speak to the directors with any concerns.   Comfortable tennis shoes, light colored clothes, and a cap are the best type of attire. It also will be helpful to have a small water jug, sun screen, and sunglasses. Band members should check with their section leaders for other good advice.

Some of the things happening at this camp include:

• Marching fundamentals
• Learning show music
• Learning drill
• Uniform distribution and payment of fees (Saturday, August 6)
• Football program photos
• Learning “stand tunes” (music for football games and pep rallies)
• Purchasing gloves, shoes, t-shirts, and other items

           *Lots & lots of bonding between old and new band members.

PEP RALLIES

 Pep rallies are held on Friday afternoons of home football games. Parents are invited to attend. Sometimes the band is featured. The approximate start time is 2:45 pm. You can call the school office for the exact time, but plan to arrive early especially if you are videotaping.

AUGUST BOOSTER MEETING/PERFORMANCE

 This is the most important parent meeting of the year (August 21), and the entire marching band will perform. Fund-raising opportunities will be discussed, as well as various ways for parents to get involved with various projects, chaperoning, etc.

AZLE BAND NIGHT 

This is a “band pep rally” in Azle Stadium, just before the contest season begins.  The marching band participates in a special “stadium rehearsal” with a hired guest clinician.  At the end of the rehearsal, parents and friends are invited to come watch a run-through of the show, and then the band moves up to the track for a band pep-rally.  Each band member is recognized by name, the band performs pep tunes, and special friends of the band are recognized.

SPIRITWEAR

Spiritwear is available for parents and other family members. We have many different types of shirts, sweatshirts, caps, etc. that are available throughout the fall season. You will have opportunities to view the products for sale at the August Booster Meeting, and at the Saturday uniform check-out day (August 18).   It is a great way to show your support for the band.

UNIFORM CARE

 Uniforms are not to be taken home.  Students put them on before each performance, and take them off before they go home.  Each student pays a uniform cleaning fee, and uniforms are sent to the dry cleaners at certain times throughout the fall.

 You may turn up hems and hand-stitch them in place if needed, but do not cut any portion of the uniform. Proper care will help up to keep a good-looking band and be able to use the uniforms for a few more years. More detailed information about uniforms is in the Band Handbook.

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAMES

 Football Game Fridays are exciting! The students will be given a scheduled meeting time to be at the band hall. Warm-ups and inspections will take place prior to boarding the buses for the game.

The buses leave the stadium as soon as possible after each game. After away games, band students are allowed to ride home with their own parents.  The parents must sign-out with the chaperones at the end of the game. 

COLOR GUARD

 The color guard is an auxiliary group that enhances the visual performance of the marching band. Selection is based on tryouts in the spring. The group has their own specially trained instructors, and they work with rifles and sabers as well as with flags. You’ll find many interesting guards at various contests and be amazed at some of the things they can do. The majority of the color guard will proceed to winterguard at the conclusion of the marching season.

CONCERT SEASON

 Because the marching band is so visible and performs so often publicly, concert season is sometimes “forgotten”. This is far from being true. Concert season is the time when the most musical training takes place and each band’s performance rating during the UIL concert contest is the basis for evaluating the entire band program.

 There are three concert bands.  The Honors Band is comprised mostly of upper-classmen.  The Wind Symphony is also comprised mostly of upperclassmen, and the Symphonic Band is comprised mostly of freshmen.  All three bands have complete instrumentation and are fine performing groups.

 Two concerts are presented at the high school and are open to the public. A winter concert is presented in December and a spring concert is held in early May. These are wonderful, well-attended concerts and you will hear challenging music. This is a great time to invite the grandparents, aunts and uncles and let them hear “what else the Azle Bands can do”.

SPRING TRYOUTS

 Tryouts for drum majors, section leaders, color guard and drumline are held during April and May each year. Selection of the section leaders and band officers also takes place. Your band member will be able to get information from the directors if they choose to tryout for any of these positions. 

THANKS (from the directors)

 This band would not exist without the tremendous support and generous time given by our wonderful band parents. The directors thank every parent for understanding and embracing what is necessary in order for us all to experience success.

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