Who

The award-winning Marching Band is a highly energetic and entertaining group that consists of all students in Percussion, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Concert Band classes. It also supports the greater BHS community by performing at home football and basketball games and representing the school at parades throughout the Northwest.

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With over 100 students, the Boosters need parent help with uniform check in, check out, and at the game! Renew or apply for your Category A volunteer status with SPS. Please email the band reps if you have questions. BPABbandrep@gmail.com  

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What

Practice and game participation is mandatory and is part of a student’s grade. Exceptions can be made for sporting events or other school activities. If you have a conflict, please talk to your director.

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When

●  Times and dates for practices and games will be announced in the newsletter and on the BPA band calendar, which you can subscribe to and also find on the Ballard Performing Arts website.

●  Most games are between the hours of 5:00 and 11:00 p.m.

●  Call time is when the student needs to be at BHS. This is usually approximately an hour and 45 minutes before the football game begins. Games start at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. or 7:45 p.m. and last about 2.5 hours. Sometimes they run long.

●  There is an intensive weekend-long band camp the first weekend after school starts where students learn the basics of marching, as well as much of the music they'll play at football, basketball and volleyball games.

●  There are three to four football games to play at (in the stands, not marching) and two to four parades each year. The marching band performs on the field only at the homecoming game.

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Where

●  Practices are at BHS.

●  Games are at high school home fields while Memorial Stadium is under construction.

●  Students should arrive at BHS at call time and put on uniforms before games.

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How

●  School buses are provided as transportation from BHS to the game and back to BHS.

●  Students must ride the bus with the band to and from the game. Parents and friends can meet students at the stadium.

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How much?

●  All band students must purchase an ASB card at the school activities office by the cafeteria.

●  Band students do not need to pay to get into the games where they perform.

●  Students do not need to bring their ASB cards with them to the games.

●  Chaperones who ride on the bus with students also do not have to pay admission.

●  Admission is charged for all others to attend. Purchase online or at the stadium ticket booth. Until Memorial Stadium reopens, games will sell out!

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Details!

●  Students need to wear their black band t-shirts and long black socks with their marching band uniforms.

●  Hair must be worn up and tucked into the hat. No jewelry besides stud earrings, no face paint or temporary tattoos. 

●  Marching Band uniforms are stored at BHS. Students change at school before and after each event. Students wear their full marching band uniforms whenever they perform. They should leave the school in full uniform and return to the school in full uniform.

●  Some students like to wear shorts or leggings under their uniforms.

●  The Band has their own section in the stands, separate from other students and parents. Many parent chaperones are there to supervise and assist. Non-band students are not allowed in the Band section of the stadium.

●  The Band plays in the stands at all home football games.

●  The homecoming game is the only time the Band marches on the field. Do not miss this show!

●  Games often start late and end past estimated time. A 7:45 game start may mean the students are not back until 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. Plan with your student to text you for pick-up when they are on the bus headed back to BHS.

●  Students should eat beforehand when possible. They may buy food at the concession stand at the stadium, but the options are often limited to snack foods, and care must be taken when eating. No ketchup, mustard, chili, liquid cheese or drinks with any coloring are allowed. Any stains from eating need to be dry cleaned at the student’s expense.

●  If a game starts late, the band is directed to wait outside of the stands in the concourse until the game is over and the previous school’s band has left the stands.

●  Upon returning to school, students need to change out of marching uniforms, hang them up properly and check them in before going home. Properly means pants and jacket on hanger, shoes, gloves and hat in garment bag and the bag zipped up.

●  For uniform pieces that are missing or damaged, a student and their parent/guardian will be notified of the repair or replacement cost, how to pay financially or with service to the Band program, and how to appeal.

●  Seniors and drum majors get to check in their uniforms in a dedicated row of uniform lockers! All other band members line up for check in at the main uniform room.

●  Please email the band parent reps if you have questions. BPABbandrep@gmail.com