https://www.cyranchband.org/

The journey our students take in learning a music doesn't stop after 8th grade - it is a continuation through High School. Did you know, regardless of major, students who play instruments can receive scholarships in college just for playing an instrument? Some instruments may receive FULL RIDE! 

STUDENTS - There's nothing to fear about band in High School. You can absolutely do everything. Memorize music? Easier than you may think. Learn how to march? Easy. Attend football games for free? Sign me up! Play super cool music? Already planned and ready for you! YOU CAN DO IT! The band directors will teach you everything you need to know. You just have to be brave, show up, and take the first step forward. :-)

PARENTS - If your student is on the edge and unsure if they want to try HS band, my rule of thumb is to try it for one year. "Don't knock it until you try it". Most students will feel hesitant which is natural. This is a big change. But there's nothing better than being a part of a huge band family. The upperclassmen and band staff will be there to support your child in this transition. 

Additionally, there are opportunities to serve the band program by volunteering or being a part of the booster club. The Band Booster Club needs many parents to help in supporting the program, and as your child enters a time when they become more independent and busy, you can be involved in what they are doing!  The high school band becomes a great community of kids and parents that are all working together and where friendships are formed. 

Health screenings / physicals

Every student in high school marching band must have a health screening on file.  If you child has been participating in athletics, then this is the same thing.  If not, this might be new.

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You will need to have this done at your doctor’s office, or CFISD makes screenings available at high schools in May for the following year.  Look for information from us to be sent home in April.

band fees

There are some costs involved in the high school band that include uniforms, contests and trips and other costs associated with running a band program.  There are also several opportunities to do fund raising to offset these costs.

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The total amount will vary from at each school, so be looking for information from the boosters at your high school.

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Booster programs have payment options where you pay the band fees in installments if you need to.

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Bands also take trips every year, so that will be an additional cost, but a super fun experience for your kids!

8th grade events

To help transition into the high school band, there are some bridge events that give students and parents the opportunity to experience the high school band for themselves.  Exact details will vary, depending on which high school your child will attend, but all of the high schools we send kids to do variations of these events. 

8th Grade Football Game

During marching season (fall semester), we will take all of our 8th graders to a high school football game.  The kids will be given a free T-Shirt from the high school band program to wear.  They will sit in the stands and play along with some of the stands tunes.  While in the stands, each student is matched with a high school “buddy” to help them feel at ease and answer any questions.  During half time, we go to the top of the stadium and watch the marching show.  It’s a lot of fun and a good taste of what being a part of the marching band is like.  Kids from Smith will also get to meet kids from other middle schools that will be going to the same high school next year! 

Side-By-Side Concerts

Our kids are used to performing indoor concerts, and so are the high school kids.  During the second semester, there will be a concert with the high school band and all of the 8th students attending that high school the next year.  This is a more familiar setting to our students.  There will be just one or two rehearsals and then a concert.  The emphasis is for our students to meet the directors and students at the high school so that they already have a familiar setting when they begin as freshmen. 

New Marcher Camps

High schools do this event slightly differently, but there is always some type of event in late May to get the kids ready for the next year.  It will be an after school event for a few hours for a few days.  It’s how the directors give them an introduction to marching and all of the new skills the kids need to be successful in the marching band.