Time commitment for marching band in Madison HS

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

My child is interested in taking the marching band at Madison HS and wanted to find out how much of a time commitment it would be. Child is very passionate about 2 other activities that have a October to February timeline and each would need at least 5 hours of time commitment per week.

Reading this forum I found that marching band is a lot of commitment but cannot translate it into how many hours per week it would be. We are new to the pyramid and do not know people who were in the band. Could anyone who has experience kindly share their experience please?

Child is in 8th grade this year and taking band in MS.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

You’ve made a very specific request. You will probably have better luck emailing the band teacher at the school.

[Anonymous]

Op, I think they have band camp for 3 weeks prior to the start of school. Then they have pactice for several hours every day. There are required competitions on fall werkends, and of course football games. It's a lot, but they say it creates a strong perr group. You might want to check out: https://www.jmhsband.org/index.php/news/849-band-program-registration-information-for-8th-grade-families

[Anonymous]

"Peer group", not perr group

[Anonymous]

Google is your friend.

https://www.jmhsband.org/downloads/2021%20JMHS%20Recruitment%20Handout.pdf

The members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Section, and Color Guard comprise the Marching Ensemble. The Marching Ensemble participates at football games, parades, and various marching competitions. All Marching Ensemble members, including incoming Freshmen, attend the Marching Ensemble pre-school rehearsals (also called “band camp”) that begin in August approximately 3 weeks before the first day of school. This year, the pre-school rehearsals start on August 3, 2020. Once school starts, weekly rehearsals take
place on Monday, Thursday afternoons (3:30-6:00) and Wednesday evening (5:30-9:00) throughout marching season. Alternate times will
be scheduled when needed, and rehearsal times will be shortened when warranted. Marching Ensemble members attend the entire band camp, all rehearsals, and performances.


Can I participate in a Fall sport while a member of the Marching Ensemble?
No. The Fall sport for band students is Marching Ensemble, but band students participate in a wide variety of Winter and Spring sports.

[Anonymous]

My first chair in middle school kid didn’t continue on at Madison bc of the commitment and her desire to do other activities.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the replies.

After going through the band program website, it seems like there is about 9 hours of practice per week. Can anyone hazard a guess on how many hours per week it would be for games and what the band programs says as "performs at various concerts, festivals, symposiums, and civic events"?

What child is looking for is an opportunity to continue the instrument he is playing in a low key way without a whole lot of time commitment. I thought of contacting the teachers but it might be taken negatively. And I would not blame them.

My child is interested in band and practices a couple of hours a week. But not super motivated and it seems like it would give him an opportunity to engage with friends outside of classroom. Band seems to be intense and hence my concern. There does not seem to be any middle ground to participating in an instrument in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the replies.

After going through the band program website, it seems like there is about 9 hours of practice per week. Can anyone hazard a guess on how many hours per week it would be for games and what the band programs says as "performs at various concerts, festivals, symposiums, and civic events"?

What child is looking for is an opportunity to continue the instrument he is playing in a low key way without a whole lot of time commitment. I thought of contacting the teachers but it might be taken negatively. And I would not blame them.

My child is interested in band and practices a couple of hours a week. But not super motivated and it seems like it would give him an opportunity to engage with friends outside of classroom. Band seems to be intense and hence my concern. There does not seem to be any middle ground to participating in an instrument in HS.

I think there is a lot of uncertainty right now on what the Band program will look like due to COVID.

This Connections article from 2019 describes more of the band's activities pre-COVID. Sounds like weekends were very busy!

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2019/nov/05/james-madison-high-school-marching-ensemble-wins-a/

[Anonymous]

historically, the band practices for 3 nights a week in the fall, home football games, and competitions -- 5-7 per year. The band is nationally ranked, and the two time VA State Champ (VMBC) as well as the defending champ for the BOA mid-atlantic regional.

You must attend all competitions and football games. Period.

It is not possible to do other activities in the fall.

And this is true of many of the band programs, not just Madison.

As I recall, in fall of 2019, from Labor Day to after Veterns day there were two Saturdays that were not occupied. (we used those for college tours).

Now 2019 was more intense than most years: usually the season ends at the VMBC state championship (VMBC = Virginia Marching Band Cooperative). In 2019, the band made a last minute decision to go to grand nationals in Indianapolis in mid November. The band finished second in class and 29th overall (we should have done better, but the 3 am call time for the semifinals meant the band was a step off; they would not have broven the top 20 though.)

I think if you talk to members of the bad, they have no regrets on the work load; they are proud of the show. To do something great takes work.

[Anonymous]

It's good they have a decent band with all the helicopter noise in the background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's good they have a decent band with all the helicopter noise in the background.

LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:historically, the band practices for 3 nights a week in the fall, home football games, and competitions -- 5-7 per year. The band is nationally ranked, and the two time VA State Champ (VMBC) as well as the defending champ for the BOA mid-atlantic regional.

You must attend all competitions and football games. Period.

It is not possible to do other activities in the fall.

And this is true of many of the band programs, not just Madison.

As I recall, in fall of 2019, from Labor Day to after Veterns day there were two Saturdays that were not occupied. (we used those for college tours).

Now 2019 was more intense than most years: usually the season ends at the VMBC state championship (VMBC = Virginia Marching Band Cooperative). In 2019, the band made a last minute decision to go to grand nationals in Indianapolis in mid November. The band finished second in class and 29th overall (we should have done better, but the 3 am call time for the semifinals meant the band was a step off; they would not have broven the top 20 though.)

I think if you talk to members of the bad, they have no regrets on the work load; they are proud of the show. To do something great takes work.

Thank you! This is very helpful.

Could you please share what the time commitment would be from Mid November? I am assuming they would still be some sort of practice going on year round. Or is just during school time?

[Anonymous]

NP.....

In NORMAL times, Madison band is a BIG commitment, but mainly just in the fall while they focus on the marching ensemble. My kid was in the Madison band for 4 years and the expectation is pretty consistent every year.

Band Camp - 3 full weeks in Aug right before school starts; one week is two-a-days (8-1 and 4-9pm. They serve lunch most days as well.) I think one week they only practice in the evenings (4-9pm). It's work hard and play hard. The 3 Friday nights are fun times for the kids - party, pool party, class parties, cookout at Glyndon park).

Home Games - Fridays nights September thru mid-November , about 4-5 games per year

Weekend activities (Tag Day, Turkey Trot) and Competitions ... from mid-Sept to mid-Nov... mostly on Saturdays, but sometimes ALL DAY (as in some they return early Sunday mornings)... 1-2 are overnight, as in they return Sunday afternoon.

Marching Band Weekday practices - 2 days per week Sept - mid-Nov.

2 Parades - Halloween (evening) and Homecoming (during the school day)


After the last home game (and playoff run that one year), it's pretty laid back. The band only practice 2 days right after school a week getting ready for the winter and spring concert and assessments. Your kid could feasibly do another 1-2 activities.

Post Marching Band season, they also do a Winter Concert, Toys for Tots, Spring Concert, Spring Assessment, and a few other optional individual activities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP.....

In NORMAL times, Madison band is a BIG commitment, but mainly just in the fall while they focus on the marching ensemble. My kid was in the Madison band for 4 years and the expectation is pretty consistent every year.

Band Camp - 3 full weeks in Aug right before school starts; one week is two-a-days (8-1 and 4-9pm. They serve lunch most days as well.) I think one week they only practice in the evenings (4-9pm). It's work hard and play hard. The 3 Friday nights are fun times for the kids - party, pool party, class parties, cookout at Glyndon park).

Home Games - Fridays nights September thru mid-November , about 4-5 games per year

Weekend activities (Tag Day, Turkey Trot) and Competitions ... from mid-Sept to mid-Nov... mostly on Saturdays, but sometimes ALL DAY (as in some they return early Sunday mornings)... 1-2 are overnight, as in they return Sunday afternoon.

Marching Band Weekday practices - 2 days per week Sept - mid-Nov.

2 Parades - Halloween (evening) and Homecoming (during the school day)


After the last home game (and playoff run that one year), it's pretty laid back. The band only practice 2 days right after school a week getting ready for the winter and spring concert and assessments. Your kid could feasibly do another 1-2 activities.

Post Marching Band season, they also do a Winter Concert, Toys for Tots, Spring Concert, Spring Assessment, and a few other optional individual activities

This is exactly the sort of information I am looking for. Thank you so much! I cannot express how grateful I am for this information. Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

The parents are fanatical and the band director is a tyrant, FYI.