FCPS highest level of band requires participation in marching band. It's been this way since I was in high school back in the 90s. You can like it or not like it, but it's not new.

FCPS also offers bands that do no require marching band -- generally concert band.

You can talk to the band instructor to see if there's a way to balance music and sport. I've heard some students were able to to do marching band and cheerleading.

Anonymous wrote:I understand FCPS requires marching band as part of the highest band class. I think that is wrong.

Marching Band is a different type of music and band experience, it is not the same as concert band. The idea that a kid who is a strong musician, who loves playing concert band is required to participate in something that they don't want to do and drop a sport that they love for an extra curricular activity is ridiculous and wrong.

+10000
I hope FCPS gets a clue and addresses this.

Yes and this is why my kid never did Advanced Band, in spite of being a gifted musician. It sucks and I wish it was different.

To be requiring marching band at some FCPS schools while not an others seems off because you are taking them as part of the FCPS curriculum.

Have a rising freshman going to Chantilly next year. Band is offered without Marching Band but there is a Band class with Marching Band and I believe it's treated as .5 GPA boost?

There are 2 classes for Advanded Band HNs but the description is the same for both.

Is it really required in Advanced Band?

I'm not an athlete, but I know that success for most depends on practice.

I'm not a musician, but i know that success depends on practice.

I can see why a choice has to be made in the Fall. And, if student decides on sports, then the other kids who chose band will have a big head start on performance.

That is just a fact.

I don't know how this impacts taking band (my kids are not musicians). I do know that sports practice for high school takes a lot of extra time and can be exhausting. I am not sure, with other homework, where a child would find time to practice their instrument.

I did have a child who did sports and drama. There were conflicts. Serious ones. Had to step back from the drama performances.

I understand FCPS requires marching band as part of the highest band class. I think that is wrong.

Marching Band is a different type of music and band experience, it is not the same as concert band. The idea that a kid who is a strong musician, who loves playing concert band is required to participate in something that they don't want to do and drop a sport that they love for an extra curricular activity is ridiculous and wrong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I think that is how it is at most schools across the country actually. If you play a band instrument, you do marching band in the fall and one of the concert bands in the winter and spring. And band takes priority as it is a class.

I am familiar with high schools where marching band is an elective/choice and you can be in concert band without participating in it.

I don’t think it’s common to require marching band as part of band class. For example, MCPS doesn’t. In fact I don’t know of any school system that does (except apparently FCPS?)


- band teacher

The school district in my flyover state required it. I bet the first person who said it was common also went to a school with that requirement.

Yes AFAIK this is an FCPS requirement for the top band.

Mine isn't in HS yet, but is already very stressed over this, because she also loves a sport that happens in the fall. I'm really sad for her, but counseling her that she doesn't have to decide which to drop until she is ready for the top band, which won't be until junior or senior year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I think that is how it is at most schools across the country actually. If you play a band instrument, you do marching band in the fall and one of the concert bands in the winter and spring. And band takes priority as it is a class.

I am familiar with high schools where marching band is an elective/choice and you can be in concert band without participating in it.

I don’t think it’s common to require marching band as part of band class. For example, MCPS doesn’t. In fact I don’t know of any school system that does (except apparently FCPS?)


- band teacher

Fcps does.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I think that is how it is at most schools across the country actually. If you play a band instrument, you do marching band in the fall and one of the concert bands in the winter and spring. And band takes priority as it is a class.

I am familiar with high schools where marching band is an elective/choice and you can be in concert band without participating in it.

I don’t think it’s common to require marching band as part of band class. For example, MCPS doesn’t. In fact I don’t know of any school system that does (except apparently FCPS?)


- band teacher

APS also requires marching if you are in advanced band. You actually get a grade on your report card for marching band (separate from your band class grade).

Because of the time commitment and the inability to do fall spirts our school counts MB as a class. Its not part of band..it's a separate class.

PwC

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s just the very highest level of band for which marching band is required. Students can participate in band without marching band otherwise. I believe this is true across fcps.

As others have said, you can’t participate in marching band and a fall sport. But fine to take band and do a sport.

They have to give up a higher performing band because they want to be in band and play a sport. That is not an acceptable choice. Marching band is an after school activity, it should not be tied to a graded class.

I agree in theory, but the reality is that marching band is what the class is doing in the fall. Even during class they are working on the marching music and memorizing. So if you aren't doing the shows, you aren't really participating in the classwork for the first quarter.

Marching band should be an after school activity and not part of a class. It is an extra activity, not a class. If kids want to march in band, they will join. Concert Band is different and should be treated as such. Name another class that requires hours of after school participation and weekend competition. You can’t because classes are taught during school hours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I think that is how it is at most schools across the country actually. If you play a band instrument, you do marching band in the fall and one of the concert bands in the winter and spring. And band takes priority as it is a class.

I am familiar with high schools where marching band is an elective/choice and you can be in concert band without participating in it.

I don’t think it’s common to require marching band as part of band class. For example, MCPS doesn’t. In fact I don’t know of any school system that does (except apparently FCPS?)


- band teacher

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s just the very highest level of band for which marching band is required. Students can participate in band without marching band otherwise. I believe this is true across fcps.

As others have said, you can’t participate in marching band and a fall sport. But fine to take band and do a sport.

They have to give up a higher performing band because they want to be in band and play a sport. That is not an acceptable choice. Marching band is an after school activity, it should not be tied to a graded class.

I agree in theory, but the reality is that marching band is what the class is doing in the fall. Even during class they are working on the marching music and memorizing. So if you aren't doing the shows, you aren't really participating in the classwork for the first quarter.

Sports is an after-school activity. They are choosing sports ove4 band. A beach week in August also interferes. It's a choice,