FAQs

If you have a child participating in the RHS instrumental music program, you are automatically a member of the Band Boosters. We encourage all our parents to be involved.

There are two components of the cost for Marching Band: the fee charged by Williamson County Schools, and the Marching Band Fees.  Both are described in separate questions below.

There is a $250 Marching Band fee that is required by Williamson County in-order to participate in the marching band program.

The Boosters and the Band Director determine a yearly budget based on the number of students in the band and the expected expenses. Anticipated operating expenses include band camp expenses, uniforms, staff, office supplies, competition fees, instruments, show design and travel expenses. This total budget required to operate the band program at its current level of excellence. It is then divided by the number of participating band students, to determine each band student’s band fees. Each band student is expected to meet his/her band fees either through fundraising or direct donation. Generally, the only expenses that are NOT covered by the band fees are the students meals prior to football games, compression shorts to wear under the uniform, tall solid black socks and khaki shorts..

No! The band fees for each student is based on the total cost for the season divided by the total number of participants. We are not allowed to offer a discount on the mandatory Williamson County fee that each child must pay to participate.

We currently have programs that make it possible for families to cover most, if not all, band fees through fundraising. We do not want financial problems to be an obstacle to students participating in Marching Band. For students who truly need it, financial assistance is available. Students and families who actively participate in fundraising efforts, but are having difficulty with meeting financial commitments should contact the Band Director or Band Booster Treasurer who will present a request to the Band Booster Committee. In fairness to all involved, please participate in available fundraising activities before requesting financial aid. Information about fundraising opportunities can be found under the fundraising tab on the Ravenwood Band website.

Yes! The students learn very quickly how to manage their time to make sure their homework gets done. Most students’ grades are better during marching season because they have a schedule to follow and something to do. Each year the marching band is comprised of Honor students, National Merit Semi-Finalists & Finalists, and students in the top 20% of their class who go on to attend college at some of the most prestigious schools in the country.

No! Anyone can tryout for the color guard. Tryouts are more of a “try it to see if you like it” camp. Members of the Color Guard are part of the band and also pay a Band Fee amount to participate.

Some will tell you that band camp is a baptism by fire! They will also tell you that it is a transformative accomplishment – it provides the foundational bedrock for the marching band season. Ravenwood Band’s band camp is not an overnight camp. Rather, students work at RHS from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for four straight days at the end of July/beginning of August. The dates correspond to the last full week of summer before school starts. Students go home at night for bathing, sleeping and breakfast, and return them to RHS the next morning refreshed and ready to tackle another day. It is imperative that all students attend band camp.

No, however these full day sessions are utilized to teach the show musically and visually. They will learn the proper way to march, basic marching rules & meet the entire band. At the first performance the band usually performs 2-3 minutes of what will ultimately be a show three times that long. The show evolves a great deal over the season.

During band camp, students have two 1-hr breaks during which they will eat lunch and dinner every day. Dinner is provided and always include a hot entree, side dish, fruits & vegetables, and dessert. The menu will be posted in the band camp newsletter the week prior to band camp. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cheese sandwiches are available at every meal for kids who aren’t thrilled by the entree. There is always a vegetarian option as well. Students are welcome to bring their own food, but no re-heating facilities are available. Students are not permitted to leave the RHS campus during mealtimes. Gatorade and cold water are available in unlimited quantities. All families will receive a communication in July from the Events Coordinator asking for declaration of any dietary restrictions. We will work directly with families to handle special food issues such as gluten intolerance and food allergies.

Winter Guard is like Color Guard without the band. They practice and compete from November through April. You do not have to be a band member to participate in Winter Guard. There will be a separate Band Fee for Winter Guard to pay for uniforms, travel, and competition costs. Learn more about Winter Guard here.

Drumline is a winter activity for percussion players.  Like Winter Guard, there will be a separate Band Fee for Winter Percussion to pay for uniforms, travel, and competition costs. Learn more about Winter Drumline here.

Grand Nats is short for Grand National Championships competition.  First and foremost, Grand Nationals is an educational performance opportunity open to all high school bands, on a first-come, first-served basis. Grand Nationals is also a spectacular music and pageantry event, one that band fans from across the nation and around the world travel to for the exciting and creative performances. For more information, visit www.musicforall.org.

Oh acronyms, we have a love/hate relationship, don’t we?
Our most commonly used acronyms refer to different competitive circuits:
BOA = Bands of America
USB = U.S. Bands
DCI = Drum Corps International
WGI = Winter Guard International
SCGC = Southeastern Color Guard Circuit

Yes! It takes a village (or maybe an army) to run a marching band program! We have several areas where you can help.

Our committees include: 8th Grade Recruiting, Band Apparel, Chaperones, Color Guard, Communications, Concert Management, First Aid, Hospitality, Marching Band Operations, Front Ensemble Crew, Student Meals, Truck Crew, Uniforms & Winter Guard.

We also need help with our Fundraising efforts: CAFÉ, Inc., Corporate/Community Fundraising, Alumni Fundraising, Kohl’s Cards, Kroger Cards and Shop with Scrip. Investigate this site to learn more about opportunities.