Welcome to the Family!
We are so glad to have you as part of our band family! Your child is a member of one of the most prestigious groups on Fort Payne High School's campus.
To really understand what the Wildcat Band is all about you have to get involved, ask questions, and most of all: Be Present!
Everything the band does has meaning and purpose behind it. There are no secrets, so just ask if you don't understand, or need some guidance!
The great myths of the band program....
- "they didn't tell me when to be there..."
- "they didn't tell me what to wear..."
- "I don't know when practice ends..."
- "I don't know when we will be back..."
- "I don't know where we will be..."
- "They didn't tell me...."
These are myths because we do everything we can to get information out to everyone involved as soon as possible.
How will we communicate? Join REMIND; subscribe to the band calendar; visit the band website; or you can always email and ask a director or booster!
Tips to help you and your child succeed in band.
- Check the band website frequently! Once a week is a start.
- Arrive early to all band events! Being late is disrespectful to the band.
- Prepare uniform parts early, not right before you need to be there.
- FEED YOUR CHILD before performances. We try to help with that as much as possible, but you'll want to make sure they have fuel for the days events.
- Read all the emails, REMIND messages, etc from directors and staff. We won't waste your time with unnecessary comments.
- Provide money when your child needs it for events (usually to eat!)
- Despite what they say, your child wants you there, so be there and cheer for them! (Plus its fun to embarrass them once and awhile right?)
- Dress your child for the weather! Cold - bundle up; Hot - maybe leave the sweatshirt at home.
- Approach band as "total program" not "individual children". We will always do whats best for your child, even if it doesn't seem like it. Come talk to us with an open mind and you'll see we care DEEPLY about your child.
- COME TO PARENT/BOOSTER MEETINGS!!!!!!
- Be involved; The more people involved, the more successful this program is. Plus, its really fun.
BAND CAMP
Below are some tips that will help your child succeed and be more comfortable the whole season.
- Prepare for EVERYTHING!!!
- Eat breakfast! Most illnesses during band camp are because breakfast was skipped! Make sure your member has eaten before coming to camp! (avoid the milk)
- WATER! Make sure your member has a water jug! We provide water to refill jugs/bottles but they need to have something to carry their water around in!
- Appropriate footwear is required. NO boots, flip flops, crocs, sandals, open toed shoes etc... Athletic footwear is required. Don't forget the socks too! We will not allow participation with incorrect footwear.
- Dress appropriately for the weather! It may rain or be 120 degrees out. (This is Alabama weather you know...) Send your member with a plan for the weather that day.
- Hats and sunglasses! We don't have an indoor football field, we have to be outside. The less sun hitting your body, the better you will feel. Hats/sunglasses are desperately needed!
- Be early! "Early is on time; On time is late; Late is unacceptable"
Band Camp / Weather Continued
- Weather!! (Yes it's on here twice, because it is that important)
- Take a shower every night! Wash off the band camp folks!
- Wear deodorant! Bring extra to reapply!
- Send a change of clothes, due to weather or sweat! You may want to change.
- Band Camp is required! Every day. Every rehearsal. No excuses. (Band isn't like most sports, everyone is involved all the time)
- SUNSCREEN! SUNSCREEN! SUNSCREEN! Wear it. Future you will thank you for it, even if present you likes the oven burnt look.
Encourage them!
- Nothing worth doing is every easy.
- Even when they are burnt out, stressed, and upset.
- Don't be the reason they miss one of the best opportunities in HS.
- Marching band was hard for EVERYONE when they started. It's normal to struggle at the beginning.
- If it was easy, why would we do it?
Band Performances
We love to have our friends, family, and fans at all of our performances. It's part of the reason we do what we do!
However, when members are in uniform and not on break, we need them to be focused on their job. Specifically when they are in the football stands. Let your member focus on the game, not on you. Even if they ask you to stand by them, etc, just remind them that they are there for a reason. It isn't to hang out with family and friends (unless they're in the band).
Don't be shy! Want to spend more time with your child? Volunteer to work at band camp, chaperone, supervise, prepare food, drive trucks/trailers, sell food, assist with set up and tear down. All these activities are essential and involve the band!
Ian Pask - Director of Bands
ipask@fpcsk12.com OR ipask@fpcsk12.org
Alana Garrett - Assistant Director / Middle School Director
agarrett@fpcsk12.com