Documents and Forms
All students must read the Band Booster Handbook (Below Left), print and sign the acknowledgement form and return to Mr. Jarvis for a homework grade.
Spirit Wear
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a show shirt? Each year the marching band show has a different theme, or story. Their "show shirt" is a special shirt designed for that year. Each student will receive one show shirt included in their band fees. Additional show shirts maybe purchased. Show shirts are worn under uniforms at each football game and competition.
What are "dinkles"?
While the band provides uniforms, each student will have to purchase their own marching shoes, or "Dinkles". They are purchased through the uniform committee so everyone will have exactly the same style. There will be sample sizes on hand during the uniform fittings so your child can try on different sizes and order the size that fits the best.
What to bring to Band Camp?
Have your child dress in athletic shoes (sneakers), a hat and light weight and light colored clothing (shorts/no jeans) as it will be hot. They cannot march in flip-flops. Make sure your child has a large personal water jug (1 gal or more!) with their name written on it in permanent marker. Band parents working band camp will offer ice pops and water throughout the day, breaks go much quicker if everyone has their own water jug. Check the calendar - on some days your student will need to bring a lunch (students are not permitted to go off campus for lunch during band camp) .
What is a competition?
During the season, the marching will compete in five competitions. These occur on Saturdays, generally from the last Saturday in September to the end of October. Locations and times will vary. It is important that you continuously check the band calendar and carefully read emails from the band boosters for instructions and call times. It is highly recommended that you subscribe to the band's Google calendar, Face Book, Twitter and Mr. Jarvis' Remind 101. As a member of Charms, you are automatically signed in for email blasts.
What is a section?
Your child, depending on what instrument they play or whether they are Visual Ensemble/Color Guard or a dancer, is part of a group called a section. Each section has its own section leader, an upper classman with marching band experience, the marching band as a whole is under the leadership of the drum major and then Mr. Jarivs is the band director. There will be other staff to help each section become the best they can be. In our marching band, we have front ensemble or pit, this section is stationary in the front of the band, then there is drumline, flutes/piccolos, clarinets, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpets, mellophones, baritones or trombones, tubas and visual ensemble. There is also a Band President, a student appointed by Mr. Jarvis who works closely with the drum major.
My child is a rising 9th grader, but he or she is not the best instrumentalist, will they be able to participate?
Absolutely! Not everyone is a maestro and that is okay. All we ask is that they be respectful of others, do their best, and be on time to all practices and call times.
My child will be away on vacation during band camp can he or she still participate?
If your child cannot attend band camp they will miss valuable instruction time. Attending band camp, all practices and football games is mandatory in order to participate in marching band. The director has the final say if attendance is going to be an issue.
Where do they practice?
The band practices in a variety of places. When they are inside, they practice in the band room or auditorium (next to the band room). Sometimes, students will break out into their sections and find different places to practice their music as a section. As the season progresses, you will find them most often on the practice field near the bus loop, or in the bus loop parking lot.
When can parents and families see the marching band perform?
Once football season is in full swing, the marching band will perform during halftime of some of the home games. The band does not travel to the away games. There is a fee to attend a home football game; it is $7 at the door and the ticket booth is operated by the Apex Cougar Club. Alternatively, family passes are available via the Apex Cougar Club. Family passes may be beneficial if you regularly attend multiple sporting events at the school. The band has a designated seating area in the stadium. Next to the band, is an unofficial designated area for band families. Friday night football games are a lot of fun, and the band plays though out the game. They take a break during third quarter to get some food and drink. Band students are required to stay and perform during the fourth quarter, until the end of the game.
If the band is not playing during the half time show (sometimes other cougar club programs run during half time), arrangements are made to perform prior to the game, typically at 6pm on the soccer field. We will send a timely email with the plans for each football game.
Other opportunities to see the band perform include practices - anyone can come watch the band practice! And of course many band boosters go to the Saturday band competitions. We need parents to volunteer to help the band and all of the equipment travel to the competitions, and it is helpful to have parents cheering them on in the stands at each competition. Competition details will be announced at the beginning of each season, and details such as call time, performance time, etc. are given during the week of each competition. Competitions are often the best times to see the band perform because the conditions are optimal. The stadium for the most part is quite because the audience is there strictly to see the bands perform.
Of course, seeing the band perform live is the most desirable, but alternatively, we upload videos on to our YouTube Channel so you can view them anytime, or send the link to long distance relatives!
Can you recommend a good private instructor?
For the best experience, it is best to talk to a few music schools and instructors to find the right fit for your child and then establish some goals with your child and the instructor. This list of local instructors maintained by another WCPSS band instructor can get your started.
What can I do to help the band?
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available for any amount of time you've got to give. Wake County Public Schools requires registration of all volunteers district wide annually. This only takes a few minutes and can completed at any Wake County Public School. Please bring photo identification such as a drivers license. Visit our Committees page to find many great opportunities to get involved - Summary of Committees HERE. There are many fundraising opportunities throughout the year.
Have another question? Click Here to Ask Us!
What are "dinkles"?
While the band provides uniforms, each student will have to purchase their own marching shoes, or "Dinkles". They are purchased through the uniform committee so everyone will have exactly the same style. There will be sample sizes on hand during the uniform fittings so your child can try on different sizes and order the size that fits the best.
What to bring to Band Camp?
Have your child dress in athletic shoes (sneakers), a hat and light weight and light colored clothing (shorts/no jeans) as it will be hot. They cannot march in flip-flops. Make sure your child has a large personal water jug (1 gal or more!) with their name written on it in permanent marker. Band parents working band camp will offer ice pops and water throughout the day, breaks go much quicker if everyone has their own water jug. Check the calendar - on some days your student will need to bring a lunch (students are not permitted to go off campus for lunch during band camp) .
What is a competition?
During the season, the marching will compete in five competitions. These occur on Saturdays, generally from the last Saturday in September to the end of October. Locations and times will vary. It is important that you continuously check the band calendar and carefully read emails from the band boosters for instructions and call times. It is highly recommended that you subscribe to the band's Google calendar, Face Book, Twitter and Mr. Jarvis' Remind 101. As a member of Charms, you are automatically signed in for email blasts.
What is a section?
Your child, depending on what instrument they play or whether they are Visual Ensemble/Color Guard or a dancer, is part of a group called a section. Each section has its own section leader, an upper classman with marching band experience, the marching band as a whole is under the leadership of the drum major and then Mr. Jarivs is the band director. There will be other staff to help each section become the best they can be. In our marching band, we have front ensemble or pit, this section is stationary in the front of the band, then there is drumline, flutes/piccolos, clarinets, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpets, mellophones, baritones or trombones, tubas and visual ensemble. There is also a Band President, a student appointed by Mr. Jarvis who works closely with the drum major.
My child is a rising 9th grader, but he or she is not the best instrumentalist, will they be able to participate?
Absolutely! Not everyone is a maestro and that is okay. All we ask is that they be respectful of others, do their best, and be on time to all practices and call times.
My child will be away on vacation during band camp can he or she still participate?
If your child cannot attend band camp they will miss valuable instruction time. Attending band camp, all practices and football games is mandatory in order to participate in marching band. The director has the final say if attendance is going to be an issue.
Where do they practice?
The band practices in a variety of places. When they are inside, they practice in the band room or auditorium (next to the band room). Sometimes, students will break out into their sections and find different places to practice their music as a section. As the season progresses, you will find them most often on the practice field near the bus loop, or in the bus loop parking lot.
When can parents and families see the marching band perform?
Once football season is in full swing, the marching band will perform during halftime of some of the home games. The band does not travel to the away games. There is a fee to attend a home football game; it is $7 at the door and the ticket booth is operated by the Apex Cougar Club. Alternatively, family passes are available via the Apex Cougar Club. Family passes may be beneficial if you regularly attend multiple sporting events at the school. The band has a designated seating area in the stadium. Next to the band, is an unofficial designated area for band families. Friday night football games are a lot of fun, and the band plays though out the game. They take a break during third quarter to get some food and drink. Band students are required to stay and perform during the fourth quarter, until the end of the game.
If the band is not playing during the half time show (sometimes other cougar club programs run during half time), arrangements are made to perform prior to the game, typically at 6pm on the soccer field. We will send a timely email with the plans for each football game.
Other opportunities to see the band perform include practices - anyone can come watch the band practice! And of course many band boosters go to the Saturday band competitions. We need parents to volunteer to help the band and all of the equipment travel to the competitions, and it is helpful to have parents cheering them on in the stands at each competition. Competition details will be announced at the beginning of each season, and details such as call time, performance time, etc. are given during the week of each competition. Competitions are often the best times to see the band perform because the conditions are optimal. The stadium for the most part is quite because the audience is there strictly to see the bands perform.
Of course, seeing the band perform live is the most desirable, but alternatively, we upload videos on to our YouTube Channel so you can view them anytime, or send the link to long distance relatives!
Can you recommend a good private instructor?
For the best experience, it is best to talk to a few music schools and instructors to find the right fit for your child and then establish some goals with your child and the instructor. This list of local instructors maintained by another WCPSS band instructor can get your started.
What can I do to help the band?
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available for any amount of time you've got to give. Wake County Public Schools requires registration of all volunteers district wide annually. This only takes a few minutes and can completed at any Wake County Public School. Please bring photo identification such as a drivers license. Visit our Committees page to find many great opportunities to get involved - Summary of Committees HERE. There are many fundraising opportunities throughout the year.
Have another question? Click Here to Ask Us!
