THINKING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL BAND for 2022-23?
Yes, Yes, and YES!
A LETTER FROM MRS. OLIS
Dear 8th Grade Band Families,
As the time to turn in registration materials draws near, we are excited to welcome all of our 8th graders into the Grandview Heights High School Band. We have spent some time speaking with your child during class this week and have hopefully answered many of the questions they may have regarding becoming a high school band member.
One of the most frequent questions we are asked is how big the time commitment is during the summer/outside of the school day, and whether students can also participate in fall sports, take a rigorous course load, and join school clubs during the marching band season. With all of the new opportunities the high school band provides, it can be sometimes overwhelming for students and parents; but we are hopeful this quick summary will help. In addition, you may want to visit our Bobcat Bands 101 page and our Band Camp page, for additional details.
Marching/Concert Band is a year-round band course that includes The Pride of Grandview Heights Marching Band (GHMB) and the Grandview Heights Concert Band (GHCB). Marching Band begins in mid-July and runs through the end of the football season, usually mid/late October. In turn, Concert Band picks up at the end of football season and runs through the end of the school year.
The Marching Band summer schedule begins with pre-Band Camp rehearsals (for 2023) the week of July 17-21. These practices are from 10am-1pm. Band Camp is the following week (for 2023) July 23-28. It is a sleepaway camp at Otterbein University and is when the majority of music and movements (drill) is learned for the fall football season. Band members experience a wonderful week of camaraderie, hard work, and musical growth. It is the highlight of the year for many band members. There is a cost associated with Band Camp, and GH Band Parents Association offers financial assistance to families, if needed.
Once the school year has started the bulk of practices/rehearsals for Marching Band and Concert Band are during the school day (8th period). The Marching Band has an evening rehearsal (usually on Wednesday or Thursday nights) on HOME game weeks only, making a maximum of five practices during the fall once school starts. Those rehearsals can sometimes conflict with sports but students are excused from the rehearsal if their sports team is playing. The GHMB performs at all football games, home and away, including the playoffs, as well as parades throughout the school year (including the GH Memorial Day parade at the end of the year). The Concert Band has three concerts - a Holiday Concert in December, Music in Our Schools Month Concert in March, and the Spring Finale Concert in late April. The bulk of outside-of-school time commitment occurs during the marching band season and even then, compared to most schools in central Ohio, is a VERY minimal time commitment. All summer and school year rehearsals and performances are required, however, if there are conflicts, please reach out to Mrs. Olis and she will work with you to find a solution. No one should ever decide to not be in high school band because of possible conflicts. Can you play sports (even in the fall) and be in band - yes, yes, and yes! Can you take a rigorous course load and be in band - yes, yes, and yes! Can you join clubs and be in band - yes, yes, and yes!
One of the best benefits of being a high school band member is that you have 50-60 friends across grades 9-12 before school even starts - a band family you can lean on during what can sometimes be a precarious transition to high school. Please don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Olis or the GH Band Parents if you have additional questions. We look forward to welcoming all of you to the GHHS Band this coming school year!
As the time to turn in registration materials draws near, we are excited to welcome all of our 8th graders into the Grandview Heights High School Band. We have spent some time speaking with your child during class this week and have hopefully answered many of the questions they may have regarding becoming a high school band member.
One of the most frequent questions we are asked is how big the time commitment is during the summer/outside of the school day, and whether students can also participate in fall sports, take a rigorous course load, and join school clubs during the marching band season. With all of the new opportunities the high school band provides, it can be sometimes overwhelming for students and parents; but we are hopeful this quick summary will help. In addition, you may want to visit our Bobcat Bands 101 page and our Band Camp page, for additional details.
Marching/Concert Band is a year-round band course that includes The Pride of Grandview Heights Marching Band (GHMB) and the Grandview Heights Concert Band (GHCB). Marching Band begins in mid-July and runs through the end of the football season, usually mid/late October. In turn, Concert Band picks up at the end of football season and runs through the end of the school year.
The Marching Band summer schedule begins with pre-Band Camp rehearsals (for 2023) the week of July 17-21. These practices are from 10am-1pm. Band Camp is the following week (for 2023) July 23-28. It is a sleepaway camp at Otterbein University and is when the majority of music and movements (drill) is learned for the fall football season. Band members experience a wonderful week of camaraderie, hard work, and musical growth. It is the highlight of the year for many band members. There is a cost associated with Band Camp, and GH Band Parents Association offers financial assistance to families, if needed.
Once the school year has started the bulk of practices/rehearsals for Marching Band and Concert Band are during the school day (8th period). The Marching Band has an evening rehearsal (usually on Wednesday or Thursday nights) on HOME game weeks only, making a maximum of five practices during the fall once school starts. Those rehearsals can sometimes conflict with sports but students are excused from the rehearsal if their sports team is playing. The GHMB performs at all football games, home and away, including the playoffs, as well as parades throughout the school year (including the GH Memorial Day parade at the end of the year). The Concert Band has three concerts - a Holiday Concert in December, Music in Our Schools Month Concert in March, and the Spring Finale Concert in late April. The bulk of outside-of-school time commitment occurs during the marching band season and even then, compared to most schools in central Ohio, is a VERY minimal time commitment. All summer and school year rehearsals and performances are required, however, if there are conflicts, please reach out to Mrs. Olis and she will work with you to find a solution. No one should ever decide to not be in high school band because of possible conflicts. Can you play sports (even in the fall) and be in band - yes, yes, and yes! Can you take a rigorous course load and be in band - yes, yes, and yes! Can you join clubs and be in band - yes, yes, and yes!
One of the best benefits of being a high school band member is that you have 50-60 friends across grades 9-12 before school even starts - a band family you can lean on during what can sometimes be a precarious transition to high school. Please don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Olis or the GH Band Parents if you have additional questions. We look forward to welcoming all of you to the GHHS Band this coming school year!
