Band Camp

Band Camp is always an exciting time as the veterans return looking to build upon last year along with the new members. Camp is the time where we teach students the basic concepts in marching music performance. We will be spending many hours together over the course of the season, and Camp is the foundation to a successful season.

The best way to get ready for camp is to check your calendar and assemble your materials. Some of these materials you will need to provide. Others are included in your fees.

Black Three-Ring Binder – Most of your materials will go in this folder.

Sheet protectors – Don’t get the thin cheap ones. You want durable that are going to survive the wear and tear of a season. You shouldn't need more than 25.

Two pencils – Buy a box of pencils, sharpen all of them, leave two in your binder and you shouldn't have to worry about never having a pencil.

Dot Book – This is a 3x5 index card book (or similarly sized), with at least 50 pages. This will have all of the visual information you will need. Keep it on a string so you can access it quickly and don’t have to pull it from your pocket each time.

Clothespins – Use them to hold your music in place when we are outside and you won’t be chasing your music across the parking lot after every gust of wind. You need at least two, but keep four. Flip Folder – This is a small folder that is designed to hold music specifically for pep band music. Everyone needs one. We have thirty stands tunes that we’re working with this year, and you won’t have them all memorized.

Flip Folder & Lyre (ordered through RHSBPA) – These vary from instrument to instrument, but generally speaking these strap the flip folder onto your instrument (or for flutes, your arm) and hold the music in place so you can play without needing a music stand!

Your instrument! - If you don't have an instrument, that's fine. Make sure you show up early enough to check one out before the first rehearsal.

Case/Trash Bag – Of course you need your case, but woodwinds should keep a small trash bag with them to cover their case if we experience bad weather.

Mouthpiece/Reeds/Sticks – Brass should have at least one quality go-to mouthpiece, whether they own a school instrument or not. Woodwinds (except flute) should have at a minimum of 5 working, functional reeds at all time.

Percussionists, bring what you have to mini-camp. Once we know what you're going to play then we'll give you a shopping list.

Valve oil/cork grease/slide grease/rotor oil/etc. – Get what you need for your instrument and use it frequently. We want our valves to move freely. If your valves or keys feel like they’re stuck in butter, they need to be fixed.

Black towel – Get one just big enough for your instrument and use it to set your instrument down, especially when we’re on dirty or hard surfaces. Write your name on this so you don’t lose it.

Gloves (Brass only) – Sweaty hands and instruments don’t work well together... We will use gloves on our instruments to prevent corrosion and maintain the instruments. For You!

Hat (required for daytime rehearsals, optional for night) – This needs to cover your face, eyes, and lips. Most members use a baseball hat or something equivalent.

Sunglasses (required for daytime rehearsals, prohibited at night) – This prevents squinting and not being able to see when performing.

Sunscreen – Some people burn in 10 minutes….Others are perfectly fine after 2 hours. Do what you need to protect your skin. You will hate life if you get sunburned and have to go outside again. If you burn easily, use SPF 50. If your nose burns easily, use Zinc Oxide. Keep Solarcaine with you in the case of mild sunburns. Immediate treatment after a burn will make a big difference.

There are other remedies such as baking soda baths, aloe vera, cornstarch, shea butter, or a wet washcloth that depending on who you listen to and/or your personal experience, may or may not work. Do what works best for you.

Water – Get yourself an insulated cooler that can hold at least a ½ gallon. For band camp, bring at least a gallon.

Comfortable athletic clothing - Light-colored shirt (use athletic or light-weight material....heavy shirts will absorb and hold water. Shorts, and undergarments appropriate for athletic activity.

Comfortable athletic sneakers and socks. Most students have the most success using shoes designed for walking. Sweatpants and a jacket would be acceptable for cooler rehearsals.

Rain Gear – Bring this in case we experience light to moderate rainfall.

Bug Spray – You won’t need it for 95% of the rehearsals, but for the ones that you do, you’ll love yourself for keeping bug spray on you.

Hearing protection – All members need to have hearing protection on them at all times, in case we are practicing in a loud

environment. Get a good pair or two and put one on your keychain and the other in your 3-ring binder.

Lunch: A full meal. Plan to consume roughly 2,500 calories on these days. Load up on the proteins, fruits, and veggies, and lose the soda and fast food.

Small snacks – You may not need them every day, but they’re nice to have in case you need an energy boost.

FAQ:

Is marching band required?

Band is a co-curricular class, and requires commitments outside of school hours. This is supported by the Florida Department of Education course description for a high school band class on the official CPALMS website. Rockledge High School requires marching band for one year for students and then it is optional after. Marching band is part of the experience of being in band in high school, and many students find it to be their favorite aspect of the music program. Beginning students may choose to take a one-year waiver of this policy. Fall sports conflicts are handled on a case-by-case basis.

"This course may require students to participate in extra rehearsals and performances beyond the school day."

Can I be in band and do a sport or club?

Yes - BUT communication needs to be key from everyone for it to be successful. Many band members participate in other activities such as JROTC, Robotics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Basketball, Drama, Chorus, Orchestra, Tennis, and more. You can do a fall sport, and we do have a few students every year who do so, but we need to work out details in order for you to be successful at both. Please refer to your handbook for policies regarding splitting time in multiple activities.

I can't afford the fees to participate in band. What can I do?

We will not turn away a student due to financial hardship. School Board Rule 6152(C) states: No student shall be denied any educational opportunity because of his/her inability to pay any fee or charge imposed.

We will work with you to make sure finances never get in the way of participating.

I need help getting my student to or from practice! Help!

A link was emailed to the mailing list with a spreadsheet of potential carpooling. If you did not receive that message email us and we will send you the link.

Any other "good-to-know" info before we start camp?

• Plan to be at rehearsal 15 minutes before rehearsal starts. Plan for time to meet friends, assemble instruments and transition to your first location. Give yourself enough time in case of a slow-moving train.

• Get outside before camp starts! It's going to be hot! We will try to stay inside during the hottest parts of the day but we can not guarantee that due to the volatility of Florida weather. Get outside, play a sport, go for a run or bike ride.....just do something!

• Transportation is not an excuse to miss a rehearsal. We have members currently, or in the past, from Titusville all the way down to Palm Bay. Setting up a carpool has been the best option for members in the far stretches of the county (and even those here in Rockledge)

Dot Book Information