Frequently Asked Questions
General Band Questions:
1. How many band programs are at Osbourn Park High School? Which ones are credited courses?
There are four credited and three non-credited band programs at OPHS (see OP Course Brochure for more details):
Concert Band, Wind Ensemble (Advanced Band), and Percussion Ensemble are graded courses taken during the school day in which students earn one credit per year.
Marching Band is an after school course in which students earn .5 credit per year.
Pep Band, Jazz Band, and Winterguard are extra-curricular clubs and do not receive academic credit.
Music Theory is a non-performing course about music composition in which students earn one credit per year.
2. What is the Concert attire?
Concert attire for Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble is as follows:
Boys: Tuxedo pants/jacket/white shirt with black cummerbund, bow tie, black socks and black dress shoes.
Girls: floor length blue satin gown with black dress shoes.
All concert attire is ordered and fitted by the Band Boosters each fall. Your student will bring home order details.
3. Spring Trips?
The band will take one big trip each spring that may include a competition, parade participation, theme park visit, musical theater performance, and more. Locations are to be determined but are typically Florida, New York or a destination within an eight hour drive.
4. Do I have to audition to be in band?
Students only audition for Wind Ensemble. There is no audition required to be in the Concert Band, Marching Band or Percussion Ensemble. Auditions are very simple. You will be asked to play two scales, your chromatic scale and a short sight-reading. You may also play a short piece of music of your choosing.
Marching Band Questions:
1. What does the Marching Band do?
The Marching Band plays at all home football games and some away games. They perform a set “show” on the field during halftime and promote school spirit by playing music from the stands throughout the game's first, second, and fourth quarters. (Band members get a dinner break during the third quarter). The Marching Band also participates in local competitions including the VBODA state competition each October and marches in the Manassas Christmas Parade each December.
2. I heard that the Band must practice during a summer band camp?
That’s correct. Band camp is usually the last two full weeks of August, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (August 15-26, 2011). Attendance is mandatory for Marching Band and Colorguard members. This is a fun time to focus on learning the show music and how to march. During camp, members will be fitted for their uniforms, get pictures taken and perform for families and guests. They also perform at the Freshman Festival a few days before school starts. If you are not available to attend band camp, it will be very difficult for you to be part of the Marching Band once the season starts. Be sure to bring plenty of water and your lunch. Wear loose fitting clothes, tennis shoes, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses because camp is held both indoors and outdoors regardless of the weather. There will be lots of games (and prizes!) for students to enjoy and get to know each.
3. What is the Flag Corps or Colorguard?
This is the section that brings the colorful visual impact to the Marching Band. Colorguard, also known as the “flags” by many fans, accentuates the musical movements throughout the show. Choreographed movements consisting of fast spins and tosses draw attention to the beautiful design in the fabrics, brightens the field and help focus attention on key parts of the marching band’s performance. The Colorguard work closely with the Marching Band director and drum majors to coordinate and carefully synchronize their movements throughout the halftime show or competition.
4. Who gets to go on the trip to Busch Gardens, Six Flags or Kings Dominion?
All Marching Band members are eligible to attend the fall theme park trip. This all day event is a reward for their hard work on the field and fundraising efforts. There is no competition or performance just friendship and fun.
5. Can my child miss a Marching Band practice?
Attendance at practice and events is mandatory so we can perform at our best. Each position is dependent upon the other and anyone missing will impact the support to the entire team. The Marching Band does not hold practices on Mondays to allow time for routine appointments or other obligations. It is important to be committed to Marching Band. We understand that conflicts do occur and they should be discussed with the Band Director immediately.
6. Can my child miss a game?
If you will not be able to attend a game, you must inform your section leader AND the Band Director at least one week in advance. This gives the band a chance to practice marching and filling in the hole your absence creates so nobody knows a person is missing.
7. Does my child bring their uniform home each week?
Marching Band uniforms are left in the music room after each game. See OPHS Marching Band Handbook for uniform responsibilities and care.
8. What happens on Game Day?
Marching Band members must wear khaki/tan pants and black Marching Band "Game Day" polo shirt to school on all game days. On home game days, Marching Band members will report directly after school for a short practice. They will be given study time to complete homework assignments or watch a movie in the band room, and then will be served dinner by the Band Boosters and wonderful parent volunteers. After dinner they will dress and assemble for their march onto the football field 30 minutes prior to game time. When the game has ended, the Marching Band will march back to the school. All equipment must be returned and stored properly and uniforms must be hung correctly and returned to the uniform coordinator before a member can leave for the evening.
9. Is Mr. Basham addicted to chocolate?
Yes. He is crazy about it. He also loves fishing and playing MarioKart on the Wii. Read more about him and the band program on the Band Booster website at: www.ophsbandboosters.org
Student Acccount Questions:
1. What is the purpose of Student Accounts?
Student accounts are set up to accumulate funds for the students to use at a later date. They are available to all Band Program students. If the student participates in a designated fundraising event, a portion of the proceeds from that event will be placed into that student’s account.
2. How does the money get into my Student Account?
Money gets into the account from designated fundraisers (e.g. Tag Day, catalog sales, raffle tickets) and overpays. This amount may vary from year to year.
3. For what expenses may I use my Student Account?
These funds may be used to pay for band trips, lessons, instrument repairs/accessories, uniform/camp fees, concert apparel, or just about anything band related.
4. How do I access the money in my Student account?
When using the funds as a credit (e.g. camp registration, concert attire or anything organized by the Band Boosters) there will be an option on the appropriate form designating the cost, or a portion of the cost, to be deducted from the student’s account. For reimbursement of funds (e.g. lessons, instrument/accessories purchases), please complete the Request for Withdrawal form and return with associated receipts to the Band Boosters Treasurer.
5. How do I find out how much money is in my Student Account?
Please contact the Band Boosters Treasurer to inquire about your account balance.
6. What happens to my Student Account balance if I quit band, transfer to another school or graduate?
Any money that remains in your student account when you leave band (for any reason) reverts back to the Band Boosters, however, the balance will roll forward to a sibling who is actively participating in an OPHS band program.
Fundraising Questions:
1. Why do we need to Fundraise?
Funding is needed above and beyond that provided by Prince William County Schools. The Band Boosters hold one major fundraiser each September (Tag Day) and several smaller fundraisers throughout the year to supplement the Band Program budget which includes uniform, instrument, and equipment purchases and repairs; competition fees, music, and instruction.
2. What is Tag Day?
Tag Day is the most significant fundraiser of the school year for the Band Program. Historically this event has raised $10,000-$15,000 each year. It is important to have everyone’s participation to make each year's goal.
3. What happens on Tag Day?
Marching Band members, dressed in their uniforms, head out into the OPHS community with a parent driver in groups of three or four, going door-to-door asking for donations. The event generally runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm on a designated Saturday in September. All members of the Marching Band are required to participate
4. Who takes the students out?
Parent volunteers drive the groups of students around designated communities and are with the students at all times.
5. What happens to the money that is collected?
The money is divided up three ways. A portion is put into the band director’s budget for the purchase of music and instruments, repair costs, etc. The Band Boosters get a portion for the purchase of uniforms and instruments as well as other operating budget needs. Finally, participating students have a portion deposited into their student account.
6. What happens if my child does not participate?
Students who do not participate will not receive funding to their student account. If your child has a conflict and is not able to participate in Tag Day they can still receive credit if a parent volunteers to drive or assist in another capacity on Tag Day, however, these spots are limited.
7. What other fundraisers do the Band Boosters participate in?
Other fundraising events may be arranged throughout the year. These events range from product sales to “spirit nights” at local restaurants to asking local businesses for their sponsorship.