New to the Ram Band? Here are a few things you will need to know:
Q: What are these directors and band students saying?
A: Check out the Ram Band Terminology page
Q: What happens after Marching Season?
A: The Ram Band Program page will lay out all the different activities.
Q: How many sections are there? What are they?
A: Find our about the different section on the Ram Band Program page.
Q: How much fundraising is involved?
A: You can find out everything you need to know on the Fundraising page.
Q: What do the Band Boosters do?
A: Check out the Band Booster page to see all the ways you can participate.
Q: What do chaperones do?
A: Chaperone Guidelines are located under the Band Booster Menu.
Band Camp
Band camp is summertime practice when the band works on learning the field show that will be performed during football games and at competitions. Students work on marching skills as well as music. It begins in July and runs until school starts.
Students are expected to attend all practices during band camp. If students are going to be out of town, please inform one of the band directors.
Students need to eat a good breakfast (no dairy) and have plenty of rest the night before.
What to bring to camp DAILY:
Beach towel (or large towel) to rest instrument on or to sit on during breaks
Hat, sunscreen, water (gallon jug preferred), light colored clothes (no jeans), comfortable shoes (no sandals or flip flops)
Instrument, extra reeds, dot books, lyre
Lunch (or they may be picked up and returned after lunch break). Note: there is no access to a refrigerator or microwave. Please do not send sodas or dairy
Frozen bandana or cooling towel for head or neck (optional)
Other activities and events that will happen during band camp:
Uniforms will be fitted (they are meant to be snug), marching shoes will be sized and ordered, paperwork needs to be filled out and returned (medical form, band booster membership, football game food) flip folders (dot books) are to be filled out, pictures will be taken, orders for sectional shirts may be taken, replacement music may be purchased.
Marching Season Activities
Meet the Ram Band night: Meet the Ram Band night is held at the end of band camp as a way for the parents to see what the students have been working on. It is traditionally held the last Friday of band camp. During the Meet the Ram Band night, snacks and spirit items will be sold.
Ram Rally: Ram Rally is another opportunity for the Ram Band to perform for the school and parents. It is held on the Thursday before school starts on the Marshall football field. JMHS sports teams as well as organizations like the Ram Band will be presented. After all the teams and organizations are presented and the Ram Band has performed, families are invited to the courtyard where food and spirit items are available for purchase.
Football games: The Ram Band performs at all varsity football games unless there is a competition. Food may be pre-ordered or it may be brought to them. The students will have time after school to eat dinner before changing and heading to the football game. Students will not be allowed to eat in their uniforms at any time. Students need to have their compression shirts, shorts and long black socks on under their uniform. Any long hair will need to be tied back. Earrings will need to be taken out or covered in a band aid, nail polish will be removed as well as make up (for band girls.) If necessary, music must be in lyre.
In order for student to board the bus they must have a pre-filled water jug, music lyre and shako (band hat). During football games, chaperones will escort group of students on bathroom breaks.
Pre-sell tickets are available for each football game. After every football game and after all the uniforms and instruments have been put away, the director will call a meeting of the band members to share feedback from the show.
Band Competitions: Along with performing at half time of varsity football games, the band does many different field show competitions. The competitions run from late September through early November. Competitions are held on weekends and may be performed in or out of town. Parents and other spectators are welcome to watch the performances, however there is a fee for spectators at competitions. Pre-sale tickets may be available for some competitions.
At competition, students will need to bring money for food as well as souvenirs. Patches run about $5-$7 and shirts/sweatshirts run about $20 – $40. Students are required to bring their show shirts to change into after the show. Students usually remain in the stands to watch the other performances while waiting for the awards to be announced. At competitions, the stands will be closed to people entering whenever a band is performing. Entering the stands will only be allowed in between band performances. Performance times can vary from printed schedule – always arrive ahead of time.
Christmas Dance: The booster club holds a Christmas Dance for the students.
Winter & Spring Semester: Winter and spring semester is concert season. Students are fitted for their concert attire (tuxes for males and dresses for females) at the beginning of the year. The tuxes and dresses will need to be hemmed to the student’s height, but the hems are not to be cut. They will need to have nice black shoes for the concert attire. Along with the regular band concerts, the jazz and chamber bands will also perform.
During concert season the band will perform for UIL (University Interscholastic League) as well as UIL Solo and Ensemble contest. If the student chooses to perform for solo and ensemble, they must purchase their own music.