Frequently Asked Questions About Marching Band

Which students may participate in the Rough Rider Marching Band?
Students from the Concert and Symphonic Bands, Wind Ensemble, Percussion class, and Jazz Bands can participate in Marching Band. Some Orchestra students also participate. If a student is not enrolled in a music class but would like to participate in Marching Band, please reach out the Band Director to discuss options. Click here to learn more about the Roosevelt High School music program.
Does my student have to audition for Marching Band?
There are no auditions for Marching Band. All band students are welcome and encouraged to participate.
How can students who are unsure about participating learn more about Marching Band?
Marching Band is an extracurricular activity. Many ninth-graders may be hesitant to join, especially if they have other after-school commitments. The Band Director invites all interested ninth-graders to attend Fall Band Camp to see for themselves what Marching Band is all about.
Can parents of ninth-graders chaperone at band camp?
Absolutely! Parents of any student are encouraged to come to Fall and Spring Band Camps. It’s the best way to see and experience the Rough Rider Band culture. We need chaperones throughout the school year for other band trips, and volunteers to help in the uniform room before and after Marching Band performances. Click here to learn more about chaperoning and volunteering.
Where does the Marching Band play?
In addition to playing during football games, the Marching Band plays at pep rallies, basketball games, assemblies, and performs in parades. Please check our events calendar and join our email list to keep up with band activities throughout the year.
When and where is Marching Band practice?
Marching Band practice is held after school at Roosevelt High School from mid-September through the end of October. There are also some practices in the spring to prepare for parades. Please join our email list and watch the site to be notified about practice times.
How do students get to Marching Band events?
Buses transport students from RHS to football games at Memorial Stadium and to Fall and Spring Band Camp, and Parades.
Do students earn community service learning hours for participating in Marching Band?
Yes they do. Service learning hours are allocated as follows: 4 hours for football games, 3 hours for a single basketball game / 5 hours for a double-header, and 3 hours for parades. Students can pick up service learning hours tracking sheets from their counselor, or on Roosevelt's website by following this link. Students also earn 4 service hours by participating in Husky Cleanup.
What is the Marching Band uniform?
The uniforms are required for students who play in the stands as well as those who participate in the field show. They are provided by the RHS Band Boosters and consist of jacket, pants with suspenders, shako (hat), shoes, plume, and gloves. Students are asked to take special care with these items; uniforms are stored at school and are not to go home.
How do I get a Marching Band uniform?
Uniform fittings are traditionally done on Rough Rider Day, after school on the first few days of school and at mutually agreeable times. Uniforms are assigned to students for the entire year.
My student wants to participate in Jazz Band or a Fall Sport as well as Marching Band. How do these extra curricular activities fit in with Marching Band practice?
Some students will have conflicts with Marching Band practice and their other extra curricular activities. We recommend your student talk with the Band Director and their teacher/coach to see if participation in both activities is possible. Communication is the key.
What is it like for a Marching Band member to perform at a football games?
Band members are asked to arrive at school 45 minutes prior to bus departure to pick up and put on their uniform. They should come to school with their white "Music, Marching, And Madness" t-shirt (available for $12 at the fall picnic or through a Band Booster in the uniform room), black socks and their instrument. Once in uniform, members will board a school bus, march into the stadium, and perform in the stands before and during the first half of the game and in the fourth quarter. If it is a home game, members may perform the field show at halftime. During the third quarter, band members take a break to watch the game and buy concessions/snacks. The band marches out of the stadium to the buses after the game.
Games typically end three hours after kickoff. Band members return to RHS via school bus at the end of the game. Upon arrival, buses are unloaded and instruments and uniforms are put away. If you are going to pick up your student at RHS after a game, we recommend you have your student call or text during the bus ride back to school.
Volunteers are needed for uniform distribution and return as well as to ride the bus to the game. Email [email protected] if you are able to help.
I have another question about the Marching Band. Who do I contact?
Visit our contact page to get in touch with the RHS Band Boosters.
Students from the Concert and Symphonic Bands, Wind Ensemble, Percussion class, and Jazz Bands can participate in Marching Band. Some Orchestra students also participate. If a student is not enrolled in a music class but would like to participate in Marching Band, please reach out the Band Director to discuss options. Click here to learn more about the Roosevelt High School music program.
Does my student have to audition for Marching Band?
There are no auditions for Marching Band. All band students are welcome and encouraged to participate.
How can students who are unsure about participating learn more about Marching Band?
Marching Band is an extracurricular activity. Many ninth-graders may be hesitant to join, especially if they have other after-school commitments. The Band Director invites all interested ninth-graders to attend Fall Band Camp to see for themselves what Marching Band is all about.
Can parents of ninth-graders chaperone at band camp?
Absolutely! Parents of any student are encouraged to come to Fall and Spring Band Camps. It’s the best way to see and experience the Rough Rider Band culture. We need chaperones throughout the school year for other band trips, and volunteers to help in the uniform room before and after Marching Band performances. Click here to learn more about chaperoning and volunteering.
Where does the Marching Band play?
In addition to playing during football games, the Marching Band plays at pep rallies, basketball games, assemblies, and performs in parades. Please check our events calendar and join our email list to keep up with band activities throughout the year.
When and where is Marching Band practice?
Marching Band practice is held after school at Roosevelt High School from mid-September through the end of October. There are also some practices in the spring to prepare for parades. Please join our email list and watch the site to be notified about practice times.
How do students get to Marching Band events?
Buses transport students from RHS to football games at Memorial Stadium and to Fall and Spring Band Camp, and Parades.
Do students earn community service learning hours for participating in Marching Band?
Yes they do. Service learning hours are allocated as follows: 4 hours for football games, 3 hours for a single basketball game / 5 hours for a double-header, and 3 hours for parades. Students can pick up service learning hours tracking sheets from their counselor, or on Roosevelt's website by following this link. Students also earn 4 service hours by participating in Husky Cleanup.
What is the Marching Band uniform?
The uniforms are required for students who play in the stands as well as those who participate in the field show. They are provided by the RHS Band Boosters and consist of jacket, pants with suspenders, shako (hat), shoes, plume, and gloves. Students are asked to take special care with these items; uniforms are stored at school and are not to go home.
How do I get a Marching Band uniform?
Uniform fittings are traditionally done on Rough Rider Day, after school on the first few days of school and at mutually agreeable times. Uniforms are assigned to students for the entire year.
My student wants to participate in Jazz Band or a Fall Sport as well as Marching Band. How do these extra curricular activities fit in with Marching Band practice?
Some students will have conflicts with Marching Band practice and their other extra curricular activities. We recommend your student talk with the Band Director and their teacher/coach to see if participation in both activities is possible. Communication is the key.
What is it like for a Marching Band member to perform at a football games?
Band members are asked to arrive at school 45 minutes prior to bus departure to pick up and put on their uniform. They should come to school with their white "Music, Marching, And Madness" t-shirt (available for $12 at the fall picnic or through a Band Booster in the uniform room), black socks and their instrument. Once in uniform, members will board a school bus, march into the stadium, and perform in the stands before and during the first half of the game and in the fourth quarter. If it is a home game, members may perform the field show at halftime. During the third quarter, band members take a break to watch the game and buy concessions/snacks. The band marches out of the stadium to the buses after the game.
Games typically end three hours after kickoff. Band members return to RHS via school bus at the end of the game. Upon arrival, buses are unloaded and instruments and uniforms are put away. If you are going to pick up your student at RHS after a game, we recommend you have your student call or text during the bus ride back to school.
Volunteers are needed for uniform distribution and return as well as to ride the bus to the game. Email [email protected] if you are able to help.
I have another question about the Marching Band. Who do I contact?
Visit our contact page to get in touch with the RHS Band Boosters.