Rehearsals | Equipment | Uniform | Parades | Concerts | Opportunities | Fees

All concerts are open to the public. Students, Teachers, Parents, and Grandparents are invited to attend. There will be no admission charged.

REHEARSALS <back to top>
New Band Members will rehearse in the band room on Thursdays from 2:45 until 3:45 p.m. Our new band room will be in the portable unit at St. Mary's School, located on Notre Dame Street.

Returning Band Members will rehearse on Tuesdays at 2:30 - 3:30 and Wednesdays from 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. in the band room.

Parents will be asked to volunteer to carpool, if needed.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED <back to top>
Each band member needs to have his/her own instrument, music book (or any other issued music and folder) and folding music stand. All music and instruments need to come to each rehearsal, with your child, for him/her to be properly prepared to perform. Students will be asked to assist in preparing the space for rehearsals as well as cleaning up after rehearsals. We are grateful to have a location to rehearse and will be taking care of it on a daily basis.

Our band room will be equipped with new chairs, music stands and storage shelving. We will have a cabinet for issuing and returning music to the Senior Band members. Each student needs their own folding music stand for home practice and some performances. Folding stands may be purchased at any music store. For your convenience, you might want to purchase a stand "case" with a handle. Do NOT carry your stand in your instrument case! Damage to your instrument will result from a stand or other bulky objects being transported in your instrument case. Stands are required for participation in the Madison County Band Festival and other special performances.

Make sure all equipment is labeled with your child's name! Music stands (all parts), instrument cases and sweatshirts must have your child's name indicated.

UNIFORM <back to top>
All band members will wear long blue uniform pants and short-sleeved school uniform shirt. (Boys will wear plain blue shirts. Girls will wear plain white shirts.) Athletic shoes and socks must be worn for all parades. During cold weather performances, uniform shirts and/or additional layers need to be worn under the band sweatshirt for warmth. During warm/hot weather, eliminate the sweatshirt and wear your plain uniform shirt. (See above.) Uniform shirts need to be tucked inside pants at all times. In case of extreme heat, your directors will notify you to substitute uniform shorts for uniform long pants.

PARADES <back to top>
All band members are expected to participate by marching with the Edwardsville Catholic Schools Band in three parades.

• Edwardsville High School Homecoming Parade
• Halloween Parade
• Veterans' Day Parade

Returning members, with at least one year of instrumental music instruction, will play while they march. New members will march as an auxiliary unit without instruments. Volunteer parents will be asked to march along with the band. Other parents will be asked to meet members of the band and the beginning of the parade route or at the ending of the parade route. ALL students must be picked up at the end of the parade route by a parent/guardian AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Please do not wait until the entire parade is finished because this creates a "traffic flow" problem at the end of the parade where each unit is dismissed.

CONCERTS <back to top>
Concert performances will be scheduled each semester, and will be announced as soon as the school calendars are prepared in each building. See the band calendar in the right bar on this page for concert schedule.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES <back to top>
Madison County Band Festival, at director's recommendation
District Music Contest, optional and open to all members
Ensemble performances at special functions, school masses, community civic groups, etc.

FEES <back to top>
Total fees for the year will be $130.00 per child, and are nonrefundable.

Band fee deposits for the year are due as soon as possible. A deposit of one-half ($65.00) may be collected during school registration. Please turn in remaining dues ($65.00) as soon as possible. Check with your director to make any other arrangements. All checks should be made payable to the Edwardsville Catholic Schools Band. Included in the cost of the dues will be the cost of the field trip, lesson instruction at your child's school and joint band rehearsals after school. Band sweatshirts will be available for an additional cost, beginning in August.