Welcome to the Sanderson Band program!
Think about how much your 8th grade band student has grown since their first experiences as sixth graders… that growth will continue exponentially with the Sanderson Band program. There is a wide variety of opportunities for your student to branch out and explore their creativity all the while making lasting friendships as they become part of the band community.
Band Class Registration
Incoming freshmen should register for both semesters of “Instrumental Music: Band Intermediate” when signing up for classes. This is the Concert Band class, and no audition is required. The only prerequisite is middle school band experience. All students, including incoming freshmen, can audition for the Wind Ensemble. See the announcements on our home page for audition information. Students should sign up for band for both semesters, occupying two elective spots per year. It is possible for students to take all four years of band and fit in other rigorous courses needed to be competitive for college.
Sample 4 year plan with band every semester:
Marching Spartans
Students are often most excited about becoming a Marching Spartan and participating in our award winning marching band! It is a vital part of the high school band program and is the most visible performing group we have. Students get to travel to different places to represent the school and community in competitions. In addition, participation in the marching band enhances musical growth and success in the concert bands. Marching band also provides leadership opportunities that other classes or activities in high school simply cannot. All marching band members (with the exception of color guard) must be in a band class. Marching band registration will take place in April and May through the band website, not during the time of class registration. You can get great info about Marching Band by checking out the Marching Band Handbook and Policy on the website under Marching Band Forms or click HERE.
Marching Band Schedule
Spring and Summer Dates: Check out our Monthly Calendar from the home page or click HERE. Weeniehearsal - Our big event to kick off registration (April 27th; 6-8 PM); Brass Music Rehearsal (TBD in May); Woodwind Music Rehearsal (May 19th; 3-5 PM); Guard Auditions (Dates TBD); Percussion Auditions (May 23-27; 3-5 PM). Summer Dates: Leadership Camp (July 12-13; 8:00 AM - 12:00); Rookie Camp - leadership and rookie marchers only (July 14th; 8:00 AM - 12:00); Band Camp - Week 1 (July 17-21; 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM); Band Camp - Week 2 (July 24-28; 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM). Summer Rehearsals: August 1-3; (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM); August 8-10; (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM); August 15-17; (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM); August 22-24; (4:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
Color Guard
Color guard is a section of marching band. Guard members spin flags and rifles, and they are the section most responsible for visual effect in a marching band show. As Sanderson does not have a dance program, this is the perfect place for students with dance experience to find their niche in the Sanderson community. In addition to participation in fall marching band, color guard students are given the opportunity in the spring to participate in an indoor competitive season called Winter Guard. Marching band registration will take place later in the spring through the band website, not during the time of class registration.
Parents and Boosters
To get plugged in it is vital that you sign up for our email communications and our Band App. We send out weekly “eblasts” that give a great deal of details about events, fundraising opportunities, schedules, football games, etc. We use BandApp for quick, in time communications like when the students will return to the school from a competition or MPA so you can meet them there, changes in timing, reminders, etc. To get signed up, please fill out the CONTACT US page (HERE) with your info and indicate you need eblasts and BAND APP.
There are lots of ways for parents to be involved with supporting your students! The boosters are an extremely active and vital part of this band program, and there are many ways to help. You will get info about chaperoning, potlucks, prop builiding and pusing, etc in your emails.