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Mount Olive High School Instrumental Music Department
Marching Band Brochure
Dear Prospective Marching Band Members and Families,
Thank you for your interest in the 2015 Mount Olive Marching Band! Consistently earning State
Championships, 1st place trophies, numerous specialty awards, and most recently participating in their first Bands
of America Regional Competition, the Marching Band is an elite, award winning group of dedicated and talented
members that serves as Mount Olive’s most visible musical ensemble.
Please read the following carefully to understand the expectations of a marching band member.
This year the Mount Olive Marching Band will function as a Two-Tiered Organization:
Competitive Band (9th-12th graders): Rehearses on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, performs at Friday
night Home Games and competes on Saturdays.
Show / Pep Band (8th-12th graders): Rehearses and performs an encore performance at Home Football
games and travels to Away Football games as a “Pep Band”.
Attached you will find the tentative schedule for all practices and performances for next year’s season.
PLEASE REVIEW the schedule and make sure you are capable of fulfilling the expectations of Marching Band.
Please note attendance is mandatory for ALL scheduled events. If you are concerned about potential conflicts,
please contact Mr. DiEgidio BEFORE submitting an application to discuss your situation. We will do our best to
make it work; we would love to have you as a member!
If you wish to be a part of this outstanding group, simply go to www.mountolivebands.org then to the
“Marching” section and register your Marching Band Application! Once completed, you can mail or deliver
your $250 (non-refundable) marching band fee (see FAQ’s) to Mr. DiEgidio at Mount Olive High School. Checks
should be made out to “MOHS”. Please submit your registration prior to Wednesday, April 15th.
Once you have completed your application and paid your fee, you will need to get a physical examination
completed. The Mount Olive School District provides physicals, free of charge to its students. These physicals will
be held on June 4th. EVERY student MUST be cleared by the district prior to August 4th (our first rehearsal).
Students will not be allowed to participate until they are cleared.
Exact part assignments and music will be distributed at the first rehearsal in June.
Best Regards,
John DiEgidio
Marching Band Director
Darrell Hendricks
Assistant Marching Band Director
Larry Markiewicz
Program Coordinator
Mount Olive High School Instrumental Music Department
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a cost involved in participating?
• YES, there is a NON-REFUNDABLE $250 fee made out to MOHS. This covers instruction for section
camps, a t-shirt for all members, the cost of transportation and lodging for the Bands of America competition
from 9/19-9/20.
• Families with 2 or more participants pay a reduced fee of $230 a student.
• NO STUDENT WILL BE DENIED MEMBERSHIP DUE TO EXTENUATING FINANCIAL
SITUATIONS. Please address these issues with Mr. DiEgidio.
Will my child’s grades suffer from being in marching band?
• Students usually earn HIGHER grades during the marching band season because they learn how to budget
their time better, focus on their studies, and have the opportunity to study or receive tutoring from many other
band members.
• In many cases, a student can find help with any curricular subject from the other members of the ensemble, a
high percentage of which are consistent members of the Honor Roll and in the National Honor Society.
Can I play a sport and participate in Marching Band?
• No, there are too many conflicts. The only exception is Cross Country.
Is it required that my child take private lessons in order to be in Marching Band?
• No, however, private study is highly encouraged and supported by the staff as a means to improve the
individual performer. A list of qualified private instructors is available upon request.
What events are mandatory to attend?
• EVERY event is mandatory. Students who are unable to participate in any sectional, rehearsal or performance
may be removed, at the discretion of the Marching Band Staff, from the next event. Students who are not in
attendance at every rehearsal or performance pose a safety hazard to themselves and others around them.
Can I get involved as a parent?
• YES! PLEASE!!! The Mount Olive High School Band Booster Association (MOHSBBA) is an organization
of parents, alumni, and supporters of ALL THE BANDS at MOHS. They will have an informational
meeting towards the beginning of the season and have numerous ways for you to get involved! You can
register at h#p://mountolivebands.org/band-­‐‑parents/
Can I have my child’s physical completed by our family physician?
• Yes, but the school doctor and nurses must still sign off on the physical. This could mean an extra two weeks
of processing before your child is cleared to participate in Marching Band. *Please see the last page of this
packet for more information on physicals.
*A thought to keep in mind when making this decision: ALL Marching Band members are considered “Varsity”
players regardless of grade level. There are no JV or Freshmen levels of Marching Band. When competing, a
judge or audience member does not know if a student is a Freshman or a Senior. Every Marching Band member
contributes and has an impact!
Mount Olive High School Instrumental Music Department
Tentative Schedule (subject to change.)
Day
Date
5/4
5/11
5/18
Parade Rehearsal
Parade Rehearsal
Parade Rehearsal
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
Mon
5/25
Memorial Day Parade
8:45am-12:00pm
Wed
Sat
6/3
6/6
Reading Rehearsal
Relay for Life – Drumline only
6pm-9pm
4:00-5:00pm
Mon
6/8
Rehearsal
6pm-9pm
Mon
Wed
6/15
6/17
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
Tues-Wed
8/4-8/5
Show Band Camp
9am-4pm
Thurs
8/6
Section Camp
9am-4pm
Tues-Thurs
8/11-8/13
Section Camp
9am-4pm
Mon-Friday
Fri
8/17-8/21
8/21
Band Camp
Band Camp Show
9am-6pm
6:30pm
Mon
Wed
Sat
8/24
8/26
8/29
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
9am-4pm
Mon
Wed
8/31
9/2
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
Wed
Fri
Sat
9/9
9/11
9/12
Rehearsal
Football Game
Rehearsal
6pm-9pm
4pm-10:30pm
9am-4pm
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sun
9/14
9/16
9/18
9/20
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
Football Game
Verona High School Competition
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
4pm-11:00pm
TBA
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sat
9/21
9/23
9/25
9/26
Rehearsal
Rehearsal (Yom Kippur?)
Football Game
Roxbury Marching Classic Competition
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
4pm-10:30pm
TBA
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sat
9/28
9/30
10/2
10/3
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
Football Game
Randolph High School Competition
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
4pm-10:30pm
TBA
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sat
10/5
10/7
10/9
10/10
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
Football Game
West Orange HS Competition
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
4pm-9:00pm
TBA
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sat
10/12
10/14
10/16
10/17-10/18
Rehearsal (Columbus Day)
Rehearsal
Football Game
BOA Regional Competition
@ University of Delaware
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
4pm-11:00pm
TBA
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sat
10/19
10/21
10/23
10/24
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
Football Game
Home Competition
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
4pm-10:30pm
TBA
Fri
10/30
Football Game
4pm-10:30pm
Fri
11/6
Football Game
4pm-10:30pm
Fri
11/13
Possible Football Game
4pm-10:30pm Mon
Mon
Mon
Activity
Time
Mount Olive High School Instrumental Music Department
Drum Major
Sign ups for interviews will be posted outside the Band Office for all interested in
serving as a Drum Major for the 2015 Marching Band.
There will be an informational meeting on requirements / how to approach the
interview process on Monday, March 9th, 2:45pm-3:15pm
*Candidates who are selected for Drum Major will be required to attend the George N. Parks
Drum Major Academy. All interested candidates should should set aside July 27th-30th to attend
the institute, held at West Chester University. More information can be found at
www.drummajor.org
Leadership Ensemble:
All interested 9th-12th graders are allowed to participate. Participation is based on
attendance at monthly meetings, completion of reading assignments and reflections.
This year’s reading will be “What Makes Kids Kick @ Home” by Fran Kick.
DRUMLINE AUDITIONS
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the 2015 Drumline must attend the
clinics and audition for a position.
At the clinics you will learn the fundamentals of playing marching percussion
instruments, practice rudimental exercises, and learn the audition materials.
DATES:
Clinic
Clinic
Clinic & Auditions
Monday, April 13th
Thursday, April 16th
Monday, April 20th
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
6pm-9pm
Mount Olive High School Instrumental Music Department
Physicals
Every student must be cleared to participate in Marching Band!!!
Students can be examined by the school physician or their own personal
physician. *However, the school doctor must still clear your application.
School physicals will take place on June 4th this year at the high school.
*Students must submit their physical paperwork/application two weeks prior to this date.
Once completed, a student is cleared to participate for six months. Being
that our competitive season will end on October 24th this year, your physical can
be completed NO EARLIER than May 24th.
Students can obtain the application at the nurse’s office, or print out the
application online. It is posted on our website, www.mountolivebands.org
and also on the district website under the nurse’s page.
Mount Olive High School Instrumental Music Department
Marching Band Summer Checklist / Reminders
May
• Attend Parade Band Rehearsals and work on your marching technique!
• Memorize Parade Music on your own.
• Go through the Marching Band Schedule with your parents and make sure you
have no conflicts!
• Submit your physical application to the nurse’s office.
June
• Get your physical completed.
• Attend “reading rehearsals” to receive and work on the competitive music.
• Practice your competitive music at home with a metronome.
July
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Enjoy your “time off ”!
Practice and memorize your competitive band music with a metronome.
Attend sectionals to work on your music and marching technique!
Purchase a “dot book” (don’t know what that is? Ask a returning member!)
Put all of your music in plastic sleeves.
Put all of the plastic sleeves in a binder.
Attach a string or band to the binder so you can march with it on you!
Start working out to get yourself in physical shape for a rigorous season
(running, push-ups, crunches, planks, etc… Isometric exercises are key!)
August
•
•
•
•
Start stocking up on sunscreen / getting a base tan!
Attend sectionals to work on your marching technique
Make sure your music is PERFECTLY MEMORIZED with a metronome!
Show up to Section Camps with an incredible, positive, “can-do” attitude!
Marching Band Rehearsal Attire:
• “Comfortable” gym clothes. (Nothing too baggy, or too tight!)
• Running shoes. (No unlaced or “skater” shoes).