Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate in Liberty Hill sports teams and band?
Absolutely. We have students that have participated in every different sport and remained in band at the same time.
How much time does marching band require? Will it effect my grades?
Our normal rehearsal schedule is 8 hours per week. That is the amount of time UIL permits us to rehearse outside of class.
We rehearse the marching band from 6:45 AM to 8:25 AM on Monday through Friday. On game days, we do a performance of our show in Panther Stadium with our dance team, the Liberty Belles.
We participate in four or five marching band competitions that are usually held on Saturdays in late September and October. As soon as our competition season is over, we rehearse a few mornings a week until football season is over, either November or into playoffs.
Most of the students in the band manage their classes and grades very well during marching season. It helps if you are taking a manageable class load, not trying to do multiple activities (like marching band and a part-time job) and using your time wisely.
Are all the freshmen in one class?
No. We will have auditions beginning at the end of November/beginning of December that will determine which of our concert bands you will be in for the Winter Concert and spring semester. At the conclusion of auditions, we will post band placements.
Do I have to be in marching band?
Yes! All members of the Liberty Hill Band are in the marching band.
For most members in the band, marching band season is the most exciting part of the year. It is the only group that utilizes every member of the band at the same time and is also an opportunity for you to get to know everyone in the band and not just the members of your ensemble.
What can I expect during summer band?
Summer Band Camp typically starts the last week of July. Attendance is mandatory. Some sections (color guard, drumline, front ensemble percussion) also hold week-long camps in mid-July. Some sections may also hold sectionals throughout the summer to get a jump on the show music.
Camp schedules may vary from day to day, but count on them being the full work day, with a break for lunch. Students are asked to dress for the weather and wear comfortable tennis shoes. A hat and sunglasses are suggested. Students are required to bring a FULL water jug to practice each day. Brief water breaks are held often (every 15 minutes). If the weather becomes too hot, students head indoors for sectionals or to work on music performance.
How can band parents stay in the loop?
Weekly Announcements are emails issued by the directors to the students and parents. These will keep you up to date on rehearsal times, call times, etc. If for any reason, you can’t find your Weekly Announcements, you can read them on the band website.
Call or email your Band Buddy. Band Buddies are parents of upperclassmen who have volunteered to help you stay informed and answer questions that might arise. A Buddy should be assigned to you before the start of Summer Band Camp. You can stay on top of what’s happening by attending announced parent meetings, attending the Liberty Hill High School Band Booster general membership meetings and reading our newsletter.
Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or email another band parent!
I’ve heard that band is very time consuming for students, is that true?
Yes, students do spend a lot of time in rehearsal. Summer band usually starts the last week of July, though some instruments will have sectionals or summer camps earlier in the summer. The first football game of the season is usually the first week of school, so the band needs to have a half time show and stand tunes ready BEFORE the first week of school. Students need to have time to rehearse the show, adjust to playing their instrument while moving, rather than sitting down, and to have time to come together as a band.
However, think about it this way: your student spends lots of time with other band students and lots of time at the school. So, before the first day of classes, your student has already made 160+ friends and has become very familiar with the layout of the school – or at least the band hall, cafeteria, rehearsal fields, restrooms, choir rooms, and practice rooms. Students receive a fine arts credit AND a PE waiver for marching band. Colleges LOVE to see band listed on student transcripts – it shows dedication and commitment– and there are MANY chances to excel at a personal level (Region/Area band and orchestra, Solo and Ensemble) and to show leadership (officers, section leaders, uniform crew, loading crew, librarians, drum majors) in band.
Students not only learn how to play their instrument and how to perform in front of an audience, but they learn responsibility, time management, leadership skills, team building. Band teaches students to look out for others, to do their fair share, and gives them a sense of camaraderie and community. Rehearsal times ‘normalize’ during the school year. The University Interscholastic League mandates that for any given extracurricular activity, students are limited to no more than eight (8) hours of practice and rehearsal outside the school day per school week per activity.
What is “No Pass, No Play”?
The Texas Education Agency defines band as a performing art and concert and marching performances are an extension of class time. Attendance at rehearsals and performances is required and is a part of the band grade. A student will be suspended from participating in any extracurricular activity (marching band activities, pep rallies, parades, UIL Solo and Ensemble, other competitions) after a six-week grading period in which a student receives a grade below a 70.
The student will remain eligible and responsible for band and technique class requirements including sectionals and performances. Interim progress reports are issued in the middle of each six-week period to students who are borderline or failing a class. Students can ‘regain’ eligibility at this time if they are passing.
What is a call time?
Call time is the time that the students must be ready (dressed in uniform, full water bottle, instrument, ready in band hall) to meet prior to loading the buses.
How do the Band Boosters raise money?
Most of the money raised by the Band Boosters comes from aggressive fundraising over the course of the school year. During summer band, the students participate in a donation/pledge fundraiser to raise money. We also sell mulch, host a marching band contest, host a 5K/fun run, sell USA flag subscriptions, and solicit corporate donations to help raise money.
The Band Boosters aim to bring in $150,000 in fundraising over the course of a school year.
What are Game Day Meals?
Game Day meals are meals provided to the students prior to a football game. The final bell rings at 4:20 and the students must be ready at Call Time (usually 5:00 or 5:30). That means they have 50 minutes or so to eat, change into their uniforms, fill up their water bottle, grab their instrument, and be ready to meet prior to loading the buses. Purchasing Game Day meals ensures that your student has a meal before the football game and alleviates your needing to bring a meal up to the school. With buses returning to school around 11:00 pm, Game Days become very long.
What does my child need to bring on game days?
On Game Days, students need to bring the following:
marching shoes
black crew socks
compression shorts
LH Band jersey
LH band joggers
Many students wear their LH band jersey to school.
Where do I buy football season tickets?
If you are new to the band program, you can buy season football tickets at Panther Stadium when they go on sale to the general public. Look on the LHISD website for more information on ticket sales.
If you do not want to buy season football tickets, you may purchase home game tickets at either the school during lunch periods (or at the Athletic Offices before or after lunch). Tickets may also be purchased at the home stadium at the time of the game. Away game tickets can be purchased at the away stadium.
Where do I sit at the football games?
Here is where your Band Spirit Wear will come in handy. Most band parents sit near the band and the best way to identify band parents is by their band t-shirts. This is a great way to make new friends!
What are marching auditions? Aren’t all students in the marching band?
The marching band consists of 2 groups of participants: Varsity and Non-Varsity. Marching auditions determine which students are on Varsity and which are on Non-Varsity. All students march at the football games. Just like a sports team with a fixed number of players in a game, the marching drills are designed with a fixed instrumentation and number of spots on the field. If a spot opens up in the show due to injury or academic ineligibility, the Varsity spots can easily be filled by Non-Varsity members who have been working on the music and drill all season.
Auditions for the Varsity spots are held in early August and are based on marching and playing tests and ‘pass offs.’ Varsity students march during competitions. Non-Varsity students attend all competitions to support their fellow band members and to watch other school’s marching shows. This is a great opportunity for the Non-Varsity students to learn about marching and see what other schools are doing. Non-Varsity students are often needed to help with sideline crew, pit crew, and to perform with props and electronic equipment. Even though Non-Varsity students may not perform on the field during competitions, all students perform during the halftime shows at football games and in the stands.