Physical Health

• The marching band is a physical activity that allows every student to express themselves and get physically fit. It’s done in an appropriate way for all shapes, ability levels, and sizes. We also have UIL state regulations to protect the students.

• Marching band is a positive, and uplifting challenging activity. It allows students to feel part of something bigger than themselves and contribute to a team. It brings friends, relationships with teachers, and motivation to work hard!

• The DPHS Band Directors have high expectations for academic success for our students and we allow all of our students to have regular opportunities to go to tutorials, dual credit classes and UIL academic meetings. All students must be eligible to participate and we regularly get to 96% passing or above.

• Students develop relationships, meet other students they can recognize in their core classes, and are regularly put in positions where they have to communicate and advocate for themselves. These skills are a focus of our organization and necessary for students at this age.

Yes!

You can do both. In fact, most of our students are involved in multiple organizations. So contact your band director and your counselor so we can work with your schedule and get you into the classes you want! Everything is possible!

There are fees associated to band, which covers the cost of travel, food for all events, extra staff members and clinicians, as well as your uniform parts and enhancements. However, the band has year round fundraisers to off-set the cost. Payment plans are also available. No child should choose to not be a part of this because of finances, we ALWAYS find a way to help families and make it work!

There are several ways to join the DPHS Band program:

Join as an DPISD 8th Grader
Simply choose Band on your elective choice sheet, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Join as a Non-DPISD Student, New to DPHS

• Step 1: Enroll Contact the Deer Park School Counseling Services Office and ask to enroll in band!
  
  They will temporarily place you in one of our band classes until we, as your directors, make a final placement.

• Step 2: Email us! Email Mr. Hebert and he’ll get you all the information you’ll need to transition into the Deer Park High School Band!

Join As a Non-Musician

• Learn an Instrument - If you did not play an instrument in Middle School, it is not too late for you to join the band as a musician. To do so you will need to take private lessons. Students can take private lessons for a summer, a semester, or a year before joining! This is not for everyone as it requires much motivation and self-discipline.
  
  All students interested in this pathway to band membership need to set up a parent/student/ teacher conference with Mr. Flores to determine if this is a feasible option for your family before enrolling in private lessons.

• Join our award-winning Color Guard!
  Students who do not currently play an instrument and want to join the Deer Park Band can explore the wonderful world of Color Guard!
  
  Interested? Email Ms. Davidson to learn more!

All double reed students get to pick what instrument they want to play during marching season. We ask that you reach out to us for advice, and talk to your lesson teachers for their opinion. We tend to encourage those students to play saxophone, baritone, or color guard, as those instruments are the easiest transfer for those students and where most of our double reed students participate.

Just like anything, marching band will be new, but we go VERY slow in the beginning to make sure all freshmen are on the same page as the other students. It’s a long process, but the staff and student leaders are excellent teachers. Every single person in the program was once brand new! We vary the experience to the students’ ability level. Trust the process, you’ll be great!

All students receive PE AND Fine Arts credit for band. So you’ll never have to take another PE or FA course for the rest of your high school career.

Check the Band Calendar
The band calendar has the most up-to-date information about events and activities. Make sure to click on the actual activity to see additional information. We have created a link to make subscribing to our calendar a breeze.

Attend the Monthly Booster Meetings
Booster club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm in the South Campus Band Hall. These meetings are a great way to stay informed!

Read the Weekly Newsletters
Each week Mr. Parkan sends out a newsletter highlighting important information and dates.

If you are not receiving the newsletter, please Subscribe here.

Follow our Booster Facebook Page
In the beginning, you will have many questions! Our Booster Organization sends out important dates and fundraising activities via Facebook. To Follow, please click here

Most instruments do need to be privately owned/rented and maintained by the student. There are a few instruments (e.g. tuba, euphonium, mellophones, etc) that are school owned and rented to students. If you are unsure whether or not you need to purchase/rent your own instrument, please

email one of the directors

Per Texas State (UIL) Law, before/after school activities are only allowed to practice for 8 hours per week once school has begun. During the summer, we have a Band Camp that runs during the weeks leading into the school year. These weeks are more intensive to prepare us for the marching season.

When school starts, the band will practice after school. During the marching season, there are Friday night football game commitments (performances) and Saturday Contests (competitions) throughout the Fall Semester. The marching season finishes during the first part of November, and then the Band will only play at football games.

In addition, post-football and marching season, students will also participate in Concert Season activities, as well as Winter and Spring school concerts, an (optional) out-of-state spring trip, and an End of the Year Banquet.

Uniforms are provided by the band. All alterations will be made by the Booster Club (Seam Team). In addition to their issued uniform, students will need: a band shirt, performance shirt, band shorts, their show tag necklace, and marching shoes. These items can be purchased at Registration or from a uniform officer.

It is also very important that your student has a pair of good athletic shoes for practice. These shoes can be kept in their band locker for them to change into after school if they would like to wear other shoes to school; however, a good pair of athletic shoes is very important in keeping your student in good marching condition on the blacktop.

In order to give our band a cohesive appearance we do have guidelines for student's appearances while they are on the field:

• Students will not wear makeup while in uniform.

• Jewelry, hair ribbons & nail polish are not allowed while in uniform.

• Hair must not touch the collar of the jacket and must be above the top of the ear or pulled behind it. No visible hair on forehead.

• Students must be clean shaven while in uniform.

Report time is the designated time that the students must be ready (dressed, full water bottle, instrument, etc.) and in the DPHS Band Hall or other assigned area.

Letter Jackets can earned by participating the band program for at least 3 years, with an enrollment in band Senior Year.

Student's can also earn their Letter Jackets by making the TMEA All-State Band in any grade level.

The Texas Education Agency defines the band as a performing art, and concert & 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, and 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 he/she is passing.

AP students do have the opportunity to apply for a waiver to remain eligible. Please email your counselor for more information.

Band Fees will be listed under your student's Skyward account. Payments are accepted via Credit/Debit card through My School Bucks. If you have any questions about your student fees, please email Mr. Flores.