Frequently Asked Questions
MARCHING BAND:
"How do I pay for my band fees?"
Head to the Marching Band section in the sidebar at the left of your screen.
Be sure to download and print the forms for fees.
Checks are made out to "MW2" as the fees are run through our parent boosters program. DO NOT pay for these fees in the bookstore. Shoes, fundraisers and instrument rentals are paid in the bookstore.
"How do I turn in the summer fundraiser?"
Head to the Marching Band section in the sidebar at the left of your screen.
Be sure to download and print the order forms/look at the brochure.
All checks for the fundraiser are made out to Maine West High School.
These can be deposited in the bookstore on Thursday, August 10th.
Turn in your order form and receipt to Mr. G
Each student will receive 50% profit of the sales put in their band account.
Divide sales in half and subtract from your band fee total - this is the amount you will pay to "MW2"
"During band camp, what do we do about food?"
During the 9:00-5:30pm days, students have a 12:00-1:00pm lunch break and a 3:00-3:30pm snack break. Typically, students will pack a lunch and snacks for each day, or bring some cash and walk to one of the local places with friends. On the Wednesday longer day, there will be a 12:00-1:00pm lunch break, a 3:00-3:30pm snack break and a 5:00-6:00pm dinner break.
THE BAND DEPARTMENT WILL SUPPLY A DINNER ON THE WEDNESDAY CAMP
"Do we bring our instrument back and forth each day of camp"
Students will have access to small lockers in the E-wing hallway or the instrument storage room to store instruments and belongings to camp. If they wish they can bring a padlock to feel more secure.
Valuables should stay on their person at all times.
"How do we order the marching band shoes"
Click on THIS LINK to place an order for marching band shoes.
Shoes will be ready for pickup in the band room the week of the first game (August 25th). Payment will be due to the bookstore for $37.00. The shoes can be used each year - if a student grows out of them, they can trade them for a different pair in our extra bins.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
"How do I pay for anything for band?"
The Band Department has many events and fees that entail payment by students and parents. The Maine West Bookstore, located on the first floor of E-Wing, allows monies to be collected and placed in the appropriate accounts. The Band office does not accept money directly (except for the August fee payment). Proper record keeping in the bookstore on the "purple sheets" and the return of the receipt and correct forms needed will allow for good organization.
"Is Marching Band required at Maine West High School?"
Yes, right now we require that all band members enrolled in a class participate in the co-curricular Marching Warriors ensemble. Marching Band meets twice a week outside of school, and plays at home football games (4-5 per year) and two-three competitions. The Marching Band also meets for two weeks before school starts to learn all the basics of marching to make all members comfortable with the music and movement routines for the 8-week season. Once the band department grows to a much larger size, the Marching Band will move to a volunteer organization, but for now, all members are needed to provide a good showing at performances.
"I don't like getting up early in the morning - do I still have to?"
As incoming freshman, you will not have to be here any earlier than 7:45am. The bands at Maine West High School meets every day DURING the school day for one period (top band meets for 1 period plus a morning flap). In addition, there are no "pullout" lessons - only full band rehearsals. Private lessons are encouraged to work one on one with a professional musicians. (See the RESOURCES page for private teacher information)
"How will I have room for an instrument in my locker?"
Each student has two options to store their instrument at Maine West during the school day. Smaller instruments like flutes,oboes, clarinets and alto saxophones can be stored in your main locker, or in a "band locker" (half-size locker in the Music Wing). Larger woodwind instruments and brass instruments can be stored in the band instrument room in large cabinets and lockers. Of course, the BEST place to always store an instrument on the weekends is HOME for lots of practicing.
"Should I have a different instrument for Marching Band?"
If you are fortunate enough to have purchased a "step-up" instrument after playing your beginner student instrument in middle school, we suggest you use the "better" instrument for inside playing and the student model for outside playing. We provide drumline equipment and mallet instruments for percussionists (you will need to buy sticks and mallets) . We suggest that you purchase or rent-to-own an intermediate/advanced model of your instrument for better performance in high school and beyond.
"I play oboe or bassoon - what do I play in marching band?"
We suggest that if you are looking to perform into high school and beyond, it would be beneficial to pick up a second instrument for non-symphonic playing, such as jazz bands and athletic bands. In these non-symphonic bands, there is no call for a double reed section due to weather restrictions and/or the style of music. At Maine West, we have a number of double reed players that also "double" on clarinet or saxophone. This is a very easy switch through the use of a fingering chart and beginning methods book. Students may also rent a school-owned instrument at a lower cost (depending on inventory availability). This can be started in 8th grade year before high school.
"How do I pay for my band fees?"
Head to the Marching Band section in the sidebar at the left of your screen.
Be sure to download and print the forms for fees.
Checks are made out to "MW2" as the fees are run through our parent boosters program. DO NOT pay for these fees in the bookstore. Shoes, fundraisers and instrument rentals are paid in the bookstore.
"How do I turn in the summer fundraiser?"
Head to the Marching Band section in the sidebar at the left of your screen.
Be sure to download and print the order forms/look at the brochure.
All checks for the fundraiser are made out to Maine West High School.
These can be deposited in the bookstore on Thursday, August 10th.
Turn in your order form and receipt to Mr. G
Each student will receive 50% profit of the sales put in their band account.
Divide sales in half and subtract from your band fee total - this is the amount you will pay to "MW2"
"During band camp, what do we do about food?"
During the 9:00-5:30pm days, students have a 12:00-1:00pm lunch break and a 3:00-3:30pm snack break. Typically, students will pack a lunch and snacks for each day, or bring some cash and walk to one of the local places with friends. On the Wednesday longer day, there will be a 12:00-1:00pm lunch break, a 3:00-3:30pm snack break and a 5:00-6:00pm dinner break.
THE BAND DEPARTMENT WILL SUPPLY A DINNER ON THE WEDNESDAY CAMP
"Do we bring our instrument back and forth each day of camp"
Students will have access to small lockers in the E-wing hallway or the instrument storage room to store instruments and belongings to camp. If they wish they can bring a padlock to feel more secure.
Valuables should stay on their person at all times.
"How do we order the marching band shoes"
Click on THIS LINK to place an order for marching band shoes.
Shoes will be ready for pickup in the band room the week of the first game (August 25th). Payment will be due to the bookstore for $37.00. The shoes can be used each year - if a student grows out of them, they can trade them for a different pair in our extra bins.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
"How do I pay for anything for band?"
The Band Department has many events and fees that entail payment by students and parents. The Maine West Bookstore, located on the first floor of E-Wing, allows monies to be collected and placed in the appropriate accounts. The Band office does not accept money directly (except for the August fee payment). Proper record keeping in the bookstore on the "purple sheets" and the return of the receipt and correct forms needed will allow for good organization.
"Is Marching Band required at Maine West High School?"
Yes, right now we require that all band members enrolled in a class participate in the co-curricular Marching Warriors ensemble. Marching Band meets twice a week outside of school, and plays at home football games (4-5 per year) and two-three competitions. The Marching Band also meets for two weeks before school starts to learn all the basics of marching to make all members comfortable with the music and movement routines for the 8-week season. Once the band department grows to a much larger size, the Marching Band will move to a volunteer organization, but for now, all members are needed to provide a good showing at performances.
"I don't like getting up early in the morning - do I still have to?"
As incoming freshman, you will not have to be here any earlier than 7:45am. The bands at Maine West High School meets every day DURING the school day for one period (top band meets for 1 period plus a morning flap). In addition, there are no "pullout" lessons - only full band rehearsals. Private lessons are encouraged to work one on one with a professional musicians. (See the RESOURCES page for private teacher information)
"How will I have room for an instrument in my locker?"
Each student has two options to store their instrument at Maine West during the school day. Smaller instruments like flutes,oboes, clarinets and alto saxophones can be stored in your main locker, or in a "band locker" (half-size locker in the Music Wing). Larger woodwind instruments and brass instruments can be stored in the band instrument room in large cabinets and lockers. Of course, the BEST place to always store an instrument on the weekends is HOME for lots of practicing.
"Should I have a different instrument for Marching Band?"
If you are fortunate enough to have purchased a "step-up" instrument after playing your beginner student instrument in middle school, we suggest you use the "better" instrument for inside playing and the student model for outside playing. We provide drumline equipment and mallet instruments for percussionists (you will need to buy sticks and mallets) . We suggest that you purchase or rent-to-own an intermediate/advanced model of your instrument for better performance in high school and beyond.
"I play oboe or bassoon - what do I play in marching band?"
We suggest that if you are looking to perform into high school and beyond, it would be beneficial to pick up a second instrument for non-symphonic playing, such as jazz bands and athletic bands. In these non-symphonic bands, there is no call for a double reed section due to weather restrictions and/or the style of music. At Maine West, we have a number of double reed players that also "double" on clarinet or saxophone. This is a very easy switch through the use of a fingering chart and beginning methods book. Students may also rent a school-owned instrument at a lower cost (depending on inventory availability). This can be started in 8th grade year before high school.