Welcome to Faubionband.com
  • Home
  • About Band
    • Meet The Directors
    • Benefits Of Band
    • How To Join Band
    • Private Lessons
    • High School Band
  • Calendar
  • Handouts/Music
Picture






​
MCKINNEY HIGH SCHOOL

www.royalprideband.org
Ken Ringel, Director of Bands
kringel@mckinneyisd.net

Picture
MCKINNEY BOYD HIGH SCHOOL
www.boydband.com
Joe Nunez, Director of Bands
jnunez@mckinneyisd.net


INFORMATION ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL BAND

I'M NERVOUS ABOUT BEING IN HIGH SCHOOL

High school is different, much like middle school was different compared to elementary school.  New opportunities come with each new year; however, each year, we gain the necessary knowledge and experience to equip us for what lies ahead.  All you need to know is:  HIGH SCHOOL BAND IS AWESOME!

IS HIGH SCHOOL BAND DIFFICULT?

High school band is not easy, nor is it difficult -- it's just new and different.  It is challenging, but rewarding.  Anything worth doing is worth doing well.  Hard work and effort make life more exciting and fulfilling.  Middle school band prepares students for high school band, and much of what is done in middle school will be the same.   There are still concerts, contests, and festivals, but the biggest differences are the awesome marching band and the band trips!  Each year, high school bands travel all over the USA:  from New York to L.A.  These band trips allow students to experience growth -- both individually and collectively, experiences not often realized by other school activities.
IS MARCHING BAND DIFFICULT?

No. It is really fun!  The high school directors and students will teach new marchers everything they need to know.  They will take it step by step through all the concepts of marching and playing at the same time.  If you can walk, you can march.


WILL I NEED AN EXTRA MARCHING INSTRUMENT?

No. Most instruments will work just fine on the marching field, except some of the school owned instruments.  Those students will receive a "marching" instrument in addition to their familiar concert instrument.  French horn players will march with a mellophone, euphonium players will march with a marching baritone, and tuba players will march with a sousaphone.  These marching versions are designed to be lighter, easier to hold, and easier to play while on the marching field. 
CAN I STILL BE IN SPORTS AND BAND ALSO?

Yes.  Actually, it is common for  high school students to participate in many activities rather than focusing on just one.  High school provides a unique opportunity to try out for a variety of sports or other activities, while still enjoying the benefits of the band program.  Below is a list of what other high school students in McKinney are doing:  Baseball, Basketball, Boy Scouts, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Football, Hockey, Horseback Riding, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Track, Taekwondo, and Volleyball just to name a few.
 WILL BEING IN BAND AFFECT MY GRADES?

Yes, but in a positive way.  Students in band excel in academic subjects more than students who are involved in other activities.  Band is one of the largest organizations in high school, which means your child will enter high school already knowing hundreds of friends, helpers, and partners.  Band students are rarely alone, but constantly surrounded by positive influences. Band is the only known organization with its own peer tutoring program.  Students need not tackle the challenges of academia by themselves, as the high school band program offers free tutoring for every class in every grade.  Imagine the advantages of tutoring provided by a student who had the same teacher a few semesters before and can communicate in an easily understood  manner. 
CAN I BE IN BAND AND ADVANCED CLASSES (AP)?

Absolutely.  It is very common for students to be in both.  Students who possess the talent, drive, and discipline needed to excel in advanced classes have always been attracted to band.  

Every year, high school band programs graduate many National Merit Scholars and students who go on to prestigious colleges all over the country.  Many colleges look for student involvement in fine arts in addition to good grades upon admission.

More high school band students are ranked among the Top 10 students than any other organization, and all three high schools have boasted of having both the valedictorian and salutatorian in band.

IS THERE A QUESTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK? 

Please let us know if there is a question you would like us to answer concerning high school band.  You are always welcome to email your middle school or future high school directors anytime.