Band

Members of Symphonic Band also participate in Viking Marching Band - See the VMB Page for the full rehearsal/performance schedule.

Calendar dates can be automatically downloaded to your phone or tablet.  Click on the calendar to the right of this screen.

Do you have a conflict with a performance or a rehearsal? Be sure to fill out a Conflict Form

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Welcome Back and 2024 Music Distribution

July 8 - 6:30-8:30 PM in the HS Band Room

Summer 2024 Band Camp

All students will participate during the times below.  Viking Marching Band Students will rehearse in the afternoons (and morning of July 21).  

July 15, 16, 17, 18 - 8 AM-12 PM

July 19, 1 PM-5 PM, Family Performance and Picnic, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM

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Performance, Rehearsal, Activity Schedule

Pep Band Performance @ Home Football Game - September 6, 5:00-8:30 PM

All Band Member Marching Band Photograph - TBD

Pep Band Performance @ Homecoming Pep Rally - September 27, Release time 1:55, play at 2:35.

Marching Band Performance @ Homecoming Parade - September 27, 4:15 PM

Pep Band and Viking Marching Band Performance @ Home Football Game - September 27, 5:45-8:30 PM

Pep Band w/ RB 8th Grade and Viking Marching Band Performance @ Home Football Game - October 4, Meet and greet, 5:00-5:30, Rehearsal, 5:30-6:15, Perform, 6:15-8:30

Pep Band Performance @ Home Football Game - October 18, 5:00-8:30 PM

Combined Bands Rehearsal - December 4, 1:45-3:30 PM

Winter Band Concert - December 5, 7:00 PM

Symphonic Band Performance with River Bluff Bands - December 12, 7:00 PM

Symphonic Band Chamber Ensembles Perform at the Madrigal Dinner - December 14, 15 - 5:30-6:30 PM

District Solo and Ensemble Festival - March 8 @ Verona HS, Exact performance times TBD

Combined Bands Rehearsal - March 10, 9:20-11:30 AM

Spring Band Concert - March 11, 7 PM

Band Variety Show Rehearsal - April 28, 6:30-9 PM

Band Variety Show Rehearsal - April 30, 1:45-3:35 PM.  Skits from 3:40-5:00 PM

Band Variety Show Rehearsal -May 1, 6:30-9 PM

Band Variety Show 56 - May 4, 7-9 PM

Syttende Mai Parade Rehearsal - May 16, 9:30-11:30 AM

Marching Band Performance @ Syttende Mai Parade - May 18, 1:30 PM

Marching Band Performance @ Memorial Day Parade, May 26, 10 AM

Combined Bands (Concert and Symphonic Band) Perform at Graduation - June 1, 11 AM

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Welcome Back and 2025 Music Distribution

July TBD - 6:30-8:30 PM in the HS Band Room

Summer 2025 Band Camp

All students will participate during the times below.  Viking Marching Band Students will rehearse in the afternoons (and morning of July 19).  

July TBD -  8 AM-12 PM

July TBD, 1 PM-5 PM, Family Performance and Picnic, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM

A successful rehearsal (class period) requires every participant (musician and instructor) to equally commit to a set of norms.

1.  Be timely.  Rehearsals begin three minutes after the bell rings and end when dismissed by the instructor.  If a rehearsal begins on time, the instructor will commit to ending rehearsal on time.

2.  Be present.  Being fully present means that side-conversations are limited to questions about the music, fingerings, etc.  Phones, earbuds/headphones, and other electronic devices are not allowed.  If an emergency or other situation comes up that requires you to have a phone during rehearsal, good ettiquite is to let the instructor know prior the the start of rehearsal.  The instructor will do the same.  Avoid chewing gum in rehearsal.  Chewing gum almost always prevents a wind player from playing with proper breath support and presents a serious safety issue.

3.  Be prepared.  Come with the needed instrument, music, supplies (valve oil, reeds, etc.) and a pencil.  

4.  Be organized.  Instrument cases should be put back in lockers at the beginning of rehearsal (not on the floor) and instruments always placed back in their cases when a rehearsal is done.  Percussion equipment (including sticks and mallets) should be put away at the end of rehearsal.  Uniforms should be hung neatly.  Chairs and stands should be re-set at the end of a rehearsal.  Avoid collecting trash (bottles and wrappers) in lockers.

5.  Actively rehearse to improve.  In a rehearsal where all musicians are rehearsing effectively, students:

  -Always pay attention to where the ensemble is rehearsing, even if not being asked to play

-Always have a goal for improvement on every rep.

-Don't talk after a rep, instead, listen for instructions, suggestions for improvement, or questions.

-Make corrections/adjustments to their own performance based on feedback from the director and/or fellow ensemble members.

Student grades in Concert and Symphonic Band are based on the following:

Formative Tasks

• Rehearsal/Daily Grade
• Discussion Contributions
• Lessons - 1 formative lesson required per quarter. Students can sign up for a lesson time at any time using the SignUp Genius linked on Schoology. Private lessons also satisfy this requirement.  During a formative lesson, students will learn instrument specific technique, work through individual/section goals, and review concert/pep music.
• Rhythm Reading assignments (i.e. Sight Reading Factory).
• Percussion - Rudiment Study Check-Ins
• Written Drafts of Responses, Compositions, etc.

Summative Tasks

• Performances (Fall, Spring and Winter Concerts, Variety Show, Solo and Ensemble, Parades, Pep Band).  A student can still receive credit for a missed summative performance if they complete a makeup by the end of the quarter the performance occurs in. 
• Lessons - 1 summative lesson required per quarter. Students can sign up for a lesson time at any time using the SignUp Genius linked on Schoology.  During a summative lesson, students will demonstrate proficiency in a variety of content depending on the time of the school year.  Content include - memorization of music (field show and spring parades), scales and patterns, rudiments (percussion).
• Rhythm Reading assignments (i.e. Sight Reading Factory).
• Final Drafts of Program Notes, Compositions, etc.

Some formative and summative tasks are graded with these rubrics:

Habits Performance Rubric

WSMA Ensemble Rubric

Effective practice is crucial for developing musical skill. Students can choose to practice at home or at school, the location is not as important as the fact that practice happens. Students have access to practice rooms before and after school, during lunch, and throughout the day if a pass is obtained in advance from any music instructor.  

Practice is a craft in and of itself. Students should always use a metronome and start practicing at a slow tempo gradually increasing the speed until the tempo desired is attained. Metronomes can be borrowed from the music department or can be downloaded on most phones and tablets.

Students are responsible for attending rehearsal with an instrument that works and the supplies they need to play.  Required supplies that students should have at all times are:

• Clarinet, Saxophone - Vandoren (Traditional) Reeds and cork grease.
• Trumpet, Tuba - Synthetic Valve Oil (Al Cass)
• Horn - Rotor Oil (Hetman)
• Trombone - Slide Oil (Yamaha is recommended)
• Percussion - Concert Snare Sticks (Vic Firth 5A), practice pad.  Not required at this time but recommended - Practice pad, Stick Bag, Mike Balter 14B Yarn Mallets, Musser M-2 Rubber Mallet, Vic Firth T1 Timpani Mallet

Two Madison music stores have online stores and visit Stoughton High School on a weekly basis to deliver (free of charge). Visit Ward Brodt Music select SASD and Stoughton High School to see a list of recommend supplies and purchase online.  You can also visit Heid Music online to order needed supplies. Once you order supplies either by phone or the web, you can pick up from the store, have them shipped to your house, or dropped off at SHS.  If you have an instrument that needs repair, you can drop off the instrument at the store or make arrangements with Mr. Schmidt to drop off at SHS.  As always, if you have questions about supplies, just ask Mr. Schmidt.

Fees should be paid through Campus Portal.  If you are not able to pay through Campus Portal, fees can be paid by a check made payable to SASD.  Please pay fees promptly.  Fees collected go toward equipment/uniform maintenance and supplies which are purchased during the school year.

All band fees must be paid by October 4

All Students

Each year, all students in band are responsible  for a Uniform Cleaning Fee of $40. This fee covers two full cleanings, emergency cleanings, and the general upkeep of marching band uniforms.

If needed, students will be responsible for a $15 marching band t-shirt, $5 for marching band gloves, and $48 for marching band shoes.  If a student has these from a previous year and they still fit and are in acceptable shape, this fee does not need to be paid.

Some Students

Stoughton High School has instruments available for rental that would otherwise would be cost prohibitive to rent or buy. SHS offers tubas, euphoniums, bass clarinets, baritone saxophones, and french horns. SHS also has a limited number of tenor saxophones for rent. Percussionists and all students renting instruments pay a $90 maintenance fee which helps to cover the cost of yearly maintenance and upkeep. For more information, see the "School Instruments" section below.

The above fees are very important to the band program, but at times, I understand that some people might not be able to pay fees on time or at all. Financial difficulty should not prevent a student from pursing membership in band and if assistance is necessary, please reach out to the band director.

Stoughton High School has instruments available for rental that would otherwise would be cost prohibitive to rent or buy. SHS offers tubas, euphoniums, bass clarinets, baritone saxophones, and french horns. SHS also has a limited number of tenor saxophones for rent.

Any student using a school instrument must pay a $90 rental fee and return the SHS Instrument Maintenance Agreement.

All students using school instruments, including percussionists, must return the fee and maintenance agreement. Rental fees are due at the beginning of the school year and help to cover the cost of regular maintenance. These fees do not cover results of negligent use or damage caused intentionally.

If a student owns their own instrument but has been asked to switch to another for purposes of instrumentation will have their rental fee waived but must still return the maintenance agreement form.

Band Concerts (Winter and Spring) are considered formal events and we wear appropriate clothing to reflect that.  There are guidelines ALL students must follow in order to participate in the concerts.  If a student comes to a concert in inappropriate attire,  credit will not be earned.  Please know that I will provide any assistance that I can in helping to attain concert attire if needed.

Acceptable clothing for concerts: 

• Tops:
  • Long Sleeved Black Dress shirt (tucked in), school appropriate neck line
  • Black dress shirt with ¾ length sleeves or longer, school appropriate neckline
  • Neck tie or scarf/other accessories are optional.  If a neck tie is worn, a black tie (long or bow) is preferred.
• Bottoms:
  • Black dress pants,
  • Black dress or skirt (hem of skirt/dress MUST be to the knee or below while seated)
  • Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes)
  • Black socks

Examples of clothing that should NOT be worn to a concert:

• White tennis shoes
• Mini skirt
• Crop top
• Any clothing items that would fall outside of our school dress code - this is a formal event!

Marching Band uniforms are distributed to all students during the summer preceding the school year and are worn for pep band at home football games, Syttende Mai Parade, and Memorial Day parade.  The Viking Marching Band will wear uniforms for field show performances.

While in uniform, students may not eat or drink anything other than water.  Students must also take care to not dirty uniforms.  Uniforms are cleaned twice a year (after the fall and spring season).  Additionally, students should not remove uniform parts (i.e. coats) when the band is at a performance (like pep band) or a performance site (like Mandt Park) unless permission is given from the director.

Students MUST wear their black SHS Band t-shirt under their uniform coat.  Black (tall) athletic socks must be worn as well.  Socks that only go up to the ankle are not allowed. 

There are a variety of opportunities to affect the direction of the program and to assist in it’s operation. Ultimately, my door is always open for anyone who needs to talk, but these formal opportunities are the best way to truly change affect change. All members are encouraged to talk with student leaders if they feel uncomfortable speaking with the director.

Band Booster Representatives

One from Concert Band and Symphonic Band.  These representatives will attend the monthly Band Booster meetings and act as liaisons between the Boosters and the bands.

Section Leaders

Each section in each ensemble will have a leader who is responsible for leading sectionals during and outside of the school day, distributing music, reaching out to new members, and assisting members in learning/cleaning parts. Additionally, section leaders will meet with the Director to help plan concerts/performances, trips, and provide general feedback.  Marching Band section leaders are determined by application in the Spring and Concert Band/Symphonic Band section leaders are chosen in the fall.

Drum Major(s)

Drum Majors are responsible for directing the band in marching and pep band performances. They are chosen by application and audition in the spring before summer break.

Music Librarian(s)

Students may volunteer for this role and are chosen by the director. The band librarian is responsible for preparing music for distribution, organizing music when collected, keeping the music library clean and organized, and for keeping the music catalog up to date (including performance records).

Senior band students are eligible to receive the following awards depending on program participation:

• The National School Marching Award
• The Director's Award
• The Arion Award
• The Patrick Gilmore Award
• The Woody Herman Jazz Award
• The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
• The John Phillip Sousa Band Award

Award winners are chosen by student ballot and director decision.  Award winners receive commemorative plaques and their names are included on perpetual plaques displayed at SHS.

From All Students

Band Policies and Dates Acknowledgment

- Due Friday, September 6

From Students Using School Instruments

Instrument Maintenance Agreement

- Due Friday, September 6.  Fee due on October 4.