DeLand Band Parent Association 2024-2025 Board Members
Tanika Patrick, President
Nicole Davies, Events Coordinator
Alvin Costa, Member at Large
Anna Maria Kinard, Secretary
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Sylvia Okunor, Vice President
Liliana Gomez, Fundraising Coor.
Kellie Steward, Alumni Member
Pam Walczer, Member at Large
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Hope Herreman, Treasurer
Melissa Thomas, Meal Coordinator
Laura Chvojka, Colorguard Liaison
Amy Uppercue, Community Member & Uniform Coordinator
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Brooke Whitaker, Asst. Treasurer
Vanessa Rios, Volunteer Coordinator
Adam LupPlace, Member at Large
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We need your help!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the DeLand High School Band! We welcome you and look forward to working together.
If you would like to volunteer, please make sure you are an active volunteer for Volusia County Schools. To sign up, you can go into any school in Volusia County and fill out an application. Have your government issued ID scanned while you are there. Once approved, you will receive an email to the address you provided in your application. The system that is used to check in volunteers has been upgraded this year – any volunteers who were cleared prior to June 2023 will need to have their ID re-scanned at the school. So even if you were previously cleared, you still have to go in and scan your ID.
When you finish the process to become an active volunteer, or if you are one already, and you want to participate, go to the Charms website to sign up! Go to charmsoffice.com; then enter the school code “delandband”. At the top of the page, there is a tab labeled “Volunteers”. Once you click that link, use the scroll down menu to choose the dates you would like to volunteer, and fill in the information needed in the boxes provided.
For more information or for questions about volunteering - please email at [email protected].
If you would like to volunteer, please make sure you are an active volunteer for Volusia County Schools. To sign up, you can go into any school in Volusia County and fill out an application. Have your government issued ID scanned while you are there. Once approved, you will receive an email to the address you provided in your application. The system that is used to check in volunteers has been upgraded this year – any volunteers who were cleared prior to June 2023 will need to have their ID re-scanned at the school. So even if you were previously cleared, you still have to go in and scan your ID.
When you finish the process to become an active volunteer, or if you are one already, and you want to participate, go to the Charms website to sign up! Go to charmsoffice.com; then enter the school code “delandband”. At the top of the page, there is a tab labeled “Volunteers”. Once you click that link, use the scroll down menu to choose the dates you would like to volunteer, and fill in the information needed in the boxes provided.
For more information or for questions about volunteering - please email at [email protected].
Information for New Band Parents:
(The UNOFFICIAL Rookie Band Parent Handbook)
This information has been put together by a group of parents who spent a large portion of their “rookie year” in various stages of confusion. We wanted to share with the “upcoming rookie parents” some of the answers to these many questions before we forget how it felt not knowing what was going on…(of course we still don’t have all the answers)!
We sincerely hope this guide will answer some important questions about time management, time commitment, band fees and how to pay for them, fund raising, and uniforms. We would also like to give you some “insider” information on what it takes to be a band student, and a band parent!
TIME MANAGEMENT will be the most important tool that your children will acquire when they become members of the DHS band program. The students quickly learn that they must use their time wisely. Time not spent in practice should be spent doing schoolwork. Remember that most band members are IB, Honors, and/or AP students and realize grades are important. Your student will learn how to keep a schedule, how to be punctual, and how to set priorities. Our schedule will be placed on the board at school, on our website, Google Calendar and Facebook Page.
Your child will also become punctual. They will be taught the meaning of the phrase...
“If you’re early, you’re on time;
if you’re on time; you’re late”.
What About Rehearsals?
DOES MY STUDENT REALLY HAVE TO BE THERE?
Rehearsals for band are mandatory. One absent member will disrupt rehearsal for all members of the band. To be able to put the best possible musical product on the field, the staff and director need for all members of the band present during all scheduled rehearsals. Please see the Band Handbook for more information. Membership depends on consistent participation. Please help your student make every effort to be there.
How Do Parents Get Involved?
PARENT INVOLVEMENT = A SUCCESSFUL BAND PROGRAM
Getting involved in the band program will give you the opportunity to share with your child the last four years of their education, and these years fly by. Your child might say they'd rather not have you around, but most parents actually learn they appreciate your involvement. The band parents are needed to support the director, and help with the details of fundraising, transporting, feeding and caring for an organization this size. The band needs parents to be able to function; it is for this reason that we urge you to get involved. Join one of the many committees; we need your help. Grandparents, siblings, or any member of your family can get involved and make a difference. If you are a parent you are a Band Booster! Band is a great way to meet the parents and the kids your student will be spending much of their time with for the next few months.
How Do We Pay For This?
There are many questions about the economic impact of the Band Program. While your middle school programs traditionally did not have fees, the high school band program is very different. When we hear the bottom line, we sometimes wonder how we are going to be able to raise the funds needed for our children to be able to continue the pursuit of their musical interest. We do not want the economic factor to keep any student from participating in band. Throughout the year there are many opportunities to earn band fees (Fair Share). There have been families that did not pay anything out of pocket for their student to be in band, due to their successful fundraising. The fee schedule is broken down into regularly scheduled payment amounts. You can deposit smaller amounts into your child’s account ahead of the payment due date. This can be done all through the year so you don’t have to come up with all the money at one time. The best way to learn about these fundraising opportunities is by keeping informed; and the best way to keep informed is by visiting the band web site and attending the Band Booster meetings that take place all year long.
Uniforms, Uniforms – What Do They Wear?
Marching Band Rehearsals
Wear comfortable athletic shoes, no flip flops. The practice uniform t-shirt (provided) and athletic shorts are required. Students should bring a water jug, sunglasses, and a hat to shade their face from sunburn. A towel to wipe sweat is also nice.
Football Games
Instrumentalist Band Uniform parts consist of:
• Black marching shoes – These are special marching band shoes that clean up well with shoe polish. They cost $35 new and are a one-time purchase unless your child's feet grow tremendously.
• Band Uniform Coat (provided, school owned))
• Band Uniform Trousers (provided, school owned)
• Show T-shirt (provided, included in Fair Share) & Athletic Shorts (not provided, can be found at any sporting goods store/department) to be worn under uniform for group changes. Students will change into and out of uniform in the Band Room.
• Gloves (these can be purchased when the shoes are purchased). We suggest having several pairs.
• Black socks (these can be purchased at Walmart, Target, or any department store). We suggest having several pairs exactly alike (especially if your dryer loves to eat socks).
Tips to remember while in uniform:
• No visible jewelry - AT ALL!
• No make up (Guard is the exception as it is part of the uniform)
• No colored drinks, condiments, or other messy/greasy food while in uniform. Clear liquids only.
Are There Really Inspections?
Inspections are held before games in the band room. Students should be in place no later than the time they were told to report. Your student and their instrument (even the inside of the instrument) will be inspected as they stand at attention by sections. Students should be sure to not have and visible jewelry or hair showing. No make up should be worn when in uniform. Failure to pass inspection could lead to your child not performing with the band that performance!
Helpful Hints to Save You Time and Grief:
• Make your child responsible for being prepared. The first time they forget something will be the last!!! They learn to be resourceful when they have to be.
• At the end of each practice session there are usually announcements and clean up. Practice ends at a specific time, but your son/daughter won't be finished until they have come back in from the field, put away their instrument/equipment, etc. so expect them to be ready to go around 15-20 minutes after dismissal.
• Network – This is how we meet each other. It is also one of the best ways to get helpful hints on band parenting from others.
• Be prepared to cheer! The band loves it when they have their own cheering section.
• Don’t put uniform items away in the closet or drawers when cleaned. Keep all items (socks, shoes, band shirt, gloves, etc.) in a bag.
• Keep extra gloves, socks, needle & thread, etc. in your car or purse just in case.
• Visit the band web site to stay informed.
• Keep your contact information current in Charms.
Terms and Phrases:
“If you are early, you’re on time; if you’re on time, you’re late.”
When you drop your child off, there will be students already there, ready to play. At this point, the anxiety level for being late dramatically increases. Always allow extra time. There are no excuses.
“ Where’s my dot?” or “Do we line up on the hash?”
This does not refer to insects or food. These terms indicate how the practice field is marked off. Students use their coordinate cards to answer these questions.
“One More Time”
This can mean one more time, a few more times, it can mean you’re beginning to approach the road to the last time, or it can mean we’ll keep doing it until you get it right!
“Last Time, Best Time"
This means that this will likely be the last run through and the band should perform their very best.
You Know You are A Band Parent When. . . .
• You make three more trips than expected to drop off you child with everything they need.
• You carry spare gloves, needle and thread, safety pins, black socks and duct tape in your pocketbook.
• You can’t pick your child out of the crowd because they all look alike.
• You no longer speak of your child as a fourteen-year-old daughter/son, but as a “freshman trumpet, freshman flute,” etc.
• You prominently display a band calendar in the kitchen, and have band dates marked on the calendar in your purse.
• You know that you will be wearing something green and gold every Friday night and sometimes on Saturdays.
• Early is on time and on time is late.
• You don’t leave home without cushions to sit on and your phone/camera/video recorder!
• You are cheering with other band parents.
We sincerely hope this guide will answer some important questions about time management, time commitment, band fees and how to pay for them, fund raising, and uniforms. We would also like to give you some “insider” information on what it takes to be a band student, and a band parent!
TIME MANAGEMENT will be the most important tool that your children will acquire when they become members of the DHS band program. The students quickly learn that they must use their time wisely. Time not spent in practice should be spent doing schoolwork. Remember that most band members are IB, Honors, and/or AP students and realize grades are important. Your student will learn how to keep a schedule, how to be punctual, and how to set priorities. Our schedule will be placed on the board at school, on our website, Google Calendar and Facebook Page.
Your child will also become punctual. They will be taught the meaning of the phrase...
“If you’re early, you’re on time;
if you’re on time; you’re late”.
What About Rehearsals?
DOES MY STUDENT REALLY HAVE TO BE THERE?
Rehearsals for band are mandatory. One absent member will disrupt rehearsal for all members of the band. To be able to put the best possible musical product on the field, the staff and director need for all members of the band present during all scheduled rehearsals. Please see the Band Handbook for more information. Membership depends on consistent participation. Please help your student make every effort to be there.
How Do Parents Get Involved?
PARENT INVOLVEMENT = A SUCCESSFUL BAND PROGRAM
Getting involved in the band program will give you the opportunity to share with your child the last four years of their education, and these years fly by. Your child might say they'd rather not have you around, but most parents actually learn they appreciate your involvement. The band parents are needed to support the director, and help with the details of fundraising, transporting, feeding and caring for an organization this size. The band needs parents to be able to function; it is for this reason that we urge you to get involved. Join one of the many committees; we need your help. Grandparents, siblings, or any member of your family can get involved and make a difference. If you are a parent you are a Band Booster! Band is a great way to meet the parents and the kids your student will be spending much of their time with for the next few months.
How Do We Pay For This?
There are many questions about the economic impact of the Band Program. While your middle school programs traditionally did not have fees, the high school band program is very different. When we hear the bottom line, we sometimes wonder how we are going to be able to raise the funds needed for our children to be able to continue the pursuit of their musical interest. We do not want the economic factor to keep any student from participating in band. Throughout the year there are many opportunities to earn band fees (Fair Share). There have been families that did not pay anything out of pocket for their student to be in band, due to their successful fundraising. The fee schedule is broken down into regularly scheduled payment amounts. You can deposit smaller amounts into your child’s account ahead of the payment due date. This can be done all through the year so you don’t have to come up with all the money at one time. The best way to learn about these fundraising opportunities is by keeping informed; and the best way to keep informed is by visiting the band web site and attending the Band Booster meetings that take place all year long.
Uniforms, Uniforms – What Do They Wear?
Marching Band Rehearsals
Wear comfortable athletic shoes, no flip flops. The practice uniform t-shirt (provided) and athletic shorts are required. Students should bring a water jug, sunglasses, and a hat to shade their face from sunburn. A towel to wipe sweat is also nice.
Football Games
Instrumentalist Band Uniform parts consist of:
• Black marching shoes – These are special marching band shoes that clean up well with shoe polish. They cost $35 new and are a one-time purchase unless your child's feet grow tremendously.
• Band Uniform Coat (provided, school owned))
• Band Uniform Trousers (provided, school owned)
• Show T-shirt (provided, included in Fair Share) & Athletic Shorts (not provided, can be found at any sporting goods store/department) to be worn under uniform for group changes. Students will change into and out of uniform in the Band Room.
• Gloves (these can be purchased when the shoes are purchased). We suggest having several pairs.
• Black socks (these can be purchased at Walmart, Target, or any department store). We suggest having several pairs exactly alike (especially if your dryer loves to eat socks).
Tips to remember while in uniform:
• No visible jewelry - AT ALL!
• No make up (Guard is the exception as it is part of the uniform)
• No colored drinks, condiments, or other messy/greasy food while in uniform. Clear liquids only.
Are There Really Inspections?
Inspections are held before games in the band room. Students should be in place no later than the time they were told to report. Your student and their instrument (even the inside of the instrument) will be inspected as they stand at attention by sections. Students should be sure to not have and visible jewelry or hair showing. No make up should be worn when in uniform. Failure to pass inspection could lead to your child not performing with the band that performance!
Helpful Hints to Save You Time and Grief:
• Make your child responsible for being prepared. The first time they forget something will be the last!!! They learn to be resourceful when they have to be.
• At the end of each practice session there are usually announcements and clean up. Practice ends at a specific time, but your son/daughter won't be finished until they have come back in from the field, put away their instrument/equipment, etc. so expect them to be ready to go around 15-20 minutes after dismissal.
• Network – This is how we meet each other. It is also one of the best ways to get helpful hints on band parenting from others.
• Be prepared to cheer! The band loves it when they have their own cheering section.
• Don’t put uniform items away in the closet or drawers when cleaned. Keep all items (socks, shoes, band shirt, gloves, etc.) in a bag.
• Keep extra gloves, socks, needle & thread, etc. in your car or purse just in case.
• Visit the band web site to stay informed.
• Keep your contact information current in Charms.
Terms and Phrases:
“If you are early, you’re on time; if you’re on time, you’re late.”
When you drop your child off, there will be students already there, ready to play. At this point, the anxiety level for being late dramatically increases. Always allow extra time. There are no excuses.
“ Where’s my dot?” or “Do we line up on the hash?”
This does not refer to insects or food. These terms indicate how the practice field is marked off. Students use their coordinate cards to answer these questions.
“One More Time”
This can mean one more time, a few more times, it can mean you’re beginning to approach the road to the last time, or it can mean we’ll keep doing it until you get it right!
“Last Time, Best Time"
This means that this will likely be the last run through and the band should perform their very best.
You Know You are A Band Parent When. . . .
• You make three more trips than expected to drop off you child with everything they need.
• You carry spare gloves, needle and thread, safety pins, black socks and duct tape in your pocketbook.
• You can’t pick your child out of the crowd because they all look alike.
• You no longer speak of your child as a fourteen-year-old daughter/son, but as a “freshman trumpet, freshman flute,” etc.
• You prominently display a band calendar in the kitchen, and have band dates marked on the calendar in your purse.
• You know that you will be wearing something green and gold every Friday night and sometimes on Saturdays.
• Early is on time and on time is late.
• You don’t leave home without cushions to sit on and your phone/camera/video recorder!
• You are cheering with other band parents.