1. All Students, new AND returning need to fill out the marching band commitment/contact google form here:  MARCHING BAND REGISTRATION 

2. make the first payment towards 2025-2026 ($125) DUE MAY 1ST 2025!
       Any balance from previous years of Davidson band must be paid before fees can be applied to the current upcoming year.

3. Join the remind messaging service

   1. 1. send the text message to 81010 
         the two digit number is the student's expected graduation year.
         @ybdhs26   Seniors
         @ybdhs27   Juniors
         @ybdhs28   Sophomore
         @ybdhs29  Freshmen

4. Get a copy of your physical and submit to the google form
   There is a no cost physical for any Davidson high school student at the Mitchel center on June 6th at 755 AM.
   We will have copies printed in the band room for you. Here is a digital version of the form for you to print.
   Physical  
   
   Physical SUBMISSION google form 

Band students can sell ads for the football program, stadium banners, or new video spots to earn 50% profit. This helps promote local businesses and raise funds for the band.

Fill out the  Advertisement form . Payments (cash or check) can go in the band room box or be mailed to the school.

More info on video ads for our end zone jumbo tron coming soon!

5/12 Woodwind, Brass and colorguard rookie practice 330-530

5/15 Percussion 330-530

5/12 Parent meeting for new incoming students (5:00-530) and All returning AND new (530-6)

5/16 Black and Gold game. Band polo and khaki pants or shorts during the school day.

5/19 GraduationReport directly to the mitchel center at Noon. This will be symphonic band plus a few members from concert band to fill in the seniors that graduated. We are not taking a bus. If transportation is an issue please let us know so we can help work it out.  The following students are invited to play with symphonic band at graduation: Kyle Perry, TJ, Christian M, Alyssa E, Micah J, Douglas N, Noah Ouisy, Chase J, Aiden J, Kaleb F, Jaylen R

25-26 Audition Material
25 %  Scales

25 %  Sight reading

40 % Excerpt 

05 % Essential element difficulty

05 % Essential element execution

PROCESS

1. Students will perform above excerpt at 112 bpm.

2. Major scales are concert pitch F, Ab, and Db.

3. For sight reading, Tell us a range of sight reading ability from the essential elements book 1 or 2 of 20 booklines. Then the director will choose one for you to perform in the room.
   For example student A comes in and says I can play booklines 80-100 of essential elements book 2. Director says play line 86. Then the student will play that bookline. All things being equal, that student would have a higher score than Student B who came in and only gave a range of 70-90 from book 1. 

4. The student will then receive a sight reading excerpt to study for 30 seconds and then perform. Percussion will sight read snare.

CURRENT DAVIDSON STUDENTS

Auditions for music and marching will be during the school day for current Davidson students. We will begin auditions next week during the student's scheduled band time.  We will cover music first. When that is complete, we will begin assessing marching. 

NEW INCOMING STUDENTS
6/10 Woodwind students will be assessed on all above criteria Music AND marching

6/11 Brass students students will be assessed on all above criteria Music AND marching

6/12 Percussion students ALL Students must complete the mallet AND snare audition. 

Marching Assessment Overview & Rubric

This handout explains the process and expectations for your upcoming marching assessment. You will be evaluated on your ability to perform core marching fundamentals — both with and without playing your instrument — using consistent commands and proper visual technique.

Assessment Categories & Weights

• Stationary Positions – 20%

• Marching Without Playing – 35%

• Marching While Playing (Exercise 3A) – 45%

1. Stationary Positions

You will begin at Parade Rest. On command, you will move to Attention, followed by Horns Up. These will be evaluated for posture, uniformity, and responsiveness.

Scoring Criteria (1–5):

• Parade Rest
Feet shoulder width
Chest high shoulders down and relaxed

• Attention
Instrument position
Body
Feet Together
Shoulders down and relaxed
Head up

• Horns Up / Horns Down
Horn angle

2. Marching Without Playing

On command, you will complete the following sequence:

1. Forward March – 8 counts (8-to-5 step)

2. Mark Time – 8 counts

3. Backwards March – 8 counts (8-to-5 step)

4. Mark Time – 8 counts

5. Halt

You will be evaluated using the BIFS rubric, which focuses on key elements of marching technique:

🔹 BIFS Definitions

• B – Body Carriage: Stand tall with upright posture and strong core support. The upper body should remain stable and balanced throughout all movement.

• I – Instrument Position: Keep the horn angle high, steady, and consistent. Avoid sagging or bouncing as you move.

• F – Foot Technique: 

Forward March: Use a proper roll step (heel-to-toe) for smooth, quiet steps.

Backward March: Keep your heels elevated — steps should roll from toe to ball of the foot without the heel touching.

• S – Step Size: Maintain a consistent 8-to-5 stride. Avoid short, inconsistent, or lunging steps. 22.5 inch step

3. Marching While Playing Exercise 3A

You will repeat the same marching sequence while performing Exercise 3A on your instrument. This tests your ability to maintain musical and visual control simultaneously.

Scoring Criteria (1–5):

• Tone & Pitch Accuracy

• Marching Consistency While Playing

• Breath Control

• Rhythm Stability

Additional Notes

Rehearse each phase regularly to develop consistency. Focus on posture, step size, timing, and tone quality — these fundamentals will determine your success in both visual performance and musical accuracy.

VOLUNTEER LINK

This will help us to know how to best utilize everyones gifts and skill sets. Thank you!

Davidson Band Parent Meeting

AGENDA

• Remind code

• Cut Time website for payment

• Schedule

• Fees

• Volunteer Opportunities

REMIND CODE:

Text @YBDHS29 to 81010

DAVIDSON BAND BENEFITS

• Doubles as PE credit

• Great peer group

• Further musicianship

YAYBAND.COM

Upcoming info

FAQ section will answer some of your questions

Schedule and policies

SCHEDULE

• June Sectionals: 6/10 (WW), 6/11 (Brass), 6/12 (Percussion)

• Band Camp: 7/21–7/25, 7/28–7/31, 8/5

• August: after school (Mon., Tues., Thurs.)

• September & October: Tues. and Thurs.

• Big days are football games and contests

• Tentative Contest Dates: 9/27 (MGM), 10/11 (host Yay Band Contest), and either 10/18 or 10/25

CUT TIME WEBSITE

GoCutTime.com

• Used to track fees, inventory, and demographics

FEES

1. $250 Basic Band Fee – everyone pays this; covers instruction, transportation, traditional uniform rental, sheet music, and choreography

2. $75 Instrument Rental Fee – for anyone using a school instrument (all percussion pay this)

3. $40 Shoe Fee – for marching shoes (all freshmen or if a new pair is needed)

4. Dry Fit Uniform Top – $25 to rent, $100 to purchase (includes embroidered name on back)

5. Color Guard – $500 total (includes $250 Basic Band Fee and additional equipment/uniform needs); first-year members receive a wind suit

DRY FIT TOPS FOR THIS YEAR

• Worn during the first month of the season

• Buy for $100 (includes embroidered name) or rent for $25/season ($100 if lost)

• Traditional uniform used for contests and October football games (rental is part of $250 Basic Band Fee)

MARCHING BAND AUDITIONS

• There will be a contest band and a Friday night band

• Everyone is in the Friday night band

• Contest band membership is based on marching band audition

• Fall re-auditions possible

• New member auditions:

• 6/10 (Woodwinds)

• 6/11 (Brass) – after sectionals

PARENT VOLUNTEER 2025–26

• Parent Volunteer Link 

PHYSICALS

• Friday, June 6 at Mitchell Center

• Davidson’s time slot: 8:00–8:40 AM

• Required for marching band

• Can also be completed at urgent care or primary care doctor (must be dated in June)

3 SIT-DOWN BANDS AND MARCHING BAND

• Music audition determines placement in both contest band and sit-down band

• Fall: marching band & sit-down bands overlap

• Schedule may say “marching band,” but students also prep for Halloween and Christmas concerts

Sit-down Bands:

• Symphonic Band (Top Band)

• Concert Band (Second Band)

• Yay Band (Third Band)

GET FLIPBOOK AND BINDER

• Flipbook – music holder attached to marching instruments

• Should hold 20+ pages

• Lyre – attaches flipbook to instrument (varies by instrument)

• Binder – regular-sized 3-ring with student’s name + 20 sheet protectors for music

INCENTIVES

We want to grow our band each year. Here are recruitment incentives:

1. $100 off fees – if you or your child recruits someone who took a year off band

2. $50 off fees – if you or your child recruits someone with no prior band instruction

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE