FAQs
FAQs
Cash, check, or money order can be put through the slot on Dr. Beattie's office door into the lock box.
Put it in an envelope with your child's name and "$___ Band Fee" on it.
A credit card payment can always be made online: CutTime
Students who work are reminded that JOBS MAY NOT INTERFERE WITH BAND REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES. Dental, medical, and other appointments should be scheduled at times other than scheduled band rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday until 5:30 p.m. (and some Thursdays as announced). Unexcused absence from Tuesday afternoon rehearsal means you will not be allowed to attend the next football game. Excused absences from Tuesday afternoon rehearsal mean you can attend the game, but you will not be able to march during halftime.
7/29 6:30 PM Parent Show in DHS Stadium
08/22 @ Murphy
09/05 @ Baker
09/12 Fairhope - home game
09/19 @ Bryant
09/26 McGill-Toolen - home game
09/27 *******MGM CONTEST******* PLAN ON ALL DAY!
10/03 Daphne - home game
10/10 @ Robertsdale
10/11 *******YAYBAND FESTIVAL @ DHS!******* PLAN ON ALL DAY!
10/16 Foley - HOMECOMING GAME (Thursday)
10/25 ******* DAPHNE CONTEST******* PLAN ON ALL DAY!
10/24 @ MGM
10/27 or 28 Halloween Concert
10/30 BC Rain - home game
11/20 MCPSS Honor Band auditions
12/09 Christmas Concert
Most students are able to participate in multiple activities. Keep in mind, our calendar for performances is usually distributed a year in advance. Please plan accordingly. If a student cannot participate in a contest or performance, Dr. Beattie and Mr. Messer need to know as soon as possible.
Leadership should plan on making band a priority over any other practice or game.
Short answer, yes. But keep in mind, the main music we will be working on from August to October will be marching band music. So if a student takes the marching band class in the fall, they will be expected to play the marching band music regardless of whether they play the marching band performances.
The student will also need to audition to be placed into the correct class for the 2025-2026 school year.
A letter in band (often called a letterman award or varsity letter) is a recognition given to students who demonstrate commitment, excellence, and contribution to the band program. It typically comes in the form of a large fabric letter (D for Davidson) that can be sewn onto a letterman jacket. It’s a way schools honor student achievement in extracurricular activities like athletics, band, or academics. Once you've earned the letter and continue to accrue points, you'll then receive a bar, which is a metal pin to put on your letterman jacket.
To receive the award at the spring banquet, students need to read this Letter and Bar Form, do the math required, and notify Dr. Beattie via a message in the MCPSS app, email, or verbally in the 2 weeks leading up to the spring banquet.
Marching Band
all football games (10 plus possible playoffs)
2-3 contests
2 Mardi Gras parades
Spring football game
Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Yayband
Halloween concert
Christmas concert
MPA concert
MPA field trip
Spring concert
Graduation (Symphonic Band plus a few members of Concert Band)
Jazz Band
Halloween concert
Christmas concert
1 Mardi Gras parade
Band is a year long course.
Students are required to participate in band both semesters. The only exceptions are an academic conflict for a course needed for graduation or participation on a Davidson athletic team. Students dropping out after the Fall semester for any other reason may not be eligible to participate the following year. Color guard members who play instruments must also perform in the Spring semester to be eligible to stay in band/color guard.
$250 Basic Marching Band Fee – everyone pays this; covers instruction, transportation, traditional uniform rental, sheet music, and choreography
$75 Instrument Rental Fee – for anyone using a school instrument (all percussion pay this)
$40 Shoe Fee – for marching shoes (all freshmen pay this, or if a new pair of shoes is needed)
Dry Fit Uniform Top – $25 to rent or $100 to purchase (includes embroidered name on back)
Color Guard – $500 total (includes $250 Basic Marching Band Fee and additional equipment/uniform needs); first-year members receive a guard jacket
$75 Symphonic/Concert/Yayband ONLY – If a student is not doing marching band but is doing any of the sit-down bands, this is the only band fee they will owe. The instrument rental will still apply for any school-owned instrument being used.
$50 Band Manager – These students need to be approved by Mr. Messer and Dr. Beattie. They do not march in the halftime show. They will be responsible for doing logistical things like making copies, organizing instruments, music and other items as needed by the band directors.
Once school begins, there is band practice in August EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY & THURSDAY after school until 5:30 p.m.
In September & October, we practice EVERY MONDAY & TUESDAY after school until 5:30 p.m. The only exception to this is when there is a school wide at home day for a Monday. In that case, we will practice on Tuesday and Thursday.
Please leave Thursdays open from September to October as we may call after-school rehearsals in preparation for contests (or if we are rained out on Tuesday). Section leaders may also schedule sectional rehearsals on Thursdays.
There will be exceptions and changes to the schedule due to virtual days, holidays, weather, and emergencies. Please check the announcements and Sound of Mobile Google for most up-to-date schedule.
If a student misses more than an hour unexcused, they cannot go to the game.
A doctor's note is excused.
If a student's absence is unexcused, they cannot go to the game.
If student's have an excused absence they can go to the game, but cannot march the show.
The seniors will be walking at graduation. The rest of the Symphonic Band will play the National Anthem and a song or two for pre-ceremony music.
For the Symphonic Band to be well-rounded, we will replace the graduating seniors with the next few students from the Concert Band, depending on chair order.
We will let students know how many students will be needed at graduation by Spring Break. Those students should plan on attending graduation and arranging their own transportation.