The student must be enrolled in the Webster Central School District, 6th grade or higher.

To play a musical instrument in the band, the student must be currently enrolled in a curricular program course at school (e.g. Chorus, Band, Orchestra, Music Theory). We encourage chorus and orchestra students to learn a percussion instrument when a part of this group. If a student who is enrolled in these courses also receives private lessons on another instrument, they can play that other instrument if they choose to.

Since there is no colorguard classes at school, this section is open to any student who wishes to participate. Dance students are particularly invited to join, but dance experience is not necessary.

Instruments

The band enjoys a positive, collaborative relationship with the Webster Central School District. The following instruments are provided by the Webster School District and the Webster Marching Band:

• All percussion instruments – drums (e.g. tenor, snare, bass), marimbas, xylophones, etc.

• Keyboards & synthesizers

• Mellophones – think of it as a marching French Horn.

• Marching baritones

• Marching tubas

• Tenor, and baritone saxophones

All other instruments will need to be provided by the student.

Uniforms, other items

The Marching Band supplies the uniforms, colorguard equipment and miscellaneous props and items needed for a successful program each year.

A marching band is made up of a group of students, some instrumental musicians who perform while marching, and others who make up a color guard, a group of performers who add a visual interpretation to the music through the use of props, most often flags, rifles, and sabers. Marching bands often perform for entertainment or competition. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Marching bands wear a uniform that may include an associated organization’s colors, name or symbol. Marching bands are generally categorized by function, size, age, instrumentation, marching style, and type of show they perform. In addition to traditional parade performances, many marching bands also perform field shows at sporting events and marching band competitions.

We divide our band’s year into four parts, each with its own unique focus and activities.

First, we have the spring training & parade season. This is when we work on our extensive training program and parade routines. We usually begin in April and continue through mid-July, with time off during exam time. During this season, we attend 3-4 local parades, including the Webster Memorial Day Parade and the Webster Fireman’s Carnival Parade. Some weekend commitments are needed for parades.

Next, we have the summer season. During this time, we build our competitive program, which usually runs from late June to the last week of August with a week off in early August. We also have a Band Camp in August to take advantage of the summer time off to accelerate the students’ learning of the music and parts of their marching performance. There are no weekend commitments during the summer season.

Third, we have the fall competition season. During this time of year, we travel all over Western and Central New York competing against other school groups each week, generally on Saturdays. Each year, we also take one trip that is considered our “big” trip to a larger arena for competition. This trip is combined with educational and fun experiences for the students, such as a Broadway play and sightseeing. This season is from early September to early November. On show days, the commitment is for the full day. The pinnacle of the fall competition season is when we compete in the New York State Field Band Conference Championships at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse!

Finally, we have the Webster Percussion Theatre season. This is our indoor season, during the winter months from January through March. Similar to field band season, it is a competitive performance where we go up against other groups and compete to be the best, all while learning new music and new movements.

The cost of participation varies from year to year depending on the location and cost of the big trip.

The students and families are given many opportunities to fund raise in order to lower the out-of-pocket expenses.  Many students raise all the necessary funds in this manner.

The Webster School District and Webster Marching Band Boosters help promote and fund all the programs provided.