FAQs about the band program...
Each year students and parents have questions about our program and all that it entails. Here are some of the more common inquiries that have come our way. Parents and/or students should still feel free to contact the band department with any concerns.
(Q) Are students required to take part in the marching band activity if they are signed up for band class at WP?
(A) Yes. At WP, the activity is part of the band curriculum and is required.
(Q) Are students who want to be involved in the marching band required to be signed up for band class at WP?
(A) Yes. The marching band is reserved for band class participants only, with the notable exception of Color Guard.
(Q) How does Color Guard work? Is it a fall sport? Is it part of the band class? Is it independent from band class?
(A) Yes, yes, and yes. The guard is essentially open to anyone. Some students are band members during the rest of the school year but choose to be in guard during the fall. Other students are not involved in the band class but choose to participate in guard. All students involved in guard receive a varsity letter after two years of successfull participation in the activity.
(Q) Can a marching band member successfully participate in a fall sport as well?
(A) Yes. Students in our program have also been able to participate in other co-curricular activities during marching season. Obviously these students are rather busy members of our school community and should consider this prior to making such a commitment. In 2013, 25% of our band members were also involved in a school sponsored fall athletic activity such as soccer, field hockey, cross-country, girls tennis, volleyball, and cheerleading.
(Q) Can a WP football player sign up for band class?
(A) Obviously, a football player would have a direct conflict with the marching band schedule. Because of this conflict, football players (9-12 grade) who sign up for band class are excused from the marching band requirement but still participate everyday in our curricular offering.
(Q) Is band camp mandatory for all members?
(A) It is strongly recommended that every band and guard member is at all of band camp. The majority of our "show" and all of the basics are learned at this point. To insure that a student earns a spot on the field at some point during the season it is imperative to be in attendance. Members who have missed the camp week in the past (for any reason) have found it extremely difficult to catch up and usually are unable to perform until very late in the season if at all.
(Q) Are there opportunities over the summer for incoming students to brush up their skills prior to high school?
(A) Yes! One option is the Mt. Tabor Summer Band program, a summer session where students improve their musicianship and technical ability. Some students have even used this program to pick up a new instrument prior to the fall. Another option is the list of private lesson teachers that can be obtained by contacting the band directors.
(Q) Are any instruments provided by the music department?
(A) Yes. Many instruments, particularly marching instruments, can be obtained via the band office. Smaller, or more common instruments, such as flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, and trombones are generally not provided by the school though there are some which have been made available in certain cases. Marching percussion, baritones, mellophones, and sousaphones are provided by the band department. These instruments are usually obtained in June for student use over the summer. Please call or email the band directors via the contact tab above to make arrangements.
(Q) Does WP have a jazz program?
(A) Yes. After the marching season comes to a close, auditions are held for WP's Jazz Experience I and II. Look for information in November.
(Q) Who is eligible for a WP Music Boosters Scholarship and what is the criteria?
(A) Each year the Whippany Park Music Boosters (WPMB) award a scholarship to 3-4 college-bound seniors who have contributed time and talent to the instrumental music program at Whippany Park. Scholarships are awarded based on a point system. The student accumulates points for each year that his/her family has paid annual dues to the WPMB over the course of his/her four years in high school. The largest number of points (maximum of 40) are earned for participation in marching band or color guard. Points are also earned for holding a leadership position within the group: Drum Major, Section Captain and Section Leader or Co-Section Leader. Additional points are earned for participation in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Area Band, Region Band and/or All-State Band. The scholarship application is available online at the appropriate time each year or it can be obtained from the guidance office during the same time period.
(Q) Are students required to take part in the marching band activity if they are signed up for band class at WP?
(A) Yes. At WP, the activity is part of the band curriculum and is required.
(Q) Are students who want to be involved in the marching band required to be signed up for band class at WP?
(A) Yes. The marching band is reserved for band class participants only, with the notable exception of Color Guard.
(Q) How does Color Guard work? Is it a fall sport? Is it part of the band class? Is it independent from band class?
(A) Yes, yes, and yes. The guard is essentially open to anyone. Some students are band members during the rest of the school year but choose to be in guard during the fall. Other students are not involved in the band class but choose to participate in guard. All students involved in guard receive a varsity letter after two years of successfull participation in the activity.
(Q) Can a marching band member successfully participate in a fall sport as well?
(A) Yes. Students in our program have also been able to participate in other co-curricular activities during marching season. Obviously these students are rather busy members of our school community and should consider this prior to making such a commitment. In 2013, 25% of our band members were also involved in a school sponsored fall athletic activity such as soccer, field hockey, cross-country, girls tennis, volleyball, and cheerleading.
(Q) Can a WP football player sign up for band class?
(A) Obviously, a football player would have a direct conflict with the marching band schedule. Because of this conflict, football players (9-12 grade) who sign up for band class are excused from the marching band requirement but still participate everyday in our curricular offering.
(Q) Is band camp mandatory for all members?
(A) It is strongly recommended that every band and guard member is at all of band camp. The majority of our "show" and all of the basics are learned at this point. To insure that a student earns a spot on the field at some point during the season it is imperative to be in attendance. Members who have missed the camp week in the past (for any reason) have found it extremely difficult to catch up and usually are unable to perform until very late in the season if at all.
(Q) Are there opportunities over the summer for incoming students to brush up their skills prior to high school?
(A) Yes! One option is the Mt. Tabor Summer Band program, a summer session where students improve their musicianship and technical ability. Some students have even used this program to pick up a new instrument prior to the fall. Another option is the list of private lesson teachers that can be obtained by contacting the band directors.
(Q) Are any instruments provided by the music department?
(A) Yes. Many instruments, particularly marching instruments, can be obtained via the band office. Smaller, or more common instruments, such as flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, and trombones are generally not provided by the school though there are some which have been made available in certain cases. Marching percussion, baritones, mellophones, and sousaphones are provided by the band department. These instruments are usually obtained in June for student use over the summer. Please call or email the band directors via the contact tab above to make arrangements.
(Q) Does WP have a jazz program?
(A) Yes. After the marching season comes to a close, auditions are held for WP's Jazz Experience I and II. Look for information in November.
(Q) Who is eligible for a WP Music Boosters Scholarship and what is the criteria?
(A) Each year the Whippany Park Music Boosters (WPMB) award a scholarship to 3-4 college-bound seniors who have contributed time and talent to the instrumental music program at Whippany Park. Scholarships are awarded based on a point system. The student accumulates points for each year that his/her family has paid annual dues to the WPMB over the course of his/her four years in high school. The largest number of points (maximum of 40) are earned for participation in marching band or color guard. Points are also earned for holding a leadership position within the group: Drum Major, Section Captain and Section Leader or Co-Section Leader. Additional points are earned for participation in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Area Band, Region Band and/or All-State Band. The scholarship application is available online at the appropriate time each year or it can be obtained from the guidance office during the same time period.