Upcoming Events

Quick Links

  • Master Band Schedule Every band event including practices, performances, and fundraising activities.
  • SportsYou Download this app to your phone and/or computer to communicate with everyone in the band and to receive current event information.
  • Volunteer Sign up Help out the band by giving your time to upcoming events.

Welcome to the Band!

We are very excited that your family has chosen to participate in one of the most successful comprehensive band programs in Colorado. This will be a unique and rewarding experience for both students and families.

As with any great program, there’s a lot of preparation, support, and commitment required to make it work. This handbook has been designed to help answer questions. If you’re unable to find the answer to a question, please contact the Band Booster Board, Parent Squad, or a Director.

Band Program Philosophy
Our student-composed Mission Statement is, “Pride in Tradition, Excellence Through Dedication.” This guides our program and is always on our minds when making decisions.

Band is a year-long course of study. Standards will be addressed through repertoire, performances, and skills assessments during the full academic year.

The Top 10 For Students

  1. ALWAYS be on time, which really means 10-15 minutes early.
  2. When in doubt, stop talking. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn if you listen.
  3. Show respect to everyone! Peers, student leaders, staff, parents, bus drivers, directors, etc…
  4. Don’t expect to know everything on the first day (or ever). Everyone has something to learn.
  5. Have a positive attitude, even when it’s tough.
  6. Always have all your materials close enough that you can get them quickly.
  7. Keep up on your schoolwork. Take every opportunity to do your homework. On the bus, extra time in class, at appointments — do whatever it takes. Be as productive as possible.
  8. Be comfortable with being called out. It’s how we improve, and the intent isn’t negative.
  9. Trust the staff and directors. They want you to succeed and know how to help you get there.
  10. You may want to give up sometimes. DON’T!

The Top 6 For Parents/Guardians

  1. Your student is more capable than you realize.
    Even if you have all the time in the world, you will start to feel like a personal servant if you don’t ask your kids to take some responsibility for their own stuff. Your student can fill a water jug and prep their ‘gear’. If you are so inclined, help them create checklists and schedules.
  2. Get out of the car and come join us.
    Adults can enter the rehearsal spaces without ill effect, just be respectful of the teaching happening! Frequently, parents are working on projects or hanging out. It is a great time to make introductions. (Look for parents in bandwear, they can point you in the right direction.) Park the car and come to the field. The last 15-20 minutes of practice will typically be a run-through of what the students have learned so far. Thursday night is the traditional night to view. Watching the evolution of the season and the students is really inspiring. Join the welcoming crowd to see what all the excitement is about! We all love the encouragement from an enthusiastic audience!
  3. Directors are people, too.
    People who care deeply for the success of the program. They work long hours, and their main focus is your kids. If you have a specific concern about your child and the band program, set up a time to discuss it. If you need general information, try a fellow parent first (each section has a designated parent contact). Encourage students to ask the Leadership Team (LT) first.
  4. We can’t do it without you! Volunteer and come to the booster meetings.
    You will be asked to commit time, energy, donations, and band fees to the band program. The LHS Bands must have parent volunteers for the programs to run smoothly, and it is the best way to get to know others. Plan to attend as many events as possible to get updates from the Boosters and Directors. About volunteering … no experience is necessary, and doing so helps keep YOUR band fees down. Sometimes the parents have more fun than the kids!
  5. Join CutTime, the SportsYOU App, and READ YOUR EMAIL.
    This could be said 1,000 times and still not be said enough. Check your email often, especially on Monday mornings. Sign your student up too, and share calendars. Be organized.
  6. Yes, it’s worth it!
    All of the rides, lessons, time, and effort that you put into it will be worth it. You may not be able to appreciate that in the beginning. Your student may get discouraged at first. There is a lot of repetition, cold/hot days, and sometimes disappointment. Then the show starts to come together, and everything changes. There is a new energy, a new excitement. Most of the kids LOVE band after the first year, so get them to honor their commitment. It will be worth it, for you and them!

On another note: Band requires dedication/discipline, which is a good thing! The job of the staff is to help your student excel. When mistakes are made, especially due to inattention or lack of effort, there are consequences. Relax and allow the process to work, we will never ask the student to do something inappropriate. Encourage your student to do their best, listen, and work hard. Everyone wants your child to be successful.

Continue reading from the LHS Band Handbook