Being a member of the Oak Ridge Band will immediately give you 200 friends on the first day of high school. Our family atmosphere is one of the things that makes your transition to high school as easy as possible.

The information listed below will help you get a feel for the program. Please do not hesitate to call or email if you have any questions.

Members of the Oak Ridge Marching band will learn valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, dedication, and commitment, as well as develop a sense of pride and accomplishment through their hard work over the course of the semester. Students will also experience a high level of energy, intensity, and fun.

Every member of the Oak Ridge Band program is also a member of the marching band. Many of our students participate in other sports and activities while they are members of the marching band. Juggling this schedule is sometimes difficult, but can always be worked out. Communication between the band directors and coaches or activity sponsors must be established early in the school year to experience the best out of each activity that you are involved in. Oak Ridge Band members are also involved in the following sports and activities: choir, theatre, orchestra, football, baseball, softball, basketball, golf, volleyball, wrestling, tennis, soccer, swimming, ROTC, Leo Club, National Honors Society, Interact, FFA, and more.

The Marching Band consists of the following entities: Competitive Squad: Members of the marching band that perform and compete at all football games, contests, and exhibitions. This group can be considered the “Varsity” group.

Non Competitive Squad: Members of the marching band that perform at football games and exhibitions only. These band members still attend the contests with the Marching Band. At contests, they act as stage hands, helping move and set up equipment for the marching show. Students may earn placement in the Competitive Squad as their skills increase throughout the course of the semester. This group can be considered the “Jr. Varsity” group.

Battery Percussion: Members of the percussion section that march with drums on the field. Placement for the Battery will be determined at the percussion camp in May and the beginning of June.

Pit Percussion: Members of the percussion section that perform in the front percussion ensemble consisting of keyboards and auxiliary percussion equipment. Placement for the Pit will be determined at the percussion camp in May and the beginning of June.

Color Guard: Members of the Color Guard are the main visual entity in the Marching Band. This can be thought of as a dance team that works with flags, rifles, and sabres. Color Guard auditions are in May.

Students will be evaluated during Summer Band Rehearsals for placement in the marching show. Attendance at these rehearsals is required for students to earn a spot in the competitive marching show, but does not guarantee a spot. The evaluation will begin the first day of Summer Band rehearsals. Students will be evaluated on their ability to march, play their instrument, march and play at the same time, and how quickly they learn and improve upon the marching fundamentals. In a case of a tie, a musical audition will serve as a tie breaker. Every student will have a spot in the Oak Ridge Band. Students will not be turned away based on their ability.

Coordination with Football and Volleyball is difficult, but can be achieved by the student participating in their sport during the fall and not being an active member of the marching band. Students must still be enrolled in the marching band class where they will earn their fine arts credit for the semester, but they will not participate in the rehearsals after school. Football players will come to varsity football games and band contests with the band and play their instrument in the stands. During the half time performance, these students will work as “stage hands,” helping set up and break down equipment for the performance. Volleyball players will not be able to participate in the games with the band due to conflicts with the volleyball and varsity football schedule.

Marching Band Drill Design
Marching Music Arrangement
Summer Band Sectionals
Marching Technicians
Clinicians
Color Guard Instructor
Private Lessons
Senior Scholarships
Sound Equipment
Color Guard Assistant
Percussion Assistant
Much, much more...

Band Olympics
Each year, we host the Band Olympics. All money earned will go toward the overall cost of the Spring Trip.. You can not use the Band Olympics money for band dues due to the Conroe ISD’s student fundraiser policy.

Students compete in the Band Olympics with a team of their section members.  Each section will make up a country, a country flag, uniforms, and bring their ethnic food for the evening.  Students will solicit donations to help support their country as they compete for gold in the Band Olympics.

Pavilion Concession Stand
The Oak Ridge Band runs a concession stand at the Woodlands Pavilion during the Pavilion’s concert season. Parents work at the concession stand, serving food and beverages and collecting money from concert goers. If a parent works a total of 12 shifts they qualify for a full waiver of their band fees, 6 shifts for a half waiver of band fees. Alcoholic beverages are served at the Pavilion, so TABC certification must be completed prior to working at concerts. Certification can be earned by an online course, and registration fees are reimbursed by the Oak Ridge Band Booster Organization.

Kroger Cards
The Kroger Card program is a great way to earn free money. You purchase a Kroger Gift Card from the Oak Ridge Band Boosters for $1. Take the card (which comes with a $1 balance) to the courtesy booth at Kroger and load it for any amount up to $500. Shop at Kroger and pay for your groceries with your Kroger Gift Card and Kroger will donate 5% of your purchase to your Band Dues account. The great part is that you still get all of your money’s worth in groceries. The 5% is a donation from Kroger. Your earnings will show up on your monthly Band Booster statement.

Red, White, and Blue Duck Race
The Red, White, and Blue Duck Race is an annual fundraiser that the Oak Ridge Band Participates in.  You can find more specifics on the Duck Race by clicking here.  Half of the money raised by the individual will be credited to your band fees.  Orders can be made online, so this is a great way to get out of town relatives involved.

The family must provide a letter stating the financial need for scholarship
Students must attend all private lessons scheduled by the instructor
Students must fill out a practice record weekly
Students must remain eligible in all of their classes
Parents must participate in Band Booster Fundraisers
Band Dues must be current or arrangements made through the Band Boosters for late payments or scholarship

***Any unexcused lessons must be paid for by the student. Teachers must be notified 24 hours in advance of an absence for a lesson to be excused.

• 2007 Lone Star Preview Finalist
• 2007 1st place Color Guard at Lone Star Preview Marching Championship Prelims and Finals