Topic: Solo, Ensemble, Large Group Festivals

What is solo and ensemble? 

• This is a great opportunity for students to play for a judge. They can perform a solo, which in most cases, would be with a piano accompanist. On rare occasions, solos do not have accompaniment. Middle school students have the opportunity in March, and High School students have regionals in the first part of April. Then, if they receive a I rating, then they get another opportunity to perform at state.

Do I need to have original music for the music chosen for solo and ensemble?

• Yes, you must have an original for the soloist, the accompanist, and the judge. (Judge’s original must have each measure numbered.) Often, the school or private teachers might have an original that can be borrowed. The family will need to purchase one or two originals depending on availability from others. (The school always will welcome the donation of the second original if they don’t have it in their library as a way to help future students.)

What is an ensemble for solo and ensemble?

• This is an opportunity for students with like instruments or same instruments to perform trio, quartet, quintet, or choir. Duets are not allowed. (i.e. (using woodwind instruments as an example) clarinets can get together to do an ensemble, or you can have a flute, clarinet, oboe, French horn, and bassoon get together and do a woodwind quintet.). Ensembles are usually student led and directed.

What is Large Group?

• Large Group in middle school is the same school day as the solo and ensemble festival. They happen on opposite parts of the day (i.e. large group happens in the morning and solo/ensembles are in the afternoon). Large group in High school happens separately from solo and ensemble. This is an opportunity for the full bands to go and be judged, usually by three different judges.

Does my student have to have an accompanist?

• If your student is a wind player performing a solo, there is more than likely a piano accompanist. Rarely do percussion solos have accompaniment.

Do we have to provide our own accompanist?

• If you know someone who is able, then the students will need to let the director know they have their accompanist covered. If they do not, then the directors will try to find someone to accompany the student. The cost to pay for the accompanist will be the family’s expense. The payment will either be requested to be sent to school, or you will pay the accompanist directly depending on school and instructions given by directors. You could also use your student’s account as well.

Are parents allowed to go to solo and ensemble or Large Group? 

• Yes, parents are allowed to go. High School Large Group is typically on a weekday. Middle School Large Group and solo/ensemble is usually during a week day. High School regional and state solo and ensemble are usually during a Saturday in April.

Topic: Honor Band

What is John Philip Sousa (JPS) Honor Band?

• JPS is a mid-level honor band for junior high and middle school students across the state of Kansas. This Honor Band is sanctioned by both KSHSAA and KMEA. It was created as an opportunity for early musicians to experience what it’s like to be a part of a group of musicians who excel at their instruments. Information will be shared by our Band Directors each year. Typically, audition music is usually made available in May, auditions due in October, the student selections are announced in November and the two day event is held in January. Historically, the JPS Honor Band is held at the Lied Center at the University of Kansas. During the January event, rehearsals are typically Friday night and all day Saturday. The event concludes with a performance concert that Saturday. This opportunity is available to 6-9th graders.

What is District Band?

• District Band is an opportunity for 9-12th grade to audition for this honor band. Students are selected based on live auditions. If selected for the District Band, then you will have the opportunity to audition for State Band.

What is State Band?

• State Band is an opportunity for 9-12th graders who were selected for district, and then auditioned for state band and made it. They will perform during the Kansas Music Educators Conference at the end of February. Students who were selected will be asked to select which group they would like to be apart of if selected: Full Orchestra or Band.

Topic: Marching Band

What is a marching competition?

• This is an opportunity for the marching band as a whole to go and perform for judges and receive ratings or rankings depending on the competition. There are often categories that you can also win (i.e: Best Drum Line, Best Color Guard, Best Drum Majors). Parents are welcome to travel with the band as chaperones, or can travel in their own vehicle and watch the performances at the different competitions.

Why are marching shoes and a jacket an additional cost?

• The marching shoes and jacket are personalized and belong to you. These expenses are not needed every year unless your student outgrows them. We will not ask for these back at the end of their time in band.

We were asked to donate water for the marching season. Is this not included in the band fees?

• We ask that each family make a donation of a case of water. We do our best to keep our band fees to a minimum, and these donations help us make that possible. The students receive a drink at every football game and after every competition.

Topic: Band Concerts

How do you letter in band in high school?

• Lettering in band is based on a point system. The directors provide the information required to letter usually in the syllabus that is provided in December when concert season begins.

Topic: General Booster Questions

Is there an e-mail for questions or support from the Maize Eagle Bands Booster?

• maizeeaglebands@gmail.com.

• In addition to that, our Maize Eagle Band Directors (Ms. Goss and Mr. Siler) maintain an e-mail distribution list based on band program enrollment in the Maize USD 266 Skyward profile for your students. 

What are band fees used for?

• Band fees help with transportation, marching contest meals, uniform maintenance, uniform cleaning, Sparky and Cricket maintenance (our golf carts), sound system needs, prop needs for marching show, clinician fees, and other needs that appear throughout the season.

Do I have to pay band fees if my student doesn’t do marching band?

• Yes, there is a fee for concert band only students. This helps cover expenses that arise during the concert season.

If my student is in band the entire year, do I have to pay concert band fees too?

• If you are in the entire year, the band fees are collected during marching band camp.

Why am I asked to volunteer when this is a class?

• Band is is a co-curricular class. It takes time during the school day and outside of class time as well. There are many moving parts and many hands are needed to make this band successful. Volunteer opportunities include water and snacks for our band students, hanging our senior banners at football games, selling items at our merch table, chaperoning on the busses (free ride to competitions!), helping with uniforms, and loading and unloading equipment, props crew, audio crew, fundraiser coordinators, band banquets, and the list goes on.

Do I have to fundraise?

• No, you are not required to fundraise for band fees or trip fees.. You are welcome to pay for the items out of pocket. We just want to make sure that there are opportunities for those who would like them. Even if you don’t fundraise, we ask that you still share that our band is fundraising where applicable (like Spirit Nights at a local restaurant).

How do fundraisers work?

• As a 501c3 Non-Profit, we want our fundraisers to serve the entire band program. It takes all our band students to make this happen. Our monthly booster board meetings are the perfect opportunity to get involved and learn more. 

What are student accounts?

• These are individual fundraising accounts for each band student. During Spring of 2024, our booster club became a 501c3 Non-Profit organization. To comply with IRS rules, our booster club phased out our student accounts. We do offer volunteer fundraising opportunities where Booster Credits in Booster Hub could be applied to your student's band expenses. Information about these opportunities will be shared with our boosters when available.  

When are band booster meetings?

• They are the first Monday of every month at 7:00pm in the band room. We post these dates on our website calendar. Watch our social media and email communications for date changes/reminders.

Who can attend the band booster meetings?

• If you are a band parent, then you are welcome to attend. The band boosters support our Maize Eagle Band program from 5-12th grade.

Where can I find the Band Calendar?

• You can launch the Calendar from the menu bar at the top of this web page. This Calendar is updated throughout the year as our band directors distribute schedule information. At the bottom of the Calendar page of this website, there are instructions for linking our band Calendar to your personal calendar.

What is my student expected to wear for concerts?

• The specific information on concert attire is included in the handbook and will also be discussed in the classroom. Intermediate school, middle school, and high school levels are all asked to wear a specific attire for concerts. As students this age are always growing, please make sure that these items fit prior to a concert.

Topic: Private Lessons

Why should I have my student take private lessons?

• These lessons are an opportunity for students to get one-on-one help and coaching with their instrument. This can be a great tool if the student is new or needs help outside the classroom. It is also a way for your student to find more opportunities to learn how to master their instrument.

How do I find a private lesson teacher for my student?

• Contact our Band Directors for a private lesson referral.

Do you have any suggestions or updates to our FAQ page? Please share with us! maizeeaglebands@gmail.com