Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Mecklenburg High School Bands program?
South Meck Bands is an award-winning music education and performance program. We are home to award-winning Musical Performance Adjudicated (MPA) competing Class Ensembles and an award-winning Marching Band. There are five groups within the Sabre Bands program:
Sabre Marching Band including Color Guard and a Pep Band (extracurricular activity)
Winterguard (extracurricular activity)
Symphonic Band (band class)
Wind Ensemble (audition-based band class)
Jazz Band (audition-based band class)
Our bands have been very successful in marching competitions and MPAs for many years. Recent MPAs have resulted in “Superior” scores, and the Marching Band has been awarded many first-place trophies in competition. Our ensembles also have the opportunity to perform at community gatherings, including retail store openings, CMS Board of Education events, and school concerts. Through these activities, students learn the team aspect of group musical performance, including practice requirements and the logistics of performance.
What are the benefits of being in band?
Not only is band a way for students to improve their musicianship, it’s also a welcoming place and an opportunity to become part of a smaller group within one of North Carolina’s largest high schools. The Sabre Regiment (Marching Band) students are particularly close-knit and support one another year-round. We consider ourselves a family and we all work hard to achieve the highest levels of success.
Being in band offers a wide range of benefits to students, including self-confidence, discipline, diligence, conflict resolution, teamwork, the intrinsic rewards of hard work, how to prioritize and balance tasks, and more.
Not only do the band students gain lifelong friendships, but parents and guardians also benefit from building strong friendships as we support our students. By volunteering with the band, we get to know each other, socialize, and gain access to resources and advice across grade levels to help navigate the high school environment.
How much does band cost?
The school system provides a miniscule fraction of the cost of running a high school band program, so we charge participation fees to cover expenses such as staff, music, instrument repair and replacement, transportation to competitions, and other items.
Marching Band: Marching band fees are $550 per student. Families with more than one marcher receive a 50% discount on band fees for each subsequent family member. For example, Student #1 $500, Student #2 $250, Student #3 $250, etc. The $500 fee must be paid before the first day of Band Camp in the summer and can be paid incrementally in the months prior to Band Camp. Financial aid is available for those who need financial assistance; please contact the Band Director or Band Boosters President for more information.
Winterguard: Winterguard is a fully self-supporting activity and fees cover staff instruction, competition registration, uniforms, mat/floor design, props and all other costs of fielding a Winterguard team. Fees are determined before the start of each season.
What are Marching Band fees used for?
CMS provides minimal financial support for schools’ band programs, so band programs must charge fees to cover the costs of running these programs. An informal survey of nearby high schools shows that competition band fees range from $500 to $650 per year.
Nearly half of our budget is invested in staff, primarily professional musicians and music educators who support SMHS's Director of Bands, in working with students on learning their music and color guard drill, writing the marching drill (i.e., the show choreography), arranging music, etc. Other expenses include the cost of licensing music, competition fees, uniforms, props, transportation, instrument purchase and repair, and incidental costs for events, awards, and administration (banking, software, etc.).
Although Marching Band fees are significantly higher than any other extracurricular activity at South Meck, we don’t want the cost to exclude anyone from participating, so we offer scholarships to students who need them. Please contact the Band Boosters President or Band Director if you would like information about financial aid.
What kinds of things does the band do?
Marching Band: The Sabre Marching Band (which includes student musicians and Color Guard members) performs at all home and possibly some away football games, both as a pep band in the stands during the game and during halftime. In addition, ensembles play at school-based pep rallies by invitation from school administration, and we travel to four to five regional competitions from late September to early November. Competitions are held on Saturdays and generally take the entire day.
Class bands: Band classes are held during the school day on an A/B-day schedule (every other school day for the entire year.) South Meck Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band perform at concerts throughout the year and at MPA-level competition in the Spring semester.
Our bands have also been invited to perform at community events, including the CMS School Board Induction Ceremony, at store grand openings, and other events.
What's the time commitment for students?
Marching Band (which includes student musicians and Color Guard members): Marching Band requires a significant time commitment from late July through early November, but the time is well worth the investment in terms of musicianship, fellowship, and community involvement (which is one criterion by which college admission decisions are made). Following is a typical calendar for the Sabre Regiment:
Band Camp: Two full weeks in late July and/or early August. (Dates are selected annually based on the first day of school.) This is mandatory for all Regiment members, so please plan students’ summer vacation and work schedule accordingly.
Weekly Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30-6:30pm from the end of Band Camp until the end of Marching season (usually the end of October).
Football Games: Many Friday evenings from approximately 5pm to 10pm from late August through mid-November.
Competitions: Saturdays from the last weekend of September through the first weekend of November. Competitions last the entire day; the full competition schedule (as well as call and release times) will be announced for each event, but students should not plan any other events for any Saturday where a competition is scheduled. Learn what you need to know about Marching Band competitions.
Independent Practice: Marching Band is equivalent to any other team activity; if any member is absent or not prepared for a show or competition, the entire team suffers. In Marching Band, every member is as important as the quarterback on a winning football team -- if someone is missing, the gap is immediately obvious. Students are expected to practice both their music and their show choreography on their own in order to be on their “A-game” for their fellow team members.
Class bands: Band classes are held during the school day on an A/B-day schedule (i.e., they meet every other day for the entire school year). Band members are also required to perform at several evening concerts during the school year and at MPA competitions. Students are also expected to practice independently so they know their music. Note that most Marching Band members are also in class bands.
What’s the time commitment for parents/guardians?
South Meck band parents and guardians play an essential role in the success of our band programs. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun doing it!
Every band family should plan to attend concerts, encourage at-home practice, and support our fundraising initiatives. We also need chaperones for MPA competitions.
Our extracurricular band families (Marching Band and Winterguard) have additional expectations for volunteering in support of the band. Volunteering is also a great opportunity to get to know other band families and see the progress our students are making during the marching season. Families are expected to volunteer for at least two events, but we encourage you to do more because it truly is fun!
Here are some of the ways you can help:
Band Camp: There are many opportunities to help, including: first aid, serving snacks, day captain, morning setup, afternoon break-down, setting up scaffolding and preparing the practice field before camp, and much more. A Signup Genius will be sent out prior to Band Camp outlining volunteer needs.
Football Games: Most of our families attend home football games to support the students. Some of the volunteer needs include: Chaperoning students, logistics and setting up for halftime performances, setting up pregame meals and cleaning up afterward, providing water and snacks during the game, selling 50/50 raffle tickets, and more. A Signup Genius will be sent out for each football game outlining volunteer needs.
Competitions: It’s typical for families to attend Marching Band competitions during our students’ performance times (if not for the full day of competition). We also have many volunteer needs on our competition days. These include: Chaperoning, driving trucks and towing trailers, setting up the pit, unloading equipment upon the band’s return to school, and more. A Signup Genius will be sent out for each competition outlining volunteer needs.
Donations: Our band members consume a lot of bottled water and healthy snacks during Band Camp and the marching season, and we encourage families to donate these items to support our students.
Fundraising: Marching Band members are each expected to participate in fundraisers to support the organization. Fundraising opportunities include volunteering at events like Matthews Alive and the Wells Fargo Golf Tournament, securing business sponsorships, selling 50/50 raffle tickets, and more.
Who is in charge of band?
SMHS Director of Bands: Crystal Bullis
Band Boosters: The Band Boosters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides physical and financial assistance as well as leadership to the band program. Every parent and guardian with a child in a South Meck ensemble is automatically a member of the Band Boosters. The Band Boosters is led by a Board of Directors comprised of parents and guardians, and your participation is welcomed. Please see the Contact Us page for a list of current Band Boosters Board members.
What kind of fundraising does the band do?
CMS provides minimal financial assistance with Band programs. Your financial support allows us to continue providing high-quality experiences for students. Some of the fundraisers we participate in annually include:
Event-based fundraising: Matthews Alive, Wells Fargo Golf Tournament, 50/50 raffle at football games, etc.
Other: Fruit sale, business sponsorships, Harris Teeter and Amazon affiliate donations, restaurant affinity nights, etc.
How many people are in South Meck’s band program?
We usually have between 60 and 70 students in Marching Band and and between 75 and 100 students in our class ensembles (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band). We are actively working to grow our bands, so please encourage eligible students to join!
How can I find out what's happening?
South Meck Bands are very busy with a variety of fun and educational activities year-found! We offer a number of channels for families to keep up to date with what’s happening:
SMHS Bands website: www.southmeckbands.com
Google calendar: Please bookmark or sync to your personal calendar https://sites.google.com/view/southmeckband/calendar?authuser=0
Remind: We use Remind to communicate via text. To join your Remind group(s), text the appropriate code(s) to 81010 (or find the class code in the Remind app)
South Meck Marching Band: @smhssr
GroupMe: Student Section Leaders will add Marching Band students to the appropriate group(s)
Emails: Sent periodically from the band’s address
Facebook: The Official South Meck Bands Facebook page is a closed, yet active group for Band friends and family to share pictures and information; please request to join
Instagram: @southmeckbands