Marching Season

what to expect
from marching season

A marching band show is similar to a theatrical production in that it is creatively designed, includes props/sound effects/careful staging, and involves multiple kinds of movement and performance responsibilities. It is unlike a theatrical production in that it involves 150+ students of varying experience and takes place on a massive stage (which is different for each performance). Our marching season starts in late July with a Summer Band Camp designed to bond our students and teach them the music and choreography required for the year’s show. It culminates in a final performance at one of our area or UIL competitions. Expect long hours, late nights and more fun than you can imagine.

Learn more about what to expect below:

Football season starts right after school starts, which keeps us busy on Thursday or Friday nights, depending on the football schedule. If the football team does well, we follow them through the playoffs, which can last until December. Generally only leadership and volunteers go to far away games, not the entire Trojan Band and Guard. Learn more about the Football Season here.

Competition season starts in October, a month affectionately known in band circles as Band-tober. That’s our busiest month, with competitions wrapping up in early November. We try to perform in 5 or 4 a season, on top of Austin ISD’s Marching Band Jamboree a series of UIL competitions. Learn more about Competitions here.

We mainly use the BAND app for communication through the season. The Main Group is for directors to send out info to students and parents. Students are required to join and parents are highly encouraged to join. The Parent Group is for parents to ask questions and send information. You can access the groups on the app or on your computer. Parents will be sent a link to join the app through the directors in the spring or upon registration.

Sign up on BAND app
Get your physical before Summer Band Camp
Be active
Take frequent walks and runs
Drink at least one gallon of water daily
Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night
Eat healthy
Put the Summer Band Camp, game, and competition schedules on your calendar

Mark you calendars for this important day! It kicks off the marching season and makes sure our directors have all the information they need to take care of each band and guard member.

Freshman families for first half hour
Fill out and submit forms in advance
Ensure you’ve gotten your physical
Parents will learn about volunteer opportunities and make new friends

Mark you calendars for this important day – July 24^th! It kicks off the marching season and makes sure our directors have all the information they need to take care of each band and guard member. This is where our students learn the music and the show, bond as a team and learn to work together as performers. It’s required and an essential part of the band season.

Starts in late July
Special days in advance for leadership and freshman
Check calendar for daily schedule
Ensure you have gotten your AISD physical before camp begins

The Anderson Trojan Band/Guard abides by the AISD Temperature Guidelines. We monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) before and during all rehearsals for student safety. All Band Directors are CPR/First Aid/AED-certified.

We practice a lot and our rehearsals are long. It’s hot, the work is hard, and we push ourselves to our limits every day. In exchange, we get the pride and fulfillment of being part of something bigger than ourselves. There’s nothing quite like that feeling.

Check the Calendar for a full schedule of events this season

It takes months to teach all the skills needed to perform the show and put it together. If students are at rehearsal, they are learning an important and specific skill. The schedule you see is the minimal amount of time we need to give the students a chance to be successful competitively. Students who miss rehearsal force us to go back and reteach what they missed, wasting time for the group as a whole.

Attendance is mandatory at all camps, games, competitions, and events
Band Directors must be notified one week prior to an absence to be considered excused
Excused absences include illness, doctor’s visits, family emergencies, religious holidays or events, other UIL events, or once-in-a-lifetime events like weddings, funerals, and graduations
Limited excuses are given for club sports practices or games, or tests and tutoring
Unexcused absences include work, birthdays, family vacations, concerts or festivals
Please contact your band directly immediately if you have questions about an absence

Fair Share is the family’s contribution to our Trojan Band and Guard. We strive to keep it low and our band experience affordable.

Many clubs and organizations have a Fair Share to help maintain their programs
Students are required to pay Fair Share to participate in the band – please talk to a band director if you need financial assistance, payment programs are available
Our Fair Share is among the lowest in the region
Fair Share covers approximately 25% of our operating budget and helps pay for things like uniforms, bus rentals, music, props, and more.
Fair share can be paid via credit card or with a check
Payment plans are available

Every student who borrows an instrument from the school will pay an Instrument Use Fee to help defray the cost of purchasing and maintaining our equipment.

2026 season details

GAME DAY FAQ

COMPETITION DAY FAQ

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