Band Information

JULY 20, 2022

Band Camp 101: Anderson Trojan Band and Guard

July 25- Aug. 11, 8 am – 4 pm,  weekdays

What is band camp? Band camp is when band and guard members practice for the upcoming marching season. They also learn stand tunes that are played during football games. This year’s show is called Rise

What do students need to do before the start of band camp? First, get a physical. We need students to be healthy coming into this–and it’s a UIL requirement for participation. Get info in the Parent page of our website. Drink lots of water and get moving outside to become accustomed to the weather. 

What will happen on Registration Day? On Sunday, July 24, 4-5:30 pm in the cafeteria, you’ll fill out forms, pay for fair share and instrument fees to Anderson Band, pay for game day meals and merchandise to ABBA (the parent booster group), find out how to volunteer, and meet other parents who can help answer any questions you have. We’ll get you started off right and with all the information you need to help your student be successful. If paying by  check, bring more than 1 check – fair share and instrument rentals fees go to Anderson Band (the school’s account), and merchandise and game day meals will be made out to ABBA. 

It’s my student’s first year in band. What do we need to do on the first day? Eat a good breakfast, bring lots of water, a lunch and some snacks, and bring or get dinner if the section is going to flamingo neighborhoods in the evening. 

Band camp starts in the student parking lot off Steck/Mesa. Look for our band trailer. Students must be ready to go at 8 am, so you need to drop them off about 10 minutes beforehand to set up. If they need to get instruments from the band hall (percussion and bigger brass instruments), go to the band hall first to get the instrument, and then go to the parking lot. 

During camp, they will play games, practice with their section, start learning the marching show, learn football stand tunes, etc. They’ve got a full schedule every day, so missing 1 or 2 days at band camp puts students behind on learning. 

What do they wear to band camp? Wear clothing to stay cool. That means the following:

  • athletic shorts
  • white shirts/tank tops
  • athletic running/walking shoes with good socks
  • sunscreen
  • a hat
  • sunglasses 

Other items they must have every day is their water jug and a smartphone (fully charged) to learn the drill. 

What can students do at lunch? Most students bring their lunch and eat inside and outside around the band hall area. Others go home if they live nearby. 

Many of them walk to Hillcrest Baptist Church right behind Anderson off Steck. Hillcrest Church loves Anderson band! They open their gym so students can have a place to eat their lunch and cool off. Volunteers there will refill students’ water jugs with ice and water. On Wednesdays, they offer pizza and snacks for $1 each (cash only). 

What time does band camp end? It ends at 5 pm if your child is not flamingo-ing that evening. Pick-up location is at the band hall off of Cima Serena (the parking lot is one way, so make sure to enter only up by Cima Serena & Mesa–do not enter the parking lot at the end with the portables).

Flamingo 101: Anderson Trojan Band and Guard

What’s Flamingo? Flamingo is the name of our largest fundraiser. It was started in the late 1990s as both a team-building activity as well as a way to pick up some extra donations, and it has grown ever since. Students placed flamingos in people’s yards and asked for donations to “get rid of them.” Those first few years, students raised only a few thousand dollars. In 2021, students raised more than $65,000! Our online Flamingo page has links to all the sections and their goals.

What’s our Flamingo goal this year? Our goal this year is $70,000. Ms. Lee is trying to keep our fair share as low as possible, but as we all know, prices have risen dramatically in the past 2 years. We need to raise more money than ever to maintain a top-notch band program. Each section has a goal to reach. If each student raises $400, we will meet our goal. 

What do students do at Flamingo? Right after band camp ends at 4 pm, students either bring their dinner to eat, have dinner dropped off at the band hall or go out to eat dinner. Then they all reconvene at the band hall around 5 pm and go out in groups. Each section goes into the community to request donations. They plant flamingos, serenade homeowners, laugh, talk about the show, etc. It’s done entirely by the students during the evenings of band camp. 

Do students have to participate in Flamingo? They’re highly encouraged to participate. Each student is a valuable member of their section. This is not only a fundraising event–just as importantly, it’s also a time for students in the section to have fun and bond with each other. Sections go out only twice a week. Check with the Flamingo flock leader if your child has to miss it. 

What time does Flamingo end? On days that sections go out, they return to the band hall by 9 pm. Students who are not flock leaders are free to head home at that time. The flock leaders stay back to count money and give it to the ABBA parent coordinators. 

Can my child Flamingo on the weekends? Only virtually! Weekends are for concentrating on online efforts. We ask the students to email, share via social media, call or talk to friends, family, neighbors, etc. about Flamingo. Students should never take money home overnight from flamingo-ing, so the only in-person days are Mondays-Thursdays. 

What can parents do to help?

  • Drive the students! Parents pick up the students at the band hall, drop them off at one location, take them to the next location (usually just a few blocks away), repeat and then drop them off at the band hall by 9 pm. It’s very simple and you get to know these fantastic kids. And since this is a student-led fundraising event, we ask parents to have a lot of flexibility and patience. Let your student know if you’re willing to drive. The flock leaders usually ask students if they plan to help flamingo that week but many don’t know the headcount until the day itself. Then the leaders ask around for drivers. You may be asked to drive the day before or even at 5:50 pm on the day of Flamingo. 
  • If you drive a section or if students come by your house, they will love you forever if you treat them to a snack or something cold. Drivers have provided cold water bottles or Gatorade so students can replenish as they go. Homeowners sometimes hand out drinks or ice cream. It’s optional but the kids are very grateful.

How can we help get more donations?

  • Talk/text/email your friends and neighbors about donating! Post on social media about the fundraiser. Ask your neighbors if they would donate if students came to their house. Last year, a band parent got addresses of their friends and neighbors who would donate if a section came by. The students were so happy to knock on the doors of a few people whom they knew would donate rather than knocking on many doors of people who ignored them. 
  • Ask family for donations! Email aunts, uncles, cousins. Have your child call grandparents who would be so happy to hear from the grandkids that they’ll give generously.
  • Do you have a business? Your business donation can qualify as a sponsorship!  Contact Laura at vp@andersontrojanband.com if you want to know more.
  • Make your donation double! Does your workplace have a matching program? Please use it! We’ve had families donate through company portals or turn in receipts to their corporate matching program. One band family pooled money from their friends and family to give Anderson one check. The parent then sent in the receipt to their company’s gift-matching program, and in turn, Anderson Band received a matching donation.

Remember, all donations during Flamingo are tax-deductible!

MAY 29, 2022

We have a printable Presentation that has a lot of information about band camp and the upcoming season.

We also have an FAQ about Hawaii.

Need information on the physicals? Get the Austin ISD form and locations of clinics here.

Looking for information about the band program? Here’s a brief overview for the 2022-23 school year. If you still have questions, please e-mail the parent booster president, Thanh Tran. No question is unimportant!

How to Stay Updated with Anderson Band and Guard

Weekly Trojan Band Blast. Beginning May 1, 2022, the Band Blast will be sent out from CHARMS. Once your student is registered to Anderson Charms you’ll receive weekly emails. All weekly emails are posted on the main Band group (see below).

Download the BAND app or visit band.us in a browser window. There are 2 groups for parents to join: the Anderson Trojan Band (Main) group and the Trojan Band Parents group. Parents are highly encouraged to join both groups to stay on top of information. You can also log in via your desktop at https://band.us/band.us.

–To join the main Band group: https://band.us/n/a0a4761380Udg. Students will be required to join the Main group.

–To join the Parent group: https://band.us/n/a2a578daT9ecZ  

Follow us on social media! We have a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ahstrojanband) and Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/ahstrojanbandboosters/) We post lots of pictures on both pages.

Summer Band Camp/Marching Band

What does my student need to do on May 27 and 28? The MANDATORY summer kick-off camp is May 27 at 5-9 pm and May 28 at 9 am – 1 pm. 

It’s a chance for all incoming 9th-12th graders to meet other students in their sections, learn basic marching positions, and work on their music. There will also be a lot of fun times in between. 

They should eat something beforehand, be dressed to be outside, wear athletic shoes, bring their instrument (unless provided by the school), and bring a water bottle. Blue water jugs will be given out in July. 

UPDATED There will be a parent information session at 8 pm in the Anderson Theater on May 27 . We will go more in depth about band camp and marching season at that meeting.

Does everyone have to be in marching band? YES, it is THE time for learning all marching fundamentals, and the band begins to learn halftime drills, football game stand music, and the marching contest show and music. Marching spots on the field are maintained by knowing your music and drill.

Every student who signed up for band must attend the following:

UPDATED Summer Kickoff Camp on May 27 at 5-9 pm, and 28 at 9 am – 1 pm

–Band camp on July 25 to Aug. 12, from 8 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday

What if I have a conflict/soccer game/grandma visit/SAT test? Band is a TEAM ACTIVITY. Participation during rehearsals AND contests and concerts is vital to the success of the band. If you miss a practice or performance, there is a hole in the group. 

We know that band students are involved in a variety of activities (both in and out of school) and some conflicts will arise. The best thing to do is to TALK to the DIRECTOR AS SOON AS YOU ARE AWARE OF A CONFLICT or potential conflict. The directors can help students solve conflicts if given enough time to do so. Sometimes a compromise can be made, but understand that missing even 1 day of camp will put you behind on learning the show.

What else do I need to do before band camp starts in July? All band and guard students must complete a physical. It must be dated after April 15, 2022. If your student needs to get a physical, they can either get one from their doctor or at clinics. For the AISD form and clinic locations, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jSweAaSYMDiFu6lovR1GWbj1bjC3EFLd2tzzDQdngio/edit?usp=sharing

Fair Share

What is fair share? Fair Share are the ‘band fees’ required for all band students enrolled in concert band, marching band and dance guard. Fair share for your child this year covers but is not limited to: uniform fees, show shirt, competition meals, dance guard and band costuming, charter bus and school bus expenses for competitions, football game snacks and bottled waters, registration fees, marching show licensing . . . it’s a long list.

Why do I have to pay fair share? I never paid it when I was in high school band. The amount of funding we receive from the district gets smaller and smaller each year. The district provides only about 25 percent of what we need to maintain a top-notch band program. We must fundraise the rest of it. 

The students want to belong to a top tier marching program and that requires music arrangers, props designers, visual designers, master class instructors, etc. 

Anderson is in a very competitive district for many activities – sports, speech & debate, robotics – they all require time commitment and funds. Band is the largest student group so we must have a fair share to maintain our high level of excellence. However, please note that it is the policy of our band program to never deny participation if finances are an issue. Please speak to Ms. Lee if payment is ever a problem! Anderson’s band staff works diligently to keep this cost low, while providing a very fine musical experience (with quite a bit of variety) for our students.

Marching Season

What is our marching show? Our 2022 marching show is called Rise. The students will work on it during band camp and throughout the fall semester. They perform it at halftime, and each week they add more music and elements to the show. They will also participate in several marching competitions. 

Our marching show this year is called Rise. It takes inspiration from the poem, Afternoon on a Hill by Edna St. Vincent Millay. You can watch last year’s show, Bach in Gear, here

What are the dates for football games and competitions? We have preliminary dates, times and locations for the football games. This is not the final schedule. We will confirm all of this information when it gets closer to the start of school, so some of the schedule might change. 

Games (after school to about 11 pm)

Aug. 25 McCallum, House Park

Sept. 1 Rouse, House Park

Sept. 8 Austin, House Park

Sept. 16 Bowie, House Park

Sept. 23 Johnson Buda, Shelton Stadium

Sept. 30 Akins, House Park

Oct. 7 Westlake, Westlake Stadium

Oct. 14 Lake Travis, House Park

Oct. 20 Del Valle, Del Valle Stadium

Nov. 4 Dripping Springs, House Park

Competitions (will be out all day)

Sept. 24 Bands of America (BOA) Austin

Oct. 1 Vista Ridge Marching Festival

TBA UIL Region

TBA UIL Area (if we qualify)

TBA UIL State (if we qualify)

Nov. 4-5 BOA San Antonio

Hawaii Information

What’s this trip to Hawaii I keep hearing about? The Trojan band loves to take trips! We’ve gone to New York, London, and Dallas in recent years. 

Next year we will head to Hawaii from March 9-14, 2023. This is an optional trip. The students will tour Honolulu, attend a luau, hike Diamond Head, go snorkeling/surfing, visit Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona, and perform on the pier of the USS Missouri. More information is here.

Contact Information

Here’s a short version that new band families can read (or download & print).