Frequently Asked Questions about Band

When does Marching Band start?
Music Practices are typically held the first week after school lets outs in June. Then there is a break until Band Camp, which starts in late July. This year, due to the extended school year, things are a bit different. Check the calendar for the dates!

How often does the Marching Band or Color Guard practice?
Band Camp is two or three weeks of all-day practices (Monday thru Friday) held at the school during late July and/or early August. After band camp, the Marching Band and Color Guard usually practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Mondays are reserved for sectional practices and those that need extra help.

How often does the Marching Band perform?
The band performs at all home football games and performs at 9 or 10 competitions. Competition season begins the first week of September and continues until the end of October, sometimes into November. All competitions are held on Saturdays. You can count on every Saturday to be full with marching band activities

Where does the Marching Band perform?
The marching band competitions are mainly in the northern half of Indiana. Typical city areas include Kendallville, Elkhart, Indianapolis, Plymouth, and Fort Wayne. Sectional competition is usually at Homestead High School. Regional competition alternates yearly between Chesterton and Carmel or Lafayette Jefferson. Semi-state is held at Ben Davis in Indianapolis. State Finals are held in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Only ten bands in each class in the whole state are privileged to make it to Lucas Oil Stadium.

By what date do I need to decide that I want to be in Marching Band?
By the date that your class sign-up sheets are due.

Do I need to tryout for Marching Band?
No, you just need to sign-up for the proper classes

What classes do I sign-up for so that I can be in Marching Band?
Freshman brass and woodwind players who want to be in marching band should sign up for Intermediate Band. Percussionists sign up for Instrumental Ensemble first semester and then Intermediate Band second semester. If you are in Color Guard and also play a musical instrument, you would sign-up for Beginning Band. You should talk with Mr. K if you want to try out for Advanced Band and/or Jazz Band.

If I don't want to be in Marching Band can I still be in other types of Band?
Absolutely! While we encourage all band students to try Marching Band at least one year, it’s not for everyone. You would need to sign up for Beginning Band or try-out for the Jazz Band. Both the Intermediate and Advanced Bands concentrate solely on the marching band show during marching band season.

Can the School provide me with an instrument?
Yes. Be sure and let Mr. K know as soon as possible, as quantities and instruments are limited.

Can I still be in fall sports and Marching Band?
It’s challenging, but possible. You will need to talk to Mr. Karkosky.

How much does Marching Band or Color Guard cost?
The fee for Marching Band or Color Guard was $400 last year. The payment schedule typically is separated into 3 separate payments.

What is the "Charger Pride"?
That is the name of the marching band at Carroll High School. It includes all students who perform on the field. Therefore it includes the instrumentalists, the pit (non-marching percussion like timpani and marimbas, etc.), the battery (the marching percussion), the guard, and the drum majors.

I don't understand how the competitions/invitationals work!
In Indiana, ISSMA separates marching bands into 4 separate Classes, or groups, based on school size -- Class A for the largest schools, through Class D for the smallest schools. Carroll is in Class A, which means we compete against all of the largest high schools in the state of Indiana. When you go to an invitational, typically the smaller Class D bands will perform first, followed by Class C, B, and finally A. This means that the Charger Pride typically performs toward the end of the competition day.

As each band performs, they are being judged by multiple judges. Some judges are on the field walking/running alongside the band and some are in the press box at the top of the stadium. Each judge is judging a different area of performance, called "Captions". The Captions are: Music Performance, Visual Performance, Music General Effect, Visual General Effect, Color Guard, Percussion, and Drum Major. The music performance, visual performance, and general effect judges’ scores usually are the only scores compiled for the overall score for placing. Typically, the color guard, percussion, and drum major awards are judged, and scored, but are not part of the placing factor. A band could win best color guard, percussion, and drum major, and still be third or fourth; likewise, a band could win none of these and still win the contest – this happens often.

After each band has performed, at the end of the competition, the drum majors line up on the track in front of the field and the announcer reveals the winners. Typically each Caption has an award given, with placements announced last.

No matter what placement the Charger Pride gets, all of the kids and families gather back at the buses and semi trailer after the competition and congratulate each other on a great performance! Mr. K typically will review the performance, and give his thoughts on the day and upcoming events. MAKE SURE YOU JOIN IN ON THIS MEANINGFUL TIME!


Does the Marching Band go on any trips outside of marching season?
Yes. One large trip is scheduled every four years. This year (2011-2012) another large trip will be scheduled to the Disney World Resort over Spring Break. The band went to Disney World during Spring Break, 2008; and on a cruise to the Bahamas during Spring Break, 2004.

A small trip is scheduled every two years after a large trip. The next small trip should be the ’13 -’14 school year. The last small trip was going to Chicago for the weekend and attending the performance by Blue Man Group. Other trips have been to go see "Wicked" in Chicago, and the band travelled to Kentucky to perform at the Kentucky Derby Parade.

How can I raise money to pay for band fees and trips?
The easiest way to raise funds for your student’s fees is through our different fundraisers (concessions, brochure sales, etc.), and the Band Booster SCRIP program. You can start raising funds by buying SCRIP certificates to all those stores that you normally shop. Contact our scrip chairperson for more information.

Is there any way for the parents to get involved?
Yes! There are many opportunities for parents to get involved in the Marching Band program. Being a Band Booster is a great way to be involved in your student’s High School experience. The Boosters meet on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7 PM at the High School. We will need your help at the 4-H Fair in July and the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble contests in the winter. These are large money making projects that the Band Boosters hold each year. Plus, there are always opportunities for chaperones, pit crew, decorating lockers, etc. Come to any Band Booster meeting to find out more. Booster meetings are a great way to meet other band parents (we’re a fun group!) and really get in on the excitement surrounding the Carroll High School Bands.

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