Directed by Andrew Williams

The NCHS Mighty Panther Marching Band is comprised of students from the Wind Ensemble, Honors Band, and Symphonic Band, Color Guard and includes all grades 9-12.

The students are given three designations for the marching band:

Panther Pride – The Pride are the on-field performers for football games and competitions.

Panther Shadows – The shadows are the students who are working to challenge the students in the Pride for spots in the performing and competition group. These students "shadow" a perfromer to learn the position and timing of the show and to maintain reps with the marching techniques and perfromance expectations. The Shadows will attend home games and select away games, and perform with the Pride at all parades, pep rallies, and other events designated by the directors.

Alternates – the Alternates are students who need more development in their musical and marching skills before being eligible to be a member of the Shadows or Pride. Students who lose eligibility due to grades automatically become alternates. Alternates will not participate in football games or competitions, but they will attend all rehearsals so they can work to become performers.

Once a student has been accepted into the marching band, he/she must abide with the policies in this handbook, and must meet all eligibility requirements in order to qualify for marching positions. The marching band will perform at all football games, pep rallies, parades, and special events.

Marching Band Rehearsals

A band camp will take place the first week of June. This camp will give students a head start on learning the music we will perform in the stands and at half-time during the marching season.

Marching Band officially begins the week of August 1. These rehearsals are mandatory. Students who are absent for all or part of these required rehearsals will be placed on the alternate list until the directors deem a step up to Scouts or Pride is appropriate. These rehearsals involve all students who desire to be in the Mighty Panther Band.

Once school begins, rehearsals take place as follows:

7:00 -8:30 AM Monday through Friday – full band rehearsals

Color Guard and drum line schedule may be changed as needed. Your directors will inform you of those changes

All rehearsals and sectionals will be in compliance with the UIL 8 hour rule.

What to wear:

Comfortable clothing (White t-shirt as long as weather is warm)

Tennis shoes (students will not be allowed to march in sandals or flip flops)

Shorts (until school starts)

Sunglasses and caps (remove when you are indoors)

What to bring:

Instrument – ready to play

Woodwinds need 4 working reeds and reed caps –NO PLASTIC REEDS

Brass need valve oils and BERP attachments –NO PLASTIC MOUTHPIECE

Percussion bring all required sticks and mallets

All Materials - Drill book, Pencil, Sharpie, Big jug of water