Please come back to page often, as we will update periodically.
- How do I find information about the band?
- What is the Marching Band schedule?
- My child is in a band class. Does s/he have to be in the Marching Band?
- Can my child do band and sports at the same time?
- How much does band cost?
- How can I submit fees?
- Are there fundraising opportunities?
- Can I volunteer to help?
- What is expected from band parents?
- Who do I contact if I have any questions or want to volunteer?
- How much time outside of the school day will my child be expected to participate?
- What is band camp and how does my child come prepared?
- What is DMI?
- Do we have to travel?
- What are SNBS, BOA, and WBA and how do band competitions work?
How do I find information about the band?
- Read the weekly BPO update emails
- Sign up for the Band App
- Visit the DRHS Band website: PAC / DRHS Band (washoeschools.net)
- Visit the BPO website: drhsband.org
- View the BPO & band calendar: drhsband.org/calendar
- After you register your student for band, you will be emailed a link to sign into CutTime (an online data management program we use to communicate). Information on how to log into CutTime: https://cuttime.net/signin.cfm
- Regularly updated financial and volunteer information can be found in CutTime and the parent portal of the BPO website.
- Attend monthly BPO and parent meetings.
What is the Marching Band schedule?
Marching band season starts at the end of summer and finishes mid-November. Rehearsals are 5:00-8:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with many Saturday commitments. Performances and competitions take place on weekends beginning in October. Check the band website calendar for updates.
My child is in a band class. Does s/he have to be in the Marching Band?
Yes. All students enrolled in a band class: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, or Percussion Techniques are also a part of the marching band.
Can my child do band and sports at the same time?
Most of the time, yes. If there are time conflicts, please let the band director know to help work out a schedule with the coach.
How much does band cost?
Band fees each school year average between $600 and $700, which covers band class and marching band. A complete budget is available in the fall and budget updates are shared throughout the year via email and during parent meetings. The fee schedule includes an initial deposit and three additional payments during marching season.
Parents who volunteer a minimum of 25 hours by the end of the marching band season in November will receive a $200 credit toward their band fees. Monetary and food donations for events also count toward volunteer hours. There are many opportunities for parents to earn credit to offset band fees and those opportunities are shared via the Band app, email communications, and at BPO meetings.
How can I submit fees?
There are two ways to pay fair share fees:
- Pay the school bookkeeper.
- Please let the bookkeeper know the payment is for band fees.
- It is recommended that you request a receipt acknowledging the fees were credited to the specific student’s band fees in the event of a system issue.
- Pay online through the school’s payment portal: https://webstores.activenetwork.com/school-software/damonte_high_school/
- Please note there is a surcharge to use the school’s payment portal.
Are there fundraising opportunities?
Yes! Fundraising opportunities are discussed and planned at BPO meetings and relayed in BPO emails, via CutTime communications, and announcements on the BPO website.
For more information, visit: https://www.drhsband.org/fundraisers or the band calendar.
Can I volunteer to help?
PLEASE DO!!! There are opportunities for everyone to help. We want all families to feel welcome and to get involved. All volunteer opportunities will be posted on this website and sent out via email requests from the BPO through CutTime or from the damonteranchbpo@gmail.com email address. Any family who volunteers at least 25 hours during marching band season will have their student’s fees reduced by $200.
What is expected from band parents?
Be supportive of your student and our program! Be aware of how your student is doing both in classes and in band. Guide them with time management and efficiency.
Please help out by volunteering when you can; there are many opportunities that can fit into any busy schedule.
It is also important to pay your child’s band fees on time. We are extremely conscientious that fees are spent responsibly and for the benefit of all students.
Who do I contact if I have any questions or want to volunteer?
To reach the BPO, you may email damonteranchbpo@gmail.com or visit the Contact Us page.
You can also read more about the band staff and BPO board members:
Also please take note all volunteers must submit a volunteer application form to the school’s front office each school year. Additionally, chaperones for out of state trips must also have their fingerprints submitted each year. Please submit volunteer application and fingerprints as soon as possible at the start of the school year to ensure clearance before we start traveling.
How much time outside of the school day will my child be expected to participate?
During fall marching band season, each rehearsal and performance is mandatory. The band plays pep tunes at home football games and several basketball games. There are occasional evening rehearsals before a concert performance in the winter and spring seasons.
What is band camp and how does my child come prepared?
Band camp is scheduled rehearsals in August before school begins. During band camp, students work in sections for team-building, to practice their music, learn how to march, and begin putting the show together as an entire ensemble.
A full list of items to bring to camp can be found here.
What is DMI?
The Damonte Marching Invitational is a marching band competition and fundraiser hosted by the DRHS band and the BPO. Bands from all over Northern Nevada come to DRHS to showcase their marching band and compete for trophies. DMI represents a significant source of revenue for the band program.
Do we have to travel?
Yes, if the band travels, every student travels. Every student has an equally important part and everyone participates in each performance. Parents do not have to travel, but we do need chaperones for each trip.
What are SNBS, BOA, and WBA and how do band competitions work?
Sierra Nevada Band Series, Bands of America, and Western Band Association are competition performance circuits. Performance groups are judged by a variety of elements and receive feedback from qualified judges. The Sierra Nevada Band Series is the local competition circuit that Northern Nevada bands participate in, but we often compete in other circuits, which give the students exposure to different levels of competition and judging criteria. More information can be found at their respective websites:
Click here for a glossary of frequently used band terminology.
