Band Basics

There are several ways to join the CPHS Band program:

Join as an LISD 8th Grader
Simply choose Band on your elective choice sheet, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Join as a Non-LISD Student, New to CPHS

• Step 1: Enroll Contact the Cedar Park High School Counseling Services Office and ask to enroll in band!
  
  They will temporarily place you in one of our four band classes until we, as your directors, make a final placement.

• Step 2: Email us!
  Email Mr. Yee and he’ll get you all the information you’ll need to transition into the Cedar Park High School Timberwolf Band!

Join As a Non-Musician

• Learn an Instrument - If you did not play an instrument in Middle School, it is not too late for you to join the band as a musician. To do so you will need to take private lessons. Students can take private lessons for a summer, a semester, or a year before joining! This is not for everyone as it requires much motivation and self-discipline.
  
  All students interested in this pathway to band membership need to set up a parent/student/ teacher conference with Mr. Yee to determine if this is a feasible option for your family before enrolling in private lessons.

• Join our award-winning Color Guard!
  Students who do not currently play an instrument and want to join the Timberwolf Band can explore the wonderful world of Color Guard!
  
  Interested? Email Ms Openshaw today!

Sign up for the Parent Remind
Directors will send out pertinent information with Remind texts. For parents of younger band students, we recommend that in addition to the Parent Remind you also sign up for the Student Remind so that you can help your student adjust to the responsibilities of High School Band. To keep this service private, you must email the Band Directors or Booster Club President for the current Remind codes.

Check the Band Calendar
The band calendar has the most up-to-date information about events and activities. Make sure to click on the actual activity to see additional information. We have created a link to make subscribing to our calendar a breeze.

Attend the Monthly Booster Meetings
Booster club meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm in the Band Hall. These meetings are a great way to stay informed!

Read the Weekly Newsletters
Each week the booster club sends out a newsletter highlighting important information and dates.

If you are not receiving the newsletter, please subscribe to the Weekly Update.

Call or Email Your Band Buddy
In the beginning, you will have many questions! Don’t hesitate to contact your Band Buddy and ask them anything you don’t understand.

If you don't have a Band Buddy, contact the Booster Club President to sign up for one.

Most instruments do need to be privately owned/rented and maintained by the student. There are a few instruments (e.g. tuba, euphonium, mellophones, etc) that are school owned and rented to students. If you are unsure whether or not you need to purchase/rent your own instrument, please email one of the directors.

Per Texas State (UIL) Law, before/after school activities are only allowed to practice for 8 hours per week once school has begun. During the summer, we have a Band Camp that runs during the weeks leading into the school year. These weeks are more intensive to prepare us for the marching season.

When school starts, the band will practice after school. During the marching season, there are Friday night football game commitments (performances) and Saturday Contests (competitions) throughout the Fall Semester. The marching season finishes during the first part of November, and then the Band will only play at football games.

In addition, post-football and marching season, students will also participate in Concert Season activities, as well as Winter and Spring school concerts, an (optional) spring trip, and an End of the Year Banquet.

Uniforms are provided by the band. All alterations will be made by the Booster Club. In addition to their issued uniform, students will need: a band shirt, band shorts, and marching shoes. These items can be purchased at Registration or from a uniform officer.

It is also very important that your student has a pair of good athletic shoes for practice. These shoes can be kept in their band locker for them to change into after school if they would like to wear other shoes to school; however, a good pair of athletic shoes is very important in keeping your student in good marching condition on the blacktop.

In order to give our band a cohesive appearance we do have guidelines for student's appearances while they are on the field:

• Students will not wear makeup while in uniform.

• Jewelry, hair ribbons & nail polish are not allowed while in uniform.

• Hair must be its natural color.

• Hair must not touch the collar of the jacket and must be above the top of the ear or pulled behind it. No visible hair on forehead.

• Students must be clean shaven while in uniform.

Report time is the designated time that the students must be ready (dressed, full water bottle, instrument, etc.) and in the CPHS Band Hall or other assigned area.

There will be times during the Marching Season when the band will practice at the Gupton Stadium. These practices will be on the Band Calendar. On these days students will go home after school, and they will need to find their own transportation to the stadium.

• Students must arrive at the stadium by 5:30 pm, and rehearsal will conclude at 9 pm. It is wise if students can eat before practice.

• Students will need to wear a white shirt, shorts, and athletic shoes to this practice.

• Students must bring a full water jug and their instrument to the stadium (and any other item the director requires).

• Parents are allowed to be in the stands and watch this practice. Please check the Band Calendar for dates and times.

If your student would like to earn their Letter Jacket before their Senior year, they need to meet the criteria set out in the Student Hand Book. Please visit the Handbook for those requirements.

If your child has participated in the band program for 3 continuous years and plans to continue their Senior year, they are eligible to apply for a Letter Jacket.

The Texas Education Agency defines the band as a performing art, and concert & marching performances are an extension of class time. Attendance at rehearsals and performances is required and is a part of the band grade.

A student will be suspended from participating in any extracurricular activity (marching band activities, pep rallies, parades, UIL solo and ensemble, and other competitions) after a six-week grading period in which a student receives a grade below a 70. The student will remain eligible and responsible for band and technique class requirements including sectionals and performances.

Interim progress reports are issued in the middle of each six-week period to students who are borderline or failing a class. Students can ‘regain’ eligibility at this time if he/she is passing.

AP students do have the opportunity to apply for a waiver to remain eligible. Please email your student's counselor for more information about this process.

Presto Assistant is an online program that the band utilizes to maintain student records, contact information, inventory, UIL contest registration, and many other important aspects of the band program. It’s the digital hub behind the scenes holding the band machine together!

Ensuring your current contact information in this database system is extremely important and will help keep you in the loop!