Frequently Asked Questions - General

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The boosters are a group of dedicated band parent volunteers that help promote, support, and assist in the betterment of the Rockwall-Heath High School Band as follows:

• promote the involvement of parents in band oriented activities.
• provide supplemental funds for needs of the band which are not budgeted or paid for by the school or district.
• cooperate with the Rockwall-Heath High School band directors, administrators, and staff to promote the band and the education of band students.

All parents, guardians, and friends of the band are encouraged to participate in the Rockwall-Heath Band activities. Remember, behind every great band is a great Booster organization! If you have questions about the MHB Booster organization, our booster president may be contacted via email at rhhsmightyhawkband.org.

In order to facilitate the band’s mission financially, the MHB Boosters organize several fundraising efforts throughout the academic year. All proceeds directly benefit the Mighty Hawk Band. Although participation is not required of any individual student, it is our hope that students and parents will see the benefit in fundraising activities and assist our booster organization in these efforts. Questions regarding the RISD policy on fundraising activities may be referred to the Rockwall ISD Website.

The band hosts several types of fundraisers:

• Car Wash
• Corporate Sponsorship Sales
• Mulch Sale
• Snap Raise
• Spirit Wear

These events and/or products may change from year to year.

Participation in fundraising activities is highly encouraged to help students and parents defray the cost of operating the band. 

If the family of the students prefers to opt out of fundraising they can do so by paying the "Fair Share" of $300/student at Registration held in April/May.

We are fortunate to be able to offer our students a fully-staffed faculty from which private lessons are available.  Each faculty member is approved by the Rockwall ISD and most are performers in local orchestras and chamber groups.  This program is designed to assist students one-on-one with a specialist on his/her instrument.  It is a convenient way for students to get extra help because our teachers schedule lessons during band class or after school.  Not only is it convenient, but is offered at an inexpensive rate of $25.00 per 30 minute lesson.  

Private study is strongly recommended for each student, however, is not required.  Private lessons may help a student progress twice as fast as group instruction and may help the student better prepare for participation in concert band activities, region band auditions, and solo-ensemble contest. Scholarships are available, and applications will become available in July.

In determining your band grade, the following areas will be considered:

• Performing progress on your instrument, including improvement and maintenance of music skills.
• Attendance at rehearsals and performances.
• Responsibility for individual musical part and equipment.
• General musical knowledge and aptitude.
• Pass-off assignments and exams.
• Attitude and effort.
• Practice methods.
• Specific requirements for each band as outlined in the “Description of Bands” section.

Contrary to popular belief, band is not an “easy A.”  Grades are distributed according to the above criteria, are kept on record, and available to you at any time to keep track of your progress.  The “A” student will:

• Be on time and be prepared for rehearsals.
• Have parts memorized and/or prepared as assigned.
• Have all equipment (uniform, instrument, coordinate sheet, etc.) in order.
• Meet or exceed director’s expectations in the areas outlined above.

Each student will be responsible for demonstrating proficiency on all required musical

material by performing memorized Pass-Offs on music for marching band and UIL Concert & Sight-Reading. Color Guard students may also have visual Pass-Off assignments at the discretion of the color guard director.

Pass-offs will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis, and students will be expected to make multiple attempts in order to demonstrate proficiency with the goal being 100% success rate for the ensemble. Pass-Offs will be performed live during class, before and after school, and any other time designated by the Mighty Hawk Band staff. Students will be notified well in advance of Pass-Off due dates. 

Students who fail to meet their pass-off requirements by the stated due date will not be allowed to perform on the field or at UIL Concert & Sight Reading. Students designated as Varsity performers who fail to meet Pass-Off requirements will be replaced with a JV performer at the discretion of the Mighty Hawk Band staff.

Eligibility: All Rockwall ISD competitive activities adhere to  UIL Standards & FM (LEGAL & LOCAL) for determining eligibility. Students that are academically ineligible will be expected to attend rehearsal activities, however they will not be allowed to participate in competitive activities.

In the event that a student becomes ineligible, they will be suspended from participating in competitive activities until the end of a three week period in which hopefully such a student achieves a course grade average of 70 or above in every course. To avoid eligibility problems, students and parents should ensure assignments are completed on time and any potential issues are promptly communicated with teachers and band staff.

If your student is in need of supplies for their instrument, we highly recommend that you visit our Brook Mays Online Store to purchase any needed supplies. There are certain supplies that are needed for all Brass and Woodwind performers. The items that are required for all Brass and Woodwinds are as follows

• Instrument Lyre and Flip Folder
• Korg Tuner w/contact mic Pick-up
• Synthetic Reed (Clarinet and Saxophone Only)
• Instrument Maintenance Supplies

Equipment purchased from our Brook Mays online store will be delivered to RHHS and distributed to your student.

Percussion students should consult the percussion director for information regarding supplies.

 In the majority of cases, students are expected to furnish their own instrument, however, the following instruments are available to rent from the school as available:  oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, baritone sax, French horn, marching French horn, euphonium, marching baritone, tuba, sousaphone and percussion.  Students using school-owned instruments are required to fill out the proper forms and pay the maintenance fee.  Many school-owned instruments are in new or exceptional condition.  If a student habitually mistreats an instrument, the band director reserves the right to take the instrument away.  In addition, if damage to the instrument is caused by careless actions or negligence, the student will be expected to pay for the repair.  

It is strongly suggested that parents insure their child’s instrument.  Most problems with missing instruments can be avoided if the student will leave their instrument in the band room during the day and not carry the instrument with them from class to class. The district does not carry insurance for personal property and neither the school district nor its employees will be held responsible for loss or damage to an instrument.  

Keep a record of the serial number of the instrument. Write it down and/or take a picture of it. Students are also encouraged to use a lock on their band locker and write their name on their equipment (tuner, instrument tag) to help keep track of their belongings.

A student’s playing improves only by experience gained on their instrument.  One gains experience by the amount of time spent with “horn to face” or “sticks in hand”, or “flag in hand.”   The best way to make practice more enjoyable is to have a set routine that you will follow every day.  Your goal should be to practice 5-6 days a week for one hour.  Always look for improvement and focus on strengthening your weaknesses.  Practice the more difficult passages and refrain from going over the parts you do know over and over again.  Concentrate on getting a beautiful characteristic sound at all times.  It makes no difference how loud, high, or fast you can play if the tone is not enjoyable to listen to.  Never sacrifice accuracy for speed.

Daily home practice is expected and required. Instruments and music folders left at school overnight, especially on weekends, will affect the six-week’s average, not to mention the effect it will have on the band as a whole!  Your goal as a musician is to add to the band’s sound, not detract from it.

All students are required to complete a placement audition for all curricular ensembles. Students may be re-evaluated periodically for participation in select performance ensembles. All auditions are live and done individually.

Auditions for percussion, color guard, and leadership positions will take place in April-May. Outside judges may be used for color guard and drum major auditions.

Per the Rockwall ISD Academic Planning Guide, Band is a year long course. Band students are required to be concurrently enrolled in their Concert Ensemble course, and the corresponding Instrumental Ensemble course (if applicable.) Scheduling issues will be handled on a case by case basis, solely at the discretion of the MHB staff.

School transportation is provided for football games, festivals, and competitions. Parents will be asked to complete the Medical Form during band registration which will suffice for travel permission throughout the school year.  

Transportation is provided between the 9th Grade Campus for marching rehearsals and performances. 9th grade students will be transported to H9 at the conclusion of morning rehearsals and prior to the start of evening rehearsals.

Please be on time to pick up your child from school.  After away games, students are generally back at school between 10:30 and 11:00pm depending on how far we travel.  After home games, students may be picked up from school at approximately 10:00pm. 

After school rehearsals: Students should be picked up in a timely manner.  They will not be permitted to “hang out” after school hours. 

We use the software called Presto as our database system to keep track of our student's financial statements, instruments, equipment, contact information, and more. We also utilize Presto for communication via email.  

Please refer to the Mighty Hawk Band Organizational Guidelines for more information.