134 Barren Road Media, PA 19063 610-627-6325
CSnyder@rtmsd.org
www.penncrestband.com
Penncrest Band FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
When and what is Band Camp?
Band camp is the two week period before the start of the school year in which we learn (or recall) how to march, and learn our field show and music for the fall season. It is similar to sports camps in that we meet for conditioning, skill building and team building. The camp is designed to be informative, challenging and fun. By the end of camp, we regularly observe that we can’t tell the rookies from the returnees; our new band members have already made a positive transition to high school before the first day of classes.
How demanding is the schedule?
The Penncrest Band performs for home and away football games, parades, community events, competitions, and concerts. Once school starts, we have one group practice each week on
Wednesday evening, and one sectional practice after school on varying days. This schedule is very light compared to what are known as “competition bands,” who practice multiple times each week and are committed on almost every Friday night and all day Saturday throughout the fall.
Our philosophy accepts that our band members are involved in a variety of positive activities, and we encourage this level of involvement.
How can a band member play a fall sport?
Penncrest guidelines state that a student may split their time, or choose without penalty, when a conflict between two Penncrest sponsored activities arises. An athlete will not miss a game because of a band practice, nor will a musician miss a band performance because of a sports practice. Communication between all parties is the key, as is the goal to create a win-win situation. We have had band members successfully involved in every fall sport, including varsity football, as well as serving as captains of fall sports.
What are sectionals?
A band member’s music education takes two forms at Penncrest. Instruction in the art of performing with others in a large group situation is delivered in the band rehearsal. Instruction in the art and technique of playing an instrument as an individual is delivered in sectionals. Both are necessary in order to deliver a complete music experience. Sectionals are scheduled during the new extended lunch periods at Penncrest. Students do not miss another class to attend; they simply eat their lunch and report to their sectional. There is no evidence that points to sectionals negatively affecting student performance. On the contrary: band members consistently outscore their non-music peers in grade point average, test scores, SAT scores, and college acceptance.
What if we’re still not sure?
The eternal advice of band members and parents in this situation is: try it for a year! Commit to one full year of band participation and see what it’s really about. You and your child have already invested time, effort and money into playing an instrument, and it is fair to ask for one year of return on that investment. Most people find that it’s well worth it, if not the best move they made coming into high school. And if you still have questions, call or email! I’d be happy to help.
Craig Snyder, Director of Bands