Question 1

Who can join the Marching Band?

Accepted Answer

Any MVHS student can join Marching Band, Color Guard, or Drum Line (Drum Line may require an ‘audition’). Marching Band kicks off with our summer camp in late July/August with the season continuing through the fall. 
MB Camp is a great way to see if Marching Band is a good fit. No pre-registration required and it's FREE. Just show up!!

Tip: Most kids love the camp and decide to add Marching Band to their schedule! (Click on the latest MBCG Schedule link for dates/times.)

Question 2

What are the benefits of Marching Band and Marching Band Camp?

Accepted Answer

Marching Band is an active, competitive, and friendly campus group. When your student arrives on the first day of school, they are already part of a well-respected group and have a whole group of friends from camp (across all grades). It’s a great way to start the year! 
Marching Band participants earn one semester of Fine Arts credit in 9th Grade and can choose between Fine Arts or PE credit in 10th-12th grade! And it looks great on college applications.

Question 3

How does Marching Band work?

Accepted Answer

MVHS Marching Band meets for rehearsal after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and on selected Saturdays. Drumline, Percussion and Color Guard also practice on Thursday evenings. The band competes in 3-5 competitions in Northern California, at home football games, and various other events throughout the fall. 
Marching Band (MB) includes Color Guard (CG) and Drum Line (DL). All of these groups perform together. Color Guard and Drum Line have additional after school practices on Thursdays.
There are several components to Marching Band: 
Band Camp (July-August)
Practices (Aug-Nov)
Football Games (Sept-Nov)
MVHS pep rallies (all year)
Competitions (Oct-Nov)
Other events (Aug-Jan)
Please see our schedule on the Marching Band tab of our website.

Question 4

Is this a real class? Do the participants get credit?

Accepted Answer

Marching Band is a graded course, but doesn’t meet during the academic day. Participants earn one semester of Fine Arts credit in 9th Grade and can choose between Fine Arts or PE credit in 10th-12th grade. Participation in practices and all activities are factors used to determine the final grade.

Question 5

What if a student can’t commit to making all the rehearsals and events?

Accepted Answer

Joining Marching Band is similar to joining any other class or team. Students are expected to attend all the rehearsals, and events. When there is a scheduling conflict (summer vacation, SAT tests, illness), a student must notify both their section leader and Mr. Cloyd as soon as possible.

Question 6

How can I make sure I receive updates about the Marching Band?

Accepted Answer

If you have not already done so, please make sure your email address is on our roster so you won’t miss any important emails. Find the form by looking for the "Interest Form - Get Updates!" button on our website.

Email is our primary form of communication. Please add the email address marchingband@mvkeynoters.org to your contacts to make sure you receive all updates.

Question 7

When are the rehearsals?

Accepted Answer

Here’s a tentative look at the rehearsal schedule. For the most current version of our schedule, please see the most recent schedule.   
Mondays	3:30-6:15 pm
Wednesdays	5:30-8:30 pm
Thursdays (DL, Pit and CG only)	5:30-8:30pm
Saturdays - as assigned (see current schedule)

Question 8

When does the Marching Band perform?

Accepted Answer

Family Dinner/Showcase: The family Dinner/Showcase is our chance to celebrate the end of band camp and the beginning of the school year. Parents get the opportunity to meet each other and Mr. Cloyd and to hear the band preview the music for this year’s show. This is also a great time to learn more about the Marching Band season and how to volunteer.

Home Football Games: The Marching Band generally performs as a Pep Band in the stand during the game and as the season progresses, performs their show at half-time. The band has a roped off section in the stands just to the right of the announcer’s booth and many of the band parents sit together near the band – a great opportunity to get to know other parents. “Call time” (when students have to be in the Band Room) is generally 5:30pm. Keynoters sponsors a pre-game pizza party where students can buy pizza and a soft drink for $5 starting at 4:30pm.

Pep Rallies: These occur during the school day, the Marching Band students perform the “rouser” at these events. Marching Band students get great seats and participate in both rallies. Parents do not normally attend these.

Field Competitions: The Marching Band competes against other high school bands on 3-5 Saturdays throughout the fall. Competitions are in different locations around Northern California. These are generally all-day events.

Other Events: The MB participates in school and community events. This may include freshman orientation, Middle School Showcase, Elementary School Halloween Parade, Parent Information Nights, awards parties, fundraisers, and District Music Festivals. Please support the fundraisers throughout the year.

Please check our current schedule for this year's dates.

Frequently asked questions