FAQs

 

Who can I go to with additional questions?

Band President: goldenhawksbandhshs@gmail.com

Click here for the Band Booster Board and emails

What is needed for Band Camp?

A great attitude! 

  • Water (½ gallon water jug)

  • Comfy clothes -  shorts, light colored t-shirt, socks and tennis shoes

  • 3-ring binder / sheet protectors (to hold music)

  • Lanyard

  • Pencils / highlighter

  • Dot Book - (set of 50 cards bound together)

  • Instruments and /or accessories in great working condition

  • Hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen

  • Deet-free insect repellent

  • A healthy lunch

When Band Camp says 7:30 to 8:00 pm – what does that really mean?

·      “to be early is to be on time and to be on time is to be late…” the kids will likely need to be ready and set for practice at 7:30 – which means you should drop them off at 7:15 to get set up.

·      When practice runs until 8 pm – that typically means that is when they are leaving the practice field and walking back to the band room to pack up so likely you will not leave until 8:15 or later. Students may be at the pickup area 15 - 45 minutes later than the allotted time. It has been helpful for some parents to have their student text them when they are walking from the practice field, so that you don’t have to wait. Pickup is in the front circle of the school.

·   If your child has an appointment and needs to be out at a certain time, please contact Mr. Biasi to make arrangements.

What paperwork do we need to turn in?

Click here for 2023-2024 Forms

Day 2 and my kids hates band and wants to quit…

OK – that is common – let’s face it… our kids are spoiled and working for 12 hours outside is exhausting! Make sure they have plenty of fluids and tell them to hang in there! As hard as it is – honestly it is an experience they will never forget – this is how they bond – they will begin school with a new group of friends that they will be so glad to have!

How does Mr. Biasi Communicate?

  • Cut Time via email – please make sure that you are signed up with Cut Time as Mr. B. will send out his items through the Cut Time Portal.

  • Weekly Newsletter - “Band Updates” via iContact

I’m not receiving communication???

Please make sure that your email is correct in Cut Time and iContact. You can email the Treasurers for Cut Time and the Secretary for iContact.

Click here for a list of board members and their emails.

Where can I go for Band information?

  • Weekly Newsletter (sent from iContact) - information and links will be included each week.

  • Cut Time provides finance information and is how we send emails. 

  • Volunteer information will be sent out on Sign-Up genius.

  • goldenhawksband.org – is where you will find overall band information.

  • HSHS Band Handbook is filled with information!!! Please make sure your student reads all of the information prior to band camp.

  • Social Media Platforms:

    • Facebook: HSHS Band Boosters

    • Twitter: @goldenhawksband

    • Instagram: @hshsband

  • Also follow Purple Craze on Instagram and Twitter for helpful information and updates on all HSHS events and activities: https://www.instagram.com/purplecrazehshs https://twitter.com/PurpleCrazeHSHS

How do the kids communicate?

  • Each section uses the Remind / Slack apps for communication.

  • Students should communicate directly with their section caption and/or the leadership team.

How / who do we let know if our student needs to miss practice?  (Drs appointment or sick). 

  • Have your child notify the section leader through GroupMe or Slack.

  • Contact Mr. Biasi at 919-577-1444 ext. 23496

  •  Fill out the missed rehearsal form.

Band is a Family!

  • With all the different groups, what we mean when we say, "band" can get confusing.

  • The Golden Hawks Regiment refers to the extracurricular group that marches in competitions and parades and plays at football games. This includes marchers who play brass, winds, percussion, and our Color Guard.

  • We also have concert groups which are an in-school elective. These include the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble and meet during class time. They perform at concerts and MPA.

  • We also have extracurricular groups for Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard that perform at competitions in the spring.

  • "Golden Hawks Regiment" is reserved for marching. All of our ensembles and winter units comprise the band program.

Does it really matter if my kid misses a rehearsal/game/competition?

  • YES!!!! The entire program for the band has been written with your child in mind. Band is not an individual event, but a team event and it is important for EVERYONE to participate! It doesn’t hurt only your child to miss – it hurts the entire formation.

Why does band cost so much?

Actually, we work really hard to keep the costs down for our program – it is much less expensive than many other schools in this area. In addition – there are options to assist with the costs – working PNC and fundraising. If you compare to any of the sports programs outside of the school, it is a great deal!

This cost covers the entire fall program this year. This amount will help cover staff, clinicians, supplies, instrument repair, software, etc. The show shirt is also included in this cost.

What are the extra costs associated?

  • New marcher kit (MARCHER’s ONLY)– includes a hoodie, marching shoes, gloves, and a drawstring bag.

  • Guard package - (GUARD ONLY) includes duffle bag, shoes, jacket, and pants. 

  • Section t-shirt – each section creates their own t-shirt to wear during the year

  • Parents do have to pay to attend both football games and competitions – good news – if you volunteer for the event your fee is typically waived!

  • We also will offer additional spirit wear (for both students and parents). There will be an announcement when Spirit Wear is available for order. There is typically a short time frame for ordering.  If you plan to volunteer, you should order a black polo to wear the GHR uniform when volunteering. The uniform is a black GHR polo and khaki pants or shorts.   

  • Stadium seats and ornaments are also available.

  • GUARD only - will have a guard package that includes shoes, warm up jacket and pants, and a duffle bag. This is typically a one-time purchase unless you need to replace an item.

I’m not sure what I owe or how to pay?

Cut Time provides balance and payment information. For a small fee you can pay through Cut Time.

  • Checks made payable to HSHS Band Boosters

  • Checks can be mailed to:

c/o HSHS Band Boosters
5329 Cass Holt Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540

Additional questions? You can email the Treasurer at hshsbandtreasurer@gmail.com.

Why do you always ask for volunteers? I am paying for this!

  • To keep fees down – we do not pay for extra personnel; the entire program is based on student and parent volunteers. With the number of students, to keep ratios in check, we must have parent volunteers.

  • This is a great activity for your kids and can be a great activity for us adults to get to know each other as well!

  • Volunteer information /needs will be sent through Cut Time and Sign-Up Genius . You must register and be approved as a WCPSS volunteer. 

How do football games work?

Things may be different this year (believe it or not, we are still recovering and reorganizing from Covid) but below is a brief explanation for future reference based on past experience.

  • The band does not travel to away games. The band will sit together in a roped off section to the left of the press box. The parents (that aren’t volunteering) generally sit in the section next to the band and in front of the press box.

  • Students cannot leave this section until 3rd quarter unless a bathroom break is needed. They can visit the concession stand then. During 3rd quarter students will also be provided with a meal.

  • The band will perform their show during half time.

  • During Homecoming and Sr. Night the band will perform their show after the game.

  • On rain nights, the band will perform at least the National Anthem and be expected to be in the stands even if it rains. The band is there unless the game is called off. They have rain ponchos to wear.

  • When the game is over, the band is usually the last to leave. The band will line up on the track and march out.

  • The students will go to the band room to change and clean up. When they finish, they will exit out of the school’s front entrance.

  • Parents are not allowed in the band room unless you are volunteering.

  • Different sections are assigned to clean the band room after the game.

How do competitions work?

Competitions are listed on the band calendar. You will receive details about the competition:  (location, time, etc) in the weekly newsletter. Competition times will be released as soon as Mr. Biasi has the information. If it is an afternoon competition, there may be a morning rehearsal as well.  Volunteers are needed to chaperone as well as pit crew to move the props / equipment.

Parades

Parades and parade rehearsals are listed on the calendar in November and December. If your student is in marching band, please make plans to attend both rehearsals and parades. The Apex Parade is usually a nighttime parade and the Holly Springs Parade is in the morning, followed by the GHR celebration in the afternoon.