Band Newsletters

Information for Band Parents - Updated Roughly Quarterly

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September, 2026

Marching Band Reminders

Marching Band Registration: If you are participating in marching band this year, and have not completed your registration, please do so today. Here's the link.
Please use the Marching Band absences form on Google Classroom if you have to miss rehearsal. We have fewer rehearsals than last year though, so please make an effort to be at every rehearsal.
26/27 Calendar! Our full calendar for 2026 - 2027 is online! Please double check rehearsal and performance dates, as the schedule is a little weird this year!
BHS ticketing information - use this link to purchase game tickets.
BHS has announced that the band will occupy the east end of the grandstands. The general student section will be center-east with seniors in front. Community or open seating will be the entire west side of the grandstands. This is different than previous years, in that the student section and band are switching places.

Class Information

Parents! Please become a cleared BISD volunteer. It's good for two years, and clears you to help out at our events, which is a wonderful way to be involved in your teen's life while making community with other band families.
Jazz Band placements start the 2nd day of school at 7:50 AM. Our jazz program has "no cuts", but students are placed into ensembles by current skills and instrumentation.
- Jazz Band performances pickup after marching band season is over, so there is no conflict with jazz band and other fall activities.
- Jazz Band hosts a big community swing dance in the early winter, a major jazz festival in the spring, and travels to two festivals a year. We do an informal practice performance and informational night early in the week before each of those four big events.
- Generally, we are able to support two big bands (Jazz One & Jazz Two), a few jazz combos (including the advanced combo, Jazz9), and a New Orleans Brass Band from within our jazz band class.
- Jazz9 and our brass band sometimes have extra optional performance opportunities (including participating in the KNKX School of Jazz program).
Students who want to check out a school instrument during the school year should talk to Mr Thomas during class warm-ups, CCS, or Tutorial.
Please start to check Google Classroom for assignment prompts. (Classroom join codes are given in class).
Uniform fittings for students not in marching band will happen during class time in the coming weeks with the help of a parent volunteer.

Archives...

Band Camp, 2026

August Band Updates

Marching Band Registration: If you are participating in marching band this year, and have not completed your registration, please do so today. Here's the link.
Marching Band absences form.
26/27 Performance Calendar! Our tentative full calendar for 2026 - 2027 is online now!

Band Camp Details!

Please remember your large water bottle, sunscreen, shades, hat, athletic shoes, & athletic clothes.

August 12th - Band Camp Begins! All Percussion and BLT should report to the band room at 2pm for orientation and our first work session of the year! We'll be done at 6pm.
August 13th - Band Camp Begins for everyone else.
1. Percussion & BLT report at 9am for your 2nd meeting
2. New members report at noon for your orientation
3. Other returning members report at 1pm for lunch social
4. We'll run a few afternoon rehearsals for everyone, and dismiss again at 6pm.
August 14th - 9am to 6pm for everyone! Our first day together as a band. This is where core memories start forming.
August 17 - Our 9am to 9pm days begin. If you are a returning member, you know how busy and rewarding these days are. New members - I am so excited for you! These days look long on paper, but you'll be surprised by how fast they go by, and how much you learn and grow in such a short amount of time.
August 28th - Senior Breakfast & Season Preview Performance!
1. 9-11am - Annual Senior Breakfast!
2. 11am - call time for everyone else. Enjoy the extra sleep! :)
3. 5:30 - Full band program picnic. Bring blankets, yard chairs, and food for your families. Non Marching Band people are encouraged to come, too!
4. 6:30 - Full band program meeting. We'll go important details for all areas of our band program - including registration for our spring trip to LA & Disneyland, jazz auditions, and more.
5. 7:30 - End of camp season preview performance!
6. 8:45 - Clean-up!

OTHER REMINDERS

Symphonic Band members interested in auditioning up to Wind Ensemble should email Mr Thomas for information about openings, and check the audition music page for audition materials.
Students who want to check out a school instrument during the summer should email Mr Thomas to schedule a checkout appointment.
Jazz Band placements start the 2nd day of school at 7:50 AM. Our jazz program has "no cuts", but students are placed into ensembles by current skills and instrumentation.
This year's band schedule is tentatively 0) Jazz Band, 2) Symphonic Band, 3) Percussion Ensemble, & 6) Wind Ensemble.

Summer, 2026

SUMMER NEWS

Register for Marching Band! If you haven't done so yet, consider joining this year's marching band. It's the best way to spend time with band friends. Why should you do it?
26/27 Performance Calendar! Our tentative full calendar for 2026 - 2027 is online now!

UPCOMING DATES

June 30th - DCI Show! If you are planning on going to this summer's DCI show (in Bothell this year), make sure to purchase your tickets from DCI.org, and NOT any other reseller site.
July 2nd - Leadership Meeting! Adrian Caswell, director of the Stephen F Austin High School Band Program / Ultimate Drillbook Representative / DCI Adjudicator will be stopping by Bainbridge High School on July 2nd to give a leadership presentation at 2pm. Students who can make it should come at noon for a BHS specific planning meeting before the presentation. Staff and parents are encouraged to come at 2 for the presentation and Q&A.
July 3/4 - Grand Old Fourth Parade! Parade practice is set for 11-3 on the 3rd, and again 11-3 on the 4th. Wear athletic clothing for practice, and your band shirt (or bring $25 to the band room), jean shorts, and neutral tennis shoes for the parade on the 4th. Students will meet at BHS both days, and will be dismissed from Erickson at the end of the parade.
August 12th - Band Camp Begins! Percussion and leadership should be in the band room at 2pm on the 12th. Everyone else reports a day later - New members at noon, and returning members at 2pm on the 13th.
August 28th - Season Preview Performance! At the end of band camp, the band puts on a fun show and tell performance for the community. Check the band schedule for more details as the date draws nearer.

OTHER INFO

Students interested in auditioning up to Wind Ensemble should email Mr Thomas for information about openings, and check the audition music page for audition materials.
Students who want to check out a school instrument during the summer should email Mr Thomas to schedule a checkout appointment.
Jazz Band placements start the 2nd day of school at 7:50 AM. Our jazz program has "no cuts", but students are placed into ensembles by current skills and instrumentation.
This year's band schedule is tentatively 0) Jazz Band, 2) Symphonic Band, 3) Percussion Ensemble, & 6) Wind Ensemble.

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