Frequently Asked Questions

Generally yes, most concerts are free. Tickets may be sold at select concerts to raise funds for the Coronado Band Program.

Yes! When Marching Band season ends in November, there are several extra-curricular ensembles. Your student can choose to participate in Winter Drumline, Winter Color Guard, and Winter Winds.

Marching Band (Fall) and Jazz Band (Spring) are offered as a for credit, Zero Hour Class.

Color Guard is open to all students. Students interested in learning about Color Guard should complete the registration for the Winter Color Guard Program. Students interested in doing Color Guard for the Marching Band season should register for Color Guard audition for the Marching Band (held in the beginning of May) and enroll in the Zero Hour Marching Band class.

Yes, extra-curricular ensembles are open to all students. Each of the extra-curricular ensembles have their own requirements and expectations for those participating.

*Winter Color Guard season runs from February to April

*Winter Drumline season runs from February to April

*Winter Winds season runs from February to April

No, participation in Marching Band is voluntary. Any student enrolled in a band class may audition for a playing position. Any student may audition for a Color Guard position.

• Check the Coronado Band website regularly (coronadobands.org)

• Link your Google Calendar to the Coronado Band Google Calendar

• Check ParentSquare for updates and messgaes

• Go to Band Booster Meetings

For concerts, we ask that you silence your cell phones, PDAs, etc, and refrain from using flash photography during the performance.  Due to copyright restrictions, video and audio recording of performances is not permitted.

It is expected that all band members stay for the whole concert and do not leave after their group has finished.  Concert performance and attendance are part of the class grade.  Parents and other audience members are also encouraged to stay for the entire concert as each ensemble appreciates an audience. Please enter and exit the auditorium only during the applause breaks or breaks during ensemble changes.

It is customary and considered good concert manners not to applaud between movements or sections of a piece, but rather to hold your appreciation until the completion of the entire artistic work.  The end of a piece is signaled by the conductor, who will lower his or her hands and usually turns to acknowledge the audience and take a bow for the entire ensemble.  In jazz, it is customary to applaud each soloist after she/he has finished soloing, even while the rest of the tune is going on.  Your cue to applaud is when a soloist sits down or a different soloist starts playing.

Yes, but it is recommended that they do not do both at the same time.  If a student is a member of the Marching Band, it is recommended that this becomes their “Fall Activity” and they chose not to participate in another Fall sport.

However, if a student is passionate about being in an athletic program and Marching Band during the Fall season, it is advisable that this is discussed with the Band Director and the Coach prior to the start of summer practices for either activity. They will be able to participate in athletics during any other season.

Yes, however, students must be enrolled in a band class at Coronado to play an instrument in the Marching Band, and go through an audition to be accepted into the program. Color Guard students, important members of the Marching Band, do not have to be enrolled in a band class to participate, but are encouraged to enroll in a dance class at Coronado.

You are expected to attend all Marching Band practices and performances. There are no extra players to fill in your place.  Any absence leaves a hole in the band.

No, participation in Marching Band is voluntary. Any student enrolled in a band class may audition for a playing position. Any student may audition for a Color Guard position.

All wind and brass instrument players are encouraged to rent a marching instrument.  You don’t want to put a fine concert instrument through the wear and tear marching entails. The band program has a limited number of instruments that can be rented for the school year.

Percussion instruments are provided by Coronado. A nominal rental fee covers repairs, mallets and sticks for percussion instruments

Color Guard equipment is provided by Coronado.

Yes! Many band students take honors, AP or DE classes. The band is well represented in the National Honor Society, Student Government and other academic and leadership organizations.

No. We have students that are involved in all aspects of student organizations, clubs, and sports. Students do have to learn to manage their time wisely to be involved in several school activities, but it can be done and has been done successfully for many years.

Yes. Marching Band is offered as a Zero Hour class for credit.

No! You only get four years!  You don’t want to miss being a part of the Coronado Don Marching Band.

What could be better than starting high school with 40+ friends to support you through your first year!

And you’ll always have a lunch buddy.

Wear a mostly white t-shirt, athletic shorts, socks and walking/running shoes to practice.  No flip flops or crocs! You cannot learn proper marching technique with the wrong footwear.  A hat and sunglasses are strongly recommended. On cooler mornings, wear a black, dark blue or grey sweatshirt. After morning practice, you will have time to change into your school clothes.

Color Guard should wear black for evening practices.

Summer practice starts with sessions once or twice a week (depending on section), beginning about a week after the school year ends.  Attendance is expected if the student is in town.


There is a break of about 2 to 3 weeks at the end of June / beginning of July.

Pre-Camp is 3 evening rehearsals in mid July, followed by 1 week of all-day Band Camp rehearsals, followed by 2 mornings of Post-Camp after Band Camp. Attendance at these camp sessions is mandatory.

During the Marching Band season (Aug-Nov), there are weekly all-band morning practices during zero hour, 2 weekly all-band evening practice.  

For new members, there is an additional 1 after school practice. There are also a few mandatory All-Day Saturday practices that will be scheduled as needed.

Football games are (usually) on Friday nights.
Exhibitions and competitions are on several Saturdays and one weeknight throughout the marching season.

The Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Mellophone (French Horn), Baritone (Euphonium/Trombone), Trombone, Trumpet, and Sousaphone (Tuba).

We respectfully ask that you refrain from talking to the Band during the football games, as it can cause the band members to lose focus. Band members already know this rule, and we ask you to honor it as well.

Food is prohibited while the Band is in uniform, unless provided by the designated Band Booster parents

Yes. For adults, this is a cost for home games.  Student prices are less (with ID). Volunteers working at the game (Concessions, Water Crew, Stand Setup, Bus Chaperones, etc.) do not pay the entrance fee unless. All volunteers must be scheduled with Band Boosters and all Band Chaperones must be cleared through the district to not pay the entrance fee unless the rules of the school we are at differ.

For HOME games, sit in the HOME stands (North Side). The Marching Band takes up an entire section on the East side of the bleachers. Boosters generally sit in the section West (left) of the Coronado Band. For AWAY games, we sit on the AWAY side (visitors), in the section left (facing the stands) of the band.

Boosters always stand when the Coronado Band comes onto the field and during their performance. We also stand for the opposing school’s band performance to show respect for their hard work and dedication.

Spectators are asked to be respectful of all competitors while in the stands and to not talk while any band is performing. Spectators are expected to wait until the performing band has completed its show before leaving their seat or entering the stands to find a seat. This shows respect to the performers and minimizes distractions to both the performers and those watching in the stands. Applause is welcomed at any significant moment in the show and of course at the end of the routine. This applies to all bands that perform. The band members like to hear the applause and welcome it as a motivator.

Wear your Coronado Band shirt & colors and join other Coronado supporters in the stands. A block of friendly Coronado Blue & Red lets the band know we are there supporting them. There is no need to brag, but instead be humble and be polite when talking around or with parents from other programs. Finally, remember that like the students, when we are in any Coronado attire, we are representatives of the band program, the school and the district.

The Coronado Band performs the half-time show when at home, and the pre-game show when away. If the other team doesn’t bring their band, then our band may perform both pre-game and half-time shows. During the game, the band will play tunes in the stands.

Band members are required to stay through the entire football game. After the game, they then march in parade formation to the band room (home games) or buses (away games). Once at the band room, students change out of and check in their uniforms, have a short meeting with the Band Director for post performance discussion and announcements, then are released by the Band Director for the evening. Parents are kindly asked to wait outside the band room to collect their student. If you are providing the ride home, please allow time for all of this to happen.

The Drum Major conducts the band, providing the appropriate beat at exactly the right time. Students may try out to be Drum Major at the end of the school year.

One or more people from each section (depending on section size) are chosen by the Band Director through an application process to be student leaders for their section. They are usually upperclassmen who apply toward the end of their Sophomore/Junior year to be Section Leaders the following year.

A “section” is a component of the Concert or Marching Band and consists of a group of similar instruments.

Team Pit, or Roadies, consists of volunteer booster parents.  They are responsible for loading all the equipment on the trucks and trailers, unloading at the performance site, getting the equipment on the field and set up, then removing the equipment expeditiously so as not to be in violation of any time rules set by the judging body, loading it back on to the vehicles and unloading it at the school.

The Drumline, or Battery, consists of marching members of the percussion section and includes Snare Drums, Tenor Drums (aka Quads), and Bass Drums.

The Color Guard, aka Auxiliary, are an important part of the Marching Show. They provide “color” to the overall effect of the show by closely choreographed interpretative dance routines that match the drill design. The Color Guard utilizes flags, rifles, sabers and other props to enhance the overall show and make it even more visually appealing.

The Pit, or Front Ensemble, consists of non-marching members of the percussion section, including Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Bells, electronic instruments with sound effects, electronic keyboard, and auxiliary percussion. It is often located at the front of the field.

You are automatically a Band Booster if your child participates in any of the Coronado Band Programs. Parents of current and alumni band students make up the boosters. Parents of all band members (not just Marching Band) are highly encouraged to participate on one of the committees.

Boosters volunteer throughout the year in many capacities to support the entire band program at Coronado.

Email the Band Boosters at coronadoDBB@gmail.com

No. Some Fundraising activities may earn credit for the band at outside store accounts (such as Music & Arts), or individual band students accounts (Tax Credit Account).

Yes. Unless a Fundraising activity is advertised differently (for example, specifically for a trip, or money for individual band accounts) all funds raised are used to benefit the Coronado Band Program as a whole.

The activities selected for Fundraising are made up of traditional events (Holiday Fundraisers), band hosted events that include a Fundraising aspect, and new activities that are brought to the committee for approval. Some of the considerations are: level of difficulty, cost, volunteer involvement needed, community involvement, social interaction, level of enjoyment, & variety.

Fundraising includes any money or material collected from sales or donations, that help support the band program, and is not provided thru fees, school or district allocations.

• Tax Credit Donations – the # 1 best way for students to add money to their account!

• Employer Matching Donations – many companies will match donations of money and/or volunteer hours. Check with your HR Department to see if your employer matches donations.

• Special fundraising opportunities – announced as they become available.

Band sponsors are businesses or individuals who donate money to support the band for a school year. For businesses, sponsorship includes different forms of advertising, such as ads in the football program and all band programs, logos on the band podium, A-Frames and banners, and more! The family sponsorship is slightly different. If interested in being a sponsor, reach out to the Band Director!

This is a list of items (updated periodically) that are needed by the band program. The list comes from input from the band director as well as the booster club as a whole. See the current Band Program Wish List

Fundraising for the band is needed to keep the band fees low, help to repair and replace equipment/uniforms, pay for additional band staff & coaches, pay for additional transportation expenses, cover the “wish list” items needed for the band program, provide funds for unexpected expenses, supplement various trip or fee expenses and allow for growth in the band.

Marching uniforms (shako, bibber and jacket) are provided by the band program and assigned to each student at the beginning of the marching season.  They stay at Coronado when not in use. Additional items (shoes, socks, show shirt, shorts, gloves, collar liner) are needed to complete the uniform (some of these items are included with the marching band fees and others are an additional purchase) and should be transported between home and school by the student with appropriate regular laundering. Additional details are provided in the Marching Band Handbook.

To preserve the uniforms, eating or drinking (except water) while in uniform is forbidden unless provided by designated band booster parents.

To perform in the marching show, the band member must travel with the band to and from the event.  Buses (with boosters – as chaperones and a “first-aider” – additional booster volunteer opportunities!) are provided by the school.
After football games, shows, and competitions, the staff review the performance with the band members.

If the rare situation arises where a student cannot travel with the band, this must be discussed with the Director and a Travel Waiver Form must be completed and returned to the Director (preferably 24 hours in advance).  This is a school requirement.

Yes. Generally, it is held the second Saturday in May. 


All band students, parents and guests are invited and expected to attend!

During the program, ALL students from every band program and extra-curricular group are recognized and certain awards are given. Additionally, special awards are announced and handed out. Extra emphasis and recognition is given to the graduating seniors.

The Coronado Band Boosters are part of a 501(c)3 organization known as Coronado Band Booster Inc. As such, we have some specific requirements that relate to this type of tax exempt organization. One primary document governs the Coronado Band Boosters Organization known as the Coronado Band Booster Bylaws

You can find the Band Booster Club documents on the Documents and Forms page.

Band Booster meetings are held periodically throughout the year.  A minimum of three meetings are held, one in the fall, one in the spring, and one towards the end of the school year.  More may be held when information needs to be shared.  All meetings will be posted on the band’s Google Calendar