Q. What are Band Boosters?
A. The Band Boosters of Oakton High School (BBOHS) is the parent organization formed to support the Oakton Band program in any way needed. Every parent of a band student is automatically a member of the Band Boosters. BBOHS raises funds to buy new instruments, uniforms and to pay for clinicians. The Boosters supply chaperones for trips, load and unload equipment trucks for competitions, manage the band's website and do a hundred other things to free up the Band Directors' time so they can concentrate on teaching our students.

Q. What is a Student Account?
A. Every band student has a "Student Account". Band related expenses are "billed" to this account and payments are credited to it.

Q. What are the different levels of band?
A. There are three levels of band at Oakton based on level of experience and playing skills. The first level is Concert Band II which also includes all band students who choose not to participate in Marching Band, regardless of skill.  The mid level is Concert Band I and the top level is Symphonic Band which is comprised of students performing at the highest levels of experience and ability.

Q. Are Freshman automatically placed in to Concert Band II?
A. No - placement in the bands is determined by the Band Directors through auditions. While most Freshman start in Concert Band II and advance as they go through high school, some Freshman will place in to Concert Band I or Symphonic Band. Placement is based on ability and the needs of the bands, not on seniority.

Q. What days do the bands practice after school?
A. When marching season ends, each band generally has one after school practice session running from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Traditionally, Symphonic Band has practiced on Tuesdays, Concert I on Wednesdays and Concert II on Thursdays. This is subject to change see the Calendar for the most current information.

Q. How do students join the jazz band?
A. Jazz band placement requires an audition typically held in late September or early October. Similar to concert band, there are levels of placement into jazz band, with Jazz Band A being comprised of students with the higher skill level.

Q. How much time does jazz band take? Do the students get credit?
A. Students received one credit for participation in Jazz. Jazz classes meets after school from 2:15 until 3:00 each day.

Q. Is there late bus transportation for band practices and jazz class?
A. No. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation. Many families find carpooling to be useful.

Q. How can I get into a carpool?
A. Talk to your fellow band parents, especially those who live in your neighborhood. If you don't know which families live nearby, ask your student. Once school starts, the Band will make available a roster of all band students, their addresses and phone numbers.

Q. Can my student carry medicines on their person?
A. No. The band must follow Fairfax County School policy in this matter. Students may not carry medicines, even OTC ones, on their person. The only exceptions are inhalers and epipens which may be carried with proper authorization.

Q. Does my student have to attend all concerts?
A. Yes. Unless they have received prior approval from the band directors to be absent, all students attend all concerts.

Q. Does my student have to stay for the whole concert?
A. Yes. The bands support each other and attend each other's performances. Further, all members of the bands help clean up after each concert.  Attendance is not taken until the end of the concert, students leaving early will not receive credit for attendance

Q. Are parents required to volunteer with the band?
A. No, there is no requirement that parents volunteer, however, unlike sports activities, band is unique in that it takes the efforts of many, many parents to function. Equipment must be moved and maintained, students take many trips requiring chaperones, and fundraising is vital to pay for expenses. We strongly encourage every parent to become involved in all their student's school activities, including band. Your student will spend many, many hours with the band and volunteering is a great way to be a part of that time. You'll be helping to support an activity your student loves, you'll get to know his or her friends, and you'll have a chance to make new friends yourself.

Q. What is lettering? How does a student letter?
A. Band students have the opportunity to "letter" just as various sports team members do. A number of activities associated with the band (being in marching band, auditioning for District Band, being a member of a designated Honor Band, volunteering to work at band events, etc) has a point value assigned. Students need a pre-determined number of points to letter.

Each student must also perform at least 2 hours of music related community service during each quarter. Being in Marching Band, taking part in District Band auditions, and performing at the annual Solo and Ensemble competition all count toward the community service hours. Many other activities may be counted toward the required hours - the Band Directors will be happy to suggest possibilities.

Students are responsible for reporting their points and hours to the Band Directors. See Band Awards for more information.

Q. What is a festival?
A. A festival is a band competition where bands compete not against each other but against a standard. Each band receives a rating (Superior, Excellent, Good etc. or I, II, III etc.) Since the bands are not competing against each other, more than one band may receive a Superior, or any other, rating. Oakton performs at two festivals each year- the State Marching Competition in the fall and the spring Band & Orchestra Festival

Q. What is a Virginia Honor Band?
A. "Virginia Honor Band" is an annual honor bestowed by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA). There are two steps to achieving Honor Band status. Step one requires a school's marching band to compete at the State Marching Festival and receive a "Superior" rating. Step two requires the school's top concert band (Symphonic Band in Oakton's case) to perform at the State Band & Orchestra Festival in the spring and receive a rating of I. Oakton has received this honor 18 times.

Q. When and where parents can buy "Oakton" stuff (t-shirts, car stickers, etc.)?
A. The Spiritwear Committee sells band related items at most band events - Orkney Family Day, concerts, home football games, Back to Band Night, etc. Available items and their prices are listed on the band website on the fundraising pages. Individuals can also contact the Spiritwear Committee to arrange purchases. 

Q. Do you publish a contact list for private lesson instructors?
A. No, although the Band Directors may be able to make suggestions so please email them directly.