Q. Does my student have to be in Marching Band?
A. All students placed in Concert Band I and Symphonic Band must march. All other band students are encouraged to march.

Q: How do we sign up for Marching Band?
A. Any student interested in Marching Band should pick up a forms packet from the band room in May. Completion of the forms is all that is required to sign up.  New students are given the packet during band class placement assessments (held in late May). These forms also include the necessary medical and emergency forms required to participate in band camp.

Q: Are there fees for Marching Band?
A. Marching Band participation fees are set by the budget of the Band Boosters organization each Spring. There are scholarship opportunities for any family where the fee may be a hardship. In addition to the fee, there are costs associated with shoes, socks and gloves - typically less than $50 total. The individual fees cover less than 45% of the total costs of running the Marching Band program. Learn more >>

Q. When are tryouts for Marching Band?
A. Students don't try out for Marching Band -- all band members are welcome! Students will, however, play for the band directors during band camp for placement according to skill level. Drumline has placement auditions in June of the preceding school year, but percussionists who join the program during the summer are encouraged to see the band directors.

Q. Who is required to go to band camp in August? All band members, or just marching band members?
A. Only Marching Band members, including Color Guard, go to band camp in August.

Q. Does my student need a physical to be part of Marching Band?
A. Yes. In addition to the emergency care form which must be filled out and notarized (before the first day of marching band), your student will need to turn in a VHSL physical form dated after Jan. 1, 2011.

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. What is "Pre-camp"?
A. Pre-Camp refers generally to the first or second week in August when Marching Band begins rehearsals at Oakton. New marchers are taught how to march and returning marchers get a refresher course.

Q. What is Band Camp?
A. "Band Camp" refers to the week the band spends at Orkney Springs each mid-August.

Q. What is Post-Camp"?
A. These are the weeks after the band returns from Orkney. The band will usually practice daily at Oakton in preparation for the first performance of the season which is the football game between Oakton and Madison held the Friday of Labor Day weekend.

Q. What if I play an instrument that doesn't march?
A. In some cases, one instrument can be substituted for another. For example, piccolo is substituted for flute and mellophone for French horn. In other cases, you may be asked to try a new instrument. Don't worry, if you want to march, an instrument will be found. Or you can join the color guard.

Q. What are "States"?
A. "States" is short for the State Marching Festival. Bands compete against a "standard" rather than against each other. There are no 1st, 2nd, 3rd places. Each band receives an independent rating of Superior, Excellent, Good, etc. Receiving a "Superior" rating at the State Marching Festival is the first step toward receiving Virginia Honor Band status. The marching festival is run by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Association in October. In the spring, the run a concert festival. Superior ratings at both festivals earns the distinction of being a Virginia State Honors Band. Oakton High School has achieved this honor 18 times. For more information click here.

Q. What is the dress for Marching Band when they don't wear their uniforms?
A. This varies depending on any number of things - weather, what the band is going to be doing, etc. Sometimes they wear their "show shirts" (a T-shirt they will receive at Orkney) and sometimes they wear street clothes. The students will be informed of what they are to wear before each event. For more information click here.

Q. Are parents able to go to competitions and festivals?
A. Yes! Not only are parents allowed, they are encouraged to come and cheer for the band. The students love to hear cheers and applause from Oakton supporters.

Q. Why don't we know earlier the play times (schedule) for the band competitions?
A. In most cases the order of performances for competitions is not set until only a few days before the competition. As soon as the band directors know what Oakton's schedule will be, the parents are told. Competitions are on Saturdays and it is recommended that your student set aside the entire day to allow for practice, transportation and competition.

Q. What about homework when school starts? Will they have time to work on it before practice?
A. All Freshman are required to be present for a mandatory homework period between the end of classes and the start of marching each day (approximately 2:30PM-3:30PM). Upper classman are encouraged to take advantage of this time as well. Marching band season does require good time management skills - skills that will be useful for a lifetime.

Q. How does my student balance marching band and other activities?
A. There is no denying that marching band requires a large commitment of time and energy. Practices last until 5:30PM four evenings a week and there are football games and/or competitions each week as well. With careful planning and efficient use of time, a student can manage marching band plus homework, athletics, Scouts, church, free time, etc. Keep in mind that marching season is only two months long.

Q. Does the band perform at football games? Do students stay for the whole game? When do they need to arrive?
A. The band performs at all home football games. Every other year the band also performs at an away game at Madison High School. If the football team advances to the playoffs, the band will travel with them to perform. Band students stay the entire game unless they have prior permission to leave early. The band usually arrives at school an hour before game time, however the exact time will be set by the band directors each week.

Q. Is there a pep band for away games?
Starting with the 2010 football season, the Cougars will be sending a pep band to away games.

Q. Does the band play at basketball games?
A. No.

Q. Who do I need to notify if I need to drive my student home from an away game or leave early from a competition?
A. The student should notify the band directors before the day of the game or competition so that any necessary paperwork MUST be filled out. Click here for the required Fairfax County Public School form.