New Member Information

See the 2009 Band Camp Schedule below.  There will be no rehearsals on 
Saturday and Sunday.  All sessions are from 7:30 to 11:00 then 12:30 to 2:30.

Leadership meeting-July 29th 10-noon

New Parents Meeting July 30 at 7 PM in SMS Band Room.

New Marchers Camp-July 30-Aug 4 (5th hour band members are done at lunch on 
the 4th).

1st Hour Band Camp-Aug 3-11

1st Hour Percussion Camp-July 30-Aug. 11


Attending band camp is essential for individual and group success.  Get 
these dates on your family calendar right away so you can be a part of this 
great South tradition.  Parents - please come to the Parents Meeting the 
evening of Thursday, July 30 to find out what you can do to support your 
student and what to expect from the band program. 

During new marchers’ camp, you will learn how to march the fundamental style 
of the award winning Rompin’ Stompin’ Raider Band, rehearse and memorize our 
traditional pregame and stand music, and grow from working with our highly 
experienced adult staff and our one-of-a-kind student leadership corps.  
These Junior and Senior Raider band members are looking forward to welcoming 
you to the band.  They know that the way to a successful year is to give you 
part of the ownership of this band from day one.  It is hard to explain but 
even though we work very hard and learn tons of information, the students 
always have a great time at camp.  Time after time I hear that Band Camp is 
one of our band members’ favorite times of year.  We are looking forward to 
having you join us!

What Band Class to enroll in: 
Most of you will sign up for Freshman Band.  The band meets 5th hour all 
year long.  These students attend New Marchers’ Camp from July 30th through 
August 4th.  Once school starts, the class focuses on marching music and 
techniques.  The band performs along with the 1st hour band the pregame show 
at all home football plus the Overland Park   Starting in October, we begin 
rehearsing as a concert band for most rehearsals and by November, we are 
exclusively an indoor band that prepares a series of concerts throughout the 
school year.  This band rehearses at 7AM most Thursdays with the 1st hour 
band through marching season.

An ambitious option:
If you are really dedicated, are fairly advanced on your instrument, and 
want to take on a challenge, you might consider marching with the first 
hour “competition band.”  This band is primarily 10-12 graders but every 
year a select group of freshman are invited to join.  To be in this group, 
you would do New Marchers’ Camp with the other freshmen then continue 
through the 1st Hour Band Camp which goes until Aug. 11th.  You would be in 
1st hour instead of 5th hour band.  This group performs at all home games, 
three or four marching festival/contests, and the Overland Park Parade.  The 
group rehearses every morning from 7AM to 8:30AM plus Thursday afternoon.  
Yes, it is an intense schedule but the benefits are amazing.  This 
incredible group is the definition of team work, dedication, and the pursuit 
of quality.  It also considers itself the happiest band around!  If you 
aren’t ready for it your Freshman year, this is the group you would go into 
during your sophomore year and beyond.

If you want to join the first hour competition band, Mr. Adams will come to 
Indian Woods to listen to you or other arrangements can be made.  Be 
prepared to play a piece of your choice to show off your skill and 
musicality.  We may also work on some basic marching skills.  This will be a 
quick and painless audition.  I am most interested in brass and mallet 
percussionists but I will listen to anyone interested.