Should I Join Band?

If you are a parent/guardian or student wondering about joining band, below are answers to a few questions you might have. If you have additional questions, please feel free to email the Directors at jason.frey@cobbk12.org or mia.jordan@cobbk12.org.

How do I sign up? 

New Members interested in joining Marching and/or Class Band and/or Color Guard should complete an interest form ASAP. This will help our Directors and Boosters with planning.

complete the 2025-2026 form click here

How Much Does Band Cost?

The 2025-26 Marching Band fees will be set in late Spring 2025, following the FY26 Budget vote. 

A $100 deposit is due with registration, by May 31st to secure your marching spot - registration will open on May 1st, 2025.

The remainder of the marching band fees can be paid in a single payment or spread across multiple months.

The 2025-26 Class Band fees will be set in late Spring 2025, following the FY26 Budget vote. 

Fundraising is a large part of our annual budget, and fees are subsidized for every single student. There are opportunities for students to participate and raise additional funds for their personal band account to cover fees and trip costs. Additionally, Financial Assistance may be available for those experiencing financial hardships.

What’s the Summer Schedule?

Tentatively:

May 10th 9am - 5pm, Spring Marcher Camp with Show Announcement

May 10th after rehearsal, Mandatory Parent/Guardian Registration Meeting

June Ad hoc Percussion and Guard rehearsals

July 9-11 Leadership/Guard/Percussion Pre-Camp

July 13th Band Social

July 14-18 Band Camp 9am-9pm

July 21-25 Band Camp 9am-9pm

July 29 & 31 Afternoon rehearsal 4pm-7:30pm

August 4th First day of School

I don’t play a marching instrument, can I still be in the Marching Band?

Absolutely! We have many students who play a non-marching instrument in the classroom and transfer that skill-set to the field! Additionally, the Wheeler Band has an exceptional color guard. Many of our Guard members have a background in Dance, Theater and Orchestra - no experience necessary, our instructors can teach you!

What’s a Typical “Week in the Life” During Marching Season?

Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is expected from every member! Excused absences must be approved by a director.

August - early November

Tuesdays 4:00-7:30pm Practice
Thursdays 4:00-7:30pm Practice
Fridays 4pm Call Time for Football Games

Some Saturdays in September/October/early November we will have Saturday Practice or Competition

Top 12 Reasons to Join the Wheeler Bands Program –   More Than Just Music

While learning the skill of playing an instrument is valuable on its own merit, there are many other benefits to joining band. Read on…

Get Active

Weather permitting, kids who participate in marching band will spend at least 8 hours a week outdoors, during marching season. Studies have shown that kids who spend time outdoors are smarter, happier, and more attentive than kids who spend time indoors. Spending time outdoors activates more senses – students see, hear, smell, and touch outdoor environments, expanding the richness of the human experience. Getting kids off screens and outdoors gets their blood pumping. Even mild exercise can help kids focus and relieve stress.

Brain Boost

Students who regularly participate in music-rich experiences receive benefits beyond the ability to play a musical instrument. Students involved in music have larger growth of neural activity than people not in music training. Playing an instrument requires using more of your brain. One specific benefit research has found involves spatial intelligence, which translates into improved skills in solving multistep problems. In addition, recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language. Therefore, musical experience strengthens language competence, which in turn can strengthen social competence.

Time Management

Without a doubt, marching band involves a large time commitment. As a result, students must learn the skills to plan and use their time wisely in order to accomplish their personal and academic goals. Over 27% of our Marching Band students are Magnet students! It can be done!

Teamwork

Students learn the value of working together and come to understand how their individual effort impacts the group as a whole.

Friendship

Ask almost any student in band what they like best about band, and inevitably they will tell you it’s their friends. Starting with band camp in the summer, students begin to make new friends before school even starts. By the time the first day of school rolls around, students already feel at home on the Wheeler campus, and probably will even have a few familiar band faces in some of their classes. Not only will they make friends within their own grade, having friendships with older students can help make the transition from middle school to high school a little smoother.

Leadership

Band provides leadership training to all interested students, with opportunities for more in-depth training for selected students. Opportunities for leadership include Drum Majors, Brass/Woodwind/Percussion Captains, Section Leaders, Field Commander, Band Captain.

Quality Musical Instruction

Wheeler Band strives to provide a high-quality, rigorous musical instruction experience for all of its students. In addition to three full time directors, Wheeler Band includes several instrument specific adjunct directors, instructors, and staff.

Esprit de Corp

Students who join the band form a special bond with one another. Among band members there is a common spirit of pride, enthusiasm and devotion to the band that extends far beyond their four years of high school.

Competition

The Wheeler Band program seeks to encourage habits and choices that move students towards excellence. This progress allows students to see a continuous improvement in their own personal performance. By providing a rich and diverse range of opportunities in and out of the classroom, the goal is for each student to strive in each performance to be the best version of themselves.

Opportunity to Serve

Wheeler Band is a large organization with many outstanding and dedicated parent volunteers. Not only do parents volunteer, but students are also given on occasion opportunities to serve.

Confidence

With each new skill or habit that is mastered, students gain increased confidence. In addition, numerous opportunities to perform on the field and on stage, showcasing their ever-improving performance, gives students a sense of pride and self-confidence – a quality so important to one’s success.

Fun

The Wheeler Band is far from all work and no play! During band camp, students get to break up the rehearsals with activities such a bowling, a pool party, and a Talent Show. Band members also get to enjoy themselves in the stands during football games, playing their instruments with their friends, right next to the student section. Not only do students have fun locally, occasionally students travel either for competitions or to march in parades.