New Band Students

Welcome
Welcome to the award-winning Union County High School Band!  By joining this organization, your child will become part of an outstanding program made up of students devoted to excellence in music and integrity of character.  As a parent, you also have an opportunity to get involved in the program in various roles that help keep the band moving forward. It’s important for you and your student to get plugged in to all that’s happening.  The information below will help you get up and running as you prepare for your first season.

Future Member Guide

First Things First – Forms and Registration
Please read the band handbook and fill out and return the following forms as soon as possible.  The handbook may be accessed by clicking here. Completed forms must be on file prior to Band Camp.

BAND STUDENT FORMS

CutTime Registration
CutTime is our secure payment website and is used by top bands across the country.  You will be assigned a log-in credential for the site. Please be sure and add your parent information, including email addresses, as soon as you receive your log-in credential. Weekly e-blasts of the band newsletter are sent to the addresses listed in CutTime only.

Financial:  Paying Fees
All band fees and any charges for uniform accessories may be paid using the CutTime account.  You may check the status of your student’s account at any time using this site.  Payments by check, cash, Venmo, or PayPal are also accepted.  Please make checks payable to UCHS Band-Aide Club and drop them off in the lock box in the band room

It is critical that all payments be made on schedule.  The band’s ability to meet financial obligations depends on budgeted monthly income.

Additional financial information can be found here:  Financial Info

Explaining Fees
An award-winning band program is not an inexpensive endeavor.  Band fees are determined each year to cover the cost of operating the band and providing everything necessary to train and compete.  The booster club subsidizes a portion of the cost for each student through fundraising and the rest is billed to each family in the form of band fees.  These fees are collected over a period of several months in order to reduce the financial impact.
Each student is provided with a full band uniform.  There are accessories that are the student’s responsibility and these include gloves, marching band shoes, etc.  Charges for accessories may also be paid through the CutTime website.

What Do I Need To Buy?
Your student will be given a show shirt at the end of band camp.  This shirt will be worn at home football games while the weather is still warm and under the uniform later in the season.  You may purchase extra shirts if you wish.  This can be helpful as we often have Friday night games and Saturday morning events.  Students will also need the following items:

  • Khaki shorts 

  • Compression shorts

  • Plain, long black socks

  • Performance gloves (1st pair is included.  Replacement gloves will be billed to your CutTime account)

  • Marching Band shoes (uniform committee will order and bill to your CutTime account)


Color Guard
Accessories will be ordered in August.  Color Guard members will need:

  • Dance Shoes

  • Makeup and Hair accessories


Communications – Staying Informed
Website
There are several ways to stay in the loop with what’s going on.  The best way is right here at ucbands.org Check back frequently for news items and calendar updates.

BAND APP
We use the Band App system to communicate information to students and parents on a regular basis.  All parents and students are in the same app.  Important information goes to everyone as needed.  This is one of our primary means of communication.  Click here for more information about BAND for Union County Bands.

E-blast/Weekly Updates
Once a week (during the season) a mass email is sent to everyone who has listed an email address in CutTime.  This email covers the most pressing items in the band’s schedule in detail and highlights important dates.

Facebook
Join our Band Parent Facebook group “Union County Band Aide Club.”  This is an interactive group page where you can post questions for other band parents.  Event information is also posted here on an informal basis.  


Volunteering
The success of the Union County High School Band program is dependent on parent volunteers for everything from fundraising to uniform maintenance to feeding students and pit crewing.  Every family is expected to participate during the year. It takes a well-oiled machine to keep the band moving forward and we need your help. Remember, the booster club subsidizes a portion of each student’s band fees to keep the cost to families down as much as possible.  When you help with fundraising, donate water and sodas for camp, and give your time to help sew flags or wash uniforms, you keep the wheels turning.  Look for opportunities to lend your expertise to the band program.

Performances and Competitions
The band performs at all home football games.  Students will be expected approximately two hours before game time and they are required to stay for the entire game.   This can take up to an hour after the game ends.  Students play during the first half and at halftime and they have the third quarter of the game “off.”  During this quarter they have time to eat at the concession stand.  They play again for the fourth quarter.  Please do not make plans to have your student leave early.

During competition season (late September through October), we will often have Friday night games and Saturday morning call times for competitions. Purchasing a second show shirt can prevent late night laundry emergencies.

Parents are encouraged to attend competitions as often as possible.  Out students put in countless hours of work into mastering their marching show each year and the number one way for your to show them support is to show up and cheer loudly for them!