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Festus R6 School District

"Educating all students to meet tomorrow's challenges."

Marching Band

Marching Band

Letter to Families

Hello Marching Band Members and their Parents/Guardians!

You are receiving this because you (or your band kid/s) are on the marching band roster for this fall.  If that is an error, please let me know asap as we are beginning to work on show charting.

There is a lot of information here (and probably some I’m forgetting to include).  Please read through carefully and let me know if you have questions.

The communication program we use is called CutTime.  Payments can be made through this site for marching band fees, as well. Soon, you should be receiving messages from that source.  We also use ParentSquare through the school year.  

I hope you have a great summer! I also hope you are looking forward to our fall marching band season.  This year’s theme is “Top Hits of the Decades” and will include Rock Around the Clock, Hey Jude, Bohemian Rhapsody, Livin’ on a Prayer, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Mr. Brightside, Uptown Funk, and Blinding Lights.

Here is our camp schedule:

Monday-Wednesday, July 27-29 – Drumline Practice (Drumline Only) – 9am-1pm – FHS Band Room

Tuesday, July 28 – Color Guard Practice – 10am-Noon – FHS Band Room

Wednesday, July 29 – Leaders Meeting (All drum majors/section leaders/assistant section leaders/captains) – 1-3:30pm – FHS Band Room

Thursday-Friday, July 30-31 – Marching Band Practice (Full Band) – 8am-Noon – FHS Band Room

Monday-Thursday, August 3-6 – Marching Band Practice (Full Band) – 8am-Noon – FHS Band Room

Thursday, August 6 – Marching Band Performance/Parent Meeting – 6:30pm – Tiger Stadium

Attendance of ALL participants is expected at camp.  There will be a lot of new things learned – even for returning band members.  Please plan to be here!

Uniform check-out will start with Seniors and Juniors on Friday, July 31st, at noon.  Sophomores will be on Monday, August 3rd, at noon. Freshmen uniform checkout will be on Tuesday, August 4th, beginning at noon.  Sizing can take a bit of time.  The goal would be that each day ends by 1:30. The Uniform agreement is attached to this packet, but hard copies will be available at camp, as well.

MARCHING BAND SENIOR BANNER PICTURES will be taken Monday, August 3rd, beginning at noon.  Mr. Rhine is our awesome banner picture taker!  

For the July/Aug rehearsals, dress as cool and comfortable as possible; we will be outside most of the time each morning. 8 am to 12 pm can be warm this time of year. 😊 Wear comfortable shoes & SOCKS, too! (No sandals or flip-flops). Drink plenty of water and EVERYONE MUST bring personal water jugs.  Please use sunscreen, as well!

We will have Dress up days for Full Camp to show some spirit – winning sections might even get a prize!

Thursday– normal day

Friday – Festus Friday – wear something Festus-y!

Monday – ‘Merica Monday – wear something Patriotic!

Tuesday – Tye-Dye Tuesday – wear something Tye-Dyed!

Wednesday – Wacky Wednesday – wear some silly socks or hat, or both!

Thursday – Threads Thursday – Your section will pick something “matchy” or special!

 

Band members can park in the student lot and come in through the attendance office doors or be dropped off by the band room doors at the front of the building. 

The Marching Band fee is $65 this year.  The fee will include meals for the entire band at home football games during 3rd quarter via the Band Boosters and other performance events. Like before, the fee also funds band T-shirts, drill design, supplies, uniform maintenance, etc. If you are a rookie member, you’ll need marching shoes. The shoes will be available to size and order during your camp uniform checkout time. Cost for new shoes is $50. Returning band members may also purchase marching shoes.  We are phasing out the current shoes for a more modern style.  The new shoes promise to be more comfortable! 🙂 If your current shoes still fit, there is no need to buy new.  Black cotton gripper long-wrist gloves will be ordered for $6 at this time, too. You may make out one check for the fees, shoes & gloves for the total amount ($121) payable to “Festus High School” and turn it in with the uniform check-out sheet. Used marching shoes are available on a first come/first serve basis while supplies last for $15. (Total would then be $86).  We are able to offer the ability to pay band fees (not band booster membership) online through our service provider, CutTime.  If you have any questions about the fees, shoes, etc., please email Mrs. Sekelsky at sekelskystephanie@festusedu.com. We work to accommodate everyone.  

Band Booster Membership – please see the attached form. Our Band Booster President is Mrs. Trost.  You can expect to see emails from her seeking help at our events.  Us directors can’t tell you how much we appreciate all that the Band Boosters do!!!  We are hugely grateful! The membership payment needs to be kept separate from band fees payment.  Thanks!

Beginning with the 2022 season MSHSAA passed a rule that requires ALL Marching Band members to have a physical before they can participate.  You will need to get a physical (good for two years) before the start of school in August.  Also, all band members will need to fill out the activity packet found on the school website, – under the PRIVIT link.  Questions regarding the activity packet and eligibility requirements regarding the physical can be directed to the activities office at 636-937-5946.  Incoming freshman – if you had a physical last year for an 8th grade sport it might still be “good.”  Again, physicals are good for two years, assuming your doctor checks the correct box on his/her form.   July 1st is when the information becomes available on the school website.

Other helpful info…

For marching band - students should have a pair of black shorts that will be a part of our “Summer uniform” if the weather is too hot for our regular band uniforms or for possible assembly performances and such.  Inseams for the shorts should be no less than 5 inches, please!  They will be worn with the band t-shirt and marching band shoes. Short black socks will be helpful when in summer uniform.  Long black socks will be needed when in full uniform.

Marching band members that are new to the program – you will have the opportunity to borrow or purchase a flip book and/or lyre that will hold your marching band music.  These are things that will attach to your instrument or arm (flutists).  We will distribute these items during camp week.  You can buy them online or at a music store for yourself if you prefer.  Just make sure you get what you need for your specific instrument.  Drumline members and Color Guard members do not need these supplies.  Again, you can borrow these items from us if you’d rather.  We simply ask for them back at the end of the marching band season and to pay for them if they are broken or damaged.

The band calendar is also attached.  We have an awesome marching season with four regular season home football games, and possibly some post season games.  Unfortunately, the MIZZOU Homecoming parade falls on the same weekend as our homecoming and we think that is too much to ask the kids to do.  I am actively seeking another event for the band to perform at during the season. The rest of the calendar for the school year is also listed (minus pep band).  We (the district fine art faculty) got together to hash out dates for concerts/plays, etc.  Hopefully these dates listed will stick (barring cancellation due to snow).  Any calendar changes will be posted on the band website and sent out in an email.  

For Drum Majors/Section Leaders/Assistant Section Leaders/Captains – we will see you on Wednesday, July 29th, at 1 p.m. for our leadership seminar.  Pizza will be provided, but please bring a beverage.

Color Guard members, we will see you on Tuesday, July 28th, for practice from 10 a.m. – noon. (Your summer practice schedule was sent through email.)

Attachments to this letter include:

Band Calendar for your information.

Band Booster Membership Form – can be turned in during camp or when school starts.

Uniform agreement – should be turned in before receiving uniform.  

Whew, so much information!  Don’t hesitate to ask questions.  

Thanks for your time, support, and efforts!

Get ready for “Top Hits of the Decades!!” Woot!

Mrs. Sekelsky

sekelskystephanie@festusedu.com

It’s a great time to be a TIGERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

 

Become a member of the FestusBands Facebook Page!

Check out the band website.

Tiger head logo with "Festus Marching Band" surrounding it

Important Documents

November 14, 2025

Color guard members perform on a green field at night, holding flags.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, wearing black and gold uniforms.

Members of a marching band play flutes, wearing black and yellow uniforms.

A marching band performs on a football field at night.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, with musicians in uniform.

A marching band member plays the flute during a performance.

A marching band member plays the clarinet during a performance.

A marching band member plays the flute during a performance.

A young musician plays a trumpet in a marching band, wearing a yellow and black uniform.

A band member plays the flute during a performance, wearing a uniform and hat.

A band conductor leads a marching band on a football field at night.

A young woman plays a trumpet in a marching band, wearing a black and yellow uniform.

A marching band member plays a trumpet on a football field at night.

A young musician plays a trumpet in a marching band, wearing a black and gold uniform.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, wearing black and gold uniforms.

A marching band member plays a trumpet on a green field at night.

A marching band member plays a trumpet on a green field at night.

A young musician plays a trumpet in a marching band, wearing a black and yellow uniform.

A young musician plays a trumpet while wearing a marching band uniform.

A person in a marching band uniform stands against a black background.

November 7, 2025

Marching band members in black and gold uniforms perform on a field at night.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, saxophones in hand.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, playing clarinets.

A person in a marching band uniform conducts on a dark field at night.

A band member plays a clarinet, wearing a yellow and black uniform and a feathered hat.

Two band members in black and gold uniforms play instruments on a football field.

A marching band flute section performs on a green field at night.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, illuminated by stadium lights.

A marching band performs on a field at night, playing trumpets.

A marching band performs, playing trumpets on a green field at night.

A marching band performs on a green field at night.

A young person in a marching band uniform prepares to play the drums.

A marching band performs on a football field at night.

A marching band performs on a field at night, playing trumpets.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, playing brass instruments.

October 24, 2025 Senior Night

Senior Night

A family walks arm-in-arm on a track, likely at a school event.

A young man in a band uniform stands with a woman holding flowers.

A young person in a band uniform walks with two adults on a track.

A young man in a marching band uniform walks with a woman, both smiling.

A young person in a band uniform walks with two adults on a track.

Three people walk arm-in-arm on a track, one holding flowers.

A young woman in a band uniform walks with two adults on a track.

A young person in a band uniform walks with an adult holding flowers.

Four people walk arm-in-arm, likely at an outdoor event, with a brick wall in the background.

A young woman in a band uniform walks with two adults, one holding a bouquet.

A young man in a marching band uniform walks with two adults on a track.

A young man in a band uniform walks with his parents on a track.

A young woman in a band uniform walks with her parents on a track.

A young woman in a band uniform walks with her parents on a track.

A young person in a band uniform walks with two adults on a track.

A young man in a band uniform walks with a woman on a track, holding flowers.

Four people walk arm-in-arm on a track, smiling at the camera.

A young man in a band uniform walks with his parents on a track.

A family walks on a track, likely at a school event.

Two young women walk arm-in-arm on a track, holding bouquets.

A young person in a band uniform walks with two adults on a track.

September 12, 2025 vs Windsor football

A marching band performs on a football field at night, led by a conductor.

A band conductor leads a marching band on a football field at night.

A marching band performs on a green football field at night.

A high school marching band performs on a football field at night.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, illuminated by stadium lights.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, with flags and instruments.

Three band members in gold and silver jackets stand on a football field at night.

Three performers in gold sequined outfits stand on a football field.

September 5, 2025 vs Francis Howell Central football

A marching band in yellow and black uniforms plays on a green football field.

Members of a marching band in yellow and black uniforms play their instruments.

A marching band member plays a saxophone, wearing a yellow and black uniform.

A marching band performs on a green field, wearing yellow and black uniforms.

A marching band plays flutes on a green field, wearing black and gold uniforms.

A marching band in yellow and black uniforms plays trumpets on a green field.

A marching band performs on a football field, wearing yellow and black uniforms.

A marching band drumline performs on a green field, wearing black and gold uniforms.

A marching band in yellow and black uniforms stands on a green football field.

A person in a marching band uniform gestures with gloved hands.

A marching band performs, with musicians playing trumpets in unison.

A marching band performs on a green field, playing brass instruments.

A marching band plays trombones on a green field, wearing yellow and black uniforms.

A marching band in gold and black uniforms stands on a green field at night.

A color guard member holds a flag with a vibrant design on a football field at night.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, with musicians playing flutes.

A marching band performs on a green field, playing clarinets and flutes.

A color guard member twirls a flag on a football field at night.

A marching band member plays the flute during a night performance.

A marching band performs on a football field at night, playing clarinets.

A young musician plays the flute in a marching band, wearing a black and gold uniform.

A marching band performs on a green field at night, with musicians playing instruments.

A marching band performs on a green football field at night.

A young musician plays a trumpet in a marching band uniform.

A musician plays a trumpet in a marching band, wearing a yellow and black uniform.

A musician in a marching band plays a trumpet, wearing a yellow and black uniform.

A young person plays the clarinet in a marching band, wearing a black and gold uniform.

A person in a gold sequined jacket and sunglasses performs outdoors at night.

A marching band member plays a trumpet on a green field at night.

A marching band performs on a field at night, wearing black and gold uniforms.

A marching band member plays a drum set during a performance.

A young musician plays a trumpet while wearing a band uniform and hat.

A young person in a marching band uniform plays a trumpet.

A person lies on a track while others hold drums above them.