2023-2024 Stone Bridge High School Marching Bulldogs

The Stone Bridge High School Marching Band is an extra-curricular/co-curricular ensemble consisting of musicians and visual ensemble known as the color guard.  While the drum major and color guard positions are open by audition only, all musicians with sufficient musical training who are willing to put forth the required effort and meet the attendance expectations are welcome to join the marching band.  Most years, the group performs at a variety of functions including all home varsity football games, some away games, marching band competitions, local parades, community events, pep rallies, etc.  Most activities generally take place during the late summer and autumn months but other opportunities arise throughout the year. 

All marchers are awarded varsity letters or chevrons for each year successfully completed.  Marchers must meet all attendance requirements in order to receive these awards.  Marchers are allowed two excused absences and one unexcused absence (for those absences where parents and director disagree on the need for an absence) from rehearsals.  There are very few acceptable reasons to miss any performance.  Absences for performances and rehearsals should be arranged as much in advance as possible.  Social events, hair appointments, concerts, homework, other group meetings, club or travel sports, etc. are not considered excused absences.  Optional events are not mandatory.  Band members attending events when the band is in attendance are expected and required to participate with the band instead of choosing not to participate.

During the fall season of the school year, the Marching Bulldogs typically rehearse from 4:30-6:45 Tuesday through Thursday as well as some Mondays (to be announced in the near future.)  PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS ON REHEARSAL/ PERFORMANCE DATES.  Monday rehearsal times may vary from the typical 4:30-6:45 times.  Due to the nature of a marching program, one person absent from a rehearsal or portion of rehearsal affects EVERYONE.  Missed rehearsals may result in marchers not marching a performance.  Each individual Marching Bulldog is equally important and necessary to a successful rehearsal or performance. 

We are conducting Band Camp during August.  The mandatory FULL band camp will be held August 7-11 and 14-15 from 8:00 AM-12:30 PM AND from 4:00-8:30 PM (two mandatory sessions per day), as well as evening rehearsals August 16-18 from 4:00-8:30 with a dinner break during the evening rehearsal for bag dinners.  All members would continue evening rehearsals August 21-24 from 4:30-6:45 PM (no dinner break on these days.)  Before attending Full Band Camp, rookie marchers and leadership team members are also required to participate in the Rookie Camp on August 3 & 4 (9:00 AM-4:00 PM).  Leadership team members would start on August 1 and 2 from 9:00-4:00.  Missed rehearsals during August do count as absences.  Our annual Ice Cream Social and Parent Performance is tentatively scheduled to be held on Friday, August 18.  Show music and school-owned marching instruments will be made available over the summer. 

We will be conducting all marching band registrations online this year using this Permission Click  

The online registration is due by May 31, 2023 and is considered to be a formal commitment to the season.  The online registration link is located on Mr. Keller’s staff page on the Stone Bridge High School website.  The information requested in this form is required and will be used to set up a Charms Office Account.  Charms Office is currently projected as the primary communication vehicle for the Marching Bulldogs 2023 season and by the Stone Bridge High School Music Boosters Association (SBHSMBA) although other options have been considered.  If a switch is made, we would move information to that platform.    

When you sign up for a Charms Office account, all contact information will be used by the SBHSMBA to facilitate communication.  Using Charms, parents and students can:

1.        Access a centralized calendar of main events

2.        Sign up to volunteer at music events and fundraisers

3.        Access handouts and files

4.        Check whether required forms have been submitted

5.        Review any instrument inventory or uniforms that have been assigned

6.        Make payments to the SBHSMBA online using PayPal.

7.        Check student fundraising account balances.

As marching programs are expensive to operate, participation in the Marching Bulldogs full, normal season requires a fee of $200.  These fees help cover the cost of band t-shirts, festival fees, outside instructors, equipment, band letters/awards, drill design, music, etc.  An initial deposit $100 is due by June 1st with checks payable to SBHS MBA (our Music Boosters Association) and can be mailed to SBHS attention David Keller or be given to your school band director at Trailside MS or Stone Bridge HS.  You may also elect to make full payments at this time.  Any remaining balance will be due August 7.  On the memo line, please write “2023 Marching Band” and the participating student’s name.  Please contact Mr. Keller if other financial arrangements will need to be made.  Fees are non-refundable once paid.  If you already have your Charms Office account, you can pay online using PayPal but will need to request that we set up a fixed payment for you.  If you are new to Charms, once you complete the online registration, we will send you instructions via e-mail to access your Charms Office account.  Please note that other required materials will also need to be purchased including white gloves, shoes, marching shorts, etc.

The Marching Bulldogs also generally offer a great opportunity for students and parents to participate TOGETHER!  Within a typical season, the marching band can be a great way to spend time participating in an activity with your family members.  Parent volunteers are ALWAYS needed for various roles such as driving the trailer, uniform care, chaperoning events, etc.  All parents are also encouraged to join the Stone Bridge High School Music Boosters Association.  Thank you for your time and interest.  We look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

David Keller
Band Director
Stone Bridge High School

Proposed Varsity Football Game Schedule:

August 25th-SBHS v. Madison--Home
October 6th -SBHS v. Potomac Falls—Home
October 13th — SBHS v. Lightridge --Homecoming
October 27th –SBHS v. Briar Woods--Home 

Regional/State Playoff Games and Other possibility of travel to away games TBA

Potential Festivals/Competitions/Dates—Please note these are not finalized calendar events but are potential dates for events:

August Car Wash Dates TBA
September 9th Possible Tag Day TBA (ACT Date!)
September 23rd South County Band Competition or other site TBA
September 30th —Herndon Band Competition or other site TBA
October 21st --Projected VBODA State Marching Assessment at Massaponax
October 28th —Possible Band Competition (or VBODA State Marching Assessment?)(ACT Date!)
October 31st—Leesburg Kiwanis Parade 

Please remember Marching band shows are custom written for the exact number of performers. Every member has a unique role in the show. Therefore, it is extremely important for every member to attend every rehearsal and performance. If you are absent, it diminishes the experience for everyone. If you are new to marching band, you will soon find that it is extremely difficult to rehearse the show if other members are missing.

If you know you have a conflict, please discusses it with Mr. Keller as soon as possible and before you sign up! Be sure you can make the commitment for the entire season.

The link below includes this year's spring application and may be accessed from your LCPS Google account. 

Before completing the application please make sure you meet the following requirements. 

--Enrolled in a music performance class this year.

--Enrolled in a music performance class next year.  

--Currently a sophomore or junior.

--Overall GPA equal to or above 3.5

--Music GPA equal to or above 3.75

 Spring applications are due by 11:59 PM on May 7, 2021. 

Spring 2021 Application