FAQ
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Is Band Camp absolutely mandatory if I’m in marching band?
A: Band Camp is absolutely necessary for all students to learn the show for the current season. Most of the learning takes place during camp. We have very limited rehearsals during the season so Band Camp is an intensive learning experience that cannot be missed if a student is to participate in marching band.
Q: Where will Band Camp be held?
A: Band Camp is held at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Kamuela on the Big Island.
Q: What if I have to drop marching band before band camp?
A: We expect students to honor the commitment after enrollment forms have been signed. However, we do understand there are sometimes unusual circumstances. In these cases, we ask that the student notify, as soon as possible via email 1) the band director 2) Academy Music Department head Darin Au at [email protected], 3) the student's dean and 4) Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. (if cancelling on or before June 30, 2015) at [email protected].
Failure to do so will result in the student being charged the full amount for band camp and other uniform related expenses. Our planning, including writing the student a part in the season’s show, relies on this commitment form and the accuracy of numbers. If all three parties listed do not receive notification, then planning becomes extremely difficult. We ask for your kokua.
Q: What airline will we be flying on?
A: We will be flying on Hawaiian Airlines.
Q: Can I obtain mileage for this flight?
A: Yes, you can obtain mileage for this flight. Please submit your Hawaiian Airlines mileage number at the time of registration or to Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. as soon as you can.
Q: How much luggage can I bring?
A: Each traveler is allowed one piece of checked luggage at no more than 50 pounds and no more than 62 linear inches (height + width + length). This does NOT include your instrument.
Each traveler is also allowed one piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item (such as a purse). Your carry-on baggage should be no more than 45 linear inches, or 9"x14"x22" (height + width + length), and no more than 25 pounds
Q: What does a typical weekly schedule look like for a marching band member?
A: Students rehearse every other school day (typically ACE days) at 7:30 a.m. Due to logistics (moving equipment and 200 bodies in and out of the band room), we ask that students arrive by 7:00 a.m. to start rehearsals at 7:15 a.m. Doing this allows the band to have a full rehearsal and allows the students the luxury of changing their clothing after rehearsal. We do not mark students officially late until 7:30 a.m., but ask students to arrive early as a courtesy to each other and the betterment of the program as a whole.
Before each marching band event there will be a dress rehearsal. The drum line and color guard have weekly rehearsals scheduled outside of the school day. For most other members, mandatory rehearsals are not scheduled outside of the school day. While most marching programs in Hawaii hold extra rehearsals, our music department philosophy places focus on our concert band program and recognizes the busy schedules of our students.
Football games are played on Friday or Saturday evenings. Students are expected to report to the band room according to the schedule given to them in the syllabus and on the band calendar. The report time varies from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the return time may vary from 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. In addition to football games the band will likely participate in 2 band festivals and 1 parade.
Q: How long is the marching band season?
A: The season begins at Band Camp and generally runs through mid-November, but could extend into the early part of December. We do not hold rehearsals between the end of Band Camp and the beginning of school. A detailed schedule will be finalized by the first day of school, but could be delayed due to athletics and festival organizers.
Q: Is being in marching band mandatory if I’m a first year member of the Academy Band program?
A: Yes, marching band is mandatory for first year members. In the past, marching band used to be mandatory for all band members but that rule has been relaxed somewhat. The ONLY EXCEPTIONS are in the event a medical condition prevents participation OR the student plays oboe or bassoon. Oboe and bassoon players may opt to not participate but we often like to encourage them to be members on another instrument (i.e. drum corps) or the flag corps. A few first year members are reluctant to be in marching band at first, but after their first season they are frequently more than happy to sign on for another season.
Q: Does the band only perform at football games?
A: No, the marching band performs at local marching festivals, parades, and sometimes performs off island. In the recent past, we have performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade, Disneyland, the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, the 2012 London New Year's Day Parade, and the 2009 and 1013 Presidential Inaugural Parade. We also encourage all parents to come to our concert band performances toward the end of each semester.
Q: Do I get graduation credit for marching band?
A: Yes, students receive 1⁄4 credit for each season completed. Credit appears on a student’s transcript as a 1⁄2 credit after TWO seasons have been completed. This credit counts as general elective credit and is in addition to the 1 credit received for a year of enrollment in the Academy Band program.
Q: I play oboe/bassoon. Do I need to be in marching band?
A: As stated above, you do not need to be in marching band, but we encourage you (especially first year members) to participate. In the past, we have had oboists and bassoonists participate in the drum line or the color guard. Others have learned to play saxophone or another instrument and marched with that instrument. If you plan to learn another instrument, it would be a good idea to sign up for some private lessons during the summer to prepare you for marching band. All drum line and color guard members need to contact the band directors to learn about spring and summer rehearsal dates. Additionally, students are placed in concert band according to the instrument they auditioned on in January 2013. If for any reason, a student wishes to switch instruments, the student must re-audition with a band director and will be placed according to ability AND instrument balance in the ensembles. For students in their first year at Punahou, that audition was held in April.
Q: Do I need to be enrolled in a concert band to be in the Color Guard?
A: Color Guard members need not be enrolled in a concert band. However, you do need to register for Marching Band with your dean. This should be done during your registration period or, at the latest, before you leave for summer vacation. All color guard members need to contact the band directors to learn about spring and summer rehearsal dates.
Q: How do students get to marching band events and performances?
A: All students are required to ride on their assigned bus. The marching band is provided roundtrip transportation on school or chartered buses from Punahou School to all performances. Exception 1: When the students have submitted the season long pick up from Aloha Stadium form. This is distributed about the time of the first game. Exception 2: When a student’s participation in another Punahou activity on a performance date indicates a need, the Director may give individual permission for the student to travel to or from the game with parents when notified appropriately in advance of the event. Most event conflicts are known weeks in advance. The greater notice, the easier it is to resolve the conflict.
Q: How do I get in contact with Seawind?
A: Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc.
725 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: 808.791.5454
www.seawindtours.com
Q: Is Band Camp absolutely mandatory if I’m in marching band?
A: Band Camp is absolutely necessary for all students to learn the show for the current season. Most of the learning takes place during camp. We have very limited rehearsals during the season so Band Camp is an intensive learning experience that cannot be missed if a student is to participate in marching band.
Q: Where will Band Camp be held?
A: Band Camp is held at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Kamuela on the Big Island.
Q: What if I have to drop marching band before band camp?
A: We expect students to honor the commitment after enrollment forms have been signed. However, we do understand there are sometimes unusual circumstances. In these cases, we ask that the student notify, as soon as possible via email 1) the band director 2) Academy Music Department head Darin Au at [email protected], 3) the student's dean and 4) Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. (if cancelling on or before June 30, 2015) at [email protected].
Failure to do so will result in the student being charged the full amount for band camp and other uniform related expenses. Our planning, including writing the student a part in the season’s show, relies on this commitment form and the accuracy of numbers. If all three parties listed do not receive notification, then planning becomes extremely difficult. We ask for your kokua.
Q: What airline will we be flying on?
A: We will be flying on Hawaiian Airlines.
Q: Can I obtain mileage for this flight?
A: Yes, you can obtain mileage for this flight. Please submit your Hawaiian Airlines mileage number at the time of registration or to Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. as soon as you can.
Q: How much luggage can I bring?
A: Each traveler is allowed one piece of checked luggage at no more than 50 pounds and no more than 62 linear inches (height + width + length). This does NOT include your instrument.
Each traveler is also allowed one piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item (such as a purse). Your carry-on baggage should be no more than 45 linear inches, or 9"x14"x22" (height + width + length), and no more than 25 pounds
Q: What does a typical weekly schedule look like for a marching band member?
A: Students rehearse every other school day (typically ACE days) at 7:30 a.m. Due to logistics (moving equipment and 200 bodies in and out of the band room), we ask that students arrive by 7:00 a.m. to start rehearsals at 7:15 a.m. Doing this allows the band to have a full rehearsal and allows the students the luxury of changing their clothing after rehearsal. We do not mark students officially late until 7:30 a.m., but ask students to arrive early as a courtesy to each other and the betterment of the program as a whole.
Before each marching band event there will be a dress rehearsal. The drum line and color guard have weekly rehearsals scheduled outside of the school day. For most other members, mandatory rehearsals are not scheduled outside of the school day. While most marching programs in Hawaii hold extra rehearsals, our music department philosophy places focus on our concert band program and recognizes the busy schedules of our students.
Football games are played on Friday or Saturday evenings. Students are expected to report to the band room according to the schedule given to them in the syllabus and on the band calendar. The report time varies from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the return time may vary from 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. In addition to football games the band will likely participate in 2 band festivals and 1 parade.
Q: How long is the marching band season?
A: The season begins at Band Camp and generally runs through mid-November, but could extend into the early part of December. We do not hold rehearsals between the end of Band Camp and the beginning of school. A detailed schedule will be finalized by the first day of school, but could be delayed due to athletics and festival organizers.
Q: Is being in marching band mandatory if I’m a first year member of the Academy Band program?
A: Yes, marching band is mandatory for first year members. In the past, marching band used to be mandatory for all band members but that rule has been relaxed somewhat. The ONLY EXCEPTIONS are in the event a medical condition prevents participation OR the student plays oboe or bassoon. Oboe and bassoon players may opt to not participate but we often like to encourage them to be members on another instrument (i.e. drum corps) or the flag corps. A few first year members are reluctant to be in marching band at first, but after their first season they are frequently more than happy to sign on for another season.
Q: Does the band only perform at football games?
A: No, the marching band performs at local marching festivals, parades, and sometimes performs off island. In the recent past, we have performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade, Disneyland, the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, the 2012 London New Year's Day Parade, and the 2009 and 1013 Presidential Inaugural Parade. We also encourage all parents to come to our concert band performances toward the end of each semester.
Q: Do I get graduation credit for marching band?
A: Yes, students receive 1⁄4 credit for each season completed. Credit appears on a student’s transcript as a 1⁄2 credit after TWO seasons have been completed. This credit counts as general elective credit and is in addition to the 1 credit received for a year of enrollment in the Academy Band program.
Q: I play oboe/bassoon. Do I need to be in marching band?
A: As stated above, you do not need to be in marching band, but we encourage you (especially first year members) to participate. In the past, we have had oboists and bassoonists participate in the drum line or the color guard. Others have learned to play saxophone or another instrument and marched with that instrument. If you plan to learn another instrument, it would be a good idea to sign up for some private lessons during the summer to prepare you for marching band. All drum line and color guard members need to contact the band directors to learn about spring and summer rehearsal dates. Additionally, students are placed in concert band according to the instrument they auditioned on in January 2013. If for any reason, a student wishes to switch instruments, the student must re-audition with a band director and will be placed according to ability AND instrument balance in the ensembles. For students in their first year at Punahou, that audition was held in April.
Q: Do I need to be enrolled in a concert band to be in the Color Guard?
A: Color Guard members need not be enrolled in a concert band. However, you do need to register for Marching Band with your dean. This should be done during your registration period or, at the latest, before you leave for summer vacation. All color guard members need to contact the band directors to learn about spring and summer rehearsal dates.
Q: How do students get to marching band events and performances?
A: All students are required to ride on their assigned bus. The marching band is provided roundtrip transportation on school or chartered buses from Punahou School to all performances. Exception 1: When the students have submitted the season long pick up from Aloha Stadium form. This is distributed about the time of the first game. Exception 2: When a student’s participation in another Punahou activity on a performance date indicates a need, the Director may give individual permission for the student to travel to or from the game with parents when notified appropriately in advance of the event. Most event conflicts are known weeks in advance. The greater notice, the easier it is to resolve the conflict.
Q: How do I get in contact with Seawind?
A: Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc.
725 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: 808.791.5454
www.seawindtours.com