The Marching Band is an award-winning musical ensemble consisting of students from grades 9 through 12. The Band performs frequently in the community, at football and basketball games, and at band reviews/parades and field show competitions.

This class is designed for students who play a band instrument and are interested in the total range of band music and activities. Students will improve instrumental skills as well as acquire skills in precision teamwork, body carriage, musicianship, and showmanship. Members selected for color guard and majorette must enroll. Attendance at rehearsals and performances is required.

1. We march, we play music, we have a great time performing and making friends
2. We are active in the summer with rehearsals, performances, and band camp (August). Band camp attendance is essential for the success of the band.

Color Guard is an attached unit of the Anna High School Band whose members represent the music visually, with various flags, sabers, rifles, or other props.

Color Guard members are required to attend all mandatory Marching Band functions. The marching “season” lasts from August until mid-December, with some Saturdays committed to band activities. After December, students will transition to a Winter Guard Team and perform a different show in competitions.

Band Camp at Anna High School is the time when all the band and color guard members get together to learn how to march, play, and perform the music for the upcoming season’s field show and parade.

At camp, students meet new friends, learn marching and playing fundamentals, start learning the field show, and have a concentrated time for music, with no outside distractions. The students form friendships with each other, at all grade levels, making them feel welcome before summer ends and high school starts.

Students go home at the end of each day.

The marching season starts with band camp in July and typically lasts until the Holiday Parade in December. We perform at all football games (home & away) as well as competitions on some Saturdays. And then the UIL Marching competitions are the exciting times! Can we make it to State? You watch! Really!

(‘not long enough!’ some parents say…It’s so much fun for parents!)

Rehearsals take place in the parking lot near the band hall.

Sometimes, practice will be moved to the football stadium when the field is available, and for clinics and all practices before competitions.

If you need a copy of the practice schedule, please contact the Band Director.

All members meet at the school. The truck and buses are loaded, and a caravan heads to the football stadium. Once at the stadium, the truck and buses are unloaded and the students report to their designated area. The band plays a variety of music to help keep spectators excited and the players pumped. During the 2^nd Quarter, the Band and Color-guard exit the stands and begin warm ups for the half-time show. Additionally, the Pit & Prop crews will unload any additional items for the performance. At the end of the 2^nd Quarter, Bands for both teams perform to Home side of the field.

At the end of our performance, students will get water and snacks provided by the Band Boosters. Pit & Prop crews will promptly load equipment on the truck that is not needed for the remainder of the game. During the 3^rd Quarter, the Band and Color-guard will take a quick break and recover from the half-time show before heading back to the stands. The Band will remain the in the stands until the end of the game.

A final performance of the School Song will be played when the game is over. The Director will provide instructions to load all equipment on the truck and load the buses.are loaded. A caravan heads back to the school where the truck and buses are unloaded. The Band Director will release the students (typically 45 mins) after returning to Anna High School.

A typical competition day begins in the early morning on the day of the competition.  All members meet at the school. The truck and buses are loaded, and a caravan heads to the competition destination. Once at the competition site, the truck and buses are unloaded and last-minute preparations take place. The Band and Color-guard begin warm up and perform in the preliminaries.

After the performance, students change out of uniform, relax, and eat food prepared by the Band Boosters. If time allows, students and volunteers will watch the remaining Bands perform.  The top 10-12 bands usually move on to the finals*. Once preliminaries are complete, the Band Director will provide final performance times. The Band and Color-guard warm up and perform in the final competition.  After the performance, students change out of uniform, relax, and eat snacks provided by the Band Boosters. Students are encouraged to watch all remaining band shows. Once all bands have performed in the finals, an awards ceremony takes place.

When finished, the truck and buses are loaded, and a caravan heads back to the school. Once at the school, the truck and buses are unloaded. The Band Director will release the students (typically 45 mins) after returning to Anna High School.

*In the event the band does not make finals, the truck and buses are loaded, and a caravan heads back to the school. Once at the school, the truck and buses are unloaded. The Band Director will release the students (typically 45 mins) after returning to Anna High School.

Besides their instrument and complete uniform, a large water bottle (often provided by the band).  It may be helpful to bring along a sunscreen, a light jacket, other shoes, musical accessories such as reeds or sticks, money for food or souvenirs.

Early communication with the band director is essential to work out possible schedule conflicts.

Students in the past have been able to participate in both band and outside activities such as soccer, football, basketball, FFA, etc.

Letterman jacket patches, commonly referred to as patches, signify academic, athletic, and extracurricular accomplishments, and are traditionally worn on the sleeves of varsity jackets and letterman sweaters.

Generally, you can purchase patches at the competitions. These are purchased at your own expense. Check at “Southwest Emblem” online to see what they have available.