Introduction

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Help us Bring Back the Band by performing in the South Carroll High School Cavalier Marching Band at home varsity football games.  Additionally, we’ll perform with the Poms team, in the stands, and at in-school pep rallies throughout the year.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​This opportunity is open to ALL student musicians currently in grades 8 – 11 who will be attending South Carroll High School next fall, including string players interested in playing percussion or performing in the color guard.  If you can read music that includes sixteenth notes or have finished book 2 of any popular method book, you should be able to learn the music with a little practice.

 

Being in the marching band is a great opportunity to make friends with folks who share a common interest – all while having lots of fun supporting school spirit!​​​​​​​​​​​​​  You can learn more about the sections of the marching band as well as find answers to frequently asked questions on the Marching Band Educational Opportunities page.

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Informational Meeting: April 9

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If you’re interested in learning more about the Cavalier Marching Band, please come to the informational meeting at South Carroll High School on April 9 from 7 - 7:45 PM.​  This meeting is for informational purposes only - students won't be asked to make any commitments at this time.  Even if you're not sure about joining the marching band, please come to this meeting to learn more.  There will be information for students and parents/caregivers at this meeting.

 

Please enter SCH via the front auditorium doors closest to the funeral home. If nobody is there to let you in, please text me at 443-803-7482, and either a student or I will let you in.  The meeting will be held in the band room.

If you’re interested, but can’t join us on April 9, please let me know at JRSteve@carrollk12.org, and I’ll send you the information.

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Marching Band Interest Deadline: May 1

 

If you like what you heard at the April 9 meeting and are interested in learning more, please complete the marching band interest form by May 1.​  This will confirm your interest in participating and reserve a spot for you at the June Mini Camp.

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Mini Camp Experience: June 16, 17, and 18

 

Mini camp is a chance to meet each other, answer questions, distribute music, preview the music, and learn marching fundamentals. All students interested in participating in marching band should attend these rehearsals.

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The Mini Camp will take place at South Carroll High School on June 16, 17, and 18 from 6 - 8PM.

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Students should enter SCH via the front auditorium doors closest to the funeral home. If nobody is there to let you in, please text me at 443-803-7482, and either a student or I will let you in.

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Marching Band Commitment Deadline: June 26

 

If you enjoyed the Mini Camp and are committed to performing with the Cavalier Marching Band, please complete the marching band application and pay your fees by midnight on Friday, June 26.  This will confirm you as a proud member of the 2026 Cavalier Marching Band!

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If you still have questions or if the fees are a hardship, please contact me at JRSteve@carroll12.org by June 23.  This will give me time to answer your questions and/or arrange an alternate payment schedule before the commitment deadline.

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Band Camp: August 13 - 21

 

Band Camp is our time to prepare our show so that every member will know their music and their positions on the field.  There will be fun group activities every evening.

 

Band Camp will tentatively take place at Mt. Airy Middle School on:​

• August 13 and 14 from 9 AM – 3 PM for percussion, drum major & color guard

• August 13 and 14 from 1 – 3 PM for everyone

• August 17 – 21 from 8 AM – 4 PM for everyone

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Band camp is mandatory for all members.

 

Students need to bring a lunch for each day of camp.  For safety reasons, students will NOT be permitted to leave the school campus for lunch.

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Fall Rehearsals: August - October

 

Beginning the week of August 24, we will begin our regular fall rehearsal schedule at South Carroll High School.  We will rehearse from 6 PM – 8 PM on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and starting at 4:45 PM on home football days.  This schedule will last until the final home football game.

 

The first few rehearsals are:

• August 25 from 6 PM – 8 PM for everyone

• August 27 from 6 PM – 8 PM for everyone

 

We will have a few weeks where we will need to cancel rehearsals because of other activities at SCH. These changes will be announced with ample notice.  You can view the full schedule at: https://www.cavmusic.com/calendar

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Performance Schedule: September & October

• September 10, 2026               6:30 PM                      Walkersille HS

• September 25, 2026              6:30 PM                      Century HS

• October 9, 2026                      6:30 PM                      Manchester Valley HS

• October 23, 2026                   6:30 PM                      Winters Mill HS

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Typical Varsity Football Day Marching Band Schedule:

• Students are welcome to stay after school to do homework, talk, or watch a movie

  • 4:45 PM         Dinner (Bring your own, or purchase – more information to follow)

  • 5:15 PM          Warm-up and rehearse

  • 5:45 PM         Change into uniform

  • 6 PM                March to field

  • 9 PM                Game over (Approximate time)

 

We may also add one or two marching band competitions.  These typically take place on Saturday.  Competition dates will be announced in August.

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Expenses

 

All students are required to pay a fee to help cover the costs of the marching program.  Your membership fee helps to cover the cost of staff, drill design, music, equipment, transportation, uniform cleaning, and band shirts.  Although the fee does not cover all of the costs of participation, it greatly defrays the costs covered by the South Carroll Instrumental Music Boosters.

 

The fee for the 2026 Marching Season is $100.00.  (Pay online or make checks payable to ‘South Carroll Instrumental Music Boosters’ or simply ‘SCIMB’)
 

The participation fee must be paid by midnight on June 26 and may be paid in multiple installments.  If you need to set up an alternative payment plan or have extenuating circumstances, please contact Mr. Stevenson.  We don’t want dues to be your sole reason for not participating in marching band.

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In addition to the participation fee, students will need to purchase individual items for their own personal use.

 

Additional costs:                                                                                    Where to Get It                     Approx. Cost

 

Brass & Woodwind Students

Band Member Shoes - Drillmaster (Black)                                     Boosters Group Order      $45.00

Band Member Gloves (2 pair) - Long Wrist Cotton (Black)     Boosters Group Order       $16.00

                                                                        

Percussion Students

Band Member Shoes - Drillmasters (Black)                                   Boosters Group Order       $45.00

                                                                        

Guard Students

Guard Member Shoes - S-Five Performance (Black)                 Boosters Group Order        $50.00

Guard Member Gloves - Power Flex Guard Gloves (Tan)       Boosters Group Order        $20.00

 

We will go over all of the expenses at the initial meeting on April 9 and will put in a group order for these items in late June.  Extras can be purchased at BandShoppe.com.  All additional expenses must be paid by the beginning of band camp on August 13.

 

 

Eligibility

 

Returning members MUST have a 2.0 GPA and no "F’s" in the 4th quarter of the last semester. It is the 4th quarter grade that determines your eligibility, not the final grade! Please check the bottom right-hand corner of the last report card received to confirm eligibility. If you are not eligible and would like to apply for restricted eligibility (may be used one time in high school career), please call the main office at 410-751-3575 ASAP to make an appointment. All incoming 9th graders are automatically eligible to participate.

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Questions?

 

Please don’t hesitate to ask questions.  If any information about the Cavalier Marching Band is ever unclear, or you feel that you are ‘missing something,’ please contact me at JRSteve@carrollk12.org or call me at 443-803-7482, and I’ll do my best to provide a clear answer.