Welcome to the Wolf Band!
Read on to find some VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
regarding our band program!
Read on to find some VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
regarding our band program!
On behalf of all the band staff here at Westside HS, I’d like to welcome all incoming Westside Band students/parents. Hopefully, I can answer your questions that you might have about Westside, summer band camp, fees, important dates, etc. Please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]. I would love the opportunity to speak with you and address any concerns or questions you may have.
I highly recommend reading this letter carefully - all the information is important!
You are about to become a member of one of the visible and successful organizations at Westside High School! Popular reasons why students/parents love being part of the Wolf Band Family:
- The bands are fantastic! We have a place for every student in our program – no matter the quality of the musician! Based on the student’s audition, they will be placed in one of three ability-based ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, or Concert Band.
- Awards & Recognition! The Wolf Marching Band receives consistent first division ratings and advances to the Area UIL Marching Contests. The concert groups receive consistent sweepstakes/first division ratings at UIL Contest. TCGC/Indoor Percussion group receives the highest ratings possible throughout the season.
- So many different opportunities for a musician! Wolf Marching Band, TCGC/Indoor Percussion Ensemble, AP Music Theory, Jazz Band, Three Concert Ensembles, Individual Contests, Solo & Ensemble, All State-Region Band, and more!
- Students learn lifelong skills! We teach our students to be patient, disciplined, responsible, punctual, and respectful while teaching them to be great leaders and musicians.
- Great for college applications! Colleges love students that are committed to a seven-year (middle school through high school) band program. Most students take over important leadership roles in the Wolf Band when they are upperclassmen which is incredible for their resume and future scholarship opportunities!
- Students find a place to belong! All our band students are a part of something that is important! Many freshmen drown their first year in high school. Band gives the students friendship and community before the first day of school ever starts!
FAQ/Information
Audition/Class Placement
Q: How do I sign up for band?
A: Sign up for BAND on your course selection sheet. (Ask your Westside Dean for help)
***If you accidentally didn’t choose band, it’s not too late. E-mail Mr. Gonzalez!
Q: Do I have to tryout for the Wolf Band?
A: Any middle school band student can be in the Westside HS Band Program! While you won’t have to audition to ‘get in,’ you will need to prepare music for us to place you in the correct class period based on your ability. A Westside HS Director will be at WBMS to hear all incoming 9th graders towards the end of May in order to place you in the correct class period.
Additionally, HISD band students NOT at West Briar Middle School (ex: Revere MS, Tanglewood MS, etc.) should contact Mr. Gonzalez directly to schedule a time to play for him. Please email him at [email protected].
All other students (NON-HISD) will email a video of the music/video to Mr. Gonzalez.
Wolf Band Director Contact Information
Mr. Gerardo L Gonzalez, Director of Bands - [email protected]
Ms. Savanna Sturm, Associate Director of Bands - Savanna.Sturm@houstonisd.org
***STUDENTS WHO DO NOT MEET WITH A DIRECTOR WILL NOT BE PLACED IN A BAND CLASS FOR FALL 2022, REGARDLESS OF SIGN UP STATUS. ***
Q: How will I know what’s going on? How is information delivered?
A: Students & Parents - Join the Band App! There is a mobile app format, but it also works well as a desktop website. This is where we will communicate in the coming weeks and months. Having an account is required for all students (and strongly encouraged for all parents)! You can create a Band App account at www.band.us and request to join the Wolf Band [24-25] group.
Check our Band Website Calendar for our summer band camp dates! You will receive lots of information in the coming weeks and months.
Q: What else do I need to do?
A: SHOW UP TO BAND CAMP! It’s that easy! www.wolfband.org/calendar
Q: I want to be in band….but is MARCHING band required?
Yes, and you’ll have tons of fun as a result of working hard on our competition show for 2024! All students enrolled in a band class at Westside High School will march during our football/competition season. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences that you will have in high school! It’s a large time commitment but it goes by quickly, ending in late October / early November. Students will march in highly competitive contests, football games, and parades. Students will receive their PE credit in the Fall due to Marching Band, and their Fine Arts credit in the Spring during Concert Season. Don’t be concerned about conflicts with other organizations. Please have this conversation with Mr. Gonzalez via email as early as possible.
Q: When do I start Summer Band Camp?
Check the calendar! All students are expected and required to attend the summer band camp. We highly encourage you to visit and become familiar with the Wolf Band site, especially the calendar page! Please keep our camp schedule in mind when making family vacation plans, as missing any days of camp will result in members being behind as we prepare for our first performance during the first week of classes. The daily schedule for Band Camp can be found on the calendar details. As we add dates like marching contests, games, and other activities, we will update them on the calendar. We are required to start rehearsals before the start of the school year because we have our first football game the first week of school, which means we have a lot to do in a really short time! We will get you ready! All you have to have are the right supplies and a positive attitude! Again, you are required to attend every rehearsal. Please email Mr. Gonzalez if you think there is a conflict with your schedule as soon as possible.
FULL BAND CAMP (for ALL Wolf Band Members) Monday, July 22, 2024.
Q: Does the Wolf Band take big trips?
Yes, and while we can’t say anything official just yet, we are working on a big project—more info coming soon! hard-working students deserve an incredible trip! These have included New York, Disney, & Chicago in years past.
Q: What are Band Fees, and what do they do?
All students pay for a one-time annual band fee. This fee includes most essential things throughout the marching/spring season including food for all games and contests, marching shoes, flip folder, lyre, two t-shirts, entry fees, music, etc. We don’t “nickel & dime” you at Westside; we issue one fee that pays for almost everything. Upperclassmen fees are cheaper because they don’t need new marching shoes, flip folders, etc. We will send the band fee breakdown when it’s approved. Fees range from $150-$275 on a normal year, depending on various factors.
Q: Is the Wolf Band on social media?
We try very hard to send as much information as possible, in as many ways as possible, due to a large number of students in our programs. For that reason, we ask students and parents to like/follow the following accounts:
***All Wolf Band members (parents are welcome too!) are required to download the Band App.
Facebook - @WestsideHSBand
Instagram - @whswolfband
Q: What happens when classes start?
Once school begins, we will have weekly rehearsals throughout the week. It’s important for every student to attend every rehearsal since we do not cover any of this material inside during the school day -- (impossible because we meet separately). Our weekly rehearsal schedule (during ‘normal’ Friday Game weeks) is as follows:
- Monday – Guard & Percussion Only (4:00pm-6:30pm)
- Tuesday – Winds Only (4:00pm-6:30pm)
- Thursday – Full Band (4:00pm-6:30pm)
- Friday – Game Day
Q: Do I need a physical?
YES! The University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Houston ISD require students involved in outdoor/athletic activities to have a physical done on the official HISD Physical Form. Here you have two options: you can get one done by your own physician, or you can sign up for your physical to be done on campus—details to follow later this summer.
Physicals are due August 5th - no exceptions.
You can find the physical form at www.wolfband.org/forms
No Physical >>> No Band Camp >>> No Spot in UIL Show
Physicals are DUE 8/5
I know that’s a lot of information, but I hope that you are excited about being a Wolf Band Member because we are excited about having you join our organization! You are about to become a part of one of the most successful programs at Westside HS—come be a part of our success!
🐺Go Wolves!
Gerardo L. Gonzalez
Director of Bands
Westside High School
[email protected]
