Courtland High School Bands

What is a "Virginia Honor Band"?
A Virginia Honor Band is awarded to a band program for achieving a Superior Rating for both the marching band and Symphonic Band at their respective band festivals.

What does "Superior, Excellent, etc." mean?
A Superior (also refereed to as a "I" or "One") is the highest possible rating at a VBODA sponsored event. An Excellent is a II, a Good is a III, and a Fair is a IV.

What is VBODA?
It stands for Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors' Association. It is the governing body for all official band contests in Virginia including Marching Festival, Band Festival, District Band, All-VA Band, and Solo & Ensemble Festival.

What about points?
Points are credits in your marching band account. One point equals one dollar.

How do I know how many Points I have and how can I use them to pay fees?

There are two ways you can check your student’s available points.
First: You can email Mrs. Kau and ask for your availible balance.
Second: Your child’s available points will be posted on the band office window every month after our Parents meeting.
If there are points available, you may use a “Points Transfer Form” (available in the band office above the safe). You may transfer points over to the CBPA to pay for dues, spring trip, and fund-raising fees.

How do I get a "Virginia Honor Band" patch and medal?
You simply participate in both the Marching Festival and Symphonic/Concert Band at each of the two Band Festivals and achieve Superior ratings for both contests. If you are part of one and not the other you will not receive the patch or medal.

How do I get a Courtland "Honor Letter"?
The Honor Letter is awarded to students who participate in Symphonic or Concert Band, have perfect attendance for performances for Marching Band, try out for All County Band/District Band, and perform at least one piece on their primary instrument at the Solo and Ensemble Festival.

How do I get the "Band" Award?
The Band Award is given to students who accumulate points according to the band handbook. Points are given to students for things like perfect attendance, attending a musical performance, participating in private lessons, superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble, etc.

What is a "Festival"?
A Festival is a VBODA sponsored band contest. This can be for Marching or Symphonic/ Concert band.

What should I bring to Band Camp?
Refer to the Band Camp Checklist.

How do I know rehearsal and performance times, dates, etc.?
A performance reminder is released before each performance to indicate the estimated travel times and directions. The calendar is updated constantly, so please check the website calendar about once a week for updates.

What is the difference between "All County Band" and the "Spotsylvania Combined Band"?
All County Band is comprised of Concert/Symphonic Band students who tried out for District Band and scored a combined total of 120 points from both judges. The Combined Band is made up of marching band students from all four high schools. It performs at the Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg Christmas parades annually. Please click here for more details for the combined band.

What is "Solo and Ensemble"?; How do I prepare?
Solo and Ensemble is an event where the students work on a piece of music independently outside of band class. This can be a solo or an ensemble. Students should plan at least three months ahead and purchase the music they wish to play from J.W. Pepper. Students may also borrow a piece or pieces from Courtland's Music Library.

Am I required to participate in "Solo and Ensemble" and "District Band"?
Students enrolled in Symphonic Band are required to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival and are required to try out for District Band. If you do not wish to try out or participate, consider enrolling in Concert Band.

What is "District Band"?; When and where is it?
District Band is where individual students from across several neighboring counties compete for limited spots in two bands. There is the District Concert Band and the District Symphonic Band. Students who place high enough in the Symphonic Band are eligible to try out for the All-VA Band. It is usually at Colonial Forge High School on the first Saturday in December. See the calendar for specific dates.

How do I prepare for "District Band" tryouts?; Who can try out?
District Band tryouts will demand a thorough knowledge of all 12 major scales, the full chromatic scale for your instrument, as well as a brief sight-read. Any student enrolled in Symphonic Band, Concert Band, or Percussion Class is eligible. Students in Symphonic Band are required to try out.

Who is eligible to participate in marching band?
Wind and percussion students enrolled in a band or percussion class are eligible. Color Guard members are not required to be in a band class.

How can I join the Drumline?
Marching band drumline tryouts are typically in late May. You will be required to sight read.

How much time does marching band really take?
The percussion and Color Guard begin the first week of August. Practice starts the second full week of August for all members and goes until the beginning of September. We usually go from 8am-2pm the first two weeks and then 4-8pm the last week. Practice during the school year is until 5:15pm after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Football games are on Friday nights and competitions are on Saturdays. The season typically ends in mid-November with the Christmas parades the first weekend of December.

I've participated in several events, now I would like some medals...what do I do?
The band director will announce availability of medals. The cost is $3 each.

What is Winter Drumline?
Winter Drumline is similar to marching band except we compete in a gym and only percussion instruments are used. We typically attend fours competitions during the winter season. Winter Drumline try-outs are in November, and practices begin in December. The competition season starts in late February and runs through the month of March. Check the calendar for these dates.

What is Winter Guard?
Winter Guard is similar to Color Guard only without the accompaniment of the band. Pre-recorded music is used to accompany a dance routine performed in a gym. Winter Guard try-outs are in November, and practices begin in December. The competition season starts in late February and runs through the month of March. Check the calendar for these dates. You do not need to be a member of the Color Guard to join the Winter Guard.

Why do I have to pay extra dues to join the Winter Drumline and Winter Guard?
The Courtland Band Parents Association (CBPA) supports the winter activities. Like marching band, Winter Drumline and Winter Guard need funds for competition fees, traveling expenses, uniforms and props. Sign-up for winter activities will take place in mid-December. If you would like more information check out the CBPA’s Constitution and Bylaws.

Should I take private lessons?
Yes. Private lessons will help you improve dramatically with the individual attention you will receive. Please call Roberson's Music at 373-3775.

How can I be in Symphonic Band?
For rising 9th graders, Concert band is scheduled by default unless a tryout is set up in advance with the director (preferably before August), in which case, Symphonic Band may be an option.

What is a chair challenge?
Chair challenges take place throughout the school year. You will be asked to perform several major scales, your chromatic scale, and typically site read a portion of a piece of music you have been working on in band class.

What does it mean when music is graded “3, 4, 5, 6”?
The state organization (VBODA) decides how difficult a particular piece of music is and assigns a grade based on several factors. A grade “1” is a beginning band level, grade “2” is typically young middle school band, grade “3” is advanced middle school, grade “4” is young high school , grade “5” is advanced high school and college, and grade “6” is professional level.

Does Courtland High School loan out instruments?
Yes

Does Courtland High School provide mouthpieces or reeds?
No

Are there costs involved for tryout/participation in All County/All District?
Trying out for District and County Band costs around $7, but participation in the events are paid for by Courtland and the CBPA.

Does it cost money to join Jazz Band?
No

Can I pay my marching band dues, fund-raising fees, spring trip money, and winter activities fees in cash?
The CBPA will only accept personal checks or money orders. NO cash will be accepted if it is deposited in the safe or sent to the PO Box. Your cash will be returned. You may only pay in cash if you hand it directly in person to the Treasurer.

How much are Marching Band dues?
Dues: Total of $325, $50 at sign up (May), $100 on the 15th of August, September, and $75 in October. Payment arrangements can be made through the Treasurer. Any payment arrangements will be kept confidential between you and the Treasurer.

What do my dues cover?
Dues will go toward the cost of your band T-shirt, uniform cleanings, new shoes, gloves, uniform accessories, instructor’s fees, show & music, newsletters, awards, and competition fees. Student account points may be used to help pay your fees.

Is the cost of spring trip included in my marching band dues?
No

How often will I receive my RBMB Newsletter?
You will receive the RBMB Newsletter once a month via email from the CBPA Reporter. If you would rather receive your Newsletter via US Mail, please contact The Reporter at newsletter@royalbrigade.org.

Are there Scholarships available to RBMB members?
Yes, the CBPA awards up to 6, $500 Scholarships to deserving seniors at the Seniors Awards Ceremony held each June. If you are interested in applying please refer to the “Scholarship Application” under the heading of “CBPA” on this Website.

How do I join the CBPA Alumni Association?
If you are interested in becoming a CBPA Alumni, please contact Kelly Rector who is currently heading our new Courtland Music Alumni Assocation.

Driving directions to CHS
From the North:
Interstate 95 South
Take the US-1/US-17 S exit, exit number 126 toward Massaponax
Turn left onto Jefferson Davis HWY
Turn left onto VA-636/Hood Drive
Turn left onto Courthouse Road
Courthouse Road becomes VA-208 W
Turn left onto Smith Station Road
CHS is approximately 1 mile on your left

From the South:
Interstate 95 North
Take the US-1 N exit, exit number 126A, towards Fredericksburg
Merge onto Jefferson Davis HWY/US-1 N
Turn left onto VA-636/Hood Dr.
Turn left onto Courthouse Rd.
Courthouse Rd. becomes VA-208 W
Turn left onto Smith Station Road
CHS is approximately 1 mile on your left

If you have any additional questions, please contact the band director.
540-898-4445, ext. 1123, work

Kathleen Schoelwer, Director of Bands

Courtland High School * 6701 Smith Station Rd * Spotyslvania, 22553 * (540) 898-4445