For Freshmen
Welcome Freshman Families!
Here's some useful information for you. You also might want to check out the
FAQ Page and the
Band Camp Page.
And the Central Dauphin Band Boosters Association's Unofficial
Band Parents' Handbook is now online.
It's a brief
overview of the Central Dauphin HS RamBand program from a parents'
perspective. A great resource for folks new to the life of a RamBand
family!
Click here.
Shopping List
Each new CD Ram Marching Band student must purchase a few essential items. These are a part of the uniform and therefore are mandatory for each student. There is no need to go running around town to get these things because you can purchase each of them during band camp. Plus, use your Student Ledger to buy any or all of this stuff! Click here for more information on Student Ledgers.
| Item | Estimated Cost | Comment |
| Tour T-shirt | $8.00 | This is the shirt that the marching band members wear during most football games, exhibitions, parades, and other events. |
| Green Collared Shirt | $25.00 | This is a short sleeved polo shirt embroidered with the CD Ram Band logo. These can last all four years if you take care of them properly. They are worn on specified performance days with the RamBand uniform. You might consider buying a spare. |
| White Gloves | $10.00 | 2 pairs |
| Band Shoes | $30.00 | These black, lace-up shoes will usually last a few years, depending, of course on how quickly your student's foot grows! |
Other Information
Below are a few other items to keep in mind as you look forward to the season:
Mentors
We match each freshman family with a band booster family. That way CD Ram
Band newcomers have a mentor to answer questions and try to
ensure your
student hits the ground running-- or marching. The mentor mailing, which
will arrive during the summer, will include an introduction to your mentor
family, band camp information, and helpful tips for the start of the school
year. Freshmen students will meet their mentor band student either during
band camp or the beginning of the school year.
Click here for more information on the RamBand
Mentoring Program.
Summer Rehearsals and Band Camp
Band Camp consists of two weeks of practice, usually the first two weeks of
August. During the Band Camp, band members focus on learning music for the
upcoming season, learning drill and getting ready for the field
show and for
firing up the crowd from the stands! We hold "two-a-day" sessions, so
you'll be there most days from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and then from 6:00 pm to
9:00 pm. Click here
for the complete RamBand Calendar. For more information on Band Camp,
click here.
Uniform Cleaning
Generally, uniforms are cleaned at the end of the season. If necessary during the season, check with the band director for washing instructions. Check here for a primer on uniform care.
Game Day
On Game Day (usually Friday), the marching band students rehearse from 3 pm
to 5 pm. Generally students don't go home between rehearsal and the game;
during the game, the band is performing on the field or in the stands until
the third quarter break. This means if your band student wants dinner prior
to that, you need to make some arrangements! Some students bring a packed
dinner, some run out for fast food, and others have food delivered. In the
past years, arrangements have been made
for special meal deals for the band
students. Whatever your student decides to do, please remember it is
important to be ready on time for the bus, whether it's going to Landis
Field or to an away game. Each student must be ready with his or her
instrument ready for loading on the
equipment truck be dressed, and have his or her uniform bag & hatbox prepare
to leave at the appropriate time. In cold weather, we urge your student to
layer underneath the band uniform. It gets pretty cold on those metal
bleachers! Each band member is entitled to free soda during the third
quarter break. If the band member wants some munchies at home games or
anything at away
games, he or she should bring some money. It's been
written that $5.00 is sufficient. After the football games, students take
the bus back to Central Dauphin High School and help unload the band
equipment from the truck. After that, parents can pick up the students at
the band room door.
Some Fun Links
Tales from Band Camp The online comic strip about band life. Click the banner to check it out.
