F.A.Q.

Absolutely!  The most important letters in the word BAND are the AND!  We're so proud to have students that are so involved in the ON community.  The short answer is - YES you can make it work!  It might take some work with your schedule, but we work with students at the individual level to help guide them through different options to keep band in their schedule for all four years if they want, while still being able to be involved at a high level in other aspects of ON.  Strategic planning and communication are KEY - if you want to make it work, we'll do our very best to find ways to make it work!

"Fair Share Dues" are the financial contribution from each student/family in band that go toward the operational cost of the band program for the year.  These dues cover uniform cleaning, clinicians/instructors, meals and snacks at all performances, etc.  For students in Marching Band, items include Black Marching Band Shoes, Black Socks, Black Athletic Shorts, Black Marching Band Gloves, Black Dri-Fit Shirt, Olathe Band Program T-Shirt, Marching Band Show Shirt.  For students in Concert Band, items include Olathe North Band Program T-Shirt.

Marching Band Camp is when students learn/rehearse roughly 54% of their season material - prior to the school year beginning .  Marching Band Camp is at the end of July/start of August (depending on how the calendar falls).  Students are in camp from 7am - 4pm.  Mornings are typically outside working on visual fundamentals and setting drill for pregame & the halftime show as that is the coolest part of the day.  Students have a lunch break from 11am - 12pm.  After lunch, students are inside for the remainder of the day focusing on music, sectionals with clinicians, and full ensemble rehearsal, unless the weather is cool enough that we can go outside and rehearse safely.  Staff monitor outdoor temperature closely with WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) and adhere to all KSHSAA heat related policies which can be found here.

Marching Band is 1st hour, so students rehearse four days a week as listed below:

• Mon - 7am through 1st Hour

• Tues - 7am through 1st Hour, Evening Rehearsal (6:30pm - 8:30pm)

• Wed - 7am through 1st Hour (Block Day - 95 minute classes)

• Fri - 7am through 1st Hour, Football Gameday (If scheduled)

• Sat - Full Day Competition (If scheduled)

Marching band competitions are evaluated performances where marching bands compete, are adjudicated, and rated/ranked.  Olathe North participates in 3-4 competitions each year.  We attend the Olathe Marching Invitational every year (2026 and 2027 as a host school - will perform in exhibition and NOT compete), as well as 2-3 other competitions dependent on the schedule.  Competiton days are FULL DAY events - typically early morning through late evening.

Students will enroll in their 2nd semester class based on their concert audition placement that takes place in November.  Once results are determined and preliminary personnel are set, those rosters are communicated to counselors.  If there are any challenges in scheduling, ON Band Staff and the Counselors will work closely at the individual level to work and get them to the appropriate band class.

Concert attire is "Concert Black".  Concert Black is what we consider "professional" attire for performances.

Acceptable Concert Black items include:

• Black dress shirt with full length sleeves

• Black dress pants/slacks

• Black blouse & skirt (preferably below the knees)

• Black dress (preferably below the knees)

• Black socks (calf height)

• Black dress shoes, flats, heels

• Light jewelry

Please do not wear any of the following:

• Sweatpants/athletic pants/leggings of ANY kind

• Short/Long sleeve t-shirts/polos

• Hoodies/Sweatshirts

• Jeans

• Non-Black/athletic/no-show cut socks

• Tennis Shoes

• Anything NOT black (grey, charcoal, navy, etc.)

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Olathe North has school owned instruments for students that play Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, French Horn, Euphonium, and Tuba.  We also have limited inventory of some other instruments.  Reach out to Mr. Maddux or Mr. Hoar!

Reaching out to the Olathe North Eagle Band Boosters is the best way to get plugged into our community!  We're always grateful to have parent help at various events.  Volunteering for different events is also a GREAT way to see what your student is doing in the program and learn how we make things work!  No previous experience is necessary - we'll welcome anyone that wants to lend a had in some way!