ello MHS marching band students and families! We are just a few short days away from the beginning of the 2026-27 marching band season. It's going to be great! This email is long, but it should be your one-stop shop for all the details coming up soon. Please read it in its entirety.
Band camp is always the beginning of a new and exciting time. However, no matter what grade you are in, the first day of band camp can lead to some anxiety. For freshmen it is the fear of the unknown as well as rumors you may have heard about how hot or how hard it is. For returning members it can be the excitement of seeing old friends and the anticipation of a new season, as well as the anxiety of knowing the amount of work ahead. In either case, just push yourself out the door! You will be glad you did. New members, remember that everyone who has done this before you knows how you feel. Relax and enjoy the experience. Before you know it you'll be a senior getting ready for your last band camp.
1. Calendar - Please triple check the calendar for your applicable section viewable in the marching band handbook. Updates on times for competitions will be updated as we receive them. This calendar is updated as frequently as possible, but there is also a calendar updated by leadership in the band app for your student's convenience.
2. Physicals submitted to Activities/Athletics - Please submit all physicals to the link as soon as possible. You might need to "register" if it is your first time. Otherwise you will need to communicate with athletics/activities as they reserve the right to pull people from rehearsals.
WIAA physical clearance form
Activities Registration Information
3. Band Camp Checklist - ALL STUDENTS should look through the checklist by the first day of camp. It's a great resource to make sure you're ready for band camp!
4. Location of Band Camp - Band Camp for everyone, will start on the 10th in the band room in the morning at 8am. After day one, students and section leaders will be notified the day before if we are meeting on the field or in the band room via the Band App. Students that drive - please park in the east student lot near the stadium. Teachers will be coming back so please do not park in any spots with an "R" or that are reserved. All other spots will be used by HS building staff coming in and out of the building and we don't want you to get a ticket. When picking up, please try not to block main lanes of traffic to avoid congestion.
5. Band Camp Potluck - The band will host all marching band members for a potluck on 8/21 (5-6pm). Location will be in the stadium (concessions). We will provide dinner for all students, but we need your help! We also need a few parents to help with setup and cleanup. Please plan to help feed almost 200 hungry marchers! We will break for an hour and use the Breitenbach Stadium for our "Field night" event this year at 6pm! More info to come!
6. Parent Volunteers - Parent volunteers are what help keep the marching band running. If you haven't already, please sign up to volunteer here. (Don't worry, we'll teach you all you need to know!)
7. Flip folders, lyres, shoes (Excluding color guard) - Please make sure you have purchased the appropriate flip folder, lyres, and shoes by the first day of band camp. Shoes do not need to be worn for camp, athletic shoes will be just fine (no sandals or open foot footwear please). If you have yet to purchase them you can find the links at THIS link. Returning members do not need to purchase any of these if they still have theirs from previous years. (Please also bring a three ring binder to use for holding drill on the field preferably with some page protectors for drill)
8. Band Show Shirts - Every student will receive a "show shirt" with the current show theme on it in the first few days of camp. We will try to accommodate for any changes if you have grown since registration pending availability.
9. Family Show Shirts - Please consider purchasing a show shirt to wear at games and competitions! Our theme this year revolves around stained glass and we will have multiple color options to purchase. Feel free to mix and match so we have some variety in the crowd when our families sit together to support! Order by August 14th please! Link to the store is HERE
Additional general band spirit wear will also be available soon!
10. Extra Music - If anyone has lost their music or is still struggling with faded photocopies, extra packets can be gotten by contacting our amazing librarians during bandcamp.
11. Lunch - Students will have approximately 45 minutes to an hour for lunch every day. Please bring a lunch (unless you have other means of getting lunch). The time of lunch depends on the day, weather, etc., but expect some time around noon. Please make the lives of our amazing custodians easier and only use the North Commons when eating inside or choose to eat outside in the shade! PAC bathrooms will also be our primary restrooms.
11. Pictures/Student Registration Days - Returning HS students will have several opportunities to take their picture/briefly go through the registration process. We will break early for lunch, and also have some time during music block around 3pm that day. There will also be options for picture make ups later in the year. Plan to go mid day or during music block. To make sure new students know the school we'll also do a brief school tour. This is also done on freshman orientation day so you'll have plenty of opportunities to get an understanding of the school before the year begins. Plus you'll have 150 upperclassmen as familiar faces in the hallway!
12. Contact Section Leaders with Initial Questions - Normally you should contact both directors with questions or concerns, but section leaders most commonly have the answers to frequently asked questions and can answer a lot quicker. Otherwise please contact Mr. Rothacker (erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us) and we'll do our best to get back to you as soon as we can.
13. A Final Note to Freshman/Sophomore Parents - Two days before band camp your rookie member will probably decide out of nowhere they don't want to do marching band after all. This is normal -- just shove 'em out the door! We promise to take good care of them.
Upcoming Dates/Events
8/6 - Wind Player sectional (6-8pm)
8/7 - Leadership Camp (Leadership team ONLY) DO NOT park in South or Early Learning Center Parking lots. East lot only please
8/10-14 - Band Camp Starts (All members)
8/17-21 - Band Camp
Week 28/21 - Band Potluck 5pm
8/21 - Field Night 6pm-9pm
8/30 - Good Neighbor Fest Parade
8/24-26 - Rehearsals
--
Eric Rothacker
Music Teacher & Band Director