September is a month filled with Marching Band activities including four football games, a parade, and two marching invitationals. The month at a glance:
Friday September 1: Pre-Game & Halftime
Friday September 8: Pre-Game & Halftime
Saturday September 16: Johnston Marching Invitational
Thursday September 21: Homecoming Parade
Friday September 22: Pre-Game & Halftime (Pep Rally during school)
Friday September 29: Pre-Game & Halftime (Senior Night & UMS Night)
Thursday September 28: Mattress Fundraiser Parent Meeting 6:30 pm
Saturday September 30: Urbandale Marching Invitational
Marching Band Itineraries
As they become available, all itineraries related to marching band will be posted on the Marching Band page of the band website. Tickets for home football games can be purchased at J-Hawks.com
General Band Volunteerism
Links for both general band and Urbandale Marching Invitational volunteering opportunities are always available on the Volunteering Page on the Band website. The next opportunities are for the football games September 1st and 8th, and the Johnston Marching Invitational on September 16th.
We are in need of some volunteers to help build our show props. The Stice Family (Greg, Rosemary, & Hope) have been working hard to finish them but there is still more to do. If you’re a craftsman, know your way around a workshop, or just like to help, please let Mr. Doggett know.
Senior Night
Senior Night will be on September 29th (same as UMS band night). We will be recognizing seniors and families PRIOR to the beginning of the game. Please adjust your schedules accordingly.
Johnston Marching Invitational
Spectator Parking
Spectator parking will be on the west end of the parking lot closest to the stadium entrance. There will be parking attendants to direct people where to go.
| Spectator Admission (NEW FOR 2023)
Starting this year, Johnston is going 100% on-line ticketing for all events. Check or cash is no longer an option and will not be accepted. This includes our invitational. Tickets can be purchased on-line starting September 1st at the following web address: 2023 Johnston Marching Invitational Tickets $7 for people ages 6 and up; ages 5 and under are free. Spectators can still purchase tickets at the gate via the online address, but we encourage them to do it ahead of time to avoid long lines and potentially missing their student’s performance. |
The 2023 Urbandale Marching Invitational
This is an event for which we count on support/volunteerism from 100% of band families
On September 30th, we will host the 25th Annual Urbandale Marching Invitational. Urbandale High School will host 16 marching bands, around 2000 students, and another 2000 spectators from 3:30 – 10:00 p.m. Our event is well known in the state as a premier event with the best hospitality around.
To make it happen, we count on each family contributing volunteerism in the areas of ticket sales, concessions stand, band hosts, and more. The tasks are easy and the time working with other families is fun. Please visit the Volunteer Page The link will be updated soon with opportunities to make the day a success!
Pit Crew Request:
We need Pit Crew Members to provide trailers and drive trucks for our guest bands’ larger percussion equipment. Please contact Mr. Doggett if you would be willing to help with these positions.
Lesson Schedule
The Band Lesson schedule will be posted on the Lessons tab of the band website. We’re constantly making adjustments to the schedule. Please refer to it on a weekly basis to ensure you arrive to your lesson at the correct time.
Students who are not studying privately will have a weekly scheduled lesson with a staff member at UHS. This may result in students having lessons in groups of two or three.
Students who are studying with a private teacher will be allowed to “vouch” for their lessons by having their private teacher sign a voucher form (also available in the Lesson tab of the band website).
Class Assignments
Students will be asked to perform memorization checks on the marching band music during their lessons. To receive 100%, students should be able to play the entire set of music memorized by Oct. 7th. Students will not be allowed to perform with flip folders beginning at our Sept. 16th away performance at Johnston. Assignments are posted on Canvas and can be submitted there or played live for a director.
Video recordings should be at a wide enough angle to show the student and surrounding area and have the music playing in the background. Music can be accessed on the marching band page of the band website.
All State Mock Auditions
All State Mock Auditions will occur each Monday, 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM, now through Oct. 21st. Students auditioning will perform excerpts of their audition material for a director and students on similar instruments. Students who wish to audition for instrumental All-State are expected to attend all mock auditions.