The James Bowie High School Band, a Class 6A band, was established in 1988 and has grown in enrollment from 95 students to its current number of more than 300 total members, which includes brass, woodwinds, percussion, and color guard.
Since its start, the Bowie Band has been recognized in state and national competitions, consistently earning first-division ratings and being named “Outstanding in Class.” Bowie Band students have been named to All-State and Region Bands and hundreds have earned first-division ratings at Solo and Ensemble competitions. The Bands of Bowie have performed across the state of Texas, WIBC in Seattle, The Fiesta Bowl Parade, The 82nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The London New Year’s Day Parade. The Bowie Band will present an international concert series in Ireland during the spring of 2020, and in 2018, The Bowie Winter Guard was the only United States representative in the inaugural Winter Guard International China Regional.
The members of the Bowie Band excels not only on the stage and marching field, but also academically. Members place in over 10% of the Academic Top 10 within the classes of 2015 & 2016, and in over 30% of the Top 10 within the class of 2017. Our Alumni continue to excel at colleges and universities across the country, including: Texas, Texas A&M University, North Texas, Texas Christian, Texas State, Texas Tech, St. Edwards, Rice, Alabama, Brigham Young, Colorado State, Columbia, Emerson College, Hendrix College, Johns Hopkins, Kenyon College, Louisiana State, MIT, Middlebury College, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Penn State, Savannah College of Art and Design, Tufts, University of North Carolina, University of South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Williams College.
The Band is also a two-time Sudler Shield recipient from the John Phillip Sousa Foundation in 2008 and 2014.
The Bowie Band program consists of two seasons: marching band (also known as the Outdoor Performing Ensemble) during the fall semester, and concert band during the spring semester.
Marching Band consists of Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, and Color Guard. The Marching Band meets outside of the school day during the fall semester including the mornings of game days to practice with the Drill team.
During Concert Band season, students perform in different ensembles: Wind Bands I, II, III, IV or V, Steel Drums, and Jazz Band. Students audition for Concert Band placement in the Spring. Concert bands meet every day throughout the school year during their assigned class period.
Extra rehearsals may be called at any time for marching band or concert bands. For example, each ensemble may have a weekly sectional rehearsal during concert season. Flexibility regarding scheduling is of the utmost importance. Your support and understanding regarding this matter is greatly appreciated and is necessary for the continued success of the program.
The band automatically enters a student’s information into the CHARMS system when the student registers for Band or Color Guard. To access the CHARMS website, enter the school code (bowiehsband) and password (your child’s student ID number). You may personalize your CHARMS password after you log in the first time.
Fair Share is an estimated fee that covers various costs of programs offered through the Bands of Bowie. This can include the costs of formal dress marching uniforms, music, transportation, events/activities, and to purchase or maintain school-owned instruments and/or equipment. It is intended to cover band expenses for the entire school year (but does not include costs for special trips).
The Fair Share typically amounts to several hundred dollars. It may be paid in a lump sum or in installments as part of a payment plan. Students are provided multiple fundraising opportunities to pay this commitment. NOTE: The Fair Share must be paid IN FULL by Uniform Day during summer marching band camp unless arrangements have been made with the Band office staff and the Director of Bands. Any and all questions in regard to Fair Share, or any other financial matter, should be directed to the band office.
If your student decides not to continue in the Bowie Band program, or is removed, refunds of Fair Share are not given after the second week of school. If your child is on a payment plan and they quit band or are removed, they are still obligated to pay the full Fair Share amount.
Students participating in the Winter Guard program have a separate Fair Share that is due at the beginning of the spring semester unless otherwise specified by the Winter Guard instructor.
Fair Share payments can be made via check written to Bowie Band and placed in the Dawg House in the Band Office. They can also be made with a credit card by accessing SchoolCashOnline. You will need to set up a login and password if it’s your first time to use this portal. This is a payment portal only. To check the balance in your account, please logon to CHARMS account.
See the Bands of Bowie Handbook in the Handouts section of CHARMS for additional information.
Summer Band Camp typically starts at the beginning of August and is required for all participants in marching band. Color Guard and Percussion begin one week earlier, at the end of July.
During this camp, students meet daily according to a set schedule and learn to integrate the music into the new school year’s marching program. Students also form friendships and a sense of unity and cooperation during this time, creating a foundation for the polished, finished performance.
Please plan carefully around summer band camp and avoid any family travel, dentist and doctor appointments during this time. Also, remember that the marching field is a classroom! You are welcome as a spectator at any time, but please do not come to the field expecting to talk to your child (unless it is an extreme emergency).
MANDATORY ITEMS
- Sneakers Tips: No Vans, canvas loafers, or Keds. Get a well-made shoe with good support, but don’t waste money on the latest styles– kids wears holes in band camp shoes every year. Don’t send them to camp in their new school shoes. The Nikes with a few scuffs from last year will do.
- White T-shirts Tips: Invest in several of these, as well as the shorts below, as they are not going to want to wear the morning shirt in the afternoon because it will be soaked with sweat and you will not want to do laundry every day. They can be bought in packs of 3-6. These will become “Dot shirts” marking their place on the field, so they will soon draw on them with fabric markers, a possible additional purchase. Note: Color guard will wear different colors.
- Colored athletic shorts
- Flip folder Found at any music store. Buy at least 20 additional clear page sleeves.
- Sheet Protectors 81/2 x 11, clear, at least 100. Found at office supply stores.
- Sidewalk Chalk Tips: The chalk is used to create marks (in the theatrical sense of the word) on the concrete. Chunky sizes last longer on blacktop.
- Water Jug – Tips:
- Everyone has red, so do something to distinguish yours or you’ll be playing musical water jugs all season. Put colored tape, a ribbon on something else distinctive on your jug, or get a different-colored one… blue, yellow whatever.
- Get a big jug, not the small ones they use for the football games, as kids can consume an amazing amount of water during 4 hours of 99-degree workouts on pavement. One with handles is appropriate.
- Make bigger ice cubes using small plastic containers (butter tubs, etc.); put just one or two in the jug each morning session, and the water will stay cold longer.
- Yoga mat – Tips: Invest in a good one. They sell thicker versions at Academy. If you go to Walmart or Target, splurge on the high-end one. There are a lot of rocks at Burger and they poke through the thinner mats, making workouts uncomfortable for the kids.
Required Materials at All Rehearsals:
- Instrument (Spare reeds, etc. in case)
- Flip folder
- Sneakers with socks
- Athletic shorts
- White shirt
- Water jug with water
- Yoga mat
- Pencil, cell phone and chalk: You don’t need these for the first day, but will need them once places for the show have been assigned. You’ll receive more information at that time about how to utilize your Dot Book App on your cellphone.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED ITEMS
- Cap or visor
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection
See the Bands of Bowie Handbook in the Handouts section of CHARMS for additional information.
The Bowie Band uses three different uniforms during marching band season: a Warm Weather (summer) Uniform, a Competition Uniform and a Formal Dress (often referred to as Classic B) Marching Uniform. Concert attire is formal wear.
Uniform Day
Uniform day is a one-day event during which ALL members of the band will order or purchase each of the items required for the Warm-Weather (Summer) Marching, Competition and Formal Dress Marching Uniforms. This day will also include formal band pictures, a chance to sign up for volunteer opportunities, Booster Club information, and more. This is a very important day; make sure to put it on your calendar as soon as the date is made available!
Uniforms
Bowie Band Members will be fitted for their Competition and Formal Dress (Classic B) marching uniforms as scheduled by the Uniform Committee.
Game Day or Contest Prep
Packing list for the duffle bag:
- Band bracelet (the students know about this)
- Bowie Band water bottle (EMPTY. It will get filled at school by Water the Dawgs volunteers)
- Raingear (always)
- Deodorant (always)
- Personal snack for after the game/contest (nothing chocolate or sticky)
- PLUS one or more of the uniforms listed below
Warm-Weather (Summer) Marching Uniform
Used during the heat of August and September. This uniform may change from year to year, if necessary. Students must purchase their own summer uniform during Uniform Shopping Day or on their own (belt and socks) and is not part of the Fair Share. Currently the uniforms include:
- Red James Bowie High School OPE polo
- Black shorts (Blue Generation)
- Plain black belt
- No-show black socks
- Black Vipers shoes
Competition (Contest) Band Uniform
Each student will be issued: (items are not to be modified, altered, or labeled without approval from Uniform Coordinator)
- A “Shako” and cover, stored at school. Note: Font Ensemble and Tuba players do not wear a Shako but will need to have hair clean-cut for gentlemen and away from face and collar for ladies.
- Power top (usually stored at school)
- All-black “bib”-style pants (usually stored at school)
- Any additional accessories as assigned by the band directors (i.e. sash)
Student to provide:
- Dry fit shirt (purchased during Uniform Shopping Day)
- Compression shorts (student to purchase)
- Long black socks, up to mid-calf (student to purchase)
- Black Viper shoes (purchased during Uniform Shopping Day)
(Link to uniform washing and care instructions)
Guard Uniform – Pending
Formal Dress (Classic B) Band Uniform
Formal dress marching uniforms are provided by AISD (though maintenance and upkeep is supported by Fair Share).
Each student will be issued: (items are not to be modified, altered, or labeled without approval from Uniform Coordinator)
- A “Shako” (formal marching hat) and hatbox. Note: Front Ensemble and Tuba players do not wear a Shako but will need to have hair clean-cut for gentlemen and away from face and collar for ladies.
- Jacket (with red “B” insert”)
- “bib”-style pants
- Two gauntlets (ceremonial wrist guards)
- Uniform garment bag and hanger to store the above uniform and parts at school
Student to provide:
- Dry fit shirt (purchased during Uniform Shopping Day)
- Compression shorts (student to purchase)
- Long black socks, up to mid-calf (student to purchase)
- Black Viper shoes (purchased during Uniform Shopping Day)
(Link to uniform washing and care instructions)
Concert Band Attire – Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and Concert Winds
Formal Concert uniforms are not provided by the band and are the responsibility of the individual student.
Gentlemen:
- Black tuxedo
- White dress shirt
- Black bow tie
- Black formal dress shoes
- Black socks
- Black cummerbund or vest (optional)
Ladies:
- Concert uniform top and palazzo pants (will be ordered online later in the fall)
- Black hose or knee-highs
- Black closed-toe dress shoes (no flip-flops or sandals)
If students choose to wear any jewelry or accessories, they must not be obvious to judges. Hair accessories must match hair color. Any necklaces worn must be of simple design; any earrings must be studs.
See the Bands of Bowie Handbook for additional information.