Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains questions that pertain to Band, Marching Band, Student Accounts and Fundraising.

General Band Questions:
1. How many band programs are there at Osbourn Park High School?
There are 3 band programs at OPHS: Wind Ensemble (Advanced Band), Intermediate Band (9th 
grade band) and the Marching Band. There is also a Pep Band, however, it is student operated 
and is not fund supported by Band Boosters.

2. How many band programs are credited courses?
Wind Ensemble and Intermediate Band are graded courses in which the student
earns 1 credit per year. Marching Band members are also graded and earn .5

credit per year. Students do not get credits for Pep Band.

3. What is the Concert attire?
Concert attire for boys is Tuxedo pants/jacket/white shirt with black cummerbund, bow

tie, black socks and black dress shoes. The girl’s attire is a floor length blue satin gown with

black dress shoe. All concert attire should be ordered through the school no later than the end of

September so they can be altered in time for fall concert season.

Marching Band Questions:
1. What does the Marching Band do?
The Marching Band plays at all home football games and some away games. They perform a set “show” on the field during halftime and promotes school spirit by playing music from the stands throughout the game's first, second, and fourth quarters. The Band has “off” the third quarter of each game when they can mingle with friends and family or get something to eat. The Marching Band also competes in the VBODA  competition each October and participates in the Manassas Christmas parade each December.

2. I heard that the Band must practice during a summer band camp?
That’s correct. Band camp is a solid week of practice and is usually scheduled for the third week 

in August from 8:00am to 5:00pm each day. It is mandatory for Marching Band members, including Color Guard. This is an intense week that is focused on learning the show music and, for some,

learning how to march. Also during the week, members will be fitted for their uniforms, getting pictures and performing for the incoming freshmen during their orientation. Be sure to bring

plenty of water, your lunch, and wear loose fitting clothes, tennis shoes, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses as camp is held both indoors and outdoors regardless of the weather.

3. What is the Flag Corps?
This is the section that brings the colorful visual impact to the Marching Band. This group of girls, known as the “flags” by many fans, accentuates the musical movements throughout the show. Choreographed movements consisting of fast spins and tosses draws attention to the beautiful design in the fabrics, brightens the field and helps to focus attention on key parts of the marching band’s performance. The Flags works closely with the marching band director and drum majors to coordinate and carefully synchronize their movements throughout the halftime show or competition.

4. Can my child miss a Marching Band practice?
We understand that conflicts do occur; however, students are encouraged to make every practice and event so that we can perform at our utmost best. Each position is dependent upon the other and anyone missing will impact the support to the entire team. The Marching Band does not hold practices on Mondays to allow time for appointments or other obligations. It is important to be committed to Marching Band.

5. Can my child miss a game?
If you will not be able to attend a game, you must inform your section leader AND the Band Director with advance notice of 1 week.

6. Does my child bring their uniform home each week?
Generally, no. The band uniforms are left in the music room after each game. Your child may be asked to bring their uniform home only if they have an early morning event such as the Christmas Parade or a special competition.

7. What happens on Game Day?
Band members must wear their tan pants and black Marching Band polo shirt to school on all game days. Members will each report to their teams (Band or Guard) directly after school for practice. They will be given study time to complete homework assignments and then will be served dinner by the Band Boosters and wonderful parent volunteers. After dinner they will dress and assemble for their march onto the football field 30 minutes prior to game time. When the game has ended, the Band and Guard will march back to the school. All equipment must be returned and stored properly and uniforms must be hung correctly and returned to apparel coordinator before a member can leave for the evening.


Student Account Questions
1. What is the purpose of Student Accounts?
Student accounts are set up to accumulate funds for the students to use at a later date. They are available to Concert Band, Marching Band and Flag students. If the student participates in a designated fundraising event, a portion of the proceeds from that event will be placed into an account in those students’ names.

2. How does the money get into my Student Account?
Money gets into the account from designated fundraisers, from overpays, and from direct deposits into the account. This amount may vary from year to year.

3. What expenses may I use my Student Account?
These funds can be used to pay for lessons, instrument repairs and accessories, uniform and camp fees, concert apparel, just about anything band related.

4. How do I access the money in my Student account?
When using the funds as a credit (i.e. camp registration, concert attire or anything that is organized by the Band Boosters) there will be an option on the appropriate form designating that the cost, or a portion thereof, will be applied to the student’s account. For reimbursement of funds, please fill out the Request for Withdrawal form and return the completed form and associated documents to the Band Boosters Treasurer.

5. How do I find out how much money is in my Student Account?
Please contact the Band Boosters Treasurer to inquire about your account balance.

6. What happens to my Student Account balance if I quit band, transfer to another school or graduate?
Any money that remains in your student account when you leave band (for any reason) reverts back to the Band Boosters, however, the balance will roll forward to a sibling who is actively participating in a OPHS band program.

Fundraising and Tag Day Questions
1. What’s the deal with Fundraising?
The Marching Band program holds one major fundraiser a year to raise money for the band program with several smaller fundraisers throughout the year to support the "New Uniform" fund. The major fundraiser, Tag Day, is held each September. The Marching Band also holds several smaller events during the school year to raise money that goes strictly towards our new uniform fund.

2. What is Tag Day?
Funding is needed above and beyond the funding that is provided by Prince William County Schools. Tag Day is one of the most significant band fundraisers of the school year for the Band program. Our goal is to break the $10,000 mark each year. We can do it but we need everyone’s participation to make it happen.

3. What happens on Tag Day?
Marching Band members dress in their band uniforms, Band members dress in their concert attire and Color Guard dress in their uniforms. In groups of 3 or 4, they head out into OP community, door-to-door, asking for donations. The event starts around 8:30am and ends around 4:00pm on a designated Saturday in September. All band and guard members are required to participate

4. Who takes the students out?
Parent volunteers drive the groups of students around designated communities and are with the students at all times.

5. What happens to the money that is collected?
The money is divided up three ways. One-third is given to the band program for the purchase of music, instruments and repair costs. One-third is given to the Band Boosters for music, uniforms, festival fees and the general budget. One-third is divided among the students who participate and is placed in their student account for use at a later date.

6. What happens if my child does not participate?
Students who do not participate will not receive funding to their student account and they will not be able to participate on the annual band trip. If you child has a conflict and is not able to participate in Tag Day, they can still receive credit if a parent volunteers to drive or volunteers to assist in another capacity on Tag Day, however, these spots are limited.

7. What other fundraisers do the Band Boosters participate in?
Other fundraising events may be arranged throughout the year. Money from these additional events are not dispersed into student accounts but rather placed in a fund so that the Band Boosters may purchase replacement uniforms debt-free. These events may be things from calendar sales to “spirit nights” at a local restaurant where we receive a percentage of the evening proceeds to asking local businesses for their sponsorship.