Tips from a few past music parents, that were confused freshman band parents at one time:
How to know what’s happening in Ferris Band:
First, don’t freak out that the Music Department's yearly calendar has so many dates listed! Many of those days will not include your student, and there are a lot of things listed that will happen during zero hours or during the school day. You don’t have to put ALL the dates on your family calendar! Read your email, visit the band website, the FMPA website (where you are - good start!) sign up for communication on Remind (both the Ferris Music Parent Association and the groups your student(s) is participating in), and read newsletters sent by the FMPA through MailChimp (automatically signed up when your student is part of the program), request to join the Ferris Music Parent Association Facebook Page, read the handbook.
Helpful Information about Events, Concerts, and other Misc.
Music Parent Meeting – In September (for this year, September 14, 2022 - 7:00pm in the PGB Auditorium at Ferris) there will be a special Music Department Parent Meeting. Parents learn about programs, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising to help you/your kiddo pay for their music activities. You can get an updated year-long calendar, sign-up for Remind with your director to get last-minute updates, and make sure your contact information is accurate.
Fall Concert – all band groups perform (drum line, advanced percussion, jazz band, JEFJO, concert band, wind ensemble). The concert is late in October.
Winter Concert- some groups from Choir, Band, and Orchestra perform. This concert is so popular with both the Ferris community and the Spokane community that tickets are sold (with proceeds used in place of music department fees), there are actually two concerts that are identical and are given two nights in a row. Tickets go on sale just after Thanksgiving, and will sell out quickly! Please be aware and watch for details from the directors and FMPA. Concerts are late in December.
Retreats – some of the music groups go on 2-3 day retreats outside of Spokane (Typically at Ross Point or Camp Spalding). Students may get to work with guest artists and/or guest conductors, and spend a lot of time working hard on performance music. Advanced Percussion, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz are groups that typically go on weekend retreats. Retreats occur in January.
Solo and Ensemble Contest – Regional event occurs in February, at a high school in Spokane. Any student that wants to prepare solo music may participate. Students sometimes also organize small ensembles (such as duets, or quartets), or play in larger ensembles. There is a need to register, which happens late in the fall. If a student or a group wins their category, they are invited to participate in the State Solo and Ensemble Contest. This one is in Ellensburg, in April.
All-State and All-Northwest – students may audition (via recording) in the fall, to earn a spot in either of these groups. Band, Choir, and Orchestra students all may participate. The spring events take place in different cities, depending on the year.
Feeder school concerts- In the spring the middle school and elementary schools in the Ferris district will have a concert. The middle school group will play a few songs, the high school will play a couple of songs, then the elementary schools will come to play. This is a chance for the elementary schools to hear what the middle school sounds like, and the middle school kids to hear what the high schoolers sound like.
Lilac parade practices – The week before the Lilac Parade practices will be in the evenings, 6:30-8:00pm. Any band member can participate in the parade. Each night of parade rehearsal will have a dress-up theme, with the seniors deciding on the themes.
Awards Concert – happens in May. The choir, band, and orchestra groups meet separately prior to the evening concert and hand out their letters and some of their awards (all students will attend, parents are also invited to the first part of the night if they would like to attend). At 7 pm, everyone heads to the auditorium for the main concert and additional awards.