Your Cougar Band Journey Starts Here!
Transitioning from middle school to high school can feel intimidating but your student has already made a positive first step by committing to the Tom C. Clark Band. This website will help both you and your student prepare for the upcoming band season, but should you have further questions you may reach out through the Facebook Group page or contact the Band Booster President.
Benefits of Band
For many, band becomes a second family, where there is a support system in place to help students deal with the stresses of high school life. For incoming freshmen this provides an instant group of friends and recognizable faces in every classroom. Younger students receive help and wisdom from older members, and older members receive the opportunity to become strong leaders, preparing them for the future. The students form strong bonds that come from facing challenges together.
Additional benefits:
- Good exercise (marching band)
- Fun travel (marching and concert bands)
- Scholarship opportunities
- Fun performances (Football games, pep rallies, concerts, San Antonio Fiesta Parade)
Three Bands in One
The experience of band is different for every single student and it is changes for everyone depending on the season.
Marching Band
Learn More
Marching Band
For many it’s the most exciting time of the year. Marching Band and Texas Football were made for each other!
Concert Band
After a long marching season students settle in to focus on the music and art of concert band season. The experience is inspiring.
Jazz Band
For students who love Jazz, this is an exciting chance to play some of the greatest American music and perform at exciting venues around San Antonio
Your first day: Band Prep Day
This is a mandatory event held in the band hall usually the day before summer band camp begins. Students and/or parents turn in all required documentation (this can be filled out on your phone), order marching shoes, and optional gear (wind breakers, polo shirts, patches) and pay band and district fees.
Band Camp
Band Camp at Clark is the time when all the members, old and new, of the band get together to learn how to march, play, and perform the music for the upcoming season’s marching show.
At camp, students meet new friends, learn marching and playing fundamentals, start learning the show, and have a concentrated time for music, with no outside distractions. The students form friendships with each other, at all grade levels, making them feel welcome before summer ends and high school starts.
Band Camp usually lasts several weeks in the month of August and students go home at the end of each day.
Learn more about band camp on the Marching Band page.
Costs
Wind Instrument Students: $450 per year
Instrument Usage Fee (if using a school owned instrument) – $30
Percussion Students: $500 per year
Includes Marching Percussion Stick/Mallet Fee
This comes at a tremendous value. Other bands in the area have their fees set at $700 – $2000 a year! Here is a short list of some, but not all, of the goods and services you receive.
- Clark Cougar Band Shirt
- Marching Under Shirt (1 Per 4 Years)
- Water Jug (1 Per 4 years)
- 2 Pairs of Gloves
- Meals & snacks before each contest.
- Meals before games are sold separately.
- Master classes on instruments in the Fall.
- Custom Music for the Marching Show
- Custom Drill for the Marching Show
- Props
- Waters
- Additional Sound Equipment
- Entry Fees
- Marching Sticks/Mallets(Percussion)
Northside ISD is very generous in funding of band programs. However, additional funds need to be generated to bridge the gap so the Clark Band can continue to compete at a high level. A typical Contemporary 6A Marching Season in Texas can cost $70,000 – $100,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate in band and sports at the same time?
Yes you can!
Early communication with the Band Director (Specifically Mr. Murphy) is essential to work out possible schedule conflicts. Students in the past have been able to participate in both band and outside activities such as scouts, outside bands, drum corps, and sports such as soccer, freshmen football, pep, swimming, track and field, basketball, cross country, etc.
Does your student need a physical to be in band?
Yes, band and athletics need physicals every other year. Get one beginning of the Freshman and Junior Year. Make several copies to distribute to the campus trainers and band.
How much of a student's time does it take?
Students will be very busy during marching season. However, students learn time management and are kept on a rigorous schedule. Marching season is limited to 8 hours of rehearsal outside of the school day per week. We do a combination of before and after school rehearsals to put together football games and marching productions.
Do I have to "try out" to get into band?
No one is turned away from band as we welcome everyone! You must have previous experience playing an instrument as we do not have a class for beginners.
A placement audition is held for the percussion section to place them on their marching instrument.
Do I have to know how to march to be in band?
No! Marching experience is not required prior to coming to Clark. We understand that there is no marching in middle school. We train you on marching technique at band camp.
How much does it cost to be in band?
Wind Students: $450 per year
Instrument Usage Fee (if using a school owned instrument) – $30
Percussion Students: $500 per year
Includes NISD Instrument Rental Fee and Marching Percussion Stick/Mallet Fee.
There could be some other incidentals that occur, but this is the bulk of the cost of Band.
When are band fees due?
All fees are due by Band Prep Day and are payable to Clark Band Boosters. Cash, Check, Credit Card and PayPal are accepted.
Why are there fees for band?
Band Fees help provide the necessary funds to maintain and develop an equitable and contemporary band experience above and beyond what the district resources can do. Each student is required to pay the above amounts to cover additional expenses.
What do band fees cover?
The band Fee is $450 per wind student and $500 for percussionists. This comes at a tremendous value. Other bands in the area have their fees set at $700 – $2000 a year! Here is a short list of some, but not all, of the goods and services you receive.
- Clark Cougar Band Shirt
- Marching Under Shirt (1 Per 4 Years)
- Water Jug (1 Per 4 years)
- 2 Pairs of Gloves
- Meals & snacks before each contest.
- Meals before games are sold separately.
- Master classes on instruments in the Fall.
- Custom Music for the Marching Show
- Custom Drill for the Marching Show
- Props
- Waters
- Additional Sound Equipment
- Entry Fees
- Marching Sticks/Mallets(Percussion)
Northside ISD is very generous in funding of band programs. However, additional funds need to be generated to bridge the gap so the Clark Band can continue to compete at a high level. A typical Contemporary 6A Marching Season in Texas can cost $70,000 – $100,000.
What if we can’t pay the expenses all at once?
The Band Boosters make every effort to assist families in meeting this financial commitment. Please speak with Director Justin Murphy before, or at, Prep Day if you have questions or concerns. We can’t help if we don’t know. Money should not be a limiting factor for participation in the band. There are ways you can earn funds toward band fees; including participating in fundraisers, RaiseRight/Scrip fundraising program and/or working Band Assigned NISD concession events.
What is a Student Band Account?
A Clark Band student has few different ways of earning money into their Charms Band Account that can later be used towards Band Fees, the Band Meal Plan, Band Trips or other Band related fees.
- Fundraising for our Band and becoming a Family Sponsor. 25% of your donation can be designated to a band student’s account. For example, if you become a Murphy’s Mosh Pit (Silver) Sponsor for a $500 contribution, $125 of that will go to your student’s Band Account to help offset Band dues. (see more info under “Sponsors” on this website)
- Purchasing Raise Right Gift Cards at https://www.raiseright.com is also a way to earn money into your student’s Band Account. The RaiseRight program allows Band families to order gift cards at face value and make money doing so. Each card earns on average a rebate from 1% to 18% of face value of the card that is deposited into the students Band Account (to learn more, go to “Fundraising” on this website)
What are Band Boosters?
As an organized booster club, the parents in the Cougar Band Boosters serve as responsible adults on band trips, plan and implement concert setup and logistics, distribute uniforms, and provide much-needed financial assistance for music and equipment purchase, just to name a few duties. The Band Parents Organization provides support for the entire band program at Clark High School.
