February 2026 Newsletter

2026-2027 Course Scheduling

As we enter February, rising 10th-12th grade students are beginning their course selection process for next year. Visit this slide show for details about the following course selections, which are available for all band students:

Percussion Ensemble 925015

• This is a percussion-only course open to all students. Students in this course will serve as the percussion sections for the Concert or Symphonic bands, as well as participate in Percussion Ensembles of their own.

Band 923315

• This is the Concert Band course. There is no audition for this group. Open to all woodwind and brass students with at least one year of experience on their instruments.

Advanced Band 923415

• This is the Symphonic Band course. It is an auditioned group (see below) and open to all woodwind and brass students.

Advanced Band 923416

• This is the Wind Ensemble course. It is an auditioned group (see below), and is the most advanced band class offered to students. This course is open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion students.

All students enrolled in an Advanced Band course that also participate in Marching Band will receive a 0.5 honors-weighted credit.

Ensemble Auditions

Ensemble auditions take place in April. Students will receive audition materials at the end of February. The auditions are required for all students who wish to take either Advanced Band course.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please consider supporting our students at the All-District Band Event on February 5-7. 2026. We are seeking volunteers and donations! Donations of chips, snacks, and candy will be accepted now through the event. For volunteer opportunities, visit https://www.hayfieldbands.org/boosters/.

Concert Band Assessments

Concert Band Assessments are quickly approaching! The Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble will all participate in assessments on Wednesday, March 11 or Thursday, March 12 at West Potomac High School. We will know specifics in the coming weeks, but please do everything you can to keep these dates open so we can avoid any potential conflicts.

Upcoming Dates

Thursday, February 5 - Saturday, February 7 All-DIstrict Band Event @ Hayfield Secondary

Tuesday, February 10 Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Wednesday, February 11 Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm; Wind Ensemble Rehearsal; 6:00-8:00pm

Tuesday, February 24 Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Wednesday, February 25 Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Thursday, February 26 Pre-Assessment Concert; HS bands begin at 7:00pm

Saturday, February 28 All-VIrginia Band Auditions at JMU

Monday, March 9 Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Tuesday, March 10 Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Wednesday, March 11 - Thursday, March 12 VBODA Concert Band Assessments @ WPHS

Help with District Band

You could be as happy as these volunteers when you help with District Band!

We are in need of volunteers and donations to support the All-District Band event on February 5-7, 2026. Hayfield Secondary School and the Hayfield Band Boosters host this event each year, and it serves as a sizable fundraiser for our program.

We are seeking volunteers to help sell concessions, maintain our hospitality room setup, and serve lunch. We are also seeking donations of concessions items, such as candy bars, granola bars, chips, etc. 

You can find all volunteer/donation opportunities on the Sign Up Genius HERE. Thank you all for your support!

January 2026 Newsletter

All District Results

Congratulations to all of our students who auditioned for All-District Band! We had twenty-two students earn seats in the ensemble! These students will participate in the All-District Band event at Hayfield on February 5-7, 2026

Volunteer Opportunity

Please consider supporting our students at the All-District Band Event on February 5-7. 2026. We are seeking volunteers and donations! Donations of chips, snacks, and candy will be accepted now through the event. Volunteers for this event sign up here.

Concert Band Assessments

Concert Band Assessments are quickly approaching! The Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble will all participate in assessments on Wednesday, March 11 OR Thursday, March 12 at West Potomac High School. We will know specifics within the coming weeks, but please do everything you can to keep these dates open so we avoid any potential conflicts!

Jazz Band and Pit Orchestra

Jazz band and pit orchestra will be starting in January. These are elective ensembles. Students interested in jazz band can sign up via the link on Schoology, while Pit Orchestra members will be notified on Friday, January gth if they have been placed in the ensemble.

Upcoming Dates

Friday, January 16 - Final New York City Trip payment due.

Monday, January 19 - Band Booster Meeting; Google Meet

Tuesday, January 20 - Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Wednesday, January 21 - Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Tuesday, February 10 - Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm

Wednesday, February 11 - Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-4:30pm and Wind Ensemble Rehearsal; 6:00-8:00pm

Week of December 1

December 2, 2025 - Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-5:00pm (6th and 7th period bands; Concert Band Percussion students)

December 3, 2025 – Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-5:00pm (2nd period band; Symphonic Band Percussion students)

December 4, 2025 – Winter Concert

               6:00pm – Students Arrive – Concert Band, MS Orchestra Room; Symphonic Band, MS Band Room; Wind Ensemble, HS Band Room

               6:15pm – Ensemble pictures

               6:30pm – Warm-up in locations

               7:00pm – Concert Starts

December 6, 2025 - All Wind Ensemble students and some select Symphonic Band students are registered to participate in the All-District Band auditions on Saturday, December 6 at Glasgow MS. Information has been sent to all students regarding those auditions.

Looking Ahead…

Friday, December 12, 2025 - Tiny Tots Concert (Wind Ensemble only); 10:00am

Thursday, December 18, 2025 - Elementary Recruitment Tour (Wind Ensemble only)

Week of November 17

November 18, 2025 – Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-5:00pm (6th and 7th period bands; Concert Band Percussion students)

November 19, 2025 – Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-5:00pm (2nd period band; Symphonic Band Percussion students)

Looking Ahead to December

December 2, 2025 - Concert Band Rehearsal; 3:00-5:00pm (6th and 7th period bands; Concert Band Percussion students)

December 3, 2025 – Symphonic Band Rehearsal; 3:00-5:00pm (2nd period band; Symphonic Band Percussion students)

December 4, 2025 – Winter Concert

               6:00pm – Students Arrive – Concert Band, MS Orchestra Room; Symphonic Band, MS Band Room; Wind Ensemble, HS Band Room

               6:15pm – Ensemble pictures

               6:30pm – Warm-up in locations

               7:00pm – Concert Starts

December 6, 2025 - All Wind Ensemble students and some select Symphonic Band students are registered to participate in the All-District Band auditions on Saturday, December 6 at Glasgow MS. Information has been sent to all students regarding those auditions.