Membership!

2025-2026 Blue Darter Band Membership Info! 

What does being a member of the Blue Darter Band entail?

  • It means you are part of an incredible family of musicians known as the “Blue Darter Band”. As a member, you are primed for a wonderful year of fun and growth, through music! Specifically, all members are part of our Blue Darter Marching Band, or, as we know it, BDMB. This is not a specific course, or code, but, our largest, most visible ensemble, that involves every member of our band family.
    • The BDMB performs at all Blue Darter football games whether it be our FULL BAND or PEP BAND settings. You can see these details on our Fall 2025 Tour Schedule!
    • The BDMB wears several uniform combinations that can be found below under “uniform costs”. A specific guide will be shared during week 1 for all to understand our uniform needs.
    • A new “practice” tshirt has been provided and is expected to be worn, alongside the black band shorts and blue ball cap for all Tuesday BDMB rehearsals.
  • Each individual course (Concert Classes: Periods 1-5, Jazz: Periods 6-7) has other responsibilities and goals, to include individual performances throughout the year.
  • Each member is responsible to follow the rehearsal and performance schedule outlined below. All events are posted now to enable planning ahead. Any events that are added in the future will have at least a one month lead time for planning.
  • But, what if I did not attend band camp? What do I do?
    • SHOW UP! We will get you caught up in a future session to ensure you understand the needs for marching band, yes, it is EASY! You’ve got this! And, you will have a blast!
    • You also need to email Mrs. Janice Pedroza to ensure you get your Physical and ECG locked in! Click here to find her contact info!

How do I pay for my Fair Share, Uniform Items, and any other miscellaneous needs?

  • SchoolCashOnline is OCPS’s brand new portal for all payments. The Blue Darter Band will utilize this system exclusively as it ties to the rest of your school payment needs. Each student will be able to see any charges that they have incurred within this system from across the school.
  • Once live, messages will be sent out via all of our portals of communication to ensure you know how to find our payment links via SchoolCashOnline!
  • For the 2025-2026 School Year, our cost outline is as follows:
    • Fair Share (All Winds & Percussion) $250.00 (Per Member)
    • School-Owned Instrument Rental $100.00 (One Time Fee)
    • Blue Darter Band Uniform Costs
      • Jersey (Covered in Fair Share)
      • Show TShirt (Covered in Fair Share)
      • Practice TShirt (Covered in Fair Share)
      • Blue BDMB Ball Cap $30.00
      • Dinkles (Marching Shoes) $38.00
      • Black Band Shorts $12 – $25 (Depending on male/female and type of shorts)
      • Replacement Gear For Lost/Outgrown Items
        • Jersey $30.00
        • Show TShirt $10.00
        • Practice TShirt $10.00
        • Other items are listed above.
      • Concert Band Tux Uniform $40.00

What is the schedule for the Blue Darter Band?

  • Our yearly schedule is always published on our website at http://www.apopakabands.com! Yay! You are here! Specifically, you can see the Fall 2025 Tour Schedule (Single Page) version, OR, you can view our Google Calendar version. In addition, our Weekly Updates help clarify any changes or shifts in schedule for the week ahead. Primary communications will also take place within the 2025-2026 Blue Darter Band App. All MEMBERS and PARENTS should be connect with us via this app! Connect with it today by clicking the link above and registering!
  • For the BDMB, our weekly schedule is as follows:
    • Tuesday BDMB: 6 PM – 9 PM (August – October)
      • Our final rehearsal is Tuesday, October 28th.
    • Spring Concert MPA Rehearsals are as follows for one hour after school on the given day of the week (January – Spring Break):
      • Tuesday’s: Wind Symphony (3rd Pd) & Percussion
      • Wednesday’s: Concert Band (1st & 4th Pds) & Percussion
      • Thursday’s: Symphonic Band (2nd Pd) & Percussion
    • Prism Rehearsal Weeks (Winter & Spring Events)
      • Monday – Wednesday Rehearsals: After School until 5 PM
      • Thursday & Friday Concerts: 6 PM Call Time/7 PM Performance Downbeat)

How can I communicate with the Directors, Booster Board, and members of the Blue Darter Band?

  • Our primary method of communication is the 2025-2026 Blue Darter Band App, which should connect with every MEMBER and PARENT. Please ensure you are connected to get the most “up to date” info for each band event.
  • ParentSquare, the newly appointed communication portal for OCPS will be utilized, however, it is not fully functional at this time. This will not replace our usage of the Band App. Please ensure you are connected to the 2025-2026 Blue Darter Band App.
  • The Blue Darter Band is live on both Facebook and Instagram and we encourage you to like, follow, and subscribe to see all of the fun things going on within the Blue Darter Band!
  • Our Booster Board members can be contacted by visiting the webpage for their individual listings! Click here to learn more about our Booster Board!

What if I do not have my own instrument? 

  • The Blue Darter Band rents French Horns, Marching French Horns (Mellophones), Euphoniums, Marching Euphoniums (Baritones), Tubas, Marching Tubas (Sousaphones), large Woodwind instruments (Bassoons, Bass Clarinets, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone) as well as some smaller woodwind gear (Oboe, Piccolo, etc.). All percussion (Marching and Concert) gear is also provided.
  • Students who utilize a school-owned instrument will have a one time, $100 rental fee applied to their account. Once check out, the instrument, and its upkeep, is at the cost of the student to whom the instrument is checked out.
    • Red Barn Music Repair (352-357-6571) in Sorrento is our “go-to/recommended” repair shop for any issues that arise while the instrument is checked out to the member. This cost will fall on the member.
  • All other instruments (Flutes, Clarinets, Alto Saxophones, and Trumpets, should be procured by the performing member. There are several rental shops located throughout Central Florida that are recommended. (The Band Room, Music & Arts, Music Shack, etc.)

How does grading work within the Blue Darter Band? 

  • Two Primary Categories:
    • Formative (40%) Elements that are preparatory in nature and lay the foundation for daily success.
      • Examples: Daily Clock In, Weekly In-Class Performance Grade
    • Summative (60%) Performance based elements that lead directly to success within the performance space.
      • Examples: Playing Tests, Tuesday BDMB, Full BDMB Performances, 168, etc.
        • Tuesday BDMB and Full BDMB experiences utilize bar code scanning and student id’s for attendance check in. It is essential all members have this with them for this process, as it should be visible each day at school.
  • Grades within the Blue Darter Band are generated via Canvas and then synced with Skyward each week. Students are prompted each day to complete the given tasks via Canvas in class – they are simple, easy to complete, and provide information necessary to their continued success.
  • Canvas assignments are not opened after they close.
  • Canvas assignments close at 2:45 PM on the day they are due.
    • The rationale behind this is training our students to visit Canvas daily, review their “To Do” list for all classes, complete their required band quizzes, all in a timely, efficient manner. It is essential that students learn this skill not only for our course, but for all courses now and moving forward to future academic endeavors.