All ESM students entering grades 7 through 12 and guard members (who must audition) entering grades 7-12 are eligible for the ESM Spartan Marching Band. Students must be in good academic standing to remain on the marching band and/or winter groups.

Marching band practices at ESM High school in the evenings beginning in Early July and generally runs two nights a week from 6-9 p.m. Band Camp weeks (held at the high school) are in mid-August and are our most intensive sessions where most of the show is taught. Once school begins, the band practices two nights a week and Saturdays prior to competitions in the months of September and October. See the band calendar for dates and times of practices.

Band competitions are held around the state on Saturdays in September and October, culminating with state championships at the JMA Wireless Dome at the end of October on Sunday. A band trip generally occurs during the regular season and is usually a four day trip with two of those days occuring on a weekend. See the band calendar for dates and times of performances, competitions and the annual band trip.

Marching band members need to cover the cost of some supplies such as shoes, gloves, and instrumental needs as well as the cost of the annual band trip. Most of the money required for marching band is raised through fundraising efforts by the booster club and the marching band members. There are ample opportunities to fund raise including bottle drives, merchandise sales, and working at the JMA Wireless Dome concession stand. Many members and their families raise all the money needed for the annual band trip through fundraising.

YES! In fact, after each student's first full season of marching band, they each receive a varsity letter at the annual end of season banquet. Each subsequent year, they receive a chevron commemorating successful completion of another season. With Grade 7 being the first eligible year to join, if a student participates each year through their senior year, they will have a Varsity Letter and up to 5 Chevrons.

The ESM Marching Band Booster Organization has a meeting the first Thursday of each month at the high school (dates may be moved due to other circumstances, keep an eye on this web site for exact dates and times). At these meetings the organization goes over all activities, fundraising efforts, volunteer opportunities and more. The meetings are open to the public, and attendance by marching band parents is encouraged. If you have any questions, comments or even concerns, they can be addressed at the booster meeting or you can contact the band director directly. To have voting rights in the booster club only costs $1 annually..