Welcome! We are very excited that you are joining us and we hope that your child will make marching band a part of their high school experience. We are aware that as parents of a future Lancer member you may have questions regarding your child’s participation in high school marching band.
Joining the Norwalk Lancer Regiment is a great choice. Freshmen music students have the unique opportunity to work with upperclassmen and build friendships that will last well beyond their high school years. As a freshman member of the Lancer Regiment, your student will walk through the door the first day of school already knowing over 150 other students! This will make the transition to high school much easier.
Joining the Norwalk Lancer Regiment is a great choice. Freshmen music students have the unique opportunity to work with upperclassmen and build friendships that will last well beyond their high school years. As a freshman member of the Lancer Regiment, your student will walk through the door the first day of school already knowing over 150 other students! This will make the transition to high school much easier.
OTHER BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE LANCER REGIMENT:
- Become friends with the best kids in school!
- Supports your child’s overall academic and musical performance
- Learn from a staff of great marching, music, color guard, and dance instructors
- Develop self-discipline as a part of a high caliber band, drum line, and color guard
- Looks great on college applications!
- Travel!
- Become part of the Lancer Regiment Family & Have a ton of FUN!
WHEN DO MEMBERS REHEARSALS BEGIN?
The Lancer Regiment preseason (band camp) practices generally begin mid-July through start of August
HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT TAKE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR?
Practices during the school year are on Thursdays evenings with sectionals during lunch time (schedule by section leader). The Norwalk Lancer Regiment members perform at football games on Fridays and have rehearsals and/or competitions on Saturdays. A master calendar will be provided well in advance to help you plan for the school year.
DOES THE LANCER REGIMENT PREVENT STUDENTS FROM BEING INVOLVED IN OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES?
No. We have students that are involved in all aspects of student organizations, clubs, and sports. Students will need to learn to manage their time wisely to be involved in several school activities, but it can be done and has been done successfully for many years.
IF MY CHILD TAKES A FULL SCHEDULE OF DEMANDING CLASSES, IS THERE STILL TIME TO DO MARCHING BAND?
Yes! Even if students signed up for multiple AP or Honors classes, marching band is not a problem. In fact, the Norwalk Lancer Regiment organization includes some of the highest-achieving students in the Norwalk - La Mirada school district. The Lancer Regiment consistently contains several members in the top of each class. Because of the marching experience, students learn the self-discipline to achieve at high levels academically.
MY CHILD’S INSTRUMENT IS NOT A ‘MARCHING BAND’ INSTRUMENT, ARE THEY STILL ABLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Of course! Many members of the Lancer Regiment will play a different marching instrument during marching season, and then return to their primary instrument in concert band. This is very common, and many students end up enjoying being able to play two instruments!
CAN I TAKE CONCERT BAND ALL FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND STILL GET IN ALL MY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT ATTENDING SUMMER SCHOOL?
Yes. However, if you choose not to take summer school, you will not have much room left over for any extra electives. Many band students elect to take one to two semesters of summer school just to get ahead.
IS IT A REQUIREMENT TO TAKE A MUSIC PERFORMANCE CLASS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT?
The Norwalk Marching Band is an extracurricular activity open to any Norwalk High School student. Participation in the curricular band and orchestra classes is strongly encouraged for all members, and is required for those members who wish to be wind or orchestra section leaders or drum majors.
IS BEING A PART OF THE NORWALK MARCHING BAND, AND SUMMER SCHOOL A POSSIBILITY?
Yes, absolutely. The marching schedule wraps around the summer school schedule.
HOW MUCH TIME COMMITMENT OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY IS REQUIRED?
Generally, the greater the level of commitment, the greater the reward and memories. Regardless, a calendar will be provided well in advance to help you plan for these events.
I HEARD PARTICIPATION IN THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT IS EXPENSIVE.
Just like other student activities, it costs money to be involved. The Norwalk Lancer Regiment members are required to pay the applicable Registration Fee, plus purchase necessary equipment. Fortunately, the music boosters and staff work together to provide fundraising opportunities for each and every child to ensure no one is excluded due to financial issues.
IS THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT FUN, OR JUST A LOT OF WORK?
Yes, marching band is a lot of work, but everyone agrees in the end that the reward is well worth the effort. The Norwalk Marching Band experience is challenging, inspirational, memorable, and a lot of fun. Most students think of it as the highlight of the year! From the music and the performance locations, to the traditions and new friends, the Norwalk Lancer Regiment is a great experience.
The Lancer Regiment preseason (band camp) practices generally begin mid-July through start of August
HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT TAKE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR?
Practices during the school year are on Thursdays evenings with sectionals during lunch time (schedule by section leader). The Norwalk Lancer Regiment members perform at football games on Fridays and have rehearsals and/or competitions on Saturdays. A master calendar will be provided well in advance to help you plan for the school year.
DOES THE LANCER REGIMENT PREVENT STUDENTS FROM BEING INVOLVED IN OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES?
No. We have students that are involved in all aspects of student organizations, clubs, and sports. Students will need to learn to manage their time wisely to be involved in several school activities, but it can be done and has been done successfully for many years.
IF MY CHILD TAKES A FULL SCHEDULE OF DEMANDING CLASSES, IS THERE STILL TIME TO DO MARCHING BAND?
Yes! Even if students signed up for multiple AP or Honors classes, marching band is not a problem. In fact, the Norwalk Lancer Regiment organization includes some of the highest-achieving students in the Norwalk - La Mirada school district. The Lancer Regiment consistently contains several members in the top of each class. Because of the marching experience, students learn the self-discipline to achieve at high levels academically.
MY CHILD’S INSTRUMENT IS NOT A ‘MARCHING BAND’ INSTRUMENT, ARE THEY STILL ABLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Of course! Many members of the Lancer Regiment will play a different marching instrument during marching season, and then return to their primary instrument in concert band. This is very common, and many students end up enjoying being able to play two instruments!
CAN I TAKE CONCERT BAND ALL FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND STILL GET IN ALL MY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT ATTENDING SUMMER SCHOOL?
Yes. However, if you choose not to take summer school, you will not have much room left over for any extra electives. Many band students elect to take one to two semesters of summer school just to get ahead.
IS IT A REQUIREMENT TO TAKE A MUSIC PERFORMANCE CLASS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT?
The Norwalk Marching Band is an extracurricular activity open to any Norwalk High School student. Participation in the curricular band and orchestra classes is strongly encouraged for all members, and is required for those members who wish to be wind or orchestra section leaders or drum majors.
IS BEING A PART OF THE NORWALK MARCHING BAND, AND SUMMER SCHOOL A POSSIBILITY?
Yes, absolutely. The marching schedule wraps around the summer school schedule.
HOW MUCH TIME COMMITMENT OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY IS REQUIRED?
Generally, the greater the level of commitment, the greater the reward and memories. Regardless, a calendar will be provided well in advance to help you plan for these events.
I HEARD PARTICIPATION IN THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT IS EXPENSIVE.
Just like other student activities, it costs money to be involved. The Norwalk Lancer Regiment members are required to pay the applicable Registration Fee, plus purchase necessary equipment. Fortunately, the music boosters and staff work together to provide fundraising opportunities for each and every child to ensure no one is excluded due to financial issues.
IS THE NORWALK LANCER REGIMENT FUN, OR JUST A LOT OF WORK?
Yes, marching band is a lot of work, but everyone agrees in the end that the reward is well worth the effort. The Norwalk Marching Band experience is challenging, inspirational, memorable, and a lot of fun. Most students think of it as the highlight of the year! From the music and the performance locations, to the traditions and new friends, the Norwalk Lancer Regiment is a great experience.