Families and students
Marching Band 2026
Fall participation, competitive marching band planning, working dates, and next steps.
Marching Band 2026
This page covers the full 2026 marching band season: the schedule, what is expected, the cost, how it is funded, and how to commit.
The Screaming Eagle Regiment is a competitive marching band. Sign-up closes June 1.
Complete the 2026 Marching Band Sign-Up Form
The Season at a Glance
We are moving our scheduling to Microsoft. After that transition, we will share a digital calendar as the official source of truth. Until then, these are the working 2026 dates.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 27-30 | Leadership Week (also Colorguard Week) |
| August 3-7 | Band Camp, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| August 10-14 | Band Camp, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| August 28 | Home football game (band performs) |
| September 11 | Home football game (band performs) |
| September 25 | Home football game (band performs) |
| September 26 | Mattress fundraiser |
| October 3 | Saturday stadium rehearsal |
| October 10 | White Oak HS competition |
| October 16 | Home football game (band performs) |
| October 17 | Pirate Classic at Topsail HS competition |
| October 20 | NHCS Marching Band Showcase at Hoggard HS |
| October 22 | Fall Concert |
| October 23 | Home football game (band performs) |
| October 24 | Corinth Holders HS competition (season finale) |
| October 30 | Away game at Hoggard (band attends) |
Regular rehearsals run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 - 7:00 PM, plus Saturdays on non-competition weeks. Ms. Mead will send more detailed timing for colorguard and leadership later this summer.
What Is Expected
Marching band is a season-long commitment. Students are expected to:
- attend rehearsals consistently
- be present for summer preparation, band camp, and leadership/colorguard week
- attend home football games, the away game at Hoggard, and all competitions
- keep up with music, drill, and equipment
The Cost
The full competitive season costs roughly $42,000 to $47,000 to operate. That covers staff, custom music, drill and choreography, colorguard uniforms and equipment, props, instruments and equipment, transportation, competition logistics, meals, water, and maintenance.
NHCS has covered transportation for the past two seasons, and we expect that to continue. If it does, the shared funding goal for the band is closer to $35,000 to $41,000.
On a band of about 70 students, that is roughly $600 to $670 per student in true cost, or about $500 to $585 per student as the shared goal.
This is not a bill. No student pays a required individual fee. What we ask each family to help meet is a $500 funding goal. See how we fund the season for the full breakdown and the ways to meet it.
How It Is Funded
We set Fair-Share Funding Goals and ask every family to help meet them. Funding comes from:
- sponsorships (the largest source; one $2,000 sponsor can cover a student and several others)
- fundraisers
- booster support
- school and district support where available
- optional family contributions
- hardship support
No student is excluded from a band activity because of financial hardship. If cost is a concern, talk to Mr. Parker. That conversation is private.
Signing Day - June 1
You must complete the sign-up form to finalize your spot in marching band. Sign-up closes June 1.
Complete the 2026 Marching Band Sign-Up Form
Signing up commits your student to the season and to helping meet the $500 family funding goal. The $500 is a goal, not a bill. There are two ways to meet it:
- Pay it. $500 up front, or $250 up front and $250 by band camp. Pay online through this website, or by check or cash in the band room payment box.
- Raise it through sponsorship. Give us 5 local businesses your family has a real connection to, and we help you turn them into sponsors. One $2,000 sponsor can cover your student and several others. Family Campaign Tools give you the script and a tracker.
On top of that, we ask every family to pursue sponsorships, however they meet their $500. That is how we fund the season together, and how we build toward a future where no family pays out of pocket.
If cost is a concern, choose talk with Mr. Parker on the form. That conversation is private, and no student is ever kept off the field over money.
If the form is not completed by June 1, we will assume the student is not marching this season. Mr. Parker or student leadership may still reach out to confirm.
Questions
Email Mr. Parker at robert.parker@nhcs.net or call (910) 790-2360.