ALL STRATFORD MARCHING LEGION PARENTS & STRATFORD MARCHING LEGION BAND MEMBERS MUST HAVE THESE 2 APPS DOWNLOADED - Used for scheduling - Used for last minute updates (Practice schedule, performance - Used for important announcements Schedule) - Used for quick communication For students/parents - Used for audio files, Sheet music, and rehearsal Videos (for students) LEGION BAND CAMP *NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!* JULY 7TH TO JULY 24TH 3PM - 8PM JULY 30TH AUGUST 1ST ЗРМ - 6 PM WHAT TO BRING: - WATER BOTTLE - SOLID WHITE T - SHIRT, BLACK SHORTS, TENNIS SHOES (NO SLIDES/CROCS) - DEODORANT (PLEASE PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE) - CONSISTENT, GOOD ATTENDANCE - GREAT WORK ETHIC IF YOU ARE READY TO PUT IN THE WORK, COME BE APART OF THE GREATNESS! STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL, BAND ROOM (BACK OF THE SCHOOL) 1800 STRATFORD AVENUE All Marching Legion students ( exclud ing Spartan ettes and S atin Divas ) are REQUIRED to purchase these items, as this will apart of their uniform during the 2025 - 2026 season. These items can be purchased on Amazon. Below are pictures of the items, as well as the cost of each item! Men Black Combat Boots Amazon.com: WIDEWAY Men's Military Jungle Combat Boots 8 Inch Lightweight Motorcycle Tactical Boot Police Army Botas : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry $51.99 LEGION BAND DUES (REQ UIRED FOR EVERY STUDE NT) VETERAN BAND MEMBERS: $350 (Covers student portion cost of listed trips several pages belo w.) NEW BAND MEMBERS : $500 (Covers student portion cost of listed trips several pages belo w. T his also covers their windsuit apparel. ) Cost of Windsuit per student: Roughly $150 (This includes a pair of pants, a jacket, a Legion Shirt, and a Legion hat.) BAND DUES ARE DU E AUGUST 15 TH ! ( TO ENSURE WE ARE ABLE TO PAY RESPECTIVE PARTIES INVOLVED IN A TIMELY MANNER I F ANYONE IS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, YOU ARE TO REACH OUT AND SPEAK WITH MR. LATHAM IN A TIM ELY MANNER. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE DUES IN ON TIME THIS YEAR! ) STRATFORD MARCHING LEGION FALL SEMESTER CURREN T SCHEDULE PL EASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE ARE O NLY ALL THE CURRENT KNOWN EVENTS. THERE WILL BE MUCH MORE ADDED TO THIS AS THE SEASON PROGRESSES. WE WILL COMMUNICATE THIS INFORMATION WHEN THESE EVENTS ARE SCHEDULED Planned Upcoming Trip: Hopkinsville, Kentucky, August 22 nd , 2025 STUDENT IMPACT: 1. Musical and Performance Benefits • Increased Performance Opportunities : Playing in a new environment gives students the chance to adapt to different acoustics and settings, building confidence and flexibility. • Exposure to New Audiences : Performing for a different crowd can be exciting and energizing. It’s a real - world way to represent their school and city. • Marching and Logistics Practice : Traveling for a game mirrors the kind of logistics they’d experience during band competitions, giving them practical experience loading, unloading, warming up quickly, and staying sharp on the go. 2. Team Building and Social Growth • Bonding with Peers : Long bus rides, shared meals, and collective performances create memories and friendships that strengthen the band's internal chemistry. • Supporting School Spirit : Traveling with the football team fosters unity across extracurriculars. It reinforces that band members are a vital part of the school’s athletic and cultural experience. • Improved Collaboration : Coordinating with football coaches and band staff strengthens communication and cooperation skills. 3. Personal Development • Time Management : A one - day trip demands strict adherence to schedules — great practice for managing time efficiently. • Responsibility and Independence : Students must be accountable for their instruments , attire, and behavior, which foster some level of maturity. • Experiencing New Places : Even a brief visit to a new town offers cultural exposure and can spark curiosity or inspiration. 4. Pride and Representation • School Representation : Being ambassadors for Stratford STEM Magnet builds pride and gives students the chance to showcase their talent outside of their usual circle. • Boosted Morale : Being included in a travel event, especially alongside the football team, shows the band’s importance and boosts students’ sense of value and purpose. ESTIMATED COST OF TRIP: $ 750 for activity school bus es . Transporting approximately 65 members (Gas and pay for driver) Planned Upcoming Trip: Gery, Indiana September 19 & 20 , 2025 (THIS SPECIFIC TRIP WILL ONLY BE POSSIBLE UNDER THE CONDITION THAT IT IS 100% FULLY SPONSORED.) STUDENT IMPACT: 1. Expanded Performance Opportunities • Performing in a new environment helps students adapt to different acoustics, stadium layouts, and crowd energy. • They learn to deliver high - quality performances regardless of location, weather, or audience — a valuable skill for any performer. • Representing their school outside the local area elevates their sense of pride and professionalism. 2. School Spirit & Community Unity • Supporting the football team builds a sense of shared purpose between athletics and the arts. • Students experience how music can energize a crowd and foster community, even away from home. • They feel valued as an essential part of the game - day experience, which reinforces their role within the larger school culture. 3. Team Bonding & Personal Growth • Traveling together encourages deeper connections between band members and staff members. • Students learn essential life skills like responsibility, punctuality, teamwork, and respect for others. • These shared travel experiences often lead to lifelong memories and friendships. 4. Exposure to New Communities & Cultures • Visiting Gary, Indiana offers students a chance to experience a new city, interact with other student musicians, and see how different schools and communities operate. • This exposure broadens their perspective and fosters respect for diversity in people and places. 5. Increased Confidence & Motivation • Being entrusted to represent Stratford on the road boosts students’ confidence in their abilities and behavior. • The excitement and responsibility of a travel performance often reignites motivation to practice and improve. 6. Building a Legacy • Events like this become part of the band’s history — something future students will look forward to. • Each trip helps grow the band’s reputation, making it more a ppealing for incoming students and community supporters. ESTIMATED COST OF TRIP: ROUGHLY $13 K ( Estimated Bus Cost to be in between $ 8 000 - $ 85 00 via Grayline. We are transporting around 65 members) ( Estimated Cost of Hotel Lodging $4000 - $4500 ( One Night Stay for around 22 rooms. 14 queen rooms and 8 singles) Planned Upcoming Trip: Little Rock , A R September 20 , 2025 (T HIS SPECIFIC TRIP WILL T AKE PLACE IF OUR INDIANA TRIP IS NOT ABLE TO BE FULL Y SPONSORED.) STUDENT IMPACT: Musical and Performance Growth 1. Exposure to High - Level Competition Competing against other top - tier show - style bands pushes students to elevate their musicality, precision, and showmanship. 2. Refinement of Show Style Technique Engaging in a genre - specific event helps the band refine and deepen its show - style marching identity , learning from others in the same tradition. 3. Feedback and Assessment Judges’ critiques and feedback from peers provide insight into strengths and areas for improvement , encouraging growth. Cultural and Educational Enrichment 1. Travel Experience Traveling out of state gives students a broader perspective, helps build independence, and often includes educational stops that enhance learning outside the classroom 2. Exposure to Diverse Styles and Traditions Bands from different regions often bring unique traditions, cadences, and routines, providing cultural enrichment and inspiration Social and Community Impact 1. Team Building Travel experiences build camaraderie, trust, and shared memories among band members, strengthening the program's internal community 2. Networking with Other Bands Opportunities to meet and connect with students, directors, and staff from other schools can lead to future collaborations or mentorship. 3. School and City Pride Representing Stratford and Nashville in another city builds school spirit and civic pride — especially when performing well. Motivation and Recruitment 1. Increased Visibility and Prestige Participation in a high - profile event boosts the band’s reputation and may attract new talent to join or support the program. 2. Inspiration to Excel Witnessing what’s possible through other elite bands can inspire students to practice harder and aim higher , both musically and academically. Media and Legacy 1. Documentation and Promotion Photos and videos from the event can be used for promotion, recruitment, and fundraising 2. Memorable Milestones This trip becomes a key part of the band’s history — something students, staff, and alumni will remember and be proud of ESTIMATED COST OF TRIP: $ 7 K - 8K (This will only consist of the charter bus cost via Grayline , with a round 65 members. This will be a one - day trip.) (Planned Trip to Memphis Battle of the Bands September 27t h , 2025 .) STUDENT IMPACT: 1. Musical and Performance Growth • Performance Under Pressure: Competing against other bands sharpens performance skills. Students get used to high - stakes environments, which helps improve focus, precision, and musicality. • Constructive Comparison: Seeing how other schools approach show design, choreography, and musicianship helps students reflect on their own strengths and areas for improvement. • Judged Feedback: Competitions often include score sheets and judge commentary. This detailed feedback from experienced professionals can be eye - opening and guide future rehearsals and show planning. 2. Educational Enrichment • Enhanced Rehearsal Discipline: Preparing for a competition pushes students to practice more rigorously, improving time management, discipline, and resilience. • Analytical Thinking: Students observe and analyze peer performances, which builds critical thinking and evaluative skills — skills that cross over into academic success. • Exposure to Regional Music Culture: Memphis has deep musical roots (blues, soul, rock ‘n’ roll). Just being in the city can be inspiring and broaden their cultural awareness. 3. Social - Emotional Learning • Healthy Competition: Competing promotes sportsmanship, perseverance, and goal - setting — all important for student development. • Team Unity: Traveling and competing together builds a tight - knit community, creating trust and lasting bonds among band members. • Celebrating Diversity: Students meet peers from other schools, backgrounds, and communities, building social awareness and empathy. 4. Real - World Skills • Responsibility & Time Management: On trips, students must manage uniforms, instruments, call times, meals, etc., building independence and accountability. • Adaptability: Competitions can have schedule changes, weather surprises, and travel hiccups — students learn to roll with it, together. • Pride in Representation: Performing under the Stratford banner, students feel a sense of pride in representing their school, city, and program. 5. Opportunities and Recognition • Recruitment Potential: Competitions often have college recruiters or local music educators in attendance. Outstanding performances can open doors to scholarships or summer programs. • Program Visibility: Competing in regional events increases Stratford STEM Magnet’s visibility and reputation in Tennessee’s music education community. • Awards and Honors: Placing in competitions boosts student confidence and gives the program accolades that can help with future funding or support. ESTIMATED COST OF TRIP: $6K - 8K (This will only consist of the charter bus cost via Grayline , with a round 65 members. This will be a one - day trip.) ( POT ENTIAL Planned Trip to Mardi Gra s in New Orlean s FEBURARY 2026 (Dates TBA Later in Season) STUDENT IMPACT: Cultural and Historical Enrichment 1. Immersion in a World - Famous Tradition Performing in Mardi Gras , one of the most iconic cultural celebrations in the U.S., exposes students to rich New Orleans heritage, music, and pageantry — making it a deeply meaningful and memorable experience. 2. Firsthand Experience with Black Marching Band Culture Mardi Gras parades are heavily influenced by HBCU and Black show - style band traditions , giving students a chance to witness and participate in an authentic expression of this cultural legacy Musical and Performance Advancement 1. High - Energy, Real - World Performance Environment Marching in Mardi Gras parades requires endurance, discipline, and high energy. This pushes the band to refine stamina, precision, and showmanship in front of massive, live audiences. 2. Interaction with Top Show - Style Bands Performing along side renowned marching bands allows Stratford students to observe, collaborate, and learn from others who share a commitment to excellence in the show - style tradition. 3. Reputation Building through Visibility Marching in Mardi Gras puts Stratford’s band in front of tens of thousands of live spectators and millions through media . This builds prestige and elevates the band's regional and national reputation Student Development and Team Growth 1. Leadership and Responsibility The trip provides an opportunity for students to practice discipline, time management, and leadership in a professional - style setting. 2. Team Bonding and Personal Growth Extended travel experiences build trust, connection, and unity among band members and staff, strengthening the band as a whole. 3. Motivation Through Celebration Mardi Gras is celebratory by nature. Participating gives students a reward for their hard work and inspires them to continue improving Program and Community Impact 1. School and City Representation Representing Stratford STEM Magnet High School and Nashville on a national stage fosters school pride and community visibility 2. Recruitment and Retention Unique, high - profile performance opportunities like Mardi Gras help attract new students and retain current members by showing the value and excitement of being in the band. 3. Support for College and Career Pathways For students interested in music, performance, education, or HBCU band scholarships , this kind of experience is a powerful résumé builder Media, Marketing, and Legacy 1. Social Media & Fundraising Opportunities Parade footage, photos, and student testimonials can be shared to promote the program , gain alumni support , and assist with fundraising 2. Legacy and Tradition Building Participating in Mardi Gras becomes a milestone event that helps define the band's legacy and builds tradition for future generations. ESTIMATED COST OF TRIP: ROUGHLY $ 21K - $ 23 K (Estimated Bus Cost to be in between $ 14000 - 16000 via Grayline. We are transporting around 65 members ) (Estimated Cost of Hotel Lodging $6750 (Two Night/Three Day Stay for around 22 rooms. 14 queen rooms and 8 singles) ESTIMATED KNOWN CURRENT GRAND TOTAL OF THE SEASON: ROUGHLY $ 41 K - $47K ( GERY , INDIANA TRIP IS NOT INC ORPORATED IN TH IS COST ) SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS: “THE HELPING HAND” - $10K “SPARTAN ALLY” - $20K “HONORARY LEGION HERO” - $30K+ **All donors will be recognized on all of our social media platforms as well as have a banner hung up at our football games for the 2025 - 2026 season (You would need to send us your logo). **