Weekly Email - June 14th
Good evening Band families!
We are aware that some families have not been receiving our weekly emails over the last month due to a technical glitch. We are hoping that is all resolved at this point. I have included all the information from the last two week's updates in this email to hopefully make sure everyone is connected and updated. There are a few new items this week as well!
🏥 MEDICAL FORMS
Before participating with the Dobyns-Bennett Band, all students are REQUIRED TO SUBMIT certain health forms (Click Here for forms). All band students should turn these in on the first day of camp on June 29th.
Please complete these forms as they apply to your student.
KCS Medical Form; REQUIRED for all students, Parent/Guardian signature only
KCS Asthma Form: as needed only, Require Physician Signature
TN Asthma Form: as needed only, Require Physician Signature
Health Provider form for Medication: as needed only, Require Physician Signature
KCS Food Modification and Substitution Form: as needed only, Require Physician Signature
Seizure Action Plan: as needed only, Require Physician Signature
Prescription, Asthma and Allergy Forms: as needed only, Require Physician Signature
🍴FREE Lunch Option for June Band Camp
During the June band camp on Monday thru Thursday, we are working with the FREE summer lunch program to provide lunch to ANY band student who would like one. We are trying to get a general count of how many lunches needed. Students may still go off campus or pack lunches if they would like, but this is a free option to any student and they are still welcome to request a free lunch to use as an afternoon snack or supplement to whatever lunch they choose for the day. Students are allowed to stay and eat in the band room every day of camp, or go off campus for lunch.
Click Here to Sign-up for FREE Band Camp Lunch
***VOLUNTEER Opportunity: If you are able to help distribute lunches Mon. - Thurs. during the June Camp please let me know at beth.ward@dbband.org. It will be best if the same volunteers help each day due to a short training from the school nutrition services on Monday prior to passing lunches out.
💲DB BAND CARDS
It's time for the annual Dobyns-Bennett Band Card! One of the easiest ways to help support the band program and all that the students do is through selling the DB Band Card. Every band member is requested to sell 25 cards, by all means students can sell more, but we would love to see every member sell at least 25 cards. This is a special year for the band as we celebrate 100 years of excellence. In honor of this, we have 100 businesses on this year's band card. Instructions and additional card pick up dates will be included in the student packet.
Students or their parents/guardians may pick up their initial packets on:
Monday June 29th between 5pm and 8pm, or
Tuesday June 30th between 5pm and 8pm.
Band Card Questions send to Whitney McGuire at bandcards@dbband.org
***Band Card Volunteer Opportunity: Help needed counting, sorting, and distributing band cards (Click Here to Volunteer)
💦 WATER Help - June Camp
Hello Parents! As we are quickly approaching the first band camp, please sign up to help water the kids! If you are unable to come for the full time, please sign up anyway and come when you are able!
What we do - Fill band students water bottles during water breaks, provide basic first aid as needed, help cool down students, and just help when help is needed.
Please bring - A chair, a water bottle, shoes you don't mind getting wet, and a great attitude! We have a lot of fun getting to know each other and students! 🙂
If you have questions, please feel free to email Nichole Tarpley at N_Tarpley2004@yahoo.com
We look forward to seeing you! Thanks for helping out the Dobyns-Bennett Marching Band!
Click Here to sign up to help with Water
🇺🇲 PATRIOT Yard Supply Drop Off:
Supply Drop Off from Flag Day weekend:
Wednesday, June 17th from 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday, June 18th from 10:00 - 12:00 OR 6:00 - 7:00
LEADERSHIP Camp (Leadership Team Only)
June 27 & 28
2:00 - 4:30 both days
🏳️ Color Guard Practice this week
(Color Guard — see additional updates on Band app)
Monday June 15th
9:00 AM-11:00 AM Everyone
11:00 AM-12:00 PM Weapons
Thursday June 18th
9:00 AM-11:00 AM Everyone
11:00 AM- 12:00 PM Weapons
🎶 BAND CAMPS
Band Camp is mandatory, so please contact Mr. Cook immediately if you have any unavoidable conflicts. Students should wear comfortable shorts, shirts, and tennis shoes – NO sandals. A non-dairy, non-greasy breakfast is strongly recommended. All students need to bring a personal jug/water bottle to refill during rehearsals.
June Camp: June 29-July 3 ALL STUDENTS
Woodwinds and Brass – 9 am – Noon and 1:15 pm – 3 pm
Color Guard and Percussion - 9 am – Noon and 1:15 pm – 5 pm
Students will receive invitations to participate in competitive band by the end of June Camp.
Week One Band Camp: July 20 – 24 ALL STUDENTS
M- 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -4:00 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm
T - 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -4:00 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm
W - 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -4:00 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm
TH -9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -5:00 pm
F - 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -5:00 pm
Week Two Band Camp: July 27-July 31 COMP BAND ONLY
M- 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -4:00 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm
T - 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -4:00 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm
W - 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -5:00 pm
TH -9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -4:00 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm
F - 9 am – Noon, 1:15 pm -6:00 pm
Rehearsals are a mandatory part of band participation.
Things to buy before June 29th Camp:
A lyre for your instrument (not needed for percussion, flute or tuba)
A flip folder (all wind instruments need this!)
Solid black athletic shorts (no racing stripe or large logo)
Comfortable shoes
Sunscreen
Large water bottle (Example: Water Bottle link)
Sunglasses (our white paved practice field is very bright in the sun)
🇺🇲 Fourth of July Parade
The 4th of July Parade is not mandatory but certainly expected for band students that are in town that week!
Fourth of July Parade: July 4 / 9:00 am
Our current plan is to distribute the 2026 DB Band Shirts to students after
Parade Practice at the end of June camp. Each band student receives one free t-shirt to be worn at the Fourth of July Parade and the first few football games.
Solid black athletic shorts are to be worn with the shirts. No stripes or logos on the black shorts!
💵 Band Dues
Band Dues and fundraising provide the monies needed to support the DB Band Program. This money helps pay for the day-to-day activities of the band as well as additional instructors used during color guard camp, percussion and band camps and deposits on the buses we reserve for transportation. Without these monies, the band would not be able to provide the level of activities offered to the students today.
Band Dues for the 2026-2027 school year is $275.
Band members may receive an Early Payment Discount of $25:
$250.00 payable in full by June 30
After June 30, band dues will increase to $275, which can be paid in full or payment options will be available through Omella, our online payment system.
Band dues may be paid by cash, check, or through Omella. For cash payments, please put the student's name and Band Dues on the envelope. If paying by check, please make your check out to DB Band Boosters and place in an envelope labeled with the student's name and Band Dues. Cash and check payments can be placed in the gray mailbox in the Instrumental Music Building(IMB) lobby, or mailed to:
DB Band Boosters
Attention: Sophie Walters
P.O. Box 7265
Kingsport, TN 37664
Please make sure the student's name is on all payments.
A note for paying online: there is a small processing fee if using Google Pay or a debit/credit card, but there is no fee for paying with a bank transfer (ACH). Omella is a free platform for our Boosters and relies solely on "tips" left at checkout. However, this is totally optional and is not required. However, if you do choose to leave a tip, you can choose the amount, even if it's $.50- you do not have to leave the recommended amount.
For online payments, go to our website https://www.dbband.org/payments or use the link provided below:
If other arrangements need to be made or you have any questions about payments, please contact Sophie Walters at sophie.walters@dbband.org.
📝 Mandatory Drop-In Registration
Mandatory Drop-In Registration will be held on Sunday, July 19, from 12:30-5:00pm at the IMB.
Woodwinds and Percussion: 12:30-2:45 pm
Brass and Color Guard: 2:45 - 5:00 pm
If you have a conflict, you may come by when convenient.
Students will be given their music, get sized for hats, check out instruments, assigned a band locker, and purchase marching shoes, gloves, and girls’ concert dresses. A "Quick Start Guide to Friday Nights at J. Fred" will be available for new member families. Spirit merchandise and 2026 DB Band Show Shirts will also be available for purchase.
🗓️ Summer and Fall Schedule
Our tentative schedule of Important Dates for the summer and fall is available on our website.
Any changes will be sent out ahead of time via email.
You made it! Action Items:
Complete needed Medical forms from website
Purchase the items you need for camp
Sign up for a FREE June camp lunch - if desired
Make Early Bird discount band payment - if you are able
Sign up to volunteer!! (Band Cards, Water Help)
Have a great week!
--Beth and Clift Ward
2026-2027 Dobyns-Bennett Band Booster Presidents