PLEASE PRINT, COMPLETE AND TURN IN THESE REQUIRED BAND FORMS
AT THE START OF THE MARCHING BAND CAMP.
​
FCPS STUDENT HEALTH FORM
PLD BAND MEMBER FORM 2023-24
KHSAA ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM
FCPS SELF MEDICATION FORM (optional) 
PLD BAND TRAVEL MEDICAL PERMISSION TO TREAT FORM
2023-24 MARCHING BAND CONTRIBUTION FORM
2023-24 NAME TAG REQUEST FORM (optional)​
A Successful Tradition
Paul Laurence Dunbar Marching Band has built a distinguished record since the high school opened in 1990. The PLD Marching Band has established itself as one of the premier marching ensembles in the State of Kentucky and the nation. with a distinguished record of achievements including: 
  •  7 Kentucky Music Educator Association (KMEA) State Marching Band Championships (1991, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011)
  • 2 Time Participant in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
  • Recipient of the Sudler Shield Award(1996,2005)
  • KMEA State Runners-Up (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008)
  •  30 KMEA State Finals appearances
  • 3 Grand Championships at the Contest of Champions Murfreesboro, TN (1995, 1996, 2007)
  • 3 Bands of America Regional Championships (2004, 2005, 2008)
  • 2 Bands of America Grand Nationals Semi-Finalist (1995, 2006)
  • Bands of America Class Champions - St. Louis (2014)
Our musical history includes:
​
2023 - Blown Away
​2022 - Na'Vi
​2021 - Bitten
2020 - No Show due to COVID-19
​2019 - KODO
​2018 - Redemption
2017 - Whirl
2016 - Ever After
​2015 - Facade
2014 - Unbridled
2013 - The Portal
2012 - Reflections 
2011 - Shine 
2010 - Multiples of One
2009 - SpellBOUND 
2008 - Ninja 
2007 - My Immortal
2006 - Up!
​2005 - Celestial Bodies
2004 - I-motion
​2003 - Anime
2002 - Into the Unknown
2001 - Reflections of Earth
2000 - To Tame the Perilous Skies
1999 - Gloria
1998 - Appalachian Spring
1997 - Endurance
1996 - Ludwig
1995 - From the New World
1994 - An Alfred Reed Sampler  
1993 - Excitement 93
1992 - A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein
1991 - Fiddler on the Roof
1990 - Phantom of the Opera​
General Information
The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School was established in 1990. The school's commitment to a quality band program was clear from the beginning, when Craig Cornish, coming away from a state marching band championship at North Hardin High School, was hired as PLD's first Band Director. It didn't take long for Mr. Cornish to make his mark winning the Kentucky State Marching band AAA championship in 1991. The PLD tradition was born.

As members of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Marching Band, you are responsible for helping to continue our tradition of excellence. In addition to how you practice and perform, the way you conduct yourselves at school and in public is also a reflection on the Dunbar band organization. 
​

MARCHING BAND CAMP
Your Band journey begins with Freshman and New Band Member Camp. These activities will introduce you to marching fundamentals, posture, drill commands and get you ready to join the experienced band members at full band camp. Full Band Camp runs two weeks near the end of July and is followed by post camp rehearsals. All Band Camp rehearsals are held at PLD High School. You must attend camp to ensure a spot in the competition show. For new members band camp can be confusing and exhausting. The Band Camp Survival Guide, found under the heading More...Resources, is an informational document developed by former students and parents to help you succeed while at camp.

REHEARSALS
The PLD Marching Band is a co-curricular activity, meaning the rehearsal schedule falls almost entirely outside of the typical school day.  The rehearsal schedule is given to each student and is always available on Charms calendar.  Please print off a personal copy and put it on your refrigerator!  The band, more so than any other competitive groups, is a family and relies on EVERYONE to be at every rehearsal!

-Freshman and New Member Camp: 
Held prior to the start of Full Band Camp. Camp usually lasts for 2 days and introduces first year members to marching and performance fundamentals and prepares new members to join the experienced band members at full band camp.

-Full Band Camp: 
Full Band Camp runs two weeks near the end of July and is followed by post camp rehearsals. For Full Band Camp the marching rehearsals are in the relative cool of the mornings and musical rehearsals take place indoors in the heat of the afternoons.

-School Day Rehearsals: 
Occurs from 4:00 pm until 6:30 pm each weekday after school except Wednesdays. 

-Extra Rehearsals: 
Are usually full day rehearsals that occur on Saturdays or weekdays when school is not in session. Color Guard can also schedule extra rehearsals that are separate from the rest of the band as well.

The Marching Band Information Booklet is a packet of information given to all parents each marching season. Updated every year by the BPA, the band booklet contains details on such topics as: Band Classes, Band Camp, Awards, Marching competitions, contest etiquette, KMEA and BOA scoring, Overnight trips, Marching Season, Concert Season, Winterguard, Band expenses, Band Parents Association, and Board of Directors, committee chairpersons, and committee members. It even has a listing of Band vocabulary and a Band Camp Survival Guide! It is the most comprehensive listing of all things pertaining to the PLD Marching band. It is a must read.

PERFORMANCES
The Band performs at varsity football home games during the season. The Band plays the National Anthem at the start of the game, plays pep tunes during the game, and performs the competition show at half-time. The Band also performs at 4 to 6 band competitions during the season. These additional competitions can be at local, state, regional, and national levels. Bands compete against other bands of their size-class (based on high school enrollment).  Judges at each competition evaluate the performances according to established criteria.