General Year-Round Group Information
Revised for 2026-2027 School Year
AUGUST TRY-OUT PERIOD
August is your month to try We Got the Beat out. At the end of the month students, parents, and teachers will decide if the WGTB Year-Round group will be the best option for you. If we all agree WGTB is a good fit, you and your child will sign a contract that runs from 9/1/26 through 6/4/27.
AUGUST GROUP PRACTICES
Year-round group practices start the week of August 3rd, 2026
ROOKIES – Tuesdays 4:00-6:00 PM starting August 4th.
This session is for kids who attended our Morning Summer Drum Camp 9am-11:30 am.
SECONDARY – Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 pm starting August 5th.
This session is for kids who attended our Afternoon Summer Drum Camp 1pm-4pm.
BEYOND THE BEAT – Zoomers: Mondays 4:00-6:15 pm starting August 3rd. Boomers: Mondays 6:15-8:15 pm starting August 3rd.
This session is for kids who attended our Evening Summer Drum Camp 5:30pm-8:30pm.
DRUMLINE – Thursdays 5:00-8:00 pm starting August 6th. (Drumline rehearses at the Big Red Church on Van Ness.)
This session is for kids who attend our Battery Camp July 20-24.
AUGUST COST
Cost to try for August is $110.00. We will set up an invoice for you when you commit to the August Try-out Period.
LOCATION
Our practice site for this year is:
Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church
3673 N. First St, Fresno, CA
(First Street between Shields & Dakota)
YEAR-ROUND GROUP PRACTICES
The first official year-round practice after our August Try-Out period is:
ROOKIES – Tuesdays 4:00-6:00 PM starting September 1st.
SECONDARY – Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 pm starting September 2nd.
BEYOND THE BEAT ZOOMERS – Mondays 4:00-6:15 pm starting August 31st.
BEYOND THE BEAT BOOMERS – Mondays 6:15-8:15 pm starting August 31st.
DRUMLINE – Thursdays 5:00-8:00 pm starting September 3rd. (Drumline rehearses at the Big Red Church on Van Ness.)
No one will be allowed to participate until a contract is received, signed by both the child and parent. Contracts will be available starting August 1st.
PROGRAM COST
Cost for the year-round group breaks down to $110.00 per month, August through May. Total for the contracted year is $1,100.00.
You will be able to make payments or set up autopay once your contract is submitted.
BEATER COMMITMENT
Splitting rehearsal time with other school/community activities is a possibility. BUT the more time your Beater misses, the less a part of WGTB they will feel. Communication with the director is the key to a successful experience in WGTB.
UPFRONT COSTS
There will be some up-front costs needed for your student such as solid black pants, solid black shoes, an official performance t-shirt. After that initial investment we try to cover any additional member costs with money the group earns by playing performances/gigs and fund-raising. We do have some gently used pants and shoes available for beaters in need.
FUNDRAISING
There is a fundraising goal of $250.00 per WGTB family. We just ask everyone to do their best to reach this goal.
Some possible ways to reach your fundraising goal:
- Buying snacks for the group (turn in receipts with your Beater’s name at the top)
- BIG Show ticket sales (April/May)
- Jamba Juice card purchases ($15)
- Providing food for teachers during camp
- Securing a large paying grant or gig for the group
- There may also be whole-group opportunities to earn money toward your fundraising goal throughout the year.
You will be able to submit receipts via a form on the website, or in a box at the Band Room.
PERFORMANCES & GIGS
WGTB typically plays for events like:
- Caruthers Fair (September)
- Discovery Center’s Tricks & Treats (October)
- 2-Cities Marathon (November)
- Christmas Parades (December)
- Mardi Gras Parade (February)
- Fresno State Vintage Days (April)
- Fresno PorchFest (April)
- Our annual BIG Show (May)
WGTB also plays for school assemblies, carnivals, community events, etc. When an opportunity to perform comes up, we will communicate with everyone and ask who can commit to that particular date. As long as we have enough players available, we do the performance.
PLANNING A GIG
If you want us to play for your school or community event, please contact the person there in charge of booking. If they are interested, please have them email Roman (wgtbroman@gmail.com) or send us their contact information. We’ll take it from there!
We do take Thanksgiving week, and winter and spring breaks off unless something really spectacular comes up. (That hasn’t happened for a while though…)
We’re looking forward to a fantastic 2026-2027 Season!