Van Wert Bands Information

08/12/2026

Help us wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of our marching band staff members, Evan Sroufe!

Thanks for all you do for the kids and the band, we appreciate you!

Have a great birthday!

08/11/2026

A big thank you to band alumna Allison Krugh for stopping by rehearsal today and treating the band to some popsicles! We appreciate it! 😁🎵 Go Band!!

08/10/2026

5th Grade Beginning Band Information UPDATE:

Howdy band families,

Our beginning band camp has been going swell! Thank you to all of those who have had their students attend this week or last week!

This Thursday, we will be cancelling 5th Grade Beginner Band Camp due to HS Band Photos taking place. Thank you for understanding! We will still be having our Friday practice as scheduled.

Thanks, all!

Send a message to learn more

08/10/2026

Football Band Concession Sign-Ups are HERE!!!

The football concession stand is our largest fundraiser for the band program, and we need everyone’s help to make it successful!

Each band family is asked to work 2 concession shifts during the football season. Those 2 shifts can be split however works best for your family — for example, two different parents/guardians can work one game, or one parent/guardian can work both games.

We are asking every family to pitch in because we have a number of parents who have volunteered year after year to help keep the concession stand running. We want to give those families a chance to step away from the concession stand, enjoy the games, and get to watch their students perform on the field!

There’s also a little extra incentive for those who want to help beyond their required 2 shifts. Once your family has completed its first 2 shifts, your student will receive one entry into a drawing for free band fees for next year. Every additional shift your family works after those first 2 will earn another entry! There will be one winner each for Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.

For our seniors, the prize will be the monetary value of the band fees instead of free band fees.

Please sign up using the link below! We really appreciate everyone doing their part to support the band and help make this fundraiser successful.

Thank you for volunteering! GO BAND!!

Check this option and submit the form again if you would like to proceed with changing the repeating pattern and updating spots with assignments. This update will change assignments that participants have signed up for.

08/06/2026

Our 2026 Van Wert Band Show Apparel is here!

Want to show your Cougar Band pride this season? Our official show apparel is now available, and we'd love to see our students, families, alumni, and community members wearing it at football games, competitions, and around town!

This year's design is available on:

Short-sleeve T-shirts
Soft-style T-shirts
Long-sleeve T-shirts
Soft-style long-sleeve T-shirts
Crewneck sweatshirts
Hoodies

Browse and order here:
https://www.themarchingarts.com/vanwertmarchingband
All orders made this next week will be sent to the school. After that, shipping will be turned back on and can be sent to other locations.

VWHS Band Students -- refer to the email sent for your complimentary shirt code.

Thank you for supporting the Van Wert Band program! Your support means so much to our students, and we can't wait to see everyone representing the Cougar Band throughout the 2026 season.

Go Cougars!

This is a group page. Products bought through this page will be sent to the school as a group and not shipped to you personally.

08/06/2026

Just a reminder! Our next Band Parent Association meeting is Monday, August 10, at 7:30 PM in the High School Band Room.

We hope to see you there as we prepare for another great season!

08/03/2026

Some remaining photos from band camp 2026! Will add to this album as I acquire more!

07/29/2026

Band Camp Day 2! Featuring our amazing band and two Cougar Pride Campers! Go Band!!

07/26/2026

Found a portal, but it mysteriously looks more like a gas station… 🐇🟩🟥🍭🟪

VW Marching Band getting ready for a week of band camp! We’re excited to see the students at 1 PM! Go cougs!

07/08/2026

‼️ Meet the Director: Ms. Amari Junkins ‼️

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Amari Junkins, our Middle School Band Director and Assistant High School Band Director!

Ms. Junkins is a graduate of Ohio Northern University, where she earned degrees in Music Education and Music Performance. A talented trombonist, she performed in a variety of ensembles throughout her college career, including Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, University Singers, Steel Drums, and the Marching Band.

Dedicated to music education and leadership, Ms. Junkins served as President of the Ohio Northern University Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association (OCMEA) and recently completed her second term as the OCMEA Statewide Director of Communication.
Before joining Van Wert City Schools, she served as the Assistant Marching Band Director at Lima Central Catholic High School and completed her student teaching at Piqua High School and Middle School. She looks forward to remaining actively involved with the Ohio Music Education Association while serving our students.

Ms. Junkins is excited to join the Cougar Community, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our music department. Please help us give her a warm Cougar welcome! 🐾🎺❤️