Marching Band Competition Prep
As the band prepares for competition season, here are a few things that might be helpful:
For traveling to/from the competitions, your student will need:
All of the competitions are held outdoors. Once we're into the fall season, make sure your child has appropriate clothes for the cold nights. It might be warm when we leave, but it will get very cold once the sun goes down.
Some competitions are cold, and some are downright freezing. If you plan on attending a competition and sitting in the stands: foot & hand warmers, seat cushions, and blankets are all good. Be sure to dress warmly, lots of layers and hats & mittens. Don't worry about how you look, you won't be near your child to embarrass them! Warmth is the goal.
Lastly... please do not go to a competition alone! If you are a chaperone or pit-crew 'widow,' or if circumstances simply worked out so you're on your own supporting your student and the band for any given competition, please come to the school a little before the scheduled departure time and let people know that you're looking to carpool.
We had a running joke/slogan in the past, "it takes a village to build props." That saying is every bit as appropriate for encouraging, supporting, and cheering the band on too. If you can do some networking while waiting to pick your student up on practice evenings and work out transportation ahead of time, that's both fantastic and to be encouraged. But if you find yourself on your own and it's getting close to departure time, just come over to the music room area and find a chaperone, pit-crew worker, or anybody that looks like they've been around for a while and we will help to find you an open seat, or someone to ride with you.
Go Band!
For traveling to/from the competitions, your student will need:
- Some kind of duffel bag or back pack to keep his/her things together
- A FULL water bottle (not a disposable one)
- A meal to eat during Eat/Pack/Load time
- Snacks for later in case they cannot make it to concessions (uniform friendly - no condiments or crumbles bc uniform cleaning is expensive)
- An extra pair of black socks and t-shirt (for after competition)
- Optional small blanket (school bus heat is temperamental)
- Hand/Toe warmers
All of the competitions are held outdoors. Once we're into the fall season, make sure your child has appropriate clothes for the cold nights. It might be warm when we leave, but it will get very cold once the sun goes down.
Some competitions are cold, and some are downright freezing. If you plan on attending a competition and sitting in the stands: foot & hand warmers, seat cushions, and blankets are all good. Be sure to dress warmly, lots of layers and hats & mittens. Don't worry about how you look, you won't be near your child to embarrass them! Warmth is the goal.
Lastly... please do not go to a competition alone! If you are a chaperone or pit-crew 'widow,' or if circumstances simply worked out so you're on your own supporting your student and the band for any given competition, please come to the school a little before the scheduled departure time and let people know that you're looking to carpool.
We had a running joke/slogan in the past, "it takes a village to build props." That saying is every bit as appropriate for encouraging, supporting, and cheering the band on too. If you can do some networking while waiting to pick your student up on practice evenings and work out transportation ahead of time, that's both fantastic and to be encouraged. But if you find yourself on your own and it's getting close to departure time, just come over to the music room area and find a chaperone, pit-crew worker, or anybody that looks like they've been around for a while and we will help to find you an open seat, or someone to ride with you.
Go Band!