GAME DAY PRO TIPS

CREEKVIEW BAND GAME DAY PRO TIPS

PARKING & PICK UP ON GAME DAYS: This is a really important topic. Nights after games, everyone returns back to CHS to unload the semi and drop off equipment/uniforms/instruments.  ALL Parents picking up will park in the Auditorium/Faculty Lot or even in the Marching parking lot.   NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO PARK ON THE STREET LEADING TO THE BAND HALL.   It is a parking violation and hazard.  Thank you for helping us spread the word.  Parents are encouraged to park and walk to the band hall area and help us unload the semi trailer as a strong tradition and support for the band! The more hands and parents the faster we unload.

GAME DAYS: Bring your black DUFFEL BAG with marching shoes, black socks, compression shorts and compression shirt.   Bring your water jugs and fill them up with water before we depart for the game.  Students’ primary hydration is their own water jug at the football games.  We may offer water at a point during the game, but it is the student’s responsibility to bring their water jugs in their duffels to games.  

STUDENTS MUST have an OFFICIAL BAND DUFFEL if they want to take it to the stands – exceptions can be made if a student is waiting on a duffel order to arrive. We can take orders if you need to order a duffel bag. If they have ordered one, then we will distribute it when they arrive. Students may enter the stands with ONLY their Instrument, BAND Duffel, Shako, Flip Folder and Water Jug.

COMMUNICATION: Please check our weekly emails for information for the week. Also reference our website and google calendar. Our students receive notifications via Group Me app, SportsYou, Parentsquare and all sections have a group that they relay information back to their sections.  Additionally, we have a Facebook Page – follow us Creekview High School Mustang Marching Band  

PLEASE READ ALL OF MY EMAILS THOROUGHLY. We spend a lot of time sending you pertinent information for the band program – many questions can be answered through our weekly emails.

GAME DAY ROUTINE: When students are released from class, they will come to the band hall and quickly eat.  Students will then change into their compression gear [Compression shirt, Compression shorts + athletic shorts, marching shoes, and black socks] and load the truck with instruments.  We will have a visual uniform inspection before we dismiss load buses to travel to the game.

RED/BLACK PERFORMANCE SHIRTS: Required Items, we’ll be wearing them during Pep Rallies and various events/rehearsals during the season. If you need to purchase one – email us and let us know!

CELL PHONES are NOT to be seen during football games/ students can keep them in their Duffle Bags. 

ELIGIBILITY: All Members of the Mustang Band must be eligible in academics for clearance to travel and perform with the band. All students who fail a class at the eligibility grading check point, will miss games and CANNOT ATTEND THE GAMES until they regain eligibility.

VALUABLES: we will have a designated locker in the band hall to lock up any personal valuables before we leave – please check with Mr. Salas– we are not liable for lost or stolen items from the band hall while we are at football games.

INSTRUMENT STORAGE ROOM:  MUST BE CLEAN at all times. Do not leave your bags on the floor where people walk – use empty cubbies if needed. This is a responsibility for everyone.

BANDHALL: – NO EATING OR FOOD IN THE BAND HALL. Please pick up after yourself. Lost and found will be taken to donation centers if items are not claimed.

GAME DAYS: remember to bring all your equipment and materials. We will HAVE several Z racks for you to hang your UNIFORM. ALWAYS have your uniform in your GARMENT BAG. ALWAYS. ☺

GARMENT BAGS: All students will be issued a Garment Bag that is labeled with your name.  You are to be responsible for your 3 HANGERS. (Jacket, Bibbers, Long Sleeve Performance Shirt) Place your uniform in this bag (LABELED WITH YOUR NAME) at all times when on campus for proper identification and to avoid mismatching parts of the uniform with other members. It is your responsibility to keep track of your uniform parts.

MARCHING UNIFORMS: Cost $350.00 per unit for replacement. WE DO NOT EAT in uniform, use foul language or RUN in our uniforms. Help us maintain a high level of discipline in how we treat and clean our uniforms this season.  When we finish an event ALL students are expected to HANG the uniforms PROPERLY to avoid creases and wrinkles. You’ll need to keep and take care of the hanger that is assigned to you.  The uniform should be properly hung after EVERY performance – Plan each week to set out all the things you need for GAME DAYS the day before so you can make sure you have all the parts.

UNIFORM INVENTORY: Students should have a Garment Bag (with their name and numbers), 3 HANGERS, Jacket, Pants (bibbers), Long Sleeve Performance Shirt, Shako (hat), Hat Wrap and a Hat Box (except for Front Ensemble – they do not wear hats and Sousaphone players will have Black Berets to wear.)

HAIR: Ladies and Men must have a neat appearance – all hair must be pulled up in a bun away from the face – no ponytails when in full uniform. Ponytail are acceptable for the Summer Band Uniform. All Men must have a trimmed clean look at the approval and discretion of all band directors.

JEWELRY: No jewelry should be worn during performances. Keep all rings, earrings, and necklaces at home that day/ also NO finger nail paint! – exceptions can only be cleared with Mr. Denis.

DINNER: Before the game: Game day meals will be delivered to the school at 3:45pm for them every game Home/Away.  We do not recommend students leave before the game for the variables we can’t control in traffic and accidents. 

DURING HOT WEATHER: Students will enter the stadium in Halves (bibbers/compression top) and Jacket/Hat in hand.  The band will wear the full uniform for the halftime performance only. This will remain at the discretion of the Head Band Director. Students are responsible for their own hydration, so be sure they have a water jug labeled clearly with their name. They will be expected to bring this to the games/rehearsals/performances.

DURING COLD WEATHER: Students can choose to wear thermal long johns under their uniform as long as it is dark and not visible beyond the uniform lengths. The other option is students can wear their OFFICIAL LETTERMAN Jackets ONLY and appropriate color head/ear bands to block the cold and air. NO EXCEPTIONS. Our policy remains – for Cold weather: Students wear official letterman jackets or thermal fitting long johns to keep warm. We will always prioritize maintaining uniformity in the stands.

DURING RAINY WEATHER: We have ponchos that are stored in the semi trailer– We may need to wear our CLEAR ponchos if we are at a performance event and it begins to rain. If we notice prior to departure the weather is going to be bad, then we will consult with the campus principal before cancelling a game performance.  

LETTERMAN JACKETS: At games students can wear their letterman jackets over their uniforms when it gets unusually cold later in the season. If it is not an official SCHOOL LETTERMAN JACKET it is NOT approved. Please DO NOT ASK for exceptions.  All students have the option to purchase the letterman jacket at the start of the year during band registration. *Students participation in All Region / solo and ensemble will count to the “LETTER C” for their jackets – this is awarded at Banquet yearly – students fill out a LETTER application at the end of the Spring semester.

GAME DAY STUDENT TRANSPORTATION: We will have  buses for all home and away games and Marching Contests.  Students will be assigned a bus by their instrument and when you can volunteer, ride with us on any of the buses!

BUS RIDE: When the band travels - always be respectful of your driver and their expectations/rules. NO FOUL language on the bus and when we’re in a parking lot – there is NO talking. This will help our drivers.  We do not hang our uniforms on the bus windows, this limits the drivers view. All students must be in their seats before a driver will depart. Bus captains will take roll – listen and say here when your name is called.

DURING THE FOOTBALL GAME: STUDENTS ARE NOT TO EAT CONCESSION FOODS, or drinks (except for water) – we will provide a snack after half time, but that is all the approved snack/drinks that are allowed while in uniform.  Students with allergies can bring their own approved snacks.  Students are not to accept Gatorade or any other snacks from parents or friends. Anytime we walk in a parking lot, we walk in pairs. ALWAYS. Find a 2 and walk with them. Never alone or 3’s.  We all represent CFBISD and Creekview, be courteous and professional when in uniform.

RESTROOMS: During a football game we are supporters of the football team! If you have to use the restroom you may go in twos and quickly return.  We will limit our flexibility if too many people leave at once. We must always be ready to perform in the stands!

PERFORMANCES: All Students should have their FLIP FOLDERS at EVERY GAME. ALWAYS. With all the music they need. Consult with our band librarians if you need music.

INSPECTION: Each game day will have uniform inspection in the band hall prior to departure. Here students will line up by sections and section leaders will check each member for accurate materials and equipment. Students will be in Full Uniform for the inspection and are to be silent during inspection.  From here students will be released to load buses by class starting with seniority – Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and then Freshmen. 

FLIP FOLDERS: Required by all students and MUST be labeled with their names. They will use these in the stands and also to play for the CHEVALS before halftime on the field.   They can be purchased from our band office for $5, including additional page sleeves 4 for $1.00.

SUMMER BAND UNIFORM: Students will wear their red/black performance shirts with black mesh shorts and tennis shoes during the first 3 - 4 early season games due to the heat. (color selections are determined in advance of the game through the directors emails to all students and parents, color selections are also posted on the band calendar under each event)

ENTERING THE STANDS: We will always line up in a block by sections outside the facility and enter in a SINGLE file line. The directors/Drum Majors will assist in placement of the band.  You may choose to stand next to anyone in your section, but we will not move across sections during the game.  All band members will stay in their assigned sections with their friends.  We STAND during the game unless direction is given by one of the directors to sit.  Remember that wearing the uniform is a professional visual in the community, no PDA among our relationships.

QUESTIONS??? :  You have very experienced Parents, Drum Majors, Band Presidents, Band Leadership Team, Veteran Marchers, Marching Techs – please seek the answer through the chain of command.

Thank you for reading this document!  The strength of our program is in our active efforts to improve the process and opportunity for growth and musical achievement for our band students!