One Final CRAZY Week!

Director’s Newsletter: October 26, 2026

About an hour before the results were announced Saturday, I literally told our band how incredible they performed, and that I didn’t care if they scored a 102 or a 1.02.  That is absolutely the truth!  We were treated to an absolutely electric performance of THE TOMB, and despite our overall placing, here are some highlights:

• Guard: 2nd Place!

• Auxiliary (our pit musicians): 2nd Place!

• Individual Musicianship: 3rd Place!

We can’t argue the judges’ scores, but we don’t need to.  

We know our show was the best!!!

Reminder: Drop-Off and Pick-Up Rules

We know life happens, and there are a lot of logistics to a family.  As a dad of two teens, I feel like sometimes I need to be in two or more places at once!  However, for the safety of everyone, we have very specific rules about student pickup and dropoff rules at events that must be followed.  These were reviewed on our mandatory meeting nights, and are spelled out in the Handbook that everyone read and signed.  Specifically…

• There must be a request made, in writing (physical note or email), by the parent/guardian (not the student), at least 24 hours in advance of the event, except in emergency situations. Due to our legal responsibility for the kids, if we do not have a note 24 hours in advance, the request is automatically denied.

• The request must contain the reason for the pickup/dropoff, who will be performing the dropoff/pickup (parent, guardian, or family member 21+ years of age), and when it will be happening.

• The dropoff/pick up must occur within 15 minutes of the time on the written request, as staff members are pulled from the rest of the band to accommodate the request.

• Because the staff are legally responsible for your students at events, the student must stay with us physically until we see you physically.  It is understood that the person doing the dropoff/pickup may have to pay admission to the event, as a staff member often cannot be spared to leave the grounds for a student handoff.

• We cannot keep the entire band in place waiting for a student handoff.  If the student dropoff/pickup does not happen in a timely manner, the request will be considered rescinded.  The student will be required to go with us to/from the event, regardless of the note, or the parent/guardian’s wishes or proximity to the event.

There will not be any exceptions allowed to these rules.

This Week’s Schedule-at-a-glance

**This week we continue our Halloween and Veterans Day parade rehearsals, which are MANDATORY (no unexcused absences) for all marching band members!**

Due to our soccer teams doing so well, we must postpone our final performance of THE TOMB until either 11/2 or 11/4 depending on next week’s weather forecast and turf availability.

• Tuesday, 10/27: Full Pep/Parade Band, 6-8 PM

• Thursday, 10/29: Full Pep/Parade Band, 6-8 PM

• Friday, 10/30: STRE Costume Parade (HS South ONLY), 9:15-11:30 AM

• Friday, 10/30: Football - Away at Winslow Township:

  • Special Uniform Rule - COSTUMES (see rules below) or casual!

  • No Pregame Show

• Saturday, 10/31: TR Halloween Parade

• Sunday, 11/1: Competition - NJ States @ TR East

Friday, 10/30: Football @ Winslow Twp.

Due to the long distance and the early start, we will not pack a truck and do a pregame show!  We will have three buses and travel for a pep band performance only.  

You can wear a casual uniform (see end for rules) or a COSTUME, if you follow these rules:

1. Costumes must be school-appropriate.  If in doubt, ask Mr. Test first!

2. You must be able to freely perform on your instrument/routine.

3. You must be able to sit comfortably on the bus for up to 90 minutes each way.

Itinerary:

• Doors open at 3:30 PM

• Inspection 3:50

• Load and leave 4:00

• Arrive approx. 5:30, set up in stands

• Otherwise, it’s a “regular” football game beginning at 6 PM

• Return approx. 10:15 PM

• Dismissal approx. 10:35 PM

Please note that if the game runs late or if we run into traffic, young drivers on restricted licences may need a ride home, so plan accordingly!

Saturday, 10/31: TR Halloween Parade

**NOTE: As of 11 AM Monday, we do not yet have our official bus times.  All of these times are based on older information and will be adjusted when transportation sets our pick up time.**

Since we were the last band last year, we should be FIRST this year in marching band order.  That makes for a bit earlier start time.  Note that in case of poor weather, the parade rain date is Monday, 11/2.

Volunteers can begin to set up hair/makeup stations and dinner prep 30 minutes before the students arrive.  All students should report as soon as possible, but no later than 3 PM.  We are making arrangements to provide the kids with an early dinner, but there are no details yet.  We need to be ready to load and go beginning at 4:30 PM!  The parade itself begins at 7.

• 3:00-3:30 PM: Setup for hair/makeup and dinner helpers ONLY.  Students must wait in the Band Room or Chorus Room.

• 3:30-3:50 PM: Doors open for students; dinner provided thanks to the Indian Bandwagon.  Students must eat BEFORE doing hair and makeup!

• 3:50-4:50 PM: Parade preparation, in this order:

  • Musicians - get in uniform top & bottom; get makeup; decorate instrument.

  • Guard - get in parade uniform top & bottom; get makeup and hair done.

• 4:50-5:00 PM: Inspection and board buses.

• 7:00 PM: Parade starts; no idea what time exactly we will step off.  

• After parade: March back; unpack; room must be “Monday morning ready” before announcements and dismissal!

Sunday, 11/1: ToB - NJ States @ TR East

Unfortunately, performance times for States are done by lottery, and we drew second for the whole thing!  Here’s the schedule.

• 7:45 AM - Truck arrives for loading.

• 7:45 AM - Guard arrives for hair; your makeup should be done at home!

• 8:30 AM - Everyone else arrives; help load truck, get in full uniform

• 9:20 AM - Inspection

• 9:30 AM - Depart for TR East

• 9:45 AM - Arrive, unpack, warm up

• 10:45 AM - Move to truck for plumes

• 11:00 AM - Gate

• 11:15 AM - We’re on! GO SOUTH!

• 11:30 AM - Back to truck and load and de-plume

• 11:45 AM - Back to buses to change; free time

• 4:45 PM - Back to away stands for Monmouth performance and retreat

• 5:45 PM (approx) - Depart for home

• 6:00 PM (approx) - Unload, clean so everything is Monday-morning-ready

• 6:40 PM  (approx) - Announcements and dismissal

Reminder: Casual Uniform Rules and the No Blanket Policy

We use a casual (sometimes called the “unofficial”) uniform when we don’t need to be completely dressed for a performance. Unfortunately, many members have been too liberal with the definition of the casual uniform dress code.  This causes the entire band to appear slipshod and apathetic. Here is the new official definition of what we require:

• Musicians - Official maroon shirt or sweatshirt; bibbers (sorry, there is no longer a jeans/personal pants option!) 

• Guard - official maroon shirt or sweatshirt; parade pants or full-length black leggings  (sorry, there is no longer a jeans/personal pants option!) 

• Feet - black calf-length socks or black stockings; marching shoes required if we are doing a show or SOUTH on the field, otherwise practice-appropriate footwear (tied sneakers are preferred)

• Outerwear - uniform raincoat if specifically directed, otherwise either the uniform raincoat or a South varsity jacket 

• Warm weather - appropriate (minimum mid-thigh, not clingy) shorts are allowed if the temperature is forecast to be 70 degrees or above at start time

• Cold weather - personal hats and gloves are allowed for the stands, but must be temporarily removed for field performances, and cannot interfere with playing/routine in the stands.  It’s always a great idea to use base layers like Under Armor for the cold!

• Never allowed - jeans, inappropriate shoes, inappropriate shorts

Additionally, please note that blankets or other coverings are not allowed to be used by the band students in the stands, for any reason!  They often pose safety problems with student movement and performance.  Incidents in the past include students slipping and tripping on excess blankets, and blankets getting caught in instruments causing key damage. If it is going to be cold, please layer up underneath your clothing!

If you have any question as to whether something is allowed for casual uniform, please ask the staff at least twelve (12) hours before reporting time! 

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