Responsible Adults

Duties of Responsible Adults (RA’s)

Each RA is responsible for a section of students. You will be given a checklist for your students to initial at periodic intervals as listed in the itinerary. Please report any absences or problems to the director.

Bus Riders – There should be at least two RA’s on each bus. A list of riders will be provided in order to check who is supposed to be on each bus. The bus driver will present a set of rules for the trip before leaving. The RA’s should see that these rules are followed. Upon arriving at the location, two RA’s should get off and remain with the students. The other two should stay with the busses to see where they will be parked. It will be the responsibility of the latter RA’s to meet the band at the end of the parade route and direct the director and students to the bus location. One should lead the director and students in the proper direction while the other serves as a “caboose”, being sure all the students know where they are going. Upon returning to school, the RA’s should check the bus for cleanliness before releasing the students.

Water Carriers –water bottles need to be transported from the band room and placed in one of the busses or in the designated RA’s car. The RA’s are responsible for having the bottles with them during the parade route. At the direction of the director, the bottles will be quickly handed out to the students. Gather the water bottles as quickly as possible, in case the band needs to move on. Water carriers should march single-file along with the band on the opposite side of the street from the judging stands. Do not enter the performance area until after the judging is done. Continue until the end of the parade. Distribute water bottles at the end of the parade, until it is time to leave. Be sure to get the bottles back on the busses and then into the band room upon returning to school.

Uniform Checkers – Be sure all students in your group are completely dressed before warm-up. Make sure everyone has his or her shako (hat) or beret, and gloves. Be sure that they have both gauntlets. All band members’ hair must be off their jacket collar. RA’s should double check the hair and help those who may need help with bobby pins. Pants need to be checked for hem length. The bottom of the pants should touch the top of the shoe, no flooding or sagging. There are snaps built into the pants, which means adjustment will be easy to do. Shoes need to be checked during formation. Use shoe polish, if necessary, but be very careful not to get any polish on the pants. They need to be clean and the laces tied. If the laces are too long, they may be tucked into the shoes to avoid tripping. Check for clean white gloves.

Plume & Gauntlet Patrol – RA’s will hand out plumes to each band member after the rest of their uniform has been put on. To save wear and tear, plumes need to be handed out at the last possible moment before entering parade competition. Immediately after the parade competition, RA’s will collect plumes and place them back in their tubes in the plume case. Plumes will be used during the field show when the style of music calls for it. Plumes can not be cleaned, therefore it is important to handle plumes by the cup or wire base. Always insert or remove plumes from headwear by holding the metal cup at the base. It is important to note the direction of the feathers when re-tubing or removing plumes. For plumes that droop or fountain, always insert the top first and remove by pushing the plume through from the wire end.

Field/Pit Crew – These RA’s will help set up and remove the pit percussion, drum major podium, and any other props or equipment used during the field show, at football games and competitions. Because there is a time limit to set up, perform, and exit the field, more help would be greatly appreciated.

Equipment Managers – RA’s will help pack logistic/barbecue equipment onto the support vehicles, such as a van, trailer, or truck. It is the students' responsibility to store instruments, uniforms, and other equipment under the busses or onto any other support vehicles, such as the truck or trailer. Typically, space is limited, so the largest equipment needs to be packed first. Packing is to be done before the busses leave the school, upon arrival at the rehearsal/performance destination, after the rehearsal/performance, and upon arrival back at the school.

Designated Driver – This RA needs to drive his/her own vehicle to the performance location and be available in case of emergencies. Park the car as close to the busses as possible to allow for communication, particularly at departure time.