Volunteer FAQ

Generally each year the Independence Marching Band needs Volunteers from the start of Band Camp until the end of the season in early November. You are in charge as to how much time and effort to put in to Volunteering. Even if you can only Volunteer for a few hours this season, that would be an immense help. The more time-intensive types of roles include uniforms, prop building, chaperone, food crew, and pit crew.  The less-demanding roles include taking photo and video at games and events to share with the community, helping to load or unload equipment, Volunteering during Home Football Games, Senior night, member social events, etc.  There are also Volunteer opportunities after Marching Band season during Concerts, Winter Guard season, and the end-of-year Band Banquet. 

Although fewer students compete in our Junior Varsity and Varsity Winter Guard teams than Marching Band, the teams still need help with making props, moving props at the competitions, chaperone (on the bus and sometimes overnight), and help with uniform creation, alterations, and maintenance. 

Each Volunteer group has at least 1 or 2 people in charge and several folks who have been around for a few years to show you how it all works. The Marching Band and Winter Guard Programs change every year, so the Volunteer work changes a bit every year too. This means that even the "old-timers" are learning something new each season. We're all in this together to support the kids! 

Absolutely! This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the Marching Band and Winter Guard groups from the ground level, support your kid(s), and meet new friends. Band experience is not a requirement to be a Volunteer!  

No. Only sign up for the events or shows for which you can afford the time. Try out some different Volunteer groups, or even sign up for multiple roles if you really want the FULL ON VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE.  Any help you provide will help support the IHS Bands Program.

If you Volunteer for pit crew, you will either see the show from the field or from a lower level of the stands. Some uniform Volunteers also occasionally end up watching the show from the field, depending on the shows logistics. Pit Crew that push equipment onto the field get free show tickets. Other Volunteer groups also tend to get free show tickets depending that year's Booster budget.  Similarly, Winter Guard Volunteers helping to move props will probably sit closer to the show in the competition venue,

Marching band and Winter Guard are experiences for the kids. They will need to focus on their prep and/or music playing. And in-between times they will probably want to hang out with their band mates. 

Each Marching Band season is outlined in the calendar, on the Marching Band page, and during the week of each event, all logistics are listed on the Home page. Some Volunteers share information via a Discord server (ask a Volunteer lead for the link), others through the Booster Facebook page. 

Winter Guard schedules are shared on the calendar, on the Winter Guard page, and during the week of each event, all logistics are listed on the Home Page. Additionally, Winter Guard and Colorguard members and their parents/guardians keep in touch via the Band app. The link is shared each season by Mrs. Harrington.