Preface
This guide is the product of a group of new band parents who spent a large portion of their "rookie" year in various stages of confusion. In the many hours they spent together watching practices and performances, waiting to pick up our kids, and following yellow school buses, they asked hundreds of questions.
We hope this booklet helps you in your "endeavors" during your child's rookie year.
Band Camp
Yes, your kids will get a workout. Be prepared for physical exercise and plenty of sweating.
Dress comfortably - caps, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable tennis shoes (not high-tops, flip flops or sandals, well broken-in), shorts and light colored t-shirts.
Bring water to drink! It makes staying hydrated much easier. Camel packs and other backpack-style water coolers are the best. Students with these get water breaks every minute of rehearsal. Always mark you container.
Bring a towel (you'll need it!)
Helpful Hints that Save You Time, Gas and Grief
Make your child responsible for being prepared. The first time they forget something will be the last! They learn to be resourceful when they have to be.
At the end of each practice session there are usually announcements - listen up. This is your best opportunity to find out who, what, where and when things are going on.
Network - This is how we met each other. It is also one of the best ways to get helpful hints on band parenting from others.
Carpool to competitions and games when parent busses aren't available. Also sign up as a chaperone whenever possible. You get a free ride and usually free admission to the event.
Be prepared to cheer! The band loves it when they have their own cheering section.
Keep all items (socks, shoes, gloves, etc.) in a bag. That way you won't spend time hunting for them each time they're needed.
Terms, Phrases
"Inspection is at six o'clock" - If you're early, you're on time, if you're on time, you're late. When you drop your child off at 5:30, there will be students already there, ready to play. At this point, the anxiety level for being late dramatically increases. This is when your child will be sweating bullets. Beware of the traffic. Always allow extra time. There are no excuses.
"Where are your dot cards?" - These are very detailed charts that students wear around their necks during band camp and at rehearsals that tell them exactly where they stand for different setups, like Opener 6. If you ever see these at home, your child didn't do what they were supposed to (turn them in). The same is true for poker chips.
"Where's my dot?" and "Do we line up on the hash?" - These terms indicate how the practice field is marked off. Students use their dot cards to answer these questions.
"The band received an Excellent rating" - Excellent is not the best. Each band is striving for a Superior rating.
"Play to the box!" - This means that instruments should be directed toward the tower on the practice field where the powers-that-be live and flourish.
Practice field - The practice field is actually the soccer practice field at the far back corner of campus. Usually there will be a "run-through" near the end of practice. This is also a good location to gather information, and network.
Uniforms, Uniforms, Uniforms or "What do I wear?"
Full Marching Dress Uniforms will be handed out prior to each game or performance. Students will never bring home the Dress Uniform for any reason.
The Dress Uniforms consist of:
Formal jacket
Formal pants (just touching the top of shoes)
Black MTX shoes
Black socks
We suggest having several pairs that are exactly alike. (Dryers love to eat socks)
Hat with plume
Light soccer or running type shorts to be worn under pants for group changes.
Moisture-wicking band undershirt with logo
No jewelry, face paint, or odd hair accessories
Pep Band Uniform - worn for pep rallies, first few football games, and as travel uniforms.
Issued polo shirt with band logo
Black pants.
Black belt - a must to pass inspection
Black socks.
Black Drill Master Shoes.
Light shorts if changing to formal uniform is expected.
You Know You're a Band Parent When . . .
You make three more trips than expected to drop off your child with everything they need.
You can't pick your child out of the crowd because they all look alike.
You no longer speak of your child as a fourteen-year-old daughter/son, but as a "freshman trumpet."
You prominently display a band calendar in the kitchen, have band dates marked on the calendar in your phone, and have the Band Phone Number on speed dial.
There's no such thing as a prior commitment.
You know that you will be wearing something Black and Gold every Friday night.