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marching band survival guide

This information was put together with input from band parents and marching band students who in their own "rookie year" went through various stages of confusion and had many questions (we’ve ALL been there). Our hope it so provide you some answers too commonly asked questions as well as provide some tips to achieving a successful band camp & marching band season! If you still have questions, contact our mentor families liason!
time management / Commitment
Q: How will marching band students have the time to attend after school rehearsals, perform at Friday nights football games until 10pm, and compete on Saturdays, all within a 3-month period, and keep up their grades? Time management will be one of the most important tools that your children will acquire when they become members of the WSHS band program. Your student will learn how to keep a schedule, the importance of punctuality and how to set priorities.
A detailed monthly band calendar is posted on our website.
  • The calendar lists rehearsals, football games, events, and competitions band students will be required to attend during the marching band season. The schedule does sometimes change due to unforeseen circumstances, so checking the calendar every few days is recommended.
  • Note, the calendar includes information for both marching band and performance bands (concert, symphonic and wind symphony).
"15 min early is on-time and on-time is late"
  • This means for a 6:00 pm rehearsal time on the calendar, a student needs to be at the band room "early" enough to: 1) take care of their set-up responsibilities, and 2) get their instruments, equipment, and themselves to the rehearsal location by 6pm, in place and ready to go.
  • Rehearsals will be finished at the published time and students dismissed. However, students involved with crew/leadership may be required to stay after dismissal in order to finish those duties.
Summer Band Camp
  • Pre-season summer marching band camp rehearsals are required for marching band participation.
  • Please arrange family vacations, doctor’s visits, student jobs and family time around these rehearsals. Marching band is the ultimate group activity, and if one member is missing it affects the entire group. That said, if a student cannot attend a rehearsals due to a sickness, or reason out of your control, please notify the Band Director.
  • Marching band camp usually starts beginning-mid August and last for three weeks. Please review the calendar for times, dates and locations.
Competitions
  • Competitions take place on Saturdays, usually begin in late Oct/early Nov, and last for 4-5 weeks.
  • All marching band students are required to attend competitions
  • The band will practice prior at the school, prep/load instruments and equipment and be transported by bus to/from the competitions.
  • Competition times vary but between practice, travel and actual performance time it is typically an all-day activity.
Band camp tips
Bring and drink lots of WATER, WATER, WATER. Students must stay hydrated; they will sweat a lot during marching band. It is hot on the pavement, turf and grass, they are outside, and it is summertime. Remember that caffeine dehydrates. Did we mention … water?
TIP: Freeze some water in a container that will fit in their water jug. The block of ice will keep it cool for most of the day. There will be water available to refill the jug.
Eat plenty of FOOD. Please remember to eat a healthy breakfast each day before they come to rehearsal. The body needs fuel to perform at the level necessary for marching band. Students must bring a bag lunch for pre-season apart from the week that hospitality will provide lunch (those dates will be provided shortly prior to the first week of camp).
Checklist:
  • Gallon water jug filled with ice & water (w/ student’s name on it)
  • Comfortable clothing. Think of clothing you would exercise in.
  • Comfortable athletic shoes or sneakers with socks. No
  • sandals, flip-flops, open toed or backless shoes.
  • Lip protection with SPF (i.e. Chapstick)
  • Sunglasses AND hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Bag Lunch for summer daytime rehearsals
  • Marching instrument
Uniforms
Marching Band Uniform
The marching band uniform is worn at home football games, homecoming parade, competitions, and TAG Day. The marching band uniform is issued from the uniform room (before each event) - the first three items listed below never go home with students. Items:
  • Jacket (provided by the band)
  • Bibber Pants (provided by the band)
  • Shako with white plume (provided by the band)
  • White Gloves (1 pair issued)
  • Black shoes - AKA dinkles (1 pair issued)
  • Solid black socks (student needs to get)
  • Show shirt for under uniform (1-2 issued)
Any/all Marching Spartans with long hair will need to put their hair up in Shako hair. Student with long hair will need to bring their own bobby pins, hair nets or other devices for keep their hair under the shako for the full performance.
Guard Uniform
Students in the Guard will not wear the marching band uniform. They will be provided a costume based on the show theme each year. Guard students will be issued a guard jacket.
Marching Band T-Shirt
Each student will receive a show themed shirt. There is a new t- shirt design each year. It is recommended that you purchase a second marching band t-shirt when offered. Most students like to have a second to use at a Saturday competition after wearing the first at a Friday night game (no late-night laundry).
Blue Hooded Sweatshirt
Rookie marching students will receive 1 sweatshirt their first year at no additional charge. Returning students may purchase a new sweatshirt for a small fee. The hoodie is worn during colder weather over the marching band t- shirts. Both the t-shirt and the sweatshirt are used for quick identification as a band member (band hoodies very popular amongst the band students).
Athletic shorts or "Umbro" type shorts. Provided by each student, required for group changes in open conditions.
Black Socks
You will be responsible for obtaining/purchasing a pair of solid black Calf-length socks.
White Gloves
One set is provided to each student as part of the marching band fee.
Marching Band (Band Camp and/or After School Practice)
Students must wear comfortable shoes/sneakers, usually sneakers (NO flip-flops, open toed or backless shoes allowed). A comfortable t-shirt and shorts. Shirts and shorts must be within FCPS clothing standards. Students may want to bring an extra t-shirt & socks in case of a sudden rain shower. A hat is recommended.
Shoes AKA Dinkles
The marching shoes are called dinkles. Each student will be issued a pair prior to the first game or competition (which ever occurs first).
Remember While In Uniform:
  • Hair will be kept off the collar of the uniform jacket. If a student cannot put up their hair up to where it stays in place a hairnet will be provided.
  • No jewelry
  • No nail polish except for students in the Guard, if required.
  • No makeup (transfers to marching uniform) except for students in the Guard.
  • Please don’t use hair products that could possibly transfer to the uniform.
  • Only food provided by chaperones can be eaten while in uniform (the bibber pants and jacket portions). Water is OK and encouraged.
Crews & Leadership
All members have different functions as musicians and performers, but also perform supporting roles. You may not know that just as much work must be done behind the scenes for each successful show, football game, competition or concert.
There is a student leadership structure, beginning with the Band Managers, Drum Majors, Captains, Sectionleaders, and Crew Chiefs. They help with the logistical and administrative tasks necessary to run the marchingband program. We have found that with student involvement comes ownership, growth, pride, and responsibility.
Leadership and Crew Chief positions are “applied for” and selected by the band Director. Crew members aremade up of marching band student volunteers.
Each crew requires a different amount of time and effort. Some crews are used much more than others duringmarching band and may have different requirements during the school year. Students will be given a descriptionof each crew responsibilities towards the beginning of band camp to help them choose a crew.
Although you are not required to be a member of a crew, it is highly encouraged for many reasons. If you areaspiring to be selected for a leadership for the following year, crews are one of the best ways to showcase yourdedication and skill as a leader and member of a team.
Crews To Choose From:
  • Equipment Crew
  • Field Crew
  • Library Crew
  • Room Crew
  • Uniform Crew
What to bring to football games & Competitions
Home Games
Students will need Dinkles, show shirt, black shorts for under their uniform, black socks, and hair items if needed for those with longer hair. For home games students change into uniforms at the school. Students sit in the 'band section' of the home side bleachers. The students have third quarter off and will be provided water and apples form the chaperones. They are to be back in their spots ('band section') by 2 min. before the 3rd quarter ends. After the game they will return to the band hallway as a group, change, put up their equipment and will be dismissed by the director.
Away Games
These games are more relaxed and the student’s play their pep band music (no half-time performance). This is one of the times the students will not be in uniform, but are still required to wear their band show shirts. The students may bring backpacks with money and their band sweatshirt or band jacket. During third quarter they are released to go watch the home team band perform and go to concessions. They are transported by bus to and from the game.
Competitions
  • Black Dinkles (marching shoes), Black socks, athletic shorts (for under the uniform and for after the competition/after changing out of the uniform), this year’s show shirt, hair items for students with long hair
  • Shoes, band approved hoodie/jacket (see below) and pants (if cold weather) for after the performance.
  • Color guard needs their undergarments, makeup, and show shirts.
  • In cold weather the students may wear their band sweatshirt, band jacket or guard jacket before and after performances.
  • Your student may bring a backpack on the bus. In the backpack your student should bring water, snacks, money for concessions or to buy t-shirts, sneakers, pants to change into, and any other items they may need.
  • The chaperones do provide water and snacks for the students before and/or after performances.
  • Students will usually meet at WSHS prior to competitions and run through the show. Afterwards they will polish and pack their instruments. Large instruments and color guard equipment will be taken to the trucks to be loaded.
Before the students load the buses, they will gather their belongings to include their Black Dinkles, black socks, show shirt, color guard undergarments, makeup and show shirts. Then they will pick up their Shakos with their white show gloves in them and board the bus.
Things you might hear
"Where's my dot?" or "Do we line up on the hash?" This does not refer to insects or food. These terms indicate how the practice field is marked off. Students use their drill books or app to understand their position on the field.
"If you are early, you're on time; if you're on time, you're late." Students need to have time to get their instrument and get to the practice location by the published time of the practice. Plan for 15-20 minutes before published time.
"Come sit in the band parent section" While completely optional, most band parents choose to sit in the self proclaimed "band parent section" of the stadium. It's just right of the band (when facing the field on the home side) which is right around the 30-yard line. It's a great section to get some photos of your band student and hear the pep-songs!
"Are you working the Pit?" The "Pit" is a group of percussion instruments that travel on a trailer and are stationary during performances. It is also known as the Front Ensemble. The students need parents to help move this equipment and set up props used for the half-time show.