Here are some tips and information on band
competitions for parents:
For those of you who are new to the sport of competitive marching band, welcome! We hope that as many parents as possible will join the Band Boosters in cheering for our marching Stars at all the competitions this fall. Our students have worked very hard in intense heat this summer, and deserve our support!
This Saturday we will play the halftime show at the McCluer North home football game. Then we will load the truck and students will get on the bus to travel to Murphysboro, IL for our first competition of the marching season. We hope that every student can have a family member present. Wear your marching show shirt, a McCluer North shirt or colors to show your school spirit.
Make sure your student brings their band shoes! And be sure they have black socks that cover their ankles! A string back pack or bag can be useful for the student to use for the part of the day while they are watching the other bands, to be sure that their personal belongings are secure. Students are not allowed to hang out on the buses after they compete, as the buses are locked and not supervised. Watching the other bands compete is as much fun as competing. It will be chilly after sundown. Make sure your student has jeans and a jacket for the evening, but remember that students are not to wear jeans under their band uniform, they will need to change after they compete.
Bring seat cushions if you have them, the bleachers get hard and cold after a while.
Some competitions are arranged by school size, others by band size. Since we have a large school with a small band, we sometimes look rather small next to our competitors. Reassure your student that small can be mighty, and that they should look sharp, play well, and always play and march their very best.
Be sure your child always has a good breakfast on competition days. Sometimes the schedules mean a long wait between meals, and we do not want anyone suffering from hunger or thirst! The Boosters will provide one meal for each competition. For all-day competitions, it is a good idea to be sure your child has money for drinks/snacks and/or another meal at the concession stands. If you don't wish to send money with your student, please have them pack a lunch.
For those of you who are new to the sport of competitive marching band, welcome! We hope that as many parents as possible will join the Band Boosters in cheering for our marching Stars at all the competitions this fall. Our students have worked very hard in intense heat this summer, and deserve our support!
This Saturday we will play the halftime show at the McCluer North home football game. Then we will load the truck and students will get on the bus to travel to Murphysboro, IL for our first competition of the marching season. We hope that every student can have a family member present. Wear your marching show shirt, a McCluer North shirt or colors to show your school spirit.
Make sure your student brings their band shoes! And be sure they have black socks that cover their ankles! A string back pack or bag can be useful for the student to use for the part of the day while they are watching the other bands, to be sure that their personal belongings are secure. Students are not allowed to hang out on the buses after they compete, as the buses are locked and not supervised. Watching the other bands compete is as much fun as competing. It will be chilly after sundown. Make sure your student has jeans and a jacket for the evening, but remember that students are not to wear jeans under their band uniform, they will need to change after they compete.
Bring seat cushions if you have them, the bleachers get hard and cold after a while.
Some competitions are arranged by school size, others by band size. Since we have a large school with a small band, we sometimes look rather small next to our competitors. Reassure your student that small can be mighty, and that they should look sharp, play well, and always play and march their very best.
Be sure your child always has a good breakfast on competition days. Sometimes the schedules mean a long wait between meals, and we do not want anyone suffering from hunger or thirst! The Boosters will provide one meal for each competition. For all-day competitions, it is a good idea to be sure your child has money for drinks/snacks and/or another meal at the concession stands. If you don't wish to send money with your student, please have them pack a lunch.
If your student has special dietary needs due to allergies
or personal/religious preference, please reply to this email as soon as
possible so that the Boosters can plan for this as we shop for this week.
We will have a first aid kit available. If your child uses a
rescue inhaler or an epi-pen, please be sure that they have this item with them
at all times.
Students should arrive at school ON TIME, as there is a great deal to do before we leave.
Helping hands are always needed to load/unload the truck, prepare/serve the meal, and get the band on and off the field within the time limit. The students in the pit will need assistance moving their instruments on and off the field. In addition, the drum major’s podium will need to be set up properly (and draped), and taken down after the students compete.
Students should arrive at school ON TIME, as there is a great deal to do before we leave.
Helping hands are always needed to load/unload the truck, prepare/serve the meal, and get the band on and off the field within the time limit. The students in the pit will need assistance moving their instruments on and off the field. In addition, the drum major’s podium will need to be set up properly (and draped), and taken down after the students compete.
Parents are not allowed to ride the bus with the students.
If you plan to drive your own car, you may caravan with the buses, trucks, and
other parents. Top five fundraisers should be sure to bring their seat
reservation cards, as they get first choice of seats on the bus.
After all of the classes of bands have competed, the host school band often performs an exhibition, and then there is a drum major's retreat. The drum majors of each band will file out onto the field for the award announcements, and the drum majors accept awards on behalf of their bands. Then everyone returns to the bus for the trip home.
Once we are back at school, there is work to be done! All uniforms have to be returned to their racks. Hat boxes need to be racked, and all the racks need to be returned to the basement. All instruments and equipment need to be unloaded from the truck, and returned to proper places in the school. Coolers must be emptied and set to dry. The band room must be left neat and tidy so that band classes can resume as usual Monday morning. Students are not dismissed to leave until all of this is done....and all students are required to help one another. If you are able to assist, please do....everyone will be able to go home sooner!
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