Guide for New Band Parents
(Good for older ones, too...)

Topics included for quick reference are:
Band Camp
Helpful Hints that Will Save You Time, Gas and Grief
Inspection
Strange Things You May Hear People Say
Uniforms, Uniforms, Uniforms
You Know You're a Band Parent When....

Preface
This guide is the product of a group of new band parents who spent a large portion of our "rookie" year in various stages of confusion. In the many hours we spent together watching practices and performances, waiting to pick up our kids, and following yellow school buses, we asked hundreds of questions.
As novice band parents, of course we wanted to know what we should do. After all, the only people who were even more confused, and looking to us for answers, were our children. This booklet is our attempt to share with the "upcoming rookies" some of the answers to many of these questions before we too forget how it felt not knowing what was going on . . . (of course, we still don't have all the answers - second year band parents).
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 running laps and plenty of sweating.
Dress Comfortably - caps, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable tennis shoes (not high-tops, well broken-in - not new), shorts and t-shirts.
Bring water to drink! Mark you container.


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 meet each other. It is also one of the best ways to get helpful hints on band parenting from others.
Carpool to competitions when parent busses aren't available.
Be prepared to cheer! The band loves it when they have their own cheering section.
Don't put uniform (except dress uniform) items away in the closet or drawers when cleaned. 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

"Rehearsal is at five 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 5:00, 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 drill charts?"
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. A good place to keep these is in the instrument case, which may save you one of those trips back home, and your child laps around the practice field.

"Where's my Dot?" and "Do we line up on the hash?"
This does not refer to insects or breakfast food. These terms indicate how the practice field is marked off. Students use their drill charts to answer these questions.

"The band received an Excellent rating"
Excellent is not the best. Each band is striving for a Superior rating.

Pep Band
The entire Marching Band except Color Guard is the Pep Band for Football season. All students are expected to be at the home region games. (usually only 4-5 games)

"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 our band field just south of the school. 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?"
All BandUniforms will be handed out prior to the season.
The Band Uniforms consist of:
• Tunic
• 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 (Issued in a box that needs to be returned at the end of the season)
• "Umbro" type shorts to be worn under pants for group changes. Students must change out of their uniform before leaving the performance. (with or without anything to change into.)
• White T-shirt
• No jewelry, face paint, or odd hair accessories