2011 Marching Band Season post--already....

[Gina]

Band camp for DS (alto sax) starts next Thursday and is all-day every day until school starts on the 22nd of August. No shot at going to State again this year, since UIL is every other year, so I guess they'll be focusing on the Bands of America circuit this year. Do any other band parents (or former band members!) have any insight on the whole BoA thing? Like how their judging is different than UIL?

I'm so excited for football & band season!!

 

[jen0610]

Band camp for DS (alto sax) starts next Thursday and is all-day every day until school starts on the 22nd of August. No shot at going to State again this year, since UIL is every other year, so I guess they'll be focusing on the Bands of America circuit this year. Do any other band parents (or former band members!) have any insight on the whole BoA thing? Like how their judging is different than UIL?

I'm so excited for football & band season!!

I think golfgal's kids either do BoA or they keep up on it. We just do ISSMA, which is Indiana State School Music Assoication.

If anyone on here likes to watch and live vicariously, once the competiton season starts, there is a web site that does a really great job of keeping everybody up on each schools shows. They have video of each band at the different competions each week, scores and a discussions forum that you can post on.

I'll add the link, but if the mods remove it and you would like it, just shoot me a PM and I'll get it for you. Right now all that is active is the discussion forums. http://www.indianamarching.com

 

[golfgal]

Band camp for DS (alto sax) starts next Thursday and is all-day every day until school starts on the 22nd of August. No shot at going to State again this year, since UIL is every other year, so I guess they'll be focusing on the Bands of America circuit this year. Do any other band parents (or former band members!) have any insight on the whole BoA thing? Like how their judging is different than UIL?

I'm so excited for football & band season!!

We do BOA-but I don't know what the difference between the judging is at all because I don't know how UIL judges. I know at BOA they are looking for technically difficult shows with challenging music, not so much crowd pleaser shows. We have a couple bands in our area that do some real crowd pleaser shows but they are not technically difficult at all and the parents complain that we beat them all the time but their show is "better" . BOA isn't big on props, etc.-but it doesn't really hurt you either-but it doesn't really help you. Color guard is very important at BOA-if you don't have a large presence with your color guard you are not going to score well.

Which BOA shows will you attend? We go to St. Louis.

Kids leave for Band Camp on Sunday--they are very excited!!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I miss being a band mom. Both kids did hs band and were both drum major. Then they both marched at University of Maryland. (DS is 2 years younger that DD.)

In high school we did USSBA competitions here in Maryland.

Jen0610, I hope your DH is ok.

 

[KiminChicago]

This is my first experience with marching band. DS found out in mid-June that his MS teacher had recommended that he be placed in the upper level HS band, which made him eligible for marching band as a freshman (most start as sophomores). The band director called our house, but DS was attending summer school PE (he's taking so many classes as a freshman that he had to go to summer school to get his PE requirement out of the way). She actually tracked him down at the high school and sent him home with everything -- he's already been measured for his uniform too!

All I currently know is that we pay for the shoes and the pants and the high school provides the rest of the uniform. They're playing at least two Michael Jackson numbers, "Thriller" and "Bad" and band camp starts Aug. 1st -- one week after DS finishes summer school. He didn't get much of a vacation this summer, but I'm not going to complain. This kept him from spending his whole summer on the computer.

 

[jen0610]

Well the kids are bummed. They found out that our assistant director isn't going to be with us any more. She took a position with a middle school here in town.

She was such a driving force with the music department as a whole. She did everything with pep band, jazz band II, orchestra (we are 1 of 2 high schools with an orchestra program), and string flings. As well as all she did with the marching group.

And with budget cuts, she not being replaced. This is going to be such a huge amount of work falling on the shoulders of our fearless leader. There were several of us from the parent board that have told him, whatever help he needs, just let us know. We will help as much as possible.

 

[Katy Belle]

Well the kids are bummed. They found out that our assistant director isn't going to be with us any more. She took a position with a middle school here in town.

She was such a driving force with the music department as a whole. She did everything with pep band, jazz band II, orchestra (we are 1 of 2 high schools with an orchestra program), and string flings. As well as all she did with the marching group.

And with budget cuts, she not being replaced. This is going to be such a huge amount of work falling on the shoulders of our fearless leader. There were several of us from the parent board that have told him, whatever help he needs, just let us know. We will help as much as possible.

Bummer! I hope ALL of our band gurus stay until my youngest graduates in 2018.

 

[Pembo]

Band camp starts on Sunday. Our show this year is Stonehenge and the director bought 12 HUGE stones from a band in MI that did Stonehenge (with different music) last year. These stones are 175 lbs, 12 ft high and 6 ft wide. HUGE!

Our band camp is at the school 8a - 9p. The kids get a catered lunch and dinner and come home to sleep every night. They used to go away for a week but found this to be a less expensive and more efficient plan.

What do others do?

 

[marcyinPA]

Band camp starts on Sunday. Our show this year is Stonehenge and the director bought 12 HUGE stones from a band in MI that did Stonehenge (with different music) last year. These stones are 175 lbs, 12 ft high and 6 ft wide. HUGE!

Our band camp is at the school 8a - 9p. The kids get a catered lunch and dinner and come home to sleep every night. They used to go away for a week but found this to be a less expensive and more efficient plan.

What do others do?

Our band camp starts 8/8. The first week, it is from 8-2 and 6-8. The second week 8-2. Third week 5:30-8:30. Then school starts, and they have 5:30-8:30 practices at night during that first week of school. Once Labor Day hits, they go to their early morning practice schedule, which is usually every day starting at 7am and runs through first block. Summer band camp is held at the school. They practice in the stadium which is directly behind the school. They can either bring lunch, or leave the campus and walk somewhere for lunch (lots of options in the city).

 

[jen0610]

Band camp starts on Sunday. Our show this year is Stonehenge and the director bought 12 HUGE stones from a band in MI that did Stonehenge (with different music) last year. These stones are 175 lbs, 12 ft high and 6 ft wide. HUGE!

Our band camp is at the school 8a - 9p. The kids get a catered lunch and dinner and come home to sleep every night. They used to go away for a week but found this to be a less expensive and more efficient plan.

What do others do?

Our school use to do the away camp for a week, but it was such a HUGE expense on top of the fees just for our regular marching season they did away with it.

Next week starts our camp. The kids will go M-F 8-12 and 1-4 Aug 1st to Aug 19th. With school starting on the 22nd, they will then go M-F 3-5, with Thursdays being a longer day as they dinner break from 5 til 5:45, then practice until 8. They will keep that schedule until the end of Oct.

On Friday nights, when there is a home football game, they do a shortened practice, a quick dinner break at 5, then they stay to preform pre-game and march their show at half time. They have to stay until the game is over. We have five home games this year, with one being on a Thursday night - .

 

[klj27]

My daughter left for away camp yesterday. They will practice from 8am - 10pm with an hour break for lunch and dinner.

Last week was precamp which was 12-9 and the week after they get back they have post camp for a week from 12-9. After that they only practice four days a week from 5-9 until school starts.

I agree with golfgal about BOA. I used to love the crowd pleasing shows and was disappointed that our director did the more theatrical shows. I think if you want to win that is what you have to do though. I also agree about the colorguard. Our guard usually placed first or second at comps last year and is a huge benefit to the marching band. The guard doesn't count towards your number of musicians for your class so having a guard that is impressive and large can really give you an edge.

 

[mrsklamc]

I mostly agree with golfgal about BOA but Stephen F. Austin consistently does well with no guard- though they do have dancers.

 

[golfgal]

Well the kids are bummed. They found out that our assistant director isn't going to be with us any more. She took a position with a middle school here in town.

She was such a driving force with the music department as a whole. She did everything with pep band, jazz band II, orchestra (we are 1 of 2 high schools with an orchestra program), and string flings. As well as all she did with the marching group.

And with budget cuts, she not being replaced. This is going to be such a huge amount of work falling on the shoulders of our fearless leader. There were several of us from the parent board that have told him, whatever help he needs, just let us know. We will help as much as possible.

That is so sad. Since she is still in the district, any chance she will still do the extras? We are EXTREMELY lucky here-3 full time band directors at the high school and 6 at each of the middle schools. We get a lot of national recognition so our music program is still well funded

Bummer! I hope ALL of our band gurus stay until my youngest graduates in 2018.

We had our percussion instructor move out of state last year and everyone was nervous--the new guy is even BETTER!! It would be very hard to replace our guard instructor though-he does most of the drill design (along with our drill designer), designs the flags, color guard uniforms, works on the drill all through the season. Our visuals are amazing because of him.

Band camp starts on Sunday. Our show this year is Stonehenge and the director bought 12 HUGE stones from a band in MI that did Stonehenge (with different music) last year. These stones are 175 lbs, 12 ft high and 6 ft wide. HUGE!

Our band camp is at the school 8a - 9p. The kids get a catered lunch and dinner and come home to sleep every night. They used to go away for a week but found this to be a less expensive and more efficient plan.

What do others do?

Just some advice--do NOT volunteer to help with the show set up this year . We have moved away from props and the parents that help are the most excited about that

Our first week of camp is away-this is where they really put in the most "prep" work for the season and they don't want the distractions of kid's friends/family coming, kids having to work, etc. This week and next week are mandatory. About the only excused absence is if you have a death in the immediate family or you are in the hospital. Next week's camp is at the school from 8-5.

Our school use to do the away camp for a week, but it was such a HUGE expense on top of the fees just for our regular marching season they did away with it.

Next week starts our camp. The kids will go M-F 8-12 and 1-4 Aug 1st to Aug 19th. With school starting on the 22nd, they will then go M-F 3-5, with Thursdays being a longer day as they dinner break from 5 til 5:45, then practice until 8. They will keep that schedule until the end of Oct.

On Friday nights, when there is a home football game, they do a shortened practice, a quick dinner break at 5, then they stay to preform pre-game and march their show at half time. They have to stay until the game is over. We have five home games this year, with one being on a Thursday night - .

Our band camp fee is about $450 and our overall fee is $850. That includes all of our overnight trips, hotels, all meals at camp and some on overnight trips, hotel rooms, etc. For what we get, I think the cost is pretty reasonable.

Band camp is 6;30am reveille, 7:30 you are on the field. They practice until noon, break for an hour for lunch, back at it at 1:00 to 3:00. From 3-5 they have a break, eat at 5:00 and then back on the field at 6:00-9:00PM. At 9:00 they have fun time-play games, have a dance one night, etc. It's a lot of work but the kids have so much fun.

 

[jen0610]

That is so sad. Since she is still in the district, any chance she will still do the extras? We are EXTREMELY lucky here-3 full time band directors at the high school and 6 at each of the middle schools. We get a lot of national recognition so our music program is still well funded

Even though she is still in the school district, because she did not go to a middle school that is a feeder school to our high school, she can't. She could assist at our biggest rival, but seeing as she is a graduate from our high school I don't see that happening, at least not this year.

 

[Gina]

Golfgal ~ Thanks for the BoA insight! Should be interesting. Last year was so exciting for us, with it being my son's Freshman year and the band going to State and all. Was an awesome way for him to start high school. And my friends and fellow band moms and I took time off work and bussed it to San Antonio to watch the kids at State, and it still gives me goosebumps to think about. Was such an exciting event to witness!

Band camp starts tomorrow from 7:30-11:30am, then fitting for the new uniforms after that. Friday is the same. The two weeks after that will be 7:30-11:30am, then 1-4pm, then the week before school starts on the 22nd will be from 5-8pm. Not sure how any parent could possibly get their child there at 5pm -- I don't get home until 5:30-ish as it is, and that's if I manage to get out of here on time. Then I'll still have to get him and get to the school, so needless to say he'll be late. /vent off

Next Saturday is open-your-wallet-and-empty-it-out day for band parents, lol. Wheee!

 

[golfgal]

I mostly agree with golfgal about BOA but Stephen F. Austin consistently does well with no guard- though they do have dancers.

Is that the school that has about 20 kids in their band? I think we have watched them at BOA St. Louis. They are very good. They don't usually make finals in St. Louis but they usually win their class so they get to perform in exhibition. If they aren't the band I am thinking about, how do they score well without a color guard? There are 30 or so points on the BOA sheet for colorguard and that would automatically take them out of finals even if they scored perfect on everything else.

Golfgal ~ Thanks for the BoA insight! Should be interesting. Last year was so exciting for us, with it being my son's Freshman year and the band going to State and all. Was an awesome way for him to start high school. And my friends and fellow band moms and I took time off work and bussed it to San Antonio to watch the kids at State, and it still gives me goosebumps to think about. Was such an exciting event to witness!

Band camp starts tomorrow from 7:30-11:30am, then fitting for the new uniforms after that. Friday is the same. The two weeks after that will be 7:30-11:30am, then 1-4pm, then the week before school starts on the 22nd will be from 5-8pm. Not sure how any parent could possibly get their child there at 5pm -- I don't get home until 5:30-ish as it is, and that's if I manage to get out of here on time. Then I'll still have to get him and get to the school, so needless to say he'll be late. /vent off

Next Saturday is open-your-wallet-and-empty-it-out day for band parents, lol. Wheee!

Isn't that the truth--here, just have my check book and give it back to me when you are done Which BOA shows are you going to?

 

[Gina]

Isn't that the truth--here, just have my check book and give it back to me when you are done Which BOA shows are you going to?

I don't know, I don't have a clue where they are...

Hey, I just thought of something -- I would *love* to see performances by other DIS-kid bands! Would anyone be willing to post Youtube links to their bands?

 

[golfgal]

I don't know, I don't have a clue where they are...

Hey, I just thought of something -- I would *love* to see performances by other DIS-kid bands! Would anyone be willing to post Youtube links to their bands?

Technically our band doesn't allow YouTube postings-a lot of bands don't because their shows are proprietary and they don't want to give away trade secrets . A lot of bands are on there though.

 

[tlbwriter]

I'm not sure what all will be in the field show this year, but DS16 mentioned the Hawaii 5-0 theme song since they are Hawaii bound in November, and pep music will include "Forget You"...you know, the C-lo Green song....this should be interesting, as the song was originally titled "F U"....We'll see if the kids can keep it clean in the stands and if the song makes the cut after the first game!

Yeah, I was a little surprised when that song showed up in the talent show at middle school last year.

Stonehenge is our theme this year.

Oh, PLEASE tell me they're going to do it Spinal Tap style!!!

 

[klj27]

I was surprised to find our band's show from last year on youtube. I know our colorguard director only puts our winterguard shows on youtube with a hidden link.

We are a small band, with a very dedicated band leader. He took the band from 17th place to 6th ? to 2nd at finals. He is trying to grow the band and added 31 new members this year while we only lost about ten seniors.

The show was called "the balance" and the music is from the lion king.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftt7cPRedNU