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

[mercydisney]

I didn't know this thread existed!! Ths wil be DD's 2nd yr in band. She is in colorgaurd. I love being a Band Mom, alot more then I thought I would.

 

[mickeymo]

Good thing it's an away game for you guys and not a home game!! Still sad y'all aren't going to be there.
Is your band doing the Galena Park competition? I have yet to figure out how this is going to work this year. Competition starts at 9am, our slot is at 11:15. Last band doesn't take the field until 5:30. They won't be done until 5:45, then the judges will confer for a while, then awards will be announced. But we have an away game, in Clear Lake, that starts at 6pm. To not even be able to stick around for the awards announcement seems really pointless... and to me robs the kids of the "thrill of victory", of that awesome moment, if it came to that. Stinks!

No we're not doing Galena Park. If it's like last year's GP competition, it's a score only - no finals. So, no reason to stick around and no pageantry of announcements like other contests. We didn't stick around either last year & not many bands did- we had an early am slot at GP, boarded the buses and headed over to Friendswood contest since they were on the same day last year.
The only reason we competed last year was that was the same stadium that area contest was held & a good chance to check sound levels, practice & get familiar with the stadium.

We hate to miss your school's game from a music standpoint - great half time show with our two bands! Football, well - slightly cynical and it is a new year - but we are playing the defending state champions....

 

[mickeymo]

ds junior - trombone
dd freshman - trombone

 

[wowsmom]

ds junior - trombone
dd freshman - trombone

Hooray for trombones! (both my sons - senior and freshman - play trombone)

We had our first home game/field show on Saturday. Unfortunately, we'd had a football player injured in the 2nd quarter, which delayed the game for about 45 minutes. So the referees decided to cut the half-time short. Our band was 3/4 of the way through their show when the refs started blowing their whistles repeatedly and trying to shoo the band off the field.

By the way, the player was taken by ambulance to the hospital and checked out, then released. Whew!

 

[wowsmom]

Quick questions. For those of you, who's bands travel to the way games and play, what do you perform? Do you march your show on the field at half time or just play snip-it's during time outs and change of possesions? If you perform at half time, how long is your half time?

We don't do this in our school district and none of the school districts directly around us do it, so it's something different for me to hear about. If our school were to do this, it would be a huge undertaking. 2 buses for the football team, 1 for the cheerleaders and the football overflow, 3 for the band, the bands semi trailer and our smaller color guard trailer.

Our band travels to all away games. They wear their band shirts/jeans and they play stands tunes. They don't do their half-time show.

 

[Gina]

Quick questions. For those of you, who's bands travel to the way games and play, what do you perform? Do you march your show on the field at half time or just play snip-it's during time outs and change of possesions? If you perform at half time, how long is your half time?

We don't do this in our school district and none of the school districts directly around us do it, so it's something different for me to hear about. If our school were to do this, it would be a huge undertaking. 2 buses for the football team, 1 for the cheerleaders and the football overflow, 3 for the band, the bands semi trailer and our smaller color guard trailer.

Our band marches the same show and plays the same in the stands whether it's an away game or a home game. They wear full uniforms either way. That seems to be the norm here. I've seen some schools show up at our home games in much more "casual" outfits, but they are definitely the outliers (and look funny, frankly.)

It's an undertaking, for sure... We have 250+ in the band alone, so many many buses, the semi, smaller trailers, etc. The worst is when it's one of the two games they have on Thursday nights, both away games. (Who decides this stuff??) We don't even travel that far for regular season games, but the kids still don't get back to the school until after 11pm and we're not in bed until close to midnight. Our alarm goes off at 5:45am, so that makes for a very sleepy morning... And since they have practice after school before the game, there is no time for homework that night. I really wish they would nix the Thursday games altogether! Or at least make them home games.

 

[mickeymo]

Our band marches the same show and plays the same in the stands whether it's an away game or a home game. They wear full uniforms either way. That seems to be the norm here. I've seen some schools show up at our home games in much more "casual" outfits, but they are definitely the outliers (and look funny, frankly.)

It's an undertaking, for sure... We have 250+ in the band alone, so many many buses, the semi, smaller trailers, etc. The worst is when it's one of the two games they have on Thursday nights, both away games. (Who decides this stuff??) We don't even travel that far for regular season games, but the kids still don't get back to the school until after 11pm and we're not in bed until close to midnight. Our alarm goes off at 5:45am, so that makes for a very sleepy morning... And since they have practice after school before the game, there is no time for homework that night. I really wish they would nix the Thursday games altogether! Or at least make them home games.

I agree - we had an away game last night. This morning is rough! DD is also raising an animal for FFA, that alarm went off very early this morning to get to the barn before school.

 

[momof1princess]

well, we had a real toad strangler here yesterday (a seriously heavy rain that lasted almost all day long and into the night, for those of you who weren't born in the south, lol), so it doesn't look like the band will be marching at the football game tonight, since we have our big competition tomorrow, and can't risk getting our uniforms muddy.

 

[Pembo]

Tonight is homecoming and I hope it doesn't rain. Tomorrow is our first competetiton.

 

[jen0610]

No football game tonight. They are calling for rain tomorrow in the late afternoon into the evening for our competition. Hopefully, it'll rain early and by the time we take the field at 9:45, we won't be marching with it coming down.

Good luck to all who are marching in competition this weekend!!

 

[marcyinPA]

Tonight is homecoming and I hope it doesn't rain. Tomorrow is our first competetiton.

Homecoming for us tonight too...it is pouring. DS heard a rumor that the game might be postponed until tomorrow night, and then what happens to the dance that is scheduled?

Our band is still playing/marching as far as I know. They may not be wearing their tunics (jackets) but will wear the pants, band shirt, and raincoats. It's miserable sitting there in the rain!

We also have a local parade tomorrow, but not sure if it will be happening or not. Depends on the weather.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Hello everyone. I have been lurking this thread for quite some time but though I would finally say hi. I have really enjoyed reading about how your season runs, the band trip locations, etc. We don't travel far, and sadly have never been able to go to Disney. China and some of the other places would be a fantasy trip .

The kids start practicing in July and have two weeks of band camp in August (double sessions). Our competition season begins the first Saturday in September and ends at the end of October with our state championships. We usually travel to an USSBA or BOA competition in October or November. This year we are going back to Annapolis in November.

This is my DD's senior season so it will be bittersweet for me. I love being part of our band family and will miss them terribly! I love our show this year though, and am so happy that my DD has such a great way to finish her marching band years. I have been a uniform mom for the past 5 years, but this year has been the most challenging as our band director is having the woodwind and brass sections completely change their uniforms mid-show. Looks awesome, but man is it work!

I hope you all have an awesome season!

I could have written a lot of the same. We are hosting the TOB tomorrow (the rain is going to really be detrimental to our ticket sales if it's not cancelled all together- hopefully we can break even.) We are trying out USSBA this year, and that has extended our Season to the Nationals in November. We have a lot of parents who are really upset about the intensity of two nights of practice a week, about every other Friday for a home football game, Saturday morning practices, and now a competition every Saturday for 8 weeks. (And I can tell you there would be irate parents if we were expected to go to away football games.) It doesn't seem as though we get nearly the support and enthusiasm on the East Coast as the Mid-West or Texas region. And going to China would never happen. The past three trips have been Atlanta, Boston, NYC. We might not even go anywhere this year.

We also get zero financial support from the school system other than of course the Band Director's salary as a teacher at the school. Guard coaches, clinicians, busses-which are outrageous, entrance fees, etc, etc, etc all comes out of fees.

 

[KiminChicago]

Tonight's our Homecoming too, and although it was sunny most of the day, it's starting to cloud up now. I have my fingers crossed that the rain will hold off until after the game -- our band wears white bibbers and shoes, and I really don't want to have to deal with mud! It was bad enough when DS dropped his bibbers in the car after the last game and they got caught in the sliding door of our minivan. Fortunately, a liberal application of Dawn got the grease out!

 

[marcyinPA]

Tonight's our Homecoming too, and although it was sunny most of the day, it's starting to cloud up now. I have my fingers crossed that the rain will hold off until after the game -- our band wears white bibbers and shoes, and I really don't want to have to deal with mud! It was bad enough when DS dropped his bibbers in the car after the last game and they got caught in the sliding door of our minivan. Fortunately, a liberal application of Dawn got the grease out!

Our kids wear black pants, which is typically a good thing- except for my DS's freshman year, when he stepped in fresh concrete by accident, didn't realize it, and then crossed his legs in the car. What a mess. Concrete on the pants, on the shoes, in the car- and he had to be at the school in five minutes. Let's just say that I wasn't the best mom I could be that day.

 

[Pembo]

It was a rainy homecoming. It wasnt a pouring rain just misty rain, enough to be annoying.

I showed up second quarter to set up for snacks, watched the band STAND on the track and play at half time, served snacks at 3rd quarter, then went home. A very easy night...

Tomorrow is the first comp and its NOT supposed to rain, yay. It's about 45 mins away and dh & I are going. I can't wait to see the show all put together. Our band goes to 4 comps with the last one being State finals.

Our band marches halftime shows at all home and away games. They have a pregame drill for home games. They learn a competetition show and 3 or 4 other drills as well. Game 1 they played two songs and the comp show opener. Last week away (week 4) they played one song and the last two parts of the show. The next home game they will do 2 new songs and part of the show. That is 8th grade night. The 8 graders get to march onto the field and play with the band.
For our final home game, it's senior night. The seniors write their own show using some already learned music and one new drill. For the other away games it will be some part of the comp show and other drills.

They learn alot of drill in addition to the show. The other drill is more 8 to 5.

As for going to away games, school pays for buses. We need 5 plus we have a small trailer for the pit equipment. (or as the guy in front of us last called it, the guitar center we ripped off. )

Oh and they always wear full uniforms to everything with the 2nd game being the exception. It was 90 at game time and they wore shorts and band t-shirts for the first time EVER. It's usually not 90 in NE Ohio in September!

 

[Katy Belle]

No rain at our football game last night, thank goodness! Last week we spent a couple of hours rubbing mud off of the bottoms of the bibbers! Ours are black, I don't know how the bands with white bibbers can stand it! Our jackets have one white sleeve and half of the bodice is white. Last week about 20 of them got dirty! So there was a NO FOOD mandate last night. Usually its very limited food, last night NOTHING. But some kids broke the rule...so he will probably take away food for the whole season! Oh well, its no fun trying to clean up the uniforms!

Our football team lost...something like 6-49!!!!!!!!! Their band, Owasso, marched before the game, but we didn't get to the game in time to see them They are huge and awesome. At least twice the size of our band, probably more, and we have about 100, plus Color Guard march. Our team marched at half time. Could barely hear them because people in the stands were so loud! Frustrating. They didn't do great. DS said in the last part he ended up in the middle and was supposed to be on the end! The whole tuba section was mixed up. They weren't the only ones...not sure what happened. Part of our problem is they have gotten very little time practicing on the field.

They are practicing now and leave for a contest in Owasso in about an hour. I hope they make it to Finals!

Good luck to all marching in contests today!

 

[Tigger2252]

I could have written a lot of the same. We are hosting the TOB tomorrow (the rain is going to really be detrimental to our ticket sales if it's not cancelled all together- hopefully we can break even.) We are trying out USSBA this year, and that has extended our Season to the Nationals in November. We have a lot of parents who are really upset about the intensity of two nights of practice a week, about every other Friday for a home football game, Saturday morning practices, and now a competition every Saturday for 8 weeks. (And I can tell you there would be irate parents if we were expected to go to away football games.) It doesn't seem as though we get nearly the support and enthusiasm on the East Coast as the Mid-West or Texas region. And going to China would never happen. The past three trips have been Atlanta, Boston, NYC. We might not even go anywhere this year.

We also get zero financial support from the school system other than of course the Band Director's salary as a teacher at the school. Guard coaches, clinicians, busses-which are outrageous, entrance fees, etc, etc, etc all comes out of fees.

Luckily we had great weather for our home show. Thank goodness as it is our biggest fundraiser for the season! We used to get very limited support from our district but with all the budget cuts, the fine arts department has taken serious blows. They do provide buses for the competitions, but I believe it's because they do the same for sports teams. Sports reign supreme in our district, not so much music. We generally only travel to Maryland and Massachusetts too. Our practices are always Tuesday/Thursday nights, but there are a few Wednesdays sprinkled in if there isn't football practice. Saturday practices is always 1-4 pm. Then we put on a soup kitchen and feed them all before they are dressed and loaded on the buses.

They perform at 3 football half times this year. We really hate doing football games. The audience never pays attention to what is going on, and the spectators are usually rude. We have had the kids made fun of, booed, etc. At least this year they have been more respectful, but I think it's because our show has a military theme. Last night was miserable because it rained all night. They couldn't even perform the actual show. The just played the music in an arc, and the guard just stood in formation behind them. Instructors were afraid the girls would slip and fall on the wet turf, and didn't want them injured before the competition today.

 

[momof1princess]

OMG, y'all....last night, i went over to the home team side at our football game, to see our band perform (they always face the press box), and our colorguard is HORRIBLE!!! we have our big competition this afternoon, and our colorguard is a nightmare! there is one girl who can't keep up to save her life, so she just pretty much does whatever she wants, and 2-3 more who have absolutely NO clue what they're doing! i was sitting there with a group of band moms from our school, and we all just sat and shook our heads...it's horrendous! HOW could the band director not see this? there is no way in hades we'll be getting 1s tonight!

 

[marcyinPA]

Well, the band didn't end up marching at all last night. It was pouring! The football game went on (we lost). DH dropped DS off at 5:45, took DS12 out for dinner, and I got the call at 6:15 from DS to come pick him up because the band wasn't playing. It would have been nice if they just figured that out before parents dropped their kids off.

Our parade went on today- no rain! We have a festival in our city every year called Celtic Fest, and both of our HS bands marched, as well as several bagpipe bands and Irish/Scottish organizations. It was a short parade, but always fun!

Our next parade is a competition, and it's on Wednesday night. We aren't going to that one, as it is close to 2 hours away. Thankfully, our district is off on Thursday for the Jewish holiday, so the kids won't be exhausted the next day.

 

[Katy Belle]

Heard from DS. They are in the Finals in the Owasso contest! Happy about that! He said Union (a tulsa school) had a show that blew his mind! I can't wait to see it next week!

Good luck to all!