Monday, June 18, 2018

Marching Band Parent 101

Unless maybe you yourself participated in marching band in high school, you are probably clueless on how it works. Well, at least I was when my first child joined. I went to a school where band was not the club to join. Diff story here at Orleans though where approximately 1/4 of the student population is in band or guard. Below is a few tips and thoughts on how to help your student and yourself.

1. Deodorant. I really shouldn't have to explain this BUT these kids work hard and get sweaty. These uniforms MIGHT get dry cleaned once a year. Buy it for your kid. Remind them to wear it. Send extra to keep in their uniform bag. Remind them to bathe too. 

2. Hydration and Nourishment. Again, these kids work hard. It is a lot of physical activity. Send a water jug with them. Make sure they eat or have a snack for a long practice. Competition days you can send them a lunch bag with extras. 

3. Long Black Socks. Not ankle socks, not Nike emblem, just plain black long socks. Think grandpa style to your knees. Yeah, that will work. Send a clean pair each week too.  (Sock color will vary by school.)

4. Fundraise. I know we all hate fundraisers but it costs a lot of moolah to run a marching band program, and your student marching band fee only covers a small portion. We welcome creative and new ideas to bring in the bucks. Help us sell, help us work events, or if you are loaded we can give you a nice letter stating we are a not for profit.

5. Watch. Omg, what these kids can do is amaze-balls. Memorize and play music while navigating a football field of flags and not falling down!? You should be impressed. I'd like to see you try it. Show up and cheer them on. Come watch a practice and see how many it times they run a set to perfect it. Your heart will swell with pride for kids that aren't even yours.

6. Time. Make sure your kid is there on time. Give some of your time too. There is always plenty of work year round - props, uniform maintenance, organizing events. Be a warm body to offer a word of encouragement to the students and the staff. The hours are long and crazy and the pay is pennies. It takes a small army on competition days to get it together and back, we could use a few more good men (or women).

I'm sure I'll think of more and add to this, time for bed - uniform fitting starts tomorrow morning.





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