Even if you have all the time in the world, you’ll start to feel like a personal servant if you don’t ask your student to take responsibility for their own stuff. Water jugs, lunches, props, laundry … it never ends. Your student can make a sandwich, fill up a water jug, and set out their supplies. If you’re inclined, help them create checklists so they remember everything they need to bring. There will be a lot of stuff, so be ready.
Adults can enter the band room without ill effect! Be respectful of practices, but come in and see what’s happening. Often, parents are working on projects or just hanging out. It’s a great time to introduce yourself and let people know you’re new to the program and want to get involved.
Park and come down to the field. The last 15-20 minutes of practice are usually a run-through of what students have learned. Saturday camps in the evenings or morning rehearsals before competitions are perfect times to watch. Seeing the evolution of the show is truly inspiring.
🚫 Parking Note: Do not park along the curbs of the service drive between the school and stadium/practice fields. This area must remain clear for student movement, buses, and band trucks/trailers on show days.
Join the welcoming crowd outside – the students love the encouragement!
This isn’t meant to lecture anyone – just a friendly reminder that you WILL be busy from August until mid-November. You will receive calendars by email, but it’s essential to keep track of everything. More importantly, your student will need to balance band with schoolwork. Many band students are honor students, and the time management skills they gain from band will benefit them for life.
Most school functions require cash. Local contests often charge $5 to $15 per person for admission, and most concession stands and souvenir vendors are cash-only. Remember, marching competitions are major fundraisers for hosting schools, so please consider eating on-site to support them.
Also, band families become expert weather checkers – be prepared with warm clothes and something comfortable to sit on.
If you could draw the perfect Volunteer Parent, they would have six arms, three heads, and a heart of pure gold. Remarkably, our volunteers accomplish amazing things without extra appendages. They dress your student, fix hair, wash uniforms, dispense wisdom, encouragement, and snacks, drive trucks, unload equipment, and “MacGyver” anything that breaks on show days. They are on the front lines ensuring your student is ready to go. This role deserves far more recognition than most understand, so please ask how you can assist!
But they are BUSY people. They work long hours with a primary focus on the students. Often you’ll see staff deep in conversation, always thinking of ways to help students and improve the show.
If you have a specific concern about your child or the program, set up a time to discuss it. For general information, directors may not be your best resource. Try a fellow parent first, or refer to the handbook and website. Veteran parents are your best source of wisdom – they’ve “been there, done that.”
One other note: Marching band requires dedication and discipline. Directors and staff are there to help your student excel in band and learn life skills. Directors speak loudly, pointedly, and sometimes without pleasantries. Mistakes, especially due to inattention or lack of effort, have consequences. Try to relax and let the process work. Encourage your student to listen, work hard, and trust that Mr. Still wants them to be successful and create wonderful memories. He is their biggest cheerleader. Trust the process, and encourage your student to do the same.
You will be asked to commit time, energy, donations, and fees to the program. Parent volunteers are essential for the band to run smoothly. Plan to attend as many booster meetings as you can. They are held quarterly in the band room (or auditorium) for about an hour. Mr. Still typically shares program updates and answers questions. These meetings are also “dreaming sessions” where he shares his vision and invites parents into the process.
About volunteering – come join us! No experience necessary. Some tasks require specific skills, but most do not. If you can pull a soda from a cooler, take tickets at a gate, use scissors, sew, or build things, you have all the skills you need. Better yet, there’s so much to do, you’re bound to find something you enjoy. Volunteering helps keep fees down and is fun – trust us, we’ve been there!
This cannot be said enough. As the season progresses, you will receive multiple messages daily. Read them. Check your email daily. You may not always fully understand them, but read them. If you’re lost, ask a Band Booster Officer for help.
All of the rides, time, and effort you put into getting your child to practices are worth every second. You may not see it at first. Your student may get discouraged early on – there’s a lot of repetition, hot sweaty days, failures, and disappointments. But then the show starts to come together, and everything changes. There’s a new energy and excitement. At this point, they will either LOVE band or plan a different activity next year. Most students LOVE band by the end of the season, so encourage them to stick it out. It will be worth it.