Band Parents 101
Band Parents 101
Welcome to one of the most active parent groups in West Milford High School. The band parents of the West Milford Marching Band are supportive, active and a large volunteering group for both the staff and the students.
To help with the transition into the band for the parents as well as first year students, we have come up with a parent handbook; Band Parents 101.Our goal is to introduce you to the exciting and hectic world of band, and help launch you right into the marching season. Your involvement with us helps increase the support for all students, as well as your enjoyment in the coming years. The band parents association is a great way to stay connected with your children- it is a win-win for everyone. This handbook will help answer some questions about where to get information; who to call for what and how to act at football games and competitions, (yes!! Unbelievably there are right and wrong ways for parents also).
So take the challenge and you might not hear things from your kids like, “Mom and Dad PLEASE don't embarrass me at the competition!! “
ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE BAND PARENTS AND BAND are
FROM THE WEB SITES:
wmbpa.org.
Please add this website to your favorites, and check it often Our monthly newsletter, music, schedules, meeting minutes, photos, links, fundraising, uniform information, history, bylaws, contacts, and much more are on here. The site is updated frequently.
schoolnotes.com
This is a school website. Through this website, the band director, Dr. McLaughlin keeps the parents and student current on schedule changes, report times, which pieces of the uniform are to be worn, etc. You are able to sign in, and register for automatic updates. This is strongly recommended – you will get information immediately as it is posted.
The band parents association board of directors are also available through email. Their contact information is in the monthly newsletter online ,as well as listed below. Please be sure to let us know if you have any phone or address changes through out the year.
2009-2010 Officers
President - Shelly Burghoffer shellysmail@optonline.net
Vice–President - Donna Genader wmhmbscotland@hotmail.com
Treasurer - Scott VanSickle svansickle@verizon.net
Recording Secretary – Sharon Sodon sewgood@bigfoot.com
Corresponding Secretary – Sue Timmins sprfrk@verizon.net
Students are issued uniforms. They will be fitted and measured at uniform distribution. This takes place during the week of band camp, in the evening. You will be given report times. The uniforms are provided at no charge to the students. The uniforms consist of quite a few components – they will all have an identifying number in each piece. Please note the number at home, and have your child know their number. This is especially useful on rainy nights – when the raincoats come off, and are put on a bench – they all look alike! Your student is responsible for the uniform pieces and number issued to them. When you receive your uniform and parts, record the numbers to keep for your record. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NUMBERS ASSIGNED TO YOU.
Our uniforms are a recognizable symbol – the sights and sounds of excellence. Our students wear the uniform with pride – our tartan( the plaid of the uniform) is officially called the MacLeod of Lewis from the country of Scotland . Our uniforms are very costly, approximately $1,000 each. Please remind your child to be very responsible with it.
Check the uniform when the kids pick it up the first day, make sure there are no buttons missing, tears or missing pieces. The kids will know how to put some of the things on but the upper classman will help them if they are unsure of which way the baldric goes, etc. Many of the pieces have different names like shako instead of "hat" so ask the kids what they are and you won't get " Mom, come on it's a baldric not a sash."
The issued T-shirt is a part of the uniform. It is to always to be worn underneath the other pieces. The band tee-shirt is not to be worn at any other time during the year, or by anyone else. The initial tee-shirt is paid for by the association, extra tee-shirts may be ordered prior to band camp. It is $12.00. Sometimes it is helpful to have an extra, especially when there is a Friday football game and Saturday competition back to back.
Shoes can be ordered at uniform distribution (please note that these shoes are the only shoes to be worn with the uniform) $30 There are samples to try on for size at uniform distribution.
All band students must have garment bags for transporting the uniform $15. Pipers, Majors, Percussion & Guard need black socks; they are $5.
A uniform cleaning fee of $13 is also due the night of uniform distribution. This ensures that all uniforms will be cleaned during the summer, so the uniform you receive at distribution is freshly dry cleaned. A separate check is needed for the cleaning.
The shoes, socks, garment bags and cleaning fees are ordered and paid for at uniform distribution. Please make sure your child has money with them. All checks are made payable to the WMBPA.
Additional uniform information :.
1. There are changes to the uniforms at times.(Spats, no spats, rain gear,etc.) School notes will show the order of the day – always check it before a game/competition.
2. Ribbons and metals are parts of the uniform. They are to be worn on the uniform after competition season. This usually commences with the winter concert. The new ribbons are traditionally given at the spring band banquet.
3. Bring raincoat and/or varsity jacket to every event. No other jacket may be worn over the uniform. Layer up underneath in the chilly weather.
4. Clean and dry shoes after every use with dry or damp cotton cloth and DO NOT put acrylic coatings on them and they will last longer. Drummers, DM and pipers have (2) pairs of spats, competition spats MUST be dry-cleaned. Marching band member’s regular vinyl spats, DM, drummers and pipers football spats can be placed in washer with bleach.
5. DO NOT get the PLAIDS cleaned. The constant cleaning will destroy the bright colors on this expensive material. If there is a strain, or they get dirty, please contact a uniform manager immediately.
6. Strong wooden hangers are a must for the uniforms, with rotating hooks also. The uniforms are hung in odd places mostly on windows of the school bus. The plastic ones, even if strong will not hold up to the constant manipulation of the uniform on and off the hanger.
7. Gloves and warm hats are NOT part of the uniform but can be worn while sitting in bleachers at the football games. Try the dollar store in town for fingerless gloves for instruments like flute, clarinet and sax.
PRACTICE
DO NOT PARK IN DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF SCHOOL WHERE THE MARCHING BAND LINES UP
Early is on time; on time is late, late is inexcusable.
Bear with it, at the beginning it seems like you don't have time for anything else but practice, driving to and from practice. Marching band season is a short, but VERY full schedule. There are a lot of practices – you will see the payoff at the games and competitions. Please remind your child how important it is to attend all practices, remind them that right now this is their job to be there and that everyone's position is important.
DO NOT PARK IN DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF SCHOOL WHERE THE MARCHING BAND LINES UP (yes, this needs to be repeated)
It is unsafe for them to come back from the football game or practice and have to weave through the cars.
Be prepared for many types of bleachers, mostly ALWAYS hard and uncomfortable. (Wooden, metal, individual or full seat and even concrete) so blankets and stadium seats will help most of the time. Sometimes there are none at all so it is a good idea to put your lawn chairs in the car ahead of time. One thing for sure they are cold, really cold so be prepared.
When other bands are performing, it is very disrespectful to move about and especially up and down the bleachers or in front of the band. Usually there is someone at the ends of the bleachers to stop excessive movement so be respectful of the position. If you see someone moving around when you know they should not be, explain to them "nicely" about this , they also may be new or never told before.
How to embarrass our kids or to tell them how great they are at competitions - send them an air gram. These are usually purchased for $1.00 each before the start of the events. This is an announcement before or after our specific band performs on the field. Things like "Way to go freshman" "Good luck to YOUR KIDS NAME and the flute section" or even things like "Isn't this better then cleaning your room" "You still have to mow the lawn in the morning" are typical. Be creative, it is your time to shine on them, they do hear you and they listen for them. the guard.
A candy gram is another thing to do; these are purchased also for about $1.00. These are candy bars that will be sent specifically to your child with a written note on it from you. They are usually given to the band director sometime that night and then to the kids either in the bus or the next school day.
Both candy grams and air grams are usually limited to a specific amount per band so please give everyone a chance to buy one .
Trophies are given at the end of the competitions so be polite and don't leave after our band performs. Remember we are there to see and support ALL the bands.
One thing to remember is that due to our size we don't always compete against many other bands in our class. Sizes are, usually less then 25, 25-50, 50-125, and greater than 125. We need to encourage the kids to do their best they can do all the time. Who knows who might be watching them from afar? (A good talent scout??)
There are early days, late nights and far distances so be prepared and remember to get a good sleep.
Helpful things to bring to the event are: pen or pencil to mark the scores, or to guess your score ahead of time, highlighters to mark the bands competing against us (they are not always in order), blankets to sit on, warm drinks, hats, gloves and anything else to keep you comfortable. A really important thing is a loud voice to cheer the band on - and noisemakers if you would like.
For home games, the students will need either a bag dinner, or $$ to buy dinner at the concession stand. For away games, the students will need a bag lunch. There may not be a concession stand at the away games, however usually snacks are available for purchase.
During the football games the band usually eats or and is “off duty” 3rd quarter, at the discretion of the band director. They also usually get time to eat before the home game at the concession stand so always make sure they have money with them. They can bring snacks for on the bus, no glass bottles or things that can spill and stain the uniform. No hot chocolate while in uniform, or any other “dark” beverage.
Normally at away games we play a pre-game show and on home games we play during half time. If you are late driving to an away game, you may miss the performance. Try to be there 30 minutes prior to the game starting. On occasion, we may also play during the half time at away games.* Another thing to be aware of is that during away games we play toward the home bleachers.. Feel free to go to the other side to see the show and then return to our game side when the football game begins.
All students cell phones must be left on the bus with the rest of their belongings during all performances. Cell phones used during rehearsals or performances will be confiscated by the band directors. Any cell phones confiscated during the season will be returned at the end of the school year in June.
Feel free to make suggestions to any of the executive board, via e-mail or in the suggestion box at the monthly meetings.
Volunteer for different committees, try some new things and you might find a new nitch or some new friends.
Group and individual pictures are usually taken in September before a competition or game. They are typically taken without instruments If you would like them to be taken with their instrument let, your child know, so they can tell the photographer that day.
Remind your child to keep things together especially on the bus. Make sure they have all the right things for their uniform before you leave the house and before you leave the parking lot. If left on bus or in band room sometimes there is a small fee to get it back in order to be able to go to the football games or competitions in complete uniform.
Remember the band members are high school students whether they are freshman or Sr. and they need to have respect and take responsibility for the band and the uniform. If something happens to their instrument it is THEIR responsibility to make arrangements for the repair.
You may want to invest in a milk crate to leave in your car during competition and football season with such things like extra gloves, hats, hand warmers, umbrellas, ponchos or anything else you might need.
There is a mandatory band camp held at the high school. This year it is Monday August 24 – August 28. The last day, Friday, finishes with a performance for the parents. We will see what the students have been learning during the week. Following that, there is a concession stand dinner, provided by the band parents. We will also have band merchandise for sale that evening.
There are also sectionals held in the summer for students to practice with others with the same instruments. Your child will be contacted by their section leader for these practices.
The students have a band council – they have a president, squad leaders, and librarians. They meet before regular practices, and are the integral part of the band's organization. Each section of the band, i.e. flutes, clarinets, etc. has a section leader. Each section has several squad leaders. These squads have 3- 5 people in each squad. There are three drum majors, who lead the band.
There are several different bands, and different types of participating band students.
There is the freshman band, the symphonic band, and the wind ensemble. There also is a jazz band, pipe band, indoor percussion, and an indoor guard.
Some students are marching band students, some are applied band students, some participate as fall athletes. Fall athlete -any athlete who participates in a WMHS fall sport. They are exempt from marching season, but not anything else. Fall athletes are required to do spring competition, St Patrick Day parade, Memorial Day parade, Christmas concert, spring concert, and the All District concert. .They may participate as a fall athlete all four years.
Applied students– one year application only – do performances at concerts,- spring and Christmas all district, and are in band class. They are not considered a part of marching band.
Last, but not least, is fundraising.
We are an active group , and are dedicated to making our children’s band experience a full and rewarding one. We help with all kinds of expenses- from water, to scholarships, awards to St Patrick's Day buses. This all comes at a price, and there are many opportunities to help raise money to continue to provide for the band students. Please encourage your child (and yourself!) to participate - some are activity-based, i.e. Tag Day; some are sales, i.e. cheesecake. We are all volunteers, and we are all proud to be a part of making “the sights and sounds of excellence” a reality!
Please get involved – it is a lot of fun, and your children will reap the benefit !!
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The Highlander Band Guiding Principles
Be a person of integrity
Lead by example
(meet the standard you are holding others to)
Strive for excellence without arrogance
Do your best
Treat everyone with dignity and respect
tolerate honest mistakes from people who are doing their best
Speak well of others
(rumors undermines human dignity)
Seek the truth
(rumors and unverified anecdotes undermine morale)
Keep a sense of humor and be able to laugh at yourself.