Instrument Staging (Pre-Departure)
Percussion, winds and color guard equipment will be stored in a designated area at the end of their class period. All students are responsible for loading/unload their own equipment.
Event Arrival
Students will arrive at the school prior to call time and dress into their uniform for the event. At call time students should gather fully dressed in a designated area (outside when weather permits) with their sections and each section leader will report any absences to the drum major and perform a uniform check. If students arrive late they should report to the drum major or band director.
Bus Loading
Students will load the bus ONLY when given the command by the director. All personal belongings must be removed from the band room floor before students load the bus. Typically students will be released to load the bus in a particular order. Any last minute announcements may be given at this time. The front 4 seats on all busses are designated for chaperones and staff members unless otherwise stated.
Bus Etiquette
Loud talking and other noises is prohibited on the bus in order to ensure bus drivers can have a safe trip. Students should not stand in the aisle and should sit in the seat as they were designed. (No sitting/standing on your knees in the seat) PDA is prohibited both on and off the bus. Do not exit the bus from the Emergency Exit.
Uniform Requirements
Uniforms include black marching shoes, black socks (long), uniform pants and jacket, gauntlets, band shirt, gym shorts (no blue jean or cargo pants), shako, and white gloves. All items of the uniform must be properly worn before leaving the band room or bus (Except gloves and shako). Students may take off their jackets on the bus but should dress immediately when the band arrives at their destination to avoid delay when exiting the bus.
Staging Abroad
As students are released from their bus they should travel IMMEDIATELY to the instrument staging area. Students will find their instrument case, assemble their instrument/equipment, and place the empty case in the designated area. At this time all students will travel DIRECTLY to the warm-up area. This is critical to prevent overcrowding in the staging area. DO NOT HANG OUT IN THE STAGING AREA.
After our performance the front ensemble will reload their equipment before the end of the game. Everyone else will follow the same procedures in reverse being sure to place their instrument cases in the designated area to be loaded and immediately load the bus.
Stadium Etiquette
Students should march into the stadium in full uniform (including gloves and shako) Students will remove/wear their shako only when the drum majors remove/wear their shakos. Shakos will be placed “up-side-up” on the bleacher to avoid dirt or damage to the shako. Students may remove their gloves at any time when their shakos are off.
Parents will hand out plumes by passing them down each row at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. Students should be careful to handle the plumes properly as they pass them to the end of the each row and place them in the shako.
Student check-out Procedures
Only parents/legal guardians are allowed to checkout students from an away event. Notes in advance are not necessary but are welcome when special circumstances arise. The head chaperone will be available in the stands or at the front of Bus #1 after the game for parents to sign out their student. A special release document is signed by the parent and identification must be available. Again, parents/legal guardians MUST be present at the event to sign-out the student and students will not be allowed to leave with another parent with a pre-written note.
Students that atinicipate checking out at a marching event should take their shako box and garmet bag on the bus to the event. After the event students should change out of their uniform and deliver it to the appropriate chaperone at the equipment truck upon checking out. Parents should checkout students in a timely manner. When the band buses are loaded they will leave to travel back to Sparkman.
School Arrival/Event Dismissal
Upon arrival each student is responsible for gathering their own personal belongings and assigned instruments from the equipment truck and placing it in the designated area. Unless otherwise stated, students should leave the school property as soon their belongings are secure. Any student that does not have transportation off the school property should contact the director.
Posted in: Band FAQ