Marching Band Parents Info

2016 Marching Band Parents,

We look forward to seeing you at all of the events. You will be receiving an occasional e-mail from the parents’ organization to keep you informed about parent related band stuff. I have already received questions about how all this band stuff works. I have attached a PDF of information for the new band parents. It has a brief description of the types of band events. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

I will begin e-mailing directions, maps, and other information for the marching competitions this week. Those e-mails will go out as we receive the details from the host schools. Some of the information and entrance fees are already listed at http://midwestmarching.com/2016-events-by-state/missouri/.

Many of the parents will carpool or caravan to the competitions. Please speak up if you are looking for a ride or someone to follow.

Thank you to all of the parents who help out. We can always use help in the band room and on the field. However, there are many of you that would like to help but are not available to help during performances and competitions. We have plenty of behind the scenes jobs if you are interested in helping with the band program. I have included a list with many of the jobs below. The most critical jobs we have at this time are fitting the uniforms and prop design/construction. Please email me if you would like to help out with the props over the next few weeks.

I have a goal to collect a giant list of your various areas of expertise. The program might benefit from your expertise, advice, or ability to access needed supplies and materials. If you are interested in helping out please consider filling out the following Google form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6Dto9S4VllWfXkId9CpFXFeOTfuz3tOll1Ex6LmfYQJspPg/viewform

The toughest job of all is taking care of your own kid. Often the best thing you can do from home is to make certain that they leave the house early with their gloves, shoes, socks, and instrument on performance days. Being prepared for the day reduces stress and makes for a better performance.

Thank you,

Scott McMilian

Parent jobs (this includes grandparents and other family members)

These are not all of the marching band season volunteer opportunities. These also include some long term wish list projects.

Props – design, construction, painting, and maintenance

This may involve sewing, welding, woodworking, artwork, painting, etc.

Percussion Room – shelving design, construction, and organization

Band room percussion cabinet – design and construction

Trailer maintenance – repack bearings, clean and wax, etc.

ATV maintenance – tune-up, etc.

Sound system – minor repairs, build cord reels, speaker carts, etc.

Percussion instrument maintenance – painting stands, wheel and tire repair, checking nuts and bolts, educating the students on keeping an eye on maintenance issues, etc.

Uniforms – Fitting, plume plucking, uniform rack monitors, assist with dressing, gauntlets, occasional ironing, end of season washing, etc.

Percussion trailer – loading and unloading (training the students to load, unload, and operate the tie-downs…so they don’t need us anymore)

Helping on the field

Helmet racks/stands – (for football games) design and construction

General equipment loading, cooking food, serving food, etc.

Ice Cream Social – group of parents to lead the music parents through the ice cream social process. (planning, cooking, serving, etc.)