Parent's Guide for
Show Band Season

For some parents, autumn means back to school, crockpot cooking, and Friday night lights. For band parents, it means that band season has begun! If you are new to the joys and challenges of performance events (or just need a refresher), this band survival guide may come in handy!

Looking for Student's Prep Guide? Click HERE.

Marching band is a team sport, a performing art, and a leadership program. Success depends on students, families, and staff working together throughout the season. Your support behind the scenes helps create an unforgettable season for every student. Together, we can make this marching band season a success!

Before the
Season Begins
- Review the Calendar
- Put all rehearsals, football games, competition dates on your family calendar as early as possible.
- Review what students need for band camp/rehearsals HERE
Plan Around Commitments
- Attendance is essential. Every rehearsal builds on the last, and missing one affects the entire ensemble—not just your student.
PLEASE:
- Schedule appointments outside of rehearsals whenever possible.
- Communicate unavoidable conflicts as early as possible.
- Understand that frequent absences can impact individual and group performance.
Communication

Stay informed by:
- Reading emails, newsletters and checking ParentSquare
- Join the BAND app group for additional communication & to ask questions
- Following social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & Threads.
- When in doubt, ask questions early.

Volunteer

The band director will ultimately determine where help is needed but for those of us who have done this for a while, there are lots of ways to jump in!

Chaperones
Help supervise students during trips, competitions, and events while assisting directors with logistics.

Prop Builders
Use creative or construction skills to build, paint, repair, and maintain show props throughout the season.

Equipment & Prop Crew
Load, unload, transport, and move instruments, equipment, and show props before and after performances.

Fundraising Team
Support fundraising events, sponsorship drives, and campaigns that help offset program costs.

Photography & Media
Capture photos and videos at rehearsals and performances for social media, newsletters, and keepsakes.

Uniform Crew
Assist with fitting, distributing, organizing, and collecting uniforms to help students look performance-ready.

First Aid
A few caring parents willing to handle basic first aid is always appreciated.

Band Meals
Coordinate, prepare, serve, or help provide meals and snacks during band camp and long event days.

Show Day Helpers
Pitch in wherever needed on performance days, from checking students in to helping with last-minute tasks.

Booster Board & Committees
Help plan events, coordinate volunteers, manage communications, organize finances, and support the overall success of the band program.

Be a Good Spectator

If you will be supporting from the stands, there are things you should also do to prepare for a game/competition day.

Clothing
Weather in the fall can be tricky here in Washington. Days in the sun can be warm while nights can get cold quickly. And then there's the wind...

Dress in layers, throw hats and gloves into a backpack, and don’t forget the ponchos/rain jackets. Blankets are a great idea also and you may want to get a stadium seat!

Cash/Debit Cards
We attend home games only and there are concessions. Many competition venues also have concessions of some sort, so be sure to bring some pocket money for hot chocolate and nachos.

Many competition venues will also be selling gear like t-shirts, pins, patches, etc. Your band student may not have a chance to shop so be prepared to grab the goods for them.

If the competition is held at a host school, that school may use it as an opportunity to fundraise. Prepare for 50/50 tickets, basket raffles, and candy grams!

Team Spirit
Bands are doing the difficult work of performing but spectators should carry their weight by cheering them on! At home games, many parents gather close to the band section. When at competitions, consider sitting with others from your school to make your presence known. Wear Wildcat colors/attire to show your team spirit. Let out loud applauses & cheering when the performance ends so they’ll hear you on the field!

Etiquette
While we want to show support for our kids, remember that there are other students and their parents at the games/competitions, too. Refrain from negative comments in the stands. When at competitions, be considerate of moving only between performances, and give a hand to all the performers in recognition of their hard work.

Excerpts taken from: kaleidoscopeadventures.com

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