COMPETITION DAY PROCEDURES
New Members and Parents:
A band competition is an event where the band will perform their show before a panel of judges, generally 8-10 people, and spectators. Each judge is assigned a certain portion of the show to observe (music, marching, drumline, etc.) and given a score sheet so they can assign points accordingly. All the scores are added up to give each band its final rating, then at the end of the night the scores are announced and prizes awarded. The reason we participate is to give the band members the extra encouragement and motivation to keep working hard, to get expert feedback for the band staff to help us improve week to week, and to share our art with other students and parents who enjoy band as much as we do.
Marching competitions are performed on the football field, just like halftime. Whereas at a home football game you will see our band and maybe the visiting school, a competition looks like one halftime show after another after another, with a short break for setup between each one. Each band gets a 15-minute block of time to setup, perform, then tear down while the next band sets up. After performing, the band members return to the bus to load equipment, then they come back to the stadium to watch the rest of the bands perform while they wait for the results.
Report time will be announced based on the transportation schedule. At report time, you need to be in your seat dressed in your travel uniform - red band or SMHS shirt, uniform pants, tall white socks, and uniform shoes. All makeup, hair, instrument maintenance, etc., must be done ahead of time.
Uniform is serious, not pep rally (i.e., no face painting or individual variations).
Rehearsal starts at report time and continues until load time. We will take time to warm up properly and practice marching sets with counts, singing, and small amounts of playing.
Load your own equipment. Instruments go on the trailer, your uniform (including hat and jacket) and personal belongings go on the bus with you. EVERY PERSON LOADS ALL THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT, NO EXCEPTIONS.
* You will be with the group from the time you load the bus until we come off the field after the performance. Follow all directions, remain quiet, and behave as if you are being watched at all times because you are.
After performing, return to the bus with the group. Store your instrument on the trailer, then get on the bus and change back into travel uniform (band pants OR official band spirit wear only, nothing else). When everything is stored, we will return to the stadium as a group.
At the stadium, stay in a group until we get to our seats (some shows we will be assigned seats, others we get to pick). We will sit in a group. When the group is seated, you will be dismissed. You are free to sit and watch the other bands, go to the restroom, go to the concession stands and vendors, etc. There are two rules for stadium time; they are not negotiable and will be followed at all times:
Signout: Your parents may sign you out after the performance if they choose. They will need to meet you at the bus area when we are packing after performing to sign you off the bus roster. You will need to take your instrument and uniform home with you and bring them back to school the next school day. Points to remember:
Marching competitions are performed on the football field, just like halftime. Whereas at a home football game you will see our band and maybe the visiting school, a competition looks like one halftime show after another after another, with a short break for setup between each one. Each band gets a 15-minute block of time to setup, perform, then tear down while the next band sets up. After performing, the band members return to the bus to load equipment, then they come back to the stadium to watch the rest of the bands perform while they wait for the results.
Report time will be announced based on the transportation schedule. At report time, you need to be in your seat dressed in your travel uniform - red band or SMHS shirt, uniform pants, tall white socks, and uniform shoes. All makeup, hair, instrument maintenance, etc., must be done ahead of time.
Uniform is serious, not pep rally (i.e., no face painting or individual variations).
Rehearsal starts at report time and continues until load time. We will take time to warm up properly and practice marching sets with counts, singing, and small amounts of playing.
Load your own equipment. Instruments go on the trailer, your uniform (including hat and jacket) and personal belongings go on the bus with you. EVERY PERSON LOADS ALL THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT, NO EXCEPTIONS.
* You will be with the group from the time you load the bus until we come off the field after the performance. Follow all directions, remain quiet, and behave as if you are being watched at all times because you are.
After performing, return to the bus with the group. Store your instrument on the trailer, then get on the bus and change back into travel uniform (band pants OR official band spirit wear only, nothing else). When everything is stored, we will return to the stadium as a group.
At the stadium, stay in a group until we get to our seats (some shows we will be assigned seats, others we get to pick). We will sit in a group. When the group is seated, you will be dismissed. You are free to sit and watch the other bands, go to the restroom, go to the concession stands and vendors, etc. There are two rules for stadium time; they are not negotiable and will be followed at all times:
- Stay in the stadium.
- Respect the uniform with your personal behavior. Language, discussion topics, PDA, whatever else you can think of ... personal time doesn't start when you walk off the field; it starts when you walk out the band room door at the end of the night.
- Not a rule, but still important: Don't walk in front of the audience when a band is performing - it's rude. If it's a band you want to see, hurry and get to a seat while they are setting up. If you are going to the concession stand, hurry and get out of the way before the music starts. If you don't make it to your seat before a group starts, watch quietly from the side without loud talking, laughing, or making noise on the bleachers with your feet. Showing other performers respect is always the right thing to do.
Signout: Your parents may sign you out after the performance if they choose. They will need to meet you at the bus area when we are packing after performing to sign you off the bus roster. You will need to take your instrument and uniform home with you and bring them back to school the next school day. Points to remember:
- Parent/legal guardian only unless I have written permission signed by your parents and an administrator before we leave the school. I am not allowed to do this over the phone. (Once the bus gets back to the school, you and your parents can arrange whatever ride you want. I only need written permission if the band takes you somewhere on a bus and someone wants to take you from there.)
- Your ride must meet the group when we are in the parking lot. You will not be left behind to wait for them.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Absence from practice is grounds for being held out of the next competition.
