Marching Band Parent 101

Marching band is a combination of musicianship, movement, teamwork, and discipline. Students not only play instruments but also learn complex drill formations and choreography, especially for those involved in color guard. A marching band season typically includes football games, parades, and competitions.

Band Structure:

• Winds: Brass and woodwind instruments.  These are broken down into different sections such as flutes, sousaphones, alto saxophones, low reeds, clarinets, trumpets, baritones, and mellophones.

• Percussion: Split into battery which is the drumline (marching drums) and the frontline (stationary percussion instruments like keyboards and cymbals).

• Color Guard: The visual performers who use flags, rifles, sabers, and sometimes dance to enhance the overall show.

• Band Director: Oversees the entire program, including music selection, show design, and coordination of performances.

• Assistant Directors & Staff: Help with music, drill, and logistics.

• Drum Majors - Student leaders and role models that act as a liaison between the band directors and student band community. They communicate with both the section captains and the band directors. 
  

• Section Leaders: Student leaders responsible for specific instrument groups, ensuring that music and marching are prepared.

• Color Guard Instructors: Coaches responsible for teaching the color guard flag, rifle, and dance routines.

Summer Band Camp: This is a mandatory summer event where students learn the fundamentals of the season’s performance. Attendance is critical for a successful show.

• May and first week of June – Percussion, color guard, new marchers & leadership team meetings and rehearsals.

• June – Full band spring rehearsals, scheduled by section.   

• First week of August, evenings - Season KickOff/Full Band Pre-Camp Rehearsals 

• Second week of August, day & evening - Full Band Band Camp

• Mid August evenings - Full Band Post-Camp Rehearsals

• Parent Preview - Scheduled shortly after post-camp rehearsals

• In addition to the above there may be gatherings for each band section led by the student section leaders.  They will communicate these meetings directly with the marchers in their group.

Fall: Weekly rehearsals, football games, and weekend competitions.

• Weekly Rehearsals: The band will practice every morning before school and continue practicing through first hour.

• Football Season: The band performs during halftime of home games, with pregame and in-stands performances.

• Pep Rallies: Additional performances at school events.

Competitions: Weekend events where bands compete against others, usually on Saturdays.

End of Season: Tailgate party and final performance, often at the last competition or a special band event.

• In celebration of the marching band season, all members of the Royal Brigade are invited to attend an end of the year tailgate in the Northwest Commons. Dinner will be provided by the Northwest Band Parents Organization and a series of season awards to outstanding marchers and sections will be given out.

Uniforms: Each student will be fitted for a uniform (jacket, pants, hat/shako, gloves, etc.) during summer band camp. In June students are asked to come for a series of measurements. The measurements are used to select a uniform that most aligns with the student's size. The first week of band camp in August students are asked to try on the uniform that best aligns with their measurements. Students should wear their performance clothing (sleeveless shirt, compression/athletic shorts, or leggings) when coming in for measurements and fitting of their uniform. Other types of clothing can make getting a good fit difficult and may cause damage to the uniform. Additionally, if a student has longer hair they will need to put their hair up to test the fit of the shako/hat. Students are assigned pants/bibs, shirt, jacket, gauntlets, shako/hat, shako wrap, gloves, and shoes. Students can choose to purchase their own shoes if they would prefer not to borrow.

Be on the lookout for volunteer requests for parents to come help with the measurements, fittings, and laundry at the end of the season.  

Summer Camp:

• Athletic shoes

• White t-shirts

• Sun screen

• Large water jug (1 gallon size recommended) labeled with your name

• Hat

• 3 Ring Binder

• 10-12 plastic page covers within the binder

• Pencil case and pencils

• Phone with UDB app (Ultimate Drill Book— the ultimate tool for marching bands)

Football Season:

• Sleeveless t-shirt to wear under the uniform.  Many students buy two of these t-shirts so there is a back up on travel days to change into if needed after the performance. 

• Long black socks (crew length or longer with no colored heels)

• Black leggings or black athletic shorts (non bulky and slick is the key)

• A bag to store personal belongings in the band room

• An extra pair of long black socks stored in your bag

• No nail polish

• Any piercings must be removed. If removal is not possible, they should be fully covered.

• Hair must be up and off the collar for both girls and boys (bobby pins and hair spray help)

• Deodorant

Competitions: 

• Sleeveless t-shirt to wear under the uniform.  Many students buy two of these t-shirts so there is a back up on travel days to change into if needed after the performance. 

• Long black socks (crew length or longer with no colored heels)

• Black leggings or black athletic shorts (non bulky and slick is the key)

• Extra black socks (at least crew length without any colored heels)

• Deodorant

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Change of clothes/street clothes (preferable school/logo)

• Extra layers (mid-west weather appropriate)

• Comfy slip-on shoes

• Chargers/cords for phones

• Headphones/earbuds

• Money - some concession stands may only accept cash.  Sometimes there are competition t-shirts available.

• Snacks

• Small games for downtime

• OTC medications (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) for just in case

• Blankets or pillows for longer bus rides

• For those with long hair: extra hair ties, bobby pins, strong hair spray, brush and combs

• Females- extra “time of the month” items- someone will need them, you might need them, always have them with you

What Not to Bring: Anything you are super attached to. People have lost precious items in the past and it is heartbreaking.

Instruments & Accessories: Some students rent school instruments while others use their own. Make sure your student has reeds, valve oil, drumsticks, or any other essentials they need throughout the season. Color guard members will have their own equipment, like flags or rifles.

Game Days

• Before the Game: Students are expected to arrive early to dress into their uniform, warm up on their instrument, and be prepared for a pre-game rehearsal. The directors will email out specific details including the band’s schedule for the week.

• Performance: Students will perform pre-game (national anthem and NW fight song), the season’s show at half time, and stand-tunes until the 3rd quarter. 

• After 3rd Quarter: Students are dismissed unless otherwise notified. Students are to hang-up and stow their uniform items and pack away instruments. They may sometimes be asked to help with loading of props/materials if there is a competition the following day. 

Competitions

• Arrival: Students usually arrive at school early to load buses. Volunteer parents can follow buses or drive separately to competitions.

• Performance: Bands have timed performances with music, marching, and color guard routines. Judges score bands on several factors, including music, visual performance, and overall effect.

• Awards: At the end of the event, bands are ranked, and awards are given for categories like Best Music, Best Visual, and Overall Performance.

Rehearsals: Marching band is a significant commitment. Once the school year begins students will practice before school and continue through first hour. Section Captains may ask for additional rehearsals that will cover visual and musical elements of the show.

Games & Competitions: The band will perform at football games, parades, and various competitions. Competitions are typically on Saturdays and can last all day, from early morning rehearsals to late-night awards ceremonies.

Volunteer Opportunities: Marching band programs rely heavily on parent volunteers. Sign up to help with:

• Building and painting props

• Uniform measurements, fitting, repairs and laundry

• Roadies (moving equipment to and from the field)

• Truck drivers

• Chaperoning trips and competitions

• Fundraising events (car raffle, can shack, etc.)

• Providing snacks and water during practices or events

• Wolfpack Warehouse

• Concessions

Band Parent Organization (BPO): This is a parent organization that supports the band financially and logistically. Join your school’s BPO to stay informed and involved.

• Recommended Donation: To ensure the success and growth of our band program, we kindly request parent or guardian support through a recommended donation of $125 per band student. Your generosity allows us to provide an exceptional musical education for our students, covering costs such as marching shoes and gloves, supplemental staffing and clinicians, and travel expenses. 

• Fundraising: Participate in fundraising activities, which can help reduce individual costs and support the overall program.

• Stay Informed: Keep up with the band’s schedule via email, text messages, social media, or the band’s website. Make sure your student is attending all practices and events.

• Pack Essentials: Ensure your student brings water, snacks, sunscreen, and anything else they might need for long rehearsals or events.

• Encourage Rest & Hydration: Marching is physically demanding. Remind your student to stay hydrated, eat well, and get plenty of rest.

• Encourage Practice: Practicing music at home will help your student stay on top of their performance. Remind them to practice regularly.