Parents‟ Guide to Marching Band Made Easy
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Prepared by: DV Band Boosters
BIG
BLUE !
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Table of Contents
Introduction Glossary
Rules
Protocol Traditions Marching Competitions What’s after Marching Season
Thunder Band Trivia
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Introduction
We‟ve designed this presentation to help parents new to our band program understand the rules, traditions, protocols, as well as explain some of the seemingly more mysterious insights of the program and hopefully answer a lot of questions. The best way to stay in touch is by the following: 1. Attending the monthly Band Booster Parent Meetings (2nd Tuesday of each month at 7 pm in the Band Room) . 2. Via email and making sure the Boosters have your email address. 3. The Band‟s web site at http://www.thunderband.info 4. Refer to your “Band Constitution”.
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♬ ABODA
♬ AIA ♬ Baldric ♬ Bibbers ♬ (the)Block ♬ Caption ♬ Dot Book
Glossary
: Arizona Band & Orchestra Directors Assoc. affiliated with AMEA (AZ Music Educators Assoc) sets rules for State competitions, qualifiers, Regionals and All-State Bands : Arizona Interscholastic Association governs the many Activities & athletics (http://www.aiaonline.org/) : the sash on the front jacket of the uniform
members except Tubas and Drumline) (sequined for all
: the pants with the suspenders – part of the uniform. : the marching formation in which the band assembles and stands at attention. : term used to describe a specialty function such as colorguard, drum majors, percussion at a competition. : 3x5 card stock spiral bound notebook used by the students to mark their spots in the show. Students wear it on a string or belt around neck or waist as they learn the drill.
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Glossary
(continued)
♬ Friendship Mail : the special notes band members write to each other and “mail” prior to getting into the Block. “Mail” is then distributed by Band Council Members during 3rd Quarter of the Football Games. ♬ Front Ensemble : (aka “Pit”) are the percussionists with the marimbas, gongs, kettle drums, etc. who stand and play at the front of the performance near the sidelines.
♬ Pit Crew
: (aka Team Pit) are the Parents who bring on/off & set up the equipment for the Front Ensemble/Pit.
: the hat worn by the band (except Tuba players who wear berets). Plumes are inserted into a hole in the hat prior to the performance.
♬ Shako
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Rules
1. “To be EARLY is to be ON TIME!” Always come before the posted or announced time.
2. Parking and Pickup – Please do not park where the busses and truck must park, by the band room “turn-around”. Use a parking space.
3. Pick up your student on time so staff does not need to wait. 4. Please don‟t feed the Musicians! Students are not allowed to eat while in uniform. They can have water only.
5. Collar Liner – Collar Liner – Collar Liner. Students must have it cleaned each week otherwise they can‟t march. Uniforms are not worn without collar liners. Press enter to continue.
Rules (continued)
6. Gloves – Gloves – Gloves. Students must have gloves to march.
7. Shoes – Shoes – Shoes. Running shoes are for practice. Must have marching shoes with unbroken laces for shows.
8. Students must ride the bus unless a special travel form is signed and in the possession of Mr. Thye. Chaperone‟s have extra forms. 9. Parents should wear Band T-Shirts to all Band Events
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Protocol
1. At Football games, everyone stands for an injured player and the band will stop playing.
2. Before the Band leaves for a Band event, Mr. Thye gives his „talk‟. Students sit on the floor in the band room. Parents are asked to not come in and out unless to finish loading the truck. 3. The DV Band stands up for the visiting/home band during their performance at games and for the Host Band at Band Competitions. 4. Students ride the same bus with their section. They are checked off each time they board the bus.
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Traditions
1. Always STAND UP when the DV Fight Song (Victory March) is played. 2. The Marching Band usually will perform the show at halftime for Home games and Pre-game at Away games. 3. Parents cheer the DV Football team as they come over and raise their helmets saluting the Band – win or lose. 4. Parents are encouraged to go to the Home Team side when DV Band performs their show during pre-game. At the conclusion of The Banner, the parents can return to the Visiting Bleachers. 5. Senior Band members and their parents are honored and receive a medallion during one of the home football games.
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Traditions (continued)
6. Girl Musicians French Braid their hair prior to the Band Director‟s Talk. All help is welcomed.
7. After Home Football Games, the Band Council may arrange a gathering at Peter Piper Pizza on Ray Road. Students buy their own eats and drinks. Parents are encouraged to come as semi-chaperones. Information will be on the white board in the band room. 8. During 3rd quarter of the Football game, the Band Councils of both bands meet to share and talk. 9. After a competition or game, (and after uniforms are removed) a videotape may be played for review by the Students. (That‟s why they may not come out right away). 10. Friendly Band rivalries are with Corona Del Sol, Gilbert High and of course, Mountain Pointe.
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Marching Competitions
Marching Competitions afford an opportunity for the Band to showcase their talents in front of other bands and fans.
1.) You‟ll want to buy an Event Program. Information in it will explain what will happen and adjudication rules. 2.) In-state there are 3 Divisions. Bands compete in Division I, II, or III based on the size of their band not the size of the school. Desert Vista competes in Division I. 3.) Good seats are tough to get so get there early (at least 3 bands prior to DV‟s performance). Enjoy the other bands and look for other DV Boosters. We make more noise in support of our students when we sit together. 4.) When entering the stands, as a courtesy, do not enter when a band is playing. Be respectful of others watching.
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Marching Competitions (continued)
5.) For professional videos, you will want to pre-order or order on-site. Generally there are incentives to do so. Sometimes you can pick up your video at the end of the competition. It will vary based on which company is doing the video. 6.) You will want to ask your student if they would like a Tshirt or jewelry/pin or patch. Souvenirs may be easier for a parent to buy as you come in to the venue. (Yes, the Bibbers/Jackets do have pockets.) 7.) A large group picture is normally taken right after the Band performs. Students are provided envelopes to be billed later. Most ordering can be done online later with that envelope.
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Marching Competitions (continued)
8.) A Drum Majors‟ Retreat is held at the end of the competition. All Drum Majors march onto the field and the awards are announced.
9.) In-State caption judging may vary slightly but usually is based on the following: - Visual Performance 20% - Visual Effectiveness 15% - Musical Effect 10% - Musical Performance 45% - Auxiliaries (Colorguard) 5% - Percussion Performance 5%.
10.) Field Shows are maximum of 12 minutes including off and on time (so our Pit Crew works real hard & fast).
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Marching Competitions (continued)
11.) Caption Awards are presented (for outstanding performance) and categories may vary but are usually: - General Effect - Musical Performance - Percussion - Auxiliary (Colorguard) - Marching Performance 12.) Ratings are awarded as follows: Poor (V) Sometimes „Participation Awards‟ are given instead. Fair (IV) Good (III) Excellent (II) Superior (I) Superior With Distinction (when a Band receives Superior
Ratings from all judges)
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Marching Competitions (continued)
13.) The ABODA State Marching Competition is the culmination of the Band‟s efforts. Bands must earn an Excellent or Superior rating at a minimum of one qualifying event. ABODA Qualifying Events include NAU Band Day, ASU Band Day, or UofA Band Day. Not all invitationals are
ABODA qualifiers.
14.) Out of State Competitions have similar categories and judging rules. It‟s best to buy an Event Program since that will have the explanations in it. Generally, the Band receives a number score such as 89.5 or 93.5, etc. Divisions are slightly different and there is usually a Sweepstakes winner regardless of band size.
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What’s Next After Marching Season?
WHY it’s , CONCERT BAND SEASON kicking into high gear!
First comes Basketball Season and PEP BAND
Mr. Thye will assign Band Members to either the BLUE or GOLD Pep Band. Pep Bands only play at Varsity Home Region Games for both the Boy‟s Varsity and the Girl‟s Varsity Teams. Students only have a certain number of games they need to play at in order to count towards a Band Letter. Students should check with their Section Leaders.
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What’s Next After Marching Season?
(continued)
NEXT comes SOLO/ENSEMBLE and REGIONAL Auditions. Note: this competition is for band, orchestra, and choir.
THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE. STUDENTS WILL BE TOLD IN CLASS.
Mr. Thye will explain to the students what is required depending on the student‟s Band, ie. Wind Ensemble (it‟s a MUST), Symphonic, or Concert .
Results are posted at the Festival Site (usually held at DV for our region).
DV is in the NORTH CENTRAL REGION.
Students receive medals for Superior or Excellent Ratings. The Boosters buy the student medals and will present them at the end of the year Band Awards Ceremony. (So parents don‟t need to buy them). Press enter to continue.
What’s Next After Marching Season?
(continued)
All Students are eligible to audition for Regionals. If a student is selected to be in the Regional Band, there will be extra rehearsals and a Regional Concert. Students in Regionals then audition for the ALL STATE Band or Orchestra. A great honor and looks good on resume! Parents – Encourage your Student to try the audition!
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Thunder Band Trivia
The Band program began in 1995 with the class of 1999. The first band camp was held at Akimel Middle School during the summer of 1995.
The first DV Band included 9th and 8th graders (since Mr. Eric
Holden was teaching at both DV and Akimel). The Band only played at the
Freshman Home Football Games which were played at Mountain Pointe HS. The 8th graders couldn‟t travel on the Tempe Union busses.
The “first uniform” was student-bought and consisted of dark blue “MC Hammer Pants”, a white polo shirt, a white longsleeve turtle neck, a white & blue baseball cap, marching shoes, and white gloves. The current uniforms were received when DV had their first Senior Class and premiered during the Fall Marching Season of 1998. Press enter to continue.
Thunder Band Trivia (continued)
The History of Half-time Shows: 1995 - The Music of John Williams
1996 - Superman
1997 - Grease* - The Band’s first Superior with Distinction!
*DV had the most envied uniform that year: Jeans, Converse tennis shoes, Black satin jackets (with “Grease”lettered in sequins on the back), no hats…ponytails for girls and the 3 Drum Majors sporting “Pink Lady” jackets!
1998 - Superstar (the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s
Jesus Christ Superstar)
The Band debuted their brand new uniforms that would define the champions!
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Thunder Band Trivia (continued)
The History of Half-time Shows (continued): 1999 - An Imaginary Day (the music of Pat Metheny)
DV won the very first official Fiesta Bowl competition called “The Tournament of Champions” at Marcos DeNiza HS in the Fall of 1999 to win the honor of representing Arizona at the Fiesta Bowl. Now, any Arizona band wanting to be in the Fiesta Bowl Pageant of Bands, must compete in this tournament.
2000 - Into the Storm – (Performed at BankOne Ballpark)
Desert Vista was the Arizona State Representative to the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Fiesta Bowl Pageant of Bands and marched in the 2000 Fiesta Bowl Parade!
2001 - The Shape of Things to Come 2002 - Visions of Rome (the music of Ottorino Respighi)
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Thunder Band Trivia (continued)
The History of Half-time Shows (continued): 2003 - Journey of Life (Serenity, Chaos, Joy)
Inaugural Season for new director: Josh Thye
Placed 6th at the Mission Viejo Band Tournament in Southern California.
2004 – Celtic Sketches (Music of Philip Sparke)
Based on the brass band music, “Hymn of the Highlands”. Desert Vista received the revered Nunamaker Award of Merit at the UofA Band Day for the first time in school history. This award, given to the top scoring band of the day, was shared with Corona del Sol HS. 62 other bands competed that day.
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Thunder Band Trivia (continued)
The History of Half-time Shows (continued):
2005 - Of A Dreamer’s Dream
Based on the operetta “Candide” - Music of Leonard Bernstein ** “Superior with Distinction” rating with four of five captions at State Marching Festival
2006 – Seated Perspectives
Based on the music by Joe Curiale- “Gates of Gold”. ** Superior with Distinction (State) – 3 captoions ** “Numaker Award” – U of A Band Day
Thunder Band Dedication
A Memorial Scholarship was established by the Band Boosters with the graduating class of 2003 in honor of Mr. Eric Holden. It is awarded to students who will be furthering their music education. Mr. Holden held the position of Director of Bands Desert Vista High School 1995 - 2003
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Thank You! For Supporting the Desert Vista Thunder Marching Band and Colorguard!