THINGS EVERY BAND PARENT SHOULD KNOW

A.          Band Camp: 

1.  There are two sessions of band camp most days; one in the morning and one after lunch.

2.  Make sure your musician has money to buy drinks and snacks, but also in case he/she goes to lunch with other band kids.

3.  The kids will find out who made the band on the afternoon of the first Friday camp.  The roster is posted by the band room.

4.  Uniforms are handed out during band camp.

B.          Keep Current:  By checking the web page and the glass window outside the band room.  Mrs. Setser posts all kinds of important information on and in that window.  Be sure to check it every time you go by.

C.          Paying for Things:  The Band Parents Association collects payment for some things and Mrs. Setser collects payment for others.  Whenever possible, payment by check is preferred.  However, if your child is paying Mrs. Setser for something and he/she pays with cash make sure he/she asks for, and gets, a receipt.  Many times kids leave money on Mrs. Setser’s desk and she doesn’t know who left it or what it’s for.  Ensuring your child waits for a receipt will prevent any mix-ups.

D.          Calling Tree:  Band parents volunteer to be part of the calling tree so that information gets to all parents in a timely manner.  The calling tree is used to remind parents of meetings, to let parents know when something sudden comes up (e.g. a chance to participate in a good fundraiser), etc. 

E.           Home Football Games:  Home games are played at North Kansas City High School and the band arrives for pre-game practice around 5:00.  Pre-game practice is held across the street from the stadium, near Macken Park.  Just prior to the game, they march from the practice area to the stadium.  They participate in opening and half time ceremonies and “Fifth quarter”, which is after the game.   The band stays and practices their routine on the field.  Everyone is invited to stay and watch. 

F.          Monthly Band Parents Meeting:  The meetings are scheduled with one meeting per month during the season.  Check the web site for up to date information about the dates and times.  Meetings are normally held in the band room.  Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the website.  Usually the meetings last for about an hour.  After the band parents business has been completed Mrs. Setser tells us what’s been happening in band and what’s coming up.  This is a great opportunity to learn what’s going on with the band.

H.          MO West:  Each year the band competes at Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, MO.   On the way, they stop of the last rest stop before St. Joe (on I-29) and have a snack, compliments of the band parents.  When they arrive at the college they warm up and get ready to compete.  Their competition time varies, but usually sometime between 4:00 – 5:30.  We always know the exact time well before the day of the competition.  If you’re going to MO West for the first time, join the caravan with the buses and the other band parents, put decorations on your car.  The buses leave to go back to school right after performance.  Many band students stay to watch other band perform as well as for the awards ceremony.  Note that your student must give Mrs. Setser a permission slip no later than the Saturday dress rehearsal if they arenot going to go back with the buses. 

I.             Uniforms & Shoes:  Uniforms are provided and include, a coat, pants, carry bag, hat and gauntlets (black sleeve bands).  White hat feathers are distributed before events and collected immediately after, the feathers do not go home with the band members.  White cotton gloves can be purchased for about $2.00 from Mrs. Setser.  Shiny black marching shoes are required and are the responsibility of the individual musician.  Many kids wear shorts under their uniforms, this makes it easy to change in or out of uniform anywhere, anytime.  After marching season, you may need to dry clean the uniform.  At the end of the school year, the uniforms must be dry cleaned and turned in with the dry cleaning bag and labels in tact.  Students are responsible for any missing or damaged pieces of the uniform. NOTE: BAND UNIFORMS ARE NOT MACHINE WASHABLE.  Tee shirts, which are available for purchase during band camp, are the fall/spring uniform.

J.            District/State Competitions:  Through out the year, your musician has an opportunity to try out for various district bands.  Students earn letter points for trying out and additional letter points for being selected.  The district tryouts include “All District” in which musicians from the entire area participate and the “NKC High School Honor Band” in which musicians from the three district high schools participate.  In the spring, students may perform solo and/or in ensembles in district competition.  Those receiving a score of “1” are eligible to participate in state competition at the University of Missouri – Columbia.

K.          GVB: Musicians try out for the Golden Variety Band, which plays at home basketball games and at some other events.

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Last modified: 06/14/10