Band Contest Tips and FAQs

CLICK HERE for Contest-Specific Information

· Please DO NOT publicly share any video recordings of our music or show! We love for fans to capture our performances and recognize our hard work, but please keep all videos “in the family.” Share with your friends and family, but please ask them to keep those private until the end of our season.

· Not every venue accepts cash, but most accept digital payments or cards. Most venues are moving toward cashless operations. Please be aware and come prepared as some students may want to purchase souvenirs or visit the concession stand.

· Triple-check that your student has the essentials (black socks/compression gear/marching shoes or body tights/guard shoes) and don’t forget extra deodorant!

· We suggest labeling marching shoes as these are easily mixed up. We have found it works best to mark their name in the blue area on the inside of the Drillmaster shoes with a Sharpie.

· Students are expected to ride to and from the contest with the band and stay with the band, directors, and chaperones for the entire duration of each contest. Band members may not leave without pre-arranged permission from Mr. Ortiz.

· If a parent wishes to check out a student after a competition, the Early Check-Out form must be completed before the Finals Awards. Students may only be released directly to their parent or legal guardian through this official checkout process. Please note check-out instructions located on the form.

· Checkout may be at the busses for day-trips or at the hotel for overnight trips. Directors will use Remind to communicate their checkout location at the hotel.

· We take safety very seriously. For the duration of all trips, students remain under the supervision of band directors, staff, and chaperones. To ensure student safety, students are not permitted to enter parent hotel rooms or travel in parent vehicles unless properly checked out.

· Consider sending a portable charger for phones and other electronic devices as students tend to run their battery down on the bus.

· Students are fed at contests but are free to bring additional snacks if they like.

· DO make tons of noise when our band goes onto the field. Spectators are encouraged to cheer and clap during the show.

· DO NOT enter or leave the bleachers during performances; only move before/after each band performs. This is marching contest etiquette and will be enforced at most contests.

· DO NOT talk when a band is performing on the field. Please be respectful of the hard work each band has put in.

· DO clap for all of the bands; we’re here to support everyone!

· DO wear your season ‘X’ show shirt and bring your fan; we want to see you!

· Many band families try to sit together during the contest and/or move closer to the front during our performance times. If you see someone with a show shirt, sit by them!

Show Hair Instructions

This year's show hair will be a high, slicked back ballet bun. A hair mask or gel may be used to get it slicked back, but additional bobby pins may be needed to keep down the fly-aways.

All hair long enough to be pulled back MUST have show hair for contests! It is now a part of your uniform. If your hair is long but not quite long enough for the ballerina bun, you can do a low pony or just slick it back. Most importantly, it should look neat. Below is a tutorial for reference. You don't have to follow the tutorial directly, but you do need to have a finished product that looks the same.

Hair Tutorial