Parent Expectations
Here are a few guidelines and requests to make sure everyone has a great experience in our program. You should also review the Student Conduct & Expectations.
General Expectations
Student Commitment: Please DO NOT withdraw your student’s participation as a punishment for undesired behavior. This punishes the entire ensemble, wastes rehearsal time as we adjust the show or performance, and creates extra work for the staff who now have to address the open spot in the show. Our expectations for our student behavior extend well beyond the program and we are happy to work with you to achieve the desired behavior from the student.
Video & Audio Recording is prohibited. Out of respect for fellow audience members and spectators and to protect the rights of the original composers and copyright owners who license their music to the Buchanan Instrumental Music Program and organizations that host events we participate in, the use of audio and video recording technology - including mobile devices and live streaming applications - during and rehearsal or performance setting is strictly prohibited. When possible, we will share professional-quality videos of our performances on the members page of our website.
A few more requests:
To protect the rehearsal environment for our students, rehearsals are closed to the public (including parents).
Please wait for your student outside of the Bandroom before after/events.
Avoid the area of the band truck when the students are loading.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Issue or Concern?
Please send us an email or give us a call to discuss your concern and we will be happy to address it to the best of our ability.
Please do not approach our instructional staff before or after a rehearsal as they are very busy at those times.
As we enter competition season, we wanted to take a moment to share some helpful tips and advice with all the parents and their families who support our students and our program. We look forward to seeing you all at the competition this weekend!
What To Expect At Competitions
As soon as our band is assigned a warm-up and performance time, an itinerary will be posted on our website, becmusic.org, under the Calendar menu. This page will give you information about the event and the complete itinerary.
Students are required to ride the bus with the ensemble to and from the competition. If you need to pick up your student after an event where they would normally take the bus, please submit a Post-Event Release Form found under the Parents menu on our website ahead of time. Pre-arranging the absence with the director is not required. The student can be picked up only after: 1) The group is finished with the competition. 2) The truck is loaded. 3) The band has been dismissed and is ready to leave. Please do not ask to take them early.
If you are planning to drive to an event when the buses leave from Buchanan please do not caravan with the buses. It creates an added danger and distraction to the buses as the drivers are told to stay together at all times. In most cases, event locations and directions can be found on the website and/or any internet map website.
The buses arrive in plenty of time for unloading, eating a meal if that is planned, getting into uniform, warm-ups, and then heading to the gate. The time commitment for a competition is great because of the many steps involved in getting the students prepared to go onto the field. In many cases, we arrive early in the afternoon and don’t perform until later in the evening.
Students know what they need to get done as they prepare for a performance and they need to stay focused. This is why parents and families should not interfere with this focus by visiting with them before or immediately following a show. At many of the events the students are given some free time before warm-ups or after a performance and this is when you can check in with them. The truck/bus area is off-limits until after the performance and the students have been given instructions for the remainder of the competition. At that time, if you are sharing a hug or a “great show” high-five please stay clear of all band vehicles so that the students can change out of their uniforms and load the truck.
The students will always be in groups of three (3) or more if there is free time or time to watch any other bands. They will sit together in the stands. Students should never leave the competition site unless given specific permission by a director to do so.
Typically the band heads back to the truck after the performance for comments from the director and to begin the loading process. They will then head back to the stadium (time permitting) to watch other bands and the awards presentation.
Students will then head back to the truck and buses to finish loading and enjoy some snacks. Buses are then loaded and head back to Buchanan or the housing site.
When picking up your student at Buchanan, please do not park your car in any of the loading zone areas and keep several stalls open on the south curb closest to the bandroom. The buses need to park and unload the students in this area. Please park in a designated parking space only.
Please be patient as the students are off-loaded. They must follow a row-by-row procedure that allows the students to check for any missing items and clean up their seat area.
Parent Expectations at Competitions
Cheer for ALL of the students and ensembles performing, not just our own students.
NEVER cheer against our competitors…they are just kids working hard to have the best show possible.
At awards ceremonies, cheer for all placements and awards, not just those given to our own students and program.
Winning awards is great. Knowing we had the best performance possible is better!
Remember the ABC’s of audience etiquette:
Always remain completely quiet during a live performance.
Be attentive to what is taking place on the stage, field, or floor.
Consider your fellow audience members around you.
Do not enter or leave the audience area during a performance.
Enjoy the tremendous talent of the students.
Forget how hectic life is and get lost in the music!
Give appropriate applause for the students’ hard work!
The Value of Competition
*Shared from the Bands of America, host the St. George competition, as well as several regional and national marching championships each fall.
“Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition – in having put forth the best within you.” – Henry J. Kaiser, American industrialist and founder of Kaiser Aluminum, Kaiser Steel, and the Kaiser Family Foundation
Competition is woven into the very fabric of America. Bands of America and Music for All believe that competing is a great motivator and provides amazing opportunities for learning life lessons. The essence of competition is in striving for performance excellence and being held accountable for learning. If the focus is on learning, the competitive climate will be an extremely valuable source that can be drawn from throughout life. On the other hand, the negativity associated with “winning at all costs” will be a detriment to personal growth. Winning is certainly a monumental benchmark, as is any measurement in the competitive arena. Performing your very best in competition is also a benchmark, as is competing with the very best programs. By choosing to participate in competition, individuals and groups have already “won” simply by being highly motivated.
The competitive arena provides a very precious opportunity to practice quality sportsmanship and sincere appreciation for the hard work of others. It also is the place where the very best models in our activity can be displayed and celebrated. All performers need models to demonstrate possibility at the highest levels of performance and artistry. As all programs continue to improve through motivation, the competition strengthens everyone pushing us beyond what we believed to be our potential. Every band performance is a gift to us all and must be treasured. First place is fleeting, but the learning associated with striving for excellence, the cooperative work ethic, and the appreciation of others is everlasting. Bands of America encourages participants, parents, and friends to celebrate the high value of the competitive environment for its lessons and to become immersed in “positively life-changing experiences.”
