PROJECT

DATE CLIENTFEB. 21, 2011 MUSIC 266

Marching Band MethodsA System for : BAND CAMP!

The Purpose of Band Camp....Most vital weeks of the year!

Sets the tone for the program and the entire year - keep this in mind as you get your first job...

Determine your needs and what you want to get accomplished. What are your goals?

If you can get the school, the students, and the parents to buy in and have FUN with band camp, you are well on your way!

Goals!TEACHING THE SYSTEM!!

Fundamentals of Music and Movement. Establish your FOUNDATION!

Learn the Show, part of the show, good marching, what will be set at the end of camp?

Establishing good rehearsals, consistency, and standards of excellence

Don’t forget the details - Stand tunes? National Anthem? Fight Song? Parade music/sequence? Cadences? Traditions?

This is a chance to bring the band together - to re-establish the good habits of the past, build up your emerging student leaders, welcome the new members into the band, raise the bar for your program.

Camp can also be fun - break it up with some social activities. Let your band get to know each other. Structure recreation and team-building.

Band Camp at School?

Pros - Use of facilities, No extra costs, Easier to get part time staff, Parent help

Cons - Students leave, not as much bonding, absence for appointments, work, Nutrition

Band Camp Away?

Can be at a College, Church Camp, Team Building Camp, Other organized facility

Pros - Esprit d’corps, No disruptions and complete focus, Can get more done,Better Facilities, Social Activities, Everyone eats

Cons - $$$$, Extra staff that needs to commit to the whole time, Chaperones, Medical Staff, Transportation

Organize to Optimize!Organization is the key to your success!

Have everything mapped out including: Notes for your first meeting, Seating assignments for indoor rehearsal, Marching Blocks for outside, schedules for everyone, music ready, drill ready, lesson plans for each instructional episode, a plan for leadership, a plan for staff, a plan for parent volunteers, facility reservations, meals, transportation, EVERYTHING!!! Wing it and DIE....

Organize: Printed SchedulesEVERYBODY gets a copy

Every minute is scheduled and accounted for

Allow time for set up, tear down, transport

Intelligently schedule Indoor/Outdoor rehearsals, downtime, and recreation time

Include Schedule in a Pre-Camp Summer Newsletter

Organize: EquipmentDOES IT ALL WORK??(Check this months in advance)

Check all electronics - Dr. Beat, PA System, Tuners, Batteries, Boom Boxes for Auxiliary

Is all the drill and music copied and placed in labeled folders? Extras on hand?

CYA - Medical forms, releases, allergies, first aid, signed syllabus/handbook, expectations

Organize: EquipmentField - Is is painted? Correctly??? Ladders working? Podium Death Traps? Do you have yard line markers? Are you using marked zero points or idiot sticks?

Working TV/DVD to show band examples of good marching

Also show band pyware drill with music

Sunscreen?

Water? Schedule water breaks!!!!

Does the guard have silks, poles, weights, tape/velcro, music?

Communication

Summer Newsletter with Schedule!

Have a website and listserv (separate for parents and students

Order any transportation before the spring term is over

Have facilities reserved in the winter

Remind Athletic Director, Football Coach, Principal

Communication

Band Boosters - Have Summer meetings, Schedule fundraisers, make arrangements for chaperones, establish your pit and equipment crews, use them effectively!

Meet with incoming freshmen in the spring. Have a freshmen welcome with parents in the summer. Recruit your butt off with your feeder program - be visible and know the names of the students coming in.

Instructional StaffMake sure duties and expectations are clear to you staff - camp duties, season duties

Need Percussion and Guard

Caption Heads appropriate to size of the band - ex. Woodwinds, Brass, Front Ensemble, Visual Tech, Music Tech, Arranger, Guard choreographer, Dance instructor, Drill Writer

Make sure you are able to pay who you hire.

Approve all hires through your school district and principal and make sure they have background checks.

Use the local universities for staff and caption heads

Use alumni in the area who may be majoring in music or in the college band

Have shirts and other equipment ready for the staff before they get to camp

Staff needs constant supervision and established meeting times with you.

Detailed Camp Schedule AssignmentRead and Study Pages 188 - 191 of your book.

Create a detailed schedule for your band’s camp as shown in the book. Every minute has to be accounted for. Every lesson and activity needs to be listed. Your schedule should have a logical flow and variance from day 1 to day 5. Schedules will be graded on detail, clarity, organization, logic, and completeness.

Create the schedule for your last week of camp only (5 days) - I need a new schedule each day. Indicate goals for the day at the top of each schedule.

Create a separate document: What To Bring To Band Camp and Rules, Guidelines, and Expectations for Band Camp.

Your Camps will be held at your school.

Due : Feb 28th

Homework

Detailed Schedule - Due Feb 28th

Read Chapter 8 (except for drill design portion)