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 receives its assigned warm-up and performance times, an itinerary will be posted on our website, becmusic.org, under the Calendar menu. This page will include detailed event information and the full itinerary.
Students are required to ride the bus with the ensemble to and from competitions. If you plan to pick up your student after an event where they would normally return by bus, please submit a Post-Event Release Form (available under the Parents menu on our website) in advance.
Pre-approval from the director is not required. However, students may only be released after the following have occurred:
The group has completed its performance and competition.
The truck has been fully loaded.
The band has been officially dismissed and is ready to leave.
Please do not request early pickup.
If you plan to drive to an event when the buses depart from Buchanan, please do not caravan with the buses. This creates unnecessary distraction and potential safety hazards, as bus drivers are instructed to travel together at all times.
Event locations and directions are typically available on our website and through standard map services.
The buses arrive with ample time for unloading, eating (if a meal is planned), getting into uniform, warming up, and moving to the performance gate. Competitions require a significant time commitment due to the many steps involved in preparing students to perform. In many cases, we arrive early in the afternoon, even though our performance may not take place until later in the evening.
Students know what needs to be done as they prepare for a performance, and it’s important that they remain focused. For this reason, we ask that parents and families avoid visiting with students before or immediately after a show.
At many events, students will have designated free time—either before warm-ups or after their performance—when you may check in with them. Please note that the truck and bus areas are off-limits until after the performance and until students have received instructions for the remainder of the competition.
When greeting your student with a hug or a “great show” high-five, please keep clear of all band vehicles so students can efficiently change out of uniform and help load equipment.
During any free time or while watching other bands, students must remain in groups of at least three (3) and sit together in the stands. Students are not permitted to leave the competition site unless they have received direct permission from a director.
After their performance, the band typically returns to the truck area to receive comments from the director and begin loading equipment. When time allows, they will then return to the stadium to watch other bands and attend the awards presentation.
Students will return to the truck and buses to finish loading equipment and enjoy some snacks. Once the buses are fully loaded, they will depart for Buchanan or the designated housing site.
When picking up your student at Buchanan, please avoid parking in any loading zones and leave several spaces open along the south curb nearest the bandroom. This area is reserved for buses to park and unload students. Always park only in designated parking spaces.
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.”
