Tips for Freshman Band Parents

Tips from some of our Booster Parents:

We congratulate you on encouraging your kids to participate in the band program at Carroll. We truly think it is the best program at Carroll High School in which your child can participate. It combines artistic talent, musical ability, physical endurance, and mental acuity. It provides many friends, a sense of belonging, and a sense of great accomplishment and pride.

Here are some things that we all wish someone had told us when we first came into the band program:

Music Camp practices will be in the band room. Once band camp starts, we practice out on our practice field on the west end of the Carroll property behind the tennis courts.

Use this web site frequently! It is filled with calendars, schedules, pictures, and lots of info.

Make sure the Booster Secretary has your current e-mail address so that you can receive the latest info about all things band!

When school starts, your kids will be practicing Tuesday thru Thursday evenings and some Mondays, until about the end of October. Come to watch the end of Thursday night practices. You get to hear the progress the kids have made and cheer them on.

Come to Booster meetings. It’s how you really know what’s going on, and if you don’t know, you can ask! There is often a mysterious communications breakdown between the school and your house. We all have very responsible kids in band, but there is so much going on in their lives, sometimes they just space out getting us the information.

Band costs money! Participate in Scrip. It helps pay band fees, trip fees. Your kids will be going on a huge band trip in the spring of 2012. If you participate in Scrip, you could possibly pay for all of it thru Scrip.

Mr. K is probably the busiest man in the whole school from now until the end of October. He loves your kids and wants what’s best for them, never doubt that. But if he seems abrupt in your communications with him, just know that he’s got a zillion things on his mind right now.

Band camp is hard work! Your kids may get discouraged from all the drill and being in the hot sun. Sympathize and let them know that it doesn’t last forever. Eventually they will “get it” – that all of that hard work was necessary to achieve the goal of an excellent show. And send in big water jugs for them to drink from and lots of sun screen – they’ll need it.

Yes, your kids will march at home football games, but that is really just a “dress rehearsal” for what happens on Saturdays. Your kids will be busy every Saturday from just after Labor Day until the end of October. They will be going to Band Invitational competitions throughout the state. So don’t let your Saturdays get filled up by other things this fall. You will want to go to as many of these competitions as you can. There is a huge thrill watching these kids perform. It is hard to describe the pride you feel when you see these very talented students take the field. Do not miss it. There are many many parents that go to these things. Just look for the big block of parents dressed in Charger shirts and come sit by us.

Order Spirit wear. Show your Charger Pride!

Here is what you'll need to buy for your marching band student to wear under his/her uniform:
-- black socks (mid calf or knee length) (NOT no-show or ankle)
-- sweat wicking, snug fitting, BLACK short or long sleeve shirt (must have sleeves) (Found in exercise area of department stores.)
-- sweat wicking, snug fitting, BLACK shorts or long pants (like biker or runner shorts)

Other items of note about wearing the uniform: long hair must be secured n a pony tail. Earrings must be of a simple post style or taken out completely (no jewelry that dangles or sparkles).

Guard students have different uniforms and will be informed as to what will be needed.

When the kids get their band pictures taken this summer, ORDER THE BUTTONS! We all wear our buttons to the competitions so we know which kid you belong to!

Cherish these final school years with your kids. Get involved! High school seems to go about twice as fast as the other school years. To be able to participate with your son or daughter in this program is a great way to connect with your kids and it’s an incredible gift that will never be forgotten.

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