Parents’ Guide

Congratulations on raising a musical kid who is interested in joining the high school band! Participation in Band/Color Guard is ABSOLUTELY the best way to enrich high school life!

Your students are going to have a blast (and so are you). There’s a lot to take in for first-timers, so we have put together this page to help you navigate through all the fun. This page is meant to give you a general idea of what to expect. You will get much more specific information as the dates get closer (sign up for the band newsletter here). We’ve also included information about volunteering, because it really does take a village! We need lots of help to make sure there is plenty of safety, snacks and uniforms.

Band Camp

All band students attend band camp before school starts in the fall. Typically the band camp week is composed of 2-3 days at the high school where students practice marching and get fitted for their uniforms. Then they have 2 nights/3 days at a sleep away camp, where they practice marching, receive instrument instruction in their sections, and have a great time bonding, doing skits and get ready for the football games and field shows they do throughout marching band season. Volunteer needs:

• Help transporting instruments to camp
• Daytime and overnight chaperones
• Snacks/Meals
• Uniform fitting
• Uniform hemming

Tuesday Night Practices (TNR)

From the beginning of the school year through November, students are required to attend TNR. These practices are every Tuesday evening for 2.5 hours. The long hours and extra practice are worth it because this is when hard work of learning the field show is done. These practices help make the band a force to be reckoned with at the competitions! Volunteer needs:

• Pit Crew (transporting instruments to the practice fields)
• Chaperone

Sectionals

Students meet for an hour or so after school, once a week, with the other members of their section. Section leaders will determine which day. During this time, their section leaders help them work on music and their field show moves. Volunteer needs:

• Chaperone

Football Games

The SLO High band supports the varsity football team by playing at five home games during football season. The band will play the national anthem before the game and booster songs from the stands throughout the game. At half-time, they take the field to show off their field show. It’s great to watch the evolution of the field show from one game to the next.

Students are expected to show up 30 minutes early in uniform or can put their uniform on in the band room. They change out of the uniform at half-time, so expect to bring warm clothes to change into and a funny hat to wear for the second half of the game. Volunteer needs:

• Pit Crew
• Uniform Helpers
• Concessions
• Bleacher Crew
• Photographer

Competitions

The band will travel to one or more field show and parade competitions outside of San Luis during the season. They showcase their hard work against marching bands from other schools and have a great time doing it. SLO High has a reputation for taking home trophies, so expect to hear about the great feedback they get from the judges. The competition parade band is highly competitive. Students must meet specific performance requirements to participate. Students should show up at call time in their travel attire with their instrument, music and complete uniform. Volunteer needs:

• Snacks/Meals
• Chaperones
• Trailer Driver, help with large instruments

Parades

In the fall, the band marches in a few local parades which may include Cambria’s Pinedorado Days Parade (early September) and the San Luis holiday parade (early December). They also do a parade competition in Pismo Beach against schools from all over. Parents are usually expected to drive their students to/from the local parades. Students will need their instruments, uniform and a change of clothes for after (sweaty!). Volunteer needs:

• Chaperones
• Uniform Helpers
• Water wagon

Concert Season

Band commitments really calm down during concert season! After the last football game (and the holiday parade), you can breathe a little easier. The students will still have their sectionals once a week, but TNR ends. Students trade in their marching uniforms for suit jackets and long dresses.

There will be a big holiday concert, usually at the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly with the choir and Laguna Middle School. Call time is usually 30 minutes before a concert. Students should arrive in their concert attire ready for sound check.

In the spring there are opportunities for the jazz band and concert bands to attend and play at festivals, including some Saturday trips. There will also be a spring festival with all of the schools in the district. The end-of-the-year concert is usually in the gym at the high school. Volunteer needs:

• Food coordination
• Food donation
• Chaperones
• Seat helpers
  

Fundraising

Fundraising is an on-going pursuit for the band boosters, SLOIMBA. 

The purpose of the fundraising we do for the SLO High band is to provide opportunities so that our students can have music experiences beyond what the school can supply. Usually we fundraise to buy items or finance projects that might be thought of as beyond the “baseline” curriculum, such as awards, banquets, special equipment (banners, flags, props), or trips. On occasion, booster assistance may also be required to supplement the baseline curriculum to purchase basic items such as instruments, supplies, uniforms, and music.

At the beginning of concert season, we try to do some fundraising with the very popular Christmas Tree sale. In the spring, the students sell See’s Candy. There may be other fundraisers throughout the year. Plenty of opportunities to be involved!

• Organize a fundraiser
• Donate time, money or materials
• Day-of help at a fundraiser event