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Post by bigblue2019 on Oct 22, 2022 9:30:55 GMT -6
MARCHING BAND CONTEST ETIQUETTE
One of the most important parts of a band show is the audience. It is very disappointing for band members who spend weeks and months preparing a show to walk into a large stadium and find that the seats are empty. There are many types of spectators at a band show and they have many different reasons for coming to the show. However, they all have one thing in common and that is that they should be allowed to enjoy the experience.
Things you should do at a band show.
· Support all bands. Regardless of which band is on the field you should applaud or even cheer when they do a good job. Reaction from the crowd will encourage the band to perform better and will result in a more enjoyable show for the audience. · Watch the whole show. Observe different elements of the bands performance. Your interest may be percussion but, you might be surprised with the work the colorguard is doing. Often, several things are going on at once in a show. If you watch a show several times you may see something new on each occasion. ·Band Parents! Show up early. This is especially true for supporters of larger class bands. Many smaller class bands have great shows. Arrive early at the next show and see what you have been missing.
· Buy something from the concession stand. In many cases a band competition may be the major source of a band programs yearly budget. They have made a large investment and would appreciate your support. In most cases you will find that the prices are much less than what you will pay at your local movie theater. Things that you should avoid.
It is important to realize that although it is fun to visit with family and friends during a contest, it is unfair to distract other spectators from enjoying the show. This is true at any performance, including a marching band performance. Be respectful of all other spectators and hopefully they will extend you the same courtesy. · Do not leave or enter the stadium while a band is performing. Try to avoid any unnecessary movement, especially while a band is performing. At most contest the time for each band is fifteen minutes. Each show last around 7 to 9 minutes so that gives you plenty of time between bands to leave the seating area for concessions or to enter the stadium. · Do not talk on your cell phone. Turn off your cell phone or set it to vibrate. If someone calls you on your cell phone you can return the call between bands. Please do not talk on your phone during a performance. · Do not allow children to play in the stands and distract other spectators. Obviously, children are the future of this activity. It is good for them to see why big brother and big sister are always at practice and are not at home. However for their safety and as a courtesy to others they should not be allowed to run up and down steps and play in the aisles so others may enjoy the show. · Do not make negative comments about other bands. That color guard uniform that you don’t like may have been made by that guard members mother that is sitting behind you. That man sitting in front of you could be the arranger or drill designer or even the band director. If you don’t have something nice to say then you probably should not say it. Remember how hard your bands members have worked to get their show ready for the field. Chances are that the other bands have worked just as hard to get their show ready. · Do not obstruct the view of others. Please avoid standing in front of people trying to watch the show. If you have a banner to display, try to do so from the top of the stands or in some way that others can still see the bands. · Do not boo other bands or the contest results during the awards. Unfortunately every one is not going to agree on contest results. Booing the award winners or the judges will not accomplish positive results. Hopefully these tips will make your experience more enjoyable as you cheer your favorite band on and support all the performers of this amazing art form. If you have more questions about Kentucky marching band contest you can find additional information online by visiting www.kyband.com. This article is available for reprint at kyband.com Acknowldegements. Rick Gardner – kyband.com Scott Leatherland – simplyinstrumental.com Rachel Rentschler – Lloyd Memorial Band Booster
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Post by paddy on Oct 22, 2022 11:32:48 GMT -6
There is nothing wrong with critiquing a band at a show. Do it respectfully and properly and without menace.
The people I have run into that are super defensive about their band are usually the same folks destroying other bands in the stands.
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Post by bandirectorman on Oct 22, 2022 12:26:04 GMT -6
MARCHING BAND CONTEST ETIQUETTE
One of the most important parts of a band show is the audience. It is very disappointing for band members who spend weeks and months preparing a show to walk into a large stadium and find that the seats are empty. There are many types of spectators at a band show and they have many different reasons for coming to the show. However, they all have one thing in common and that is that they should be allowed to enjoy the experience.
Things you should do at a band show.
· Support all bands. Regardless of which band is on the field you should applaud or even cheer when they do a good job. Reaction from the crowd will encourage the band to perform better and will result in a more enjoyable show for the audience. · Watch the whole show. Observe different elements of the bands performance. Your interest may be percussion but, you might be surprised with the work the colorguard is doing. Often, several things are going on at once in a show. If you watch a show several times you may see something new on each occasion. ·Band Parents! Show up early. This is especially true for supporters of larger class bands. Many smaller class bands have great shows. Arrive early at the next show and see what you have been missing.
· Buy something from the concession stand. In many cases a band competition may be the major source of a band programs yearly budget. They have made a large investment and would appreciate your support. In most cases you will find that the prices are much less than what you will pay at your local movie theater. Things that you should avoid.
It is important to realize that although it is fun to visit with family and friends during a contest, it is unfair to distract other spectators from enjoying the show. This is true at any performance, including a marching band performance. Be respectful of all other spectators and hopefully they will extend you the same courtesy. · Do not leave or enter the stadium while a band is performing. Try to avoid any unnecessary movement, especially while a band is performing. At most contest the time for each band is fifteen minutes. Each show last around 7 to 9 minutes so that gives you plenty of time between bands to leave the seating area for concessions or to enter the stadium. · Do not talk on your cell phone. Turn off your cell phone or set it to vibrate. If someone calls you on your cell phone you can return the call between bands. Please do not talk on your phone during a performance. · Do not allow children to play in the stands and distract other spectators. Obviously, children are the future of this activity. It is good for them to see why big brother and big sister are always at practice and are not at home. However for their safety and as a courtesy to others they should not be allowed to run up and down steps and play in the aisles so others may enjoy the show. · Do not make negative comments about other bands. That color guard uniform that you don’t like may have been made by that guard members mother that is sitting behind you. That man sitting in front of you could be the arranger or drill designer or even the band director. If you don’t have something nice to say then you probably should not say it. Remember how hard your bands members have worked to get their show ready for the field. Chances are that the other bands have worked just as hard to get their show ready. · Do not obstruct the view of others. Please avoid standing in front of people trying to watch the show. If you have a banner to display, try to do so from the top of the stands or in some way that others can still see the bands. · Do not boo other bands or the contest results during the awards. Unfortunately every one is not going to agree on contest results. Booing the award winners or the judges will not accomplish positive results. Hopefully these tips will make your experience more enjoyable as you cheer your favorite band on and support all the performers of this amazing art form. If you have more questions about Kentucky marching band contest you can find additional information online by visiting www.kyband.com. This article is available for reprint at kyband.com Acknowldegements. Rick Gardner – kyband.com Scott Leatherland – simplyinstrumental.com Rachel Rentschler – Lloyd Memorial Band Booster I think one of the major challenges that any director faces regarding the perception of their organization are overenthusiastic parents who love to talk, gossip, and share (mostly) inaccurate information about competing bands. There are some good band parents who get it, but plenty of them who shoot their mouths off and act like somehow, someway crowd appeal = more/less points. Cheer on the bands - even the ones who are struggling. I have sat in the stands anonymously at some contests and hear the most vile things and laughably inaccurate items coming out of the middle-aged mouths of people who you'd believe otherwise have no lives. Band parents can be huge assets to a program, but I have found several occasions where 'entitled' individuals think that they ARE the band & act like their entire lives revolve around the band's accomplishments. They play a very small role in the process. |
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Post by thestraightestlegs on Oct 22, 2022 12:41:48 GMT -6
Couldn’t agree more! I think most of the time Band directors will share their spiel with the students about being good winners, losers, and audience members which is great. I don’t think enough directors pass this info along to the parents. They’re also certainly more difficult to monitor, but I think if more directors were blunt about this, we’d have less of these issues in the stands.
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Post by bandirectorman on Oct 22, 2022 12:58:12 GMT -6
Couldn’t agree more! I think most of the time Band directors will share their spiel with the students about being good winners, losers, and audience members which is great. I don’t think enough directors pass this info along to the parents. They’re also certainly more difficult to monitor, but I think if more directors were blunt about this, we’d have less of these issues in the stands. I know some that try their best and it doesn't make it through. At the end of the day, there are just people in the world that lack any sort of tact or class, at least as it relates to the competitive arena. Usually, their band doesn't win anything huge, but they have to let the world know about how unfair it is that X band flies around fancy private jets or some bogus five-star accommodations that 200-300 students are able to stay in, etc. The level of stupid is astounding. |
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Post by paddy on Oct 22, 2022 13:28:59 GMT -6
Couldn’t agree more! I think most of the time Band directors will share their spiel with the students about being good winners, losers, and audience members which is great. I don’t think enough directors pass this info along to the parents. They’re also certainly more difficult to monitor, but I think if more directors were blunt about this, we’d have less of these issues in the stands. I know some that try their best and it doesn't make it through. At the end of the day, there are just people in the world that lack any sort of tact or class, at least as it relates to the competitive arena. Usually, their band doesn't win anything huge, but they have to let the world know about how unfair it is that X band flies around fancy private jets or some bogus five-star accommodations that 200-300 students are able to stay in, etc. The level of stupid is astounding. I know the Carmel band parents are so wealthy the kids all get to sleep in houses the parents bought close to Grand Nationals. |
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Post by Allohak on Oct 22, 2022 13:36:29 GMT -6
There is nothing wrong with critiquing a band at a show. Do it respectfully and properly and without menace. The people I have run into that are super defensive about their band are usually the same folks destroying other bands in the stands. My immediate thought was an experience last year with LeanderMomma and salvation 😅 |
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Post by bandirectorman on Oct 22, 2022 13:50:28 GMT -6
There is nothing wrong with critiquing a band at a show. Do it respectfully and properly and without menace. The people I have run into that are super defensive about their band are usually the same folks destroying other bands in the stands. My immediate thought was an experience last year with LeanderMomma and salvation 😅 Carmel is a nice area but c'mon, it's Indianapolis. Give me a break. Even if there's an advantage there, you have to live in Indianapolis for the rest of the year. Punishment enough.  |
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Post by Allohak on Oct 22, 2022 13:59:34 GMT -6
Carmel is a nice area but c'mon, it's Indianapolis. Give me a break. Even if there's an advantage there, you have to live in Indianapolis for the rest of the year. Punishment enough. This particular experience had absolutely nothing to do with Carmel. |
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Post by paddy on Oct 22, 2022 14:03:23 GMT -6
Carmel is a nice area but c'mon, it's Indianapolis. Give me a break. Even if there's an advantage there, you have to live in Indianapolis for the rest of the year. Punishment enough. Quotes the wrong post, misses the joke. Kudos to you! |
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Post by dbdbdb on Oct 23, 2022 7:08:40 GMT -6
Great comments! After watching the Appalachian Classic yesterday, I want to add one….
If you drive by a marching competition, do not honk your horn! I witnessed a beautiful trumpet solo ruined by a big rig laying on his horn (West Ridge field runs parallel to Interstate 81). The crowd could barely hear the band. It was terrible.
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Post by yayband914 on Oct 23, 2022 7:41:46 GMT -6
I was at BOA Orlando yesterday for prelims and had an unfortunate passive encounter with a band parent of one of the finalists. Let me just say, don’t be the band parent that screams throughout your home band’s entire show. And I mean the ENTIRE show. I couldn’t even hear the music that was being performed, and so many people were shooting this person the death stare. The line between enthusiastic support and being disruptive is very thin.
Cheer at appropriate times, at the appropriate volume, for the appropriate length of time.
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Post by paddy on Oct 23, 2022 7:43:14 GMT -6
Great comments! After watching the Appalachian Classic yesterday, I want to add one…. If you drive by a marching competition, do not honk your horn! I witnessed a beautiful trumpet solo ruined by a big rig laying on his horn (West Ridge field runs parallel to Interstate 81). The crowd could barely hear the band. It was terrible. Corollary point… If you want to host a show don’t do so in a stadium next to a highway. |
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Post by ilikeguard on Oct 23, 2022 8:00:38 GMT -6
Great comments! After watching the Appalachian Classic yesterday, I want to add one…. If you drive by a marching competition, do not honk your horn! I witnessed a beautiful trumpet solo ruined by a big rig laying on his horn (West Ridge field runs parallel to Interstate 81). The crowd could barely hear the band. It was terrible. Corollary point… If you want to host a show don’t do so in a stadium next to a highway. There were several times at BAI this year that ambulances or over compensatory vehicles blared and growled past. It didn’t help that the invitational is but a shadow of its former self… |
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Post by dbdbdb on Oct 23, 2022 8:22:45 GMT -6
Corollary point…
If you want to host a show don’t do so in a stadium next to a highway. [/quote]
Come on now…. That competition is 35 years old. They can’t help that the rebuilt school is now next to the interstate. I’m sure they don’t have an extra stadium in their back pocket 😉
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Post by justabanddad on Oct 23, 2022 9:38:50 GMT -6
I’m no expert, simply a 6th year Marching Band parent, and love seeing this thread on etiquette!!
I love every aspect of these competitions!! However, scream, yell, cheer all of that before and after a band’s performance!! Love this!! But when we are sitting there and in the middle of the performance we are overpowered with the screaming and yelling, it makes it hard to focus on the actual performance the band is doing. The applause is easier to tune out, but when the other activities take place, really detracts from the experience. I know many will disagree, and that’s ok!
Everyone needs to remember even though you have seen your kids performance 100 times by the time this competition started but for Most in attendance it is their first time seeing it, and they will absolutely miss the beauty in it…
Just my observer perspective! Love everything that every band endured and does to compete with the greatest in the world!
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Post by abtwitch on Oct 23, 2022 10:27:12 GMT -6
There is nothing wrong with critiquing a band at a show. Do it respectfully and properly and without menace. The people I have run into that are super defensive about their band are usually the same folks destroying other bands in the stands. My immediate thought was an experience last year with LeanderMomma and salvation 😅 I was there too, quite the funny experience cause I wasn't paying attention to the convo at hand, just the aftermath. |
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Post by salvation on Oct 23, 2022 10:47:49 GMT -6
There is nothing wrong with critiquing a band at a show. Do it respectfully and properly and without menace. The people I have run into that are super defensive about their band are usually the same folks destroying other bands in the stands. My immediate thought was an experience last year with LeanderMomma and salvation 😅 Can’t say it’s happened this year  yet… |
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Post by Allohak on Oct 23, 2022 11:25:32 GMT -6
I was there too, quite the funny experience cause I wasn't paying attention to the convo at hand, just the aftermath. ...now that you mention it, so you were. Sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be and that weekend was a whirlwind |
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Post by abtwitch on Oct 23, 2022 13:38:06 GMT -6
I was there too, quite the funny experience cause I wasn't paying attention to the convo at hand, just the aftermath. ...now that you mention it, so you were. Sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be and that weekend was a whirlwind All good, I'm pretty awful with connecting names to faces myself, so I forgot you were there too until you mentioned this story! |
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Post by LeanderMomma on Oct 24, 2022 7:34:21 GMT -6
Can’t say it’s happened this year yet… You had a few close calls in Austin. 😂 |
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Post by LeanderMomma on Oct 24, 2022 7:38:44 GMT -6
Corollary point… If you want to host a show don’t do so in a stadium next to a highway. There were several times at BAI this year that ambulances or over compensatory vehicles blared and growled past. It didn’t help that the invitational is but a shadow of its former self… I have definitely noticed the traffic noise the two times I attended DCI Broken Arrow. The stadium is near a very busy area and there are usually sirens also going off at some point! I remember being distracted by the fire truck that stopped nearby with all its blinky lights. 😅 |
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