Marching band show planning: The Overlooked Tasks.
Now that summer is fast approaching it would be a good time to make sure you are planning ahead for the logistics of the marching season ahead. So much of the time is spent on the music arranging, drill design and colorguard choreography for the marching band show that many of the mundane administrative tasks are often overlooked. In an effort to help avoid these from becoming crisis situations, we have developed a list of the commonly overlooked administrative tasks:
-Order colorguard equipment - flags, poles, rifles, sabers, gloves.
-Order colorguard supplies for practice - avoid wear and tear on performance equipment.
-Order colorguard uniforms - Do this EARLY in the summer to avoid delays.
-Get marching instruments repaired - if you have not already done so.
-Check marching drums - make sure all the parts carriers are functioning properly.
-Check the percussion instruments - pay special attention the wheels/tires on the carts .
-Inventory the mallets and order any replacements needed.
-Order supplies (paint sticks/markers/stickers/chips) for marking drill positions.
-Reserve practice fields, stadium and any other facilities to be used for rehearsals.
-Make sure maintenance staff (hopefully that’s not you) is scheduled to paint the practice field (the way you want it) before summer band.
-Make sure the A/C is going to be on as needed.
-Get your entry in for marching contests - Don’t forget to process the entry fee!
-Order and repair any marching uniform parts as needed.
-Get shoe sizes and order marching shoes - Do it EARLY!
-Order gloves, plumes and other small items to complete band uniforms.
-Schedule clinicians, marching techs, and colorguard instructors - Early bird rules!
-Check amplification system to make sure it functioning properly - get lots of batteries!
Long list? Yes. Did we think of everything? No. This a list of often overlooked details we have seen even though some are very basic. It is often the obvious things that are missed. You can use this list as a good primer for developing you own based on your band’s needs and situation. The point is - PLAN AHEAD and develop some kind of list or system that works for you so nothing is overlooked. The band director’s job is hard enough without adding undue stress because of lack of planning.
If you have someone who is in charge of some of the execution of the planning and preparation, you need to check in with them. Just delegating a task does not relieve you of the responsibility. Ultimately it is your job as the director to get it done whether or not it is delegated.
Above all - keep your students informed with regular correspondence. They also need to be planning ahead if you want them ready for summer band. Let them know what is expected of them so that they can have time to get their part done. As the old saying goes: “Lack of planning on your part does not necessarily make a crisis on mine.”
A Quick Overview of Marching Designs:
The Drill Designers page has articles from marching show design experts and listings of marching band drill designers for marching band, colorguard and indoor percussion ensembles.
On the Arrangers and Composers page you can find articles and information related to marching music and arranging as well as music selection and programming for marching band shows and winterguard.
The Instructors and Choreographers page deals with marching technique and marching clinics as well as colorguard choreography with in-depth articles and information.
Ever wonder where you can find a good camp for your drum majors or a clinician for your color guard? The Camps and Clinics page is the online resource for camps and clinics for marching band, color guard, marching percussion and drum majors.
Uniforms and Color Guard Equipment is more than just a listings of marching band and colorguard uniforms. You can find articles and information on band uniform design and great resources for color guard equipment, colorguard flags and rifles.
The Instruments page has information on everything from brass to marching percussion and drums with articles on maintenance, tuning and other topics related to marching band instruments.
All the Supplies and Equipment your marching band or colorguard could ever need can be found here - from metronomes and audio systems to band towers for marching rehearsals.
How did you build those big marching band props? Where did you get those custom printed flags for your colorgaurd? You can find those answers and more on the Printing and Props page. While you're here you can get some custom designed shirts for the directors and t-shirts for your entire band.
One of the hardest things to do is find a marching contest on a particular date or a score from last year's marching competition. On the Contests page you'll find a comprehensive marching contest events schedule plus links to the marching band contests and marching circuits to help you schedule and get information and scores from marching competitions around the country.
All the news, scores, and information for DCI and the Drum Corps activity is located on the Drum and Bugle Corps page.
The Software page is the best online resource for drill design, band administration and music notation software as well as information and articles on marching software.
The Audio / Video is your online resource for audio engineering and music production for winterguard, videographers for marching bands and information on how to use technology for your marching show.
You can find instructional videos, magazines and books marching band, color guard and marching drums on the Publications page.
The Associations page is a handy online reference of marching circuits and music education associations.
