Marching Band Methods -

1
Marching Band Methods -

• A System for Communication
• A System for Rehearsal Techniques

2
Communication with Parents (and students)

• Newsletters
• Emails
• Booster Meetings
• Concert Intermissions

3
Elements of a good Summer Newsletter

• Intro Letter/Welcome Back
• Highlight big activities in the News section
• Abbreviated Yearly Calendar
• Trips for the Year - with costs and money turn in
  dates
• Fundraising Section/Booster Section
• Band Camp Schedule, What to Bring, How to Act,
  Medical Forms, Registration Forms
• Our Next Parent/Student Meeting will be

4
Communication with Staff

• Have an informal dinner meeting well before the
  beginning of the season ( spring would be best).
  pay for it
• Schedule a show planning session right after
  school ends for the spring. Share your vision
  and see what everyone needs as far as creative
  input, organization, money, equipment to order,
  drill and staging needs.
• Coordinate choreography with the guard/dance team
  to see when they can move in the drill, when they
  need to stand still, when they need to change
  equipment and from which direction

5
Communication with Staff

• Set up weekly or bi-weekly BIG meetings. Have a
  written out agenda and a set of tasks to
  delegate.
• Have a scheduled short pre rehearsal and post
  rehearsal meeting.
• In a document and a contract - map out pay and
  specific time commitment and have them sign this.
• Have rules of conduct for your staff

6
Rehearsal Techniques

• Rehearsal Philosophy
• Uniformity in approach and consistency from the
  director and the system is essential to success.
• Sample Philosophy - Rehearsals will be conducted
  with a positive attitude in a pleasant
  atmosphere. Students will be focused, energetic
  and relaxed in order to achieve the outstanding
  results desired. The director and staff will be
  organized and efficient through careful planning
  and goal setting. These qualities will make the
  experience enjoyable and productive for students
  and staff alike.

7
Goals

• Long range goals - what do you want to get
  accomplished in two weeks, in one month, at the
  end of the season?
• Short range - Is what you are doing today going
  to get you to your long range goals
• Create a personal rehearsal and goal schedule to
  keep yourself accountable.
• Goals - Music, Marching, Spirit, Scores,
  Auxiliary, Timeline

8
Rehearsal Techniques

• Teach like your hair is on fire
• Find your authentic self when teaching
• Create a rehearsal atmosphere of intensity,
  focus, and forward motion.
• Practice good classroom management, have high
  expectations, and prevent excessive talking.
  Stress the difference between social time and
  rehearsal time. You can have fun in band but
  rehearsal is the time to work!

9
Rehearsal Techniques

• Good pacing and good organization feels better to
  the students
• Fun in marching band comes from energy, flow,
  hard work!!!, and excellence - drum corps have
  fun.
• Individual Accountability is HUGE!!! Stress that
  students are responsible for learning their
  music, knowing their spot in the drill,
  communicating with their peers, and building the
  leaders around them.

10
Rehearsal Techniques

• Focus on ONE thing to fix at a time and fix it.
  Then move on
• Dont make mistakes the focus, make improvement
  and effort the focus. Make it better is your
  battle cry
• Talk less - Play More. Be clear so you dont
  have to repeat yourself.

11
Rehearsal Techniques

• You either get better or you get worse - you
  never stay the same.
• Plan out each rehearsal in detail and make your
  leadership and staff aware of both the plan and
  the goals.
• Schedule Breaks - but make sure they are giving
  their full effort.

12
Homework

• Read Ch. 6
• Quiz next class on Rehearsal Procedures,
  Rehearsal Etiquette, and Rehearsal Set-Ups