Disclaimer:  this is generally what to expect. There may be deviations from this information 
in specific situations. Always watch the BAND app for the most up-to-date information.  
Also ask your child – they may have received a verbal update from their directors, drum 
majors or LTs. 

 

 

When should my child arrive? 
• Everyone must be dressed and ready in the band room at the time indicated 
on the schedule posted by the director (generally 8 am). 
• This time can change from week to week so keep an eye on the BAND app for 
a schedule from Mr Brooks. 

 

What should they wear? 
• They will wear their black show t-shirt and black Viking Band shorts, and 
black marching shoes with black socks when we leave the school after lunch 
• If it is cold, they can wear their wind suit on top of these clothes 
• If they don’t want to rehearse in these clothes, they can bring them and 
change into them after lunch 

 

How will my child eat lunch? 
• They need to bring a bag lunch which they will eat after rehearsal before we 
board the buses. 

 

What uniform parts does my child need to bring and where will they put them? 
• Bring the entire uniform (pants, crop top, jacket, gauntlets) inside the 
garment bag, including long black socks and gloves, and marching band 
shoes.  
• There will be racks for them to hang them near the band room in the morning 
when they arrive at the school. They find their section’s rack and put their 
garment bag there. 
• Long hair will be pulled up into a bun hear the top of the head (will end up 
inside the hat), so bring what they need to secure their hair, or secure before 
arriving 
• They will not put hats on until we are at the competition, just before 
performing.  
 

GUARD: keep an eye on the Color Guard BAND page for instructions 
regarding uniform, hair and make-up for each performance.  

o Bring the full uniform inside the garment bag. This includes body tight, 
uniform, and jazz shoes.   Hair and make-up per guard coach/LT.   
o There will be a rack labelled for Color Guard uniforms, put the 
garment bag there. 
o Make sure to bring everything needed for hair and makeup to school. 
o They will change into uniforms and do hair/make-up at the 
competition. 
o When it is cold they may want their wind suits to layer up 

 

What is the exact timeline of what they will be doing on a competition day? 
• Each week Mr Brooks will post a detailed schedule on the BAND app with 
times that are specific for that week’s competition.  Keep an eye out for this 
very important post.   

 

OK, I understand this is not exactly the same every week, but can you give me a 
general idea of how it usually goes? 
• 8:00 am they will meet in the band room for instructions 
• 8:00 am – 12:00 pm they will rehearse 
• 12:00 pm they will eat lunch inside the school and load the trucks with 
instruments/uniforms 
• After loading, they will board the buses that will take them to the competition 
• Upon arrival at the competition, they will form lines and march into the 
stadium.   
• They will have some time in the stands to watch and support other bands 
• During this time they can also purchase concessions and merchandise. 

o Specific concessions available are different for every venue. 
o All take cash, some take cards as well. 

• When instructed they report to the trucks to get their uniforms and change 
into them.  They wear their uniforms on top of their black show shirt and 
black shorts. 
• After dressing, they obtain their hats and proceed to the warmup area 
• After warmup they march to and perform in the stadium 
• After performance they will go back to the trucks and change out of their 
uniforms.  If it is cold, they may want their wind suit to wear for the remainder 
of the evening. 
• Once changed, they march back to the stadium for awards 
• After awards, they return to the buses and are transported back to the HS 
• They will help unload the trucks 
• They can be picked up in front of the New Gym and will bring their uniform 
home with them 
• Pick up is usually 11:00 pm – 1:00 am depending on what time the 
competition ends and travel time back to the school. 

o The pick-up time will be updated in a BAND app post approximately 
30 minutes before we arrive  

 

Does my child have to ride with the band to and from the competition? 
• Yes. 
• The bus ride is a huge part of the fun for the kids. There are two adult 
chaperones on each bus in addition to the bus driver. 

 

Can I go to the competition? 
• Yes! Competitions are spectator events and huge fundraisers for HS bands 
• Competitions are held at High Schools in their football stadiums 
• We recommend you go early to see other bands perform. The smaller bands 
often have few spectators, so we like to fill the stands and cheer for them! 
• Buy concessions and merchandise! All your purchases support the home 
band program, and they all need all the help they can get! 

 

What time will our band perform? 
• Our performance time will appear in the schedule that Mr Brooks posts on 
the BAND app the week of the competition.  Keep an eye out for this!   
• We usually perform in the last group of the competition, but the actual time 
will vary from week to week.  In general it is 7 pm or later. 

 

Where do I sit?  
• Anywhere you want 
• Wear your show shirt if you have one to support our band! 

 

How do I get tickets for the competition? 
• You will purchase entrance to the competition at the gate 
o Prices vary (usually around $10 per person) 
o Some take cards, all take cash 

 

Where do I park for competitions? 
• There will be attendants directing parking at each competition 

 

Do I need to bring a clear bag? 
• GCS has a clear bag policy - you will not be allowed to enter with purses, 
backpacks, etc that are not made of clear material.   
• A lot of other school districts also have clear bag policies. Be safe and bring 
one. 

 

This must take a ton of coordination, how can I volunteer to help with the band? 
• To volunteer for the band for a competition you will sign up on the 
SignUpGenius posted to the BAND app.  
• You can also find this on the band webpage by going to 
www.nwvikingband.org/volunteers and clicking on the “Volunteer” button, 
then the “Volunteer Opportunities” button. 

What are the volunteer jobs? 

• Truck Drivers – drive our own 20’ box truck or one of several rented trucks filled 
with props, uniforms and instruments to and from the competition.  Gas paid for by 
the boosters.  Sign up when you see a BAND app post from the NWBB board 
Logistics Coordinator.  For questions, contact the Logistics Coordinator 

 

• Chaperones – two per bus. Check -in at the uniform room 30 minutes prior to the 
“Leave NWHS” time on that week’s schedule.  For questions, contact the Volunteer 
Coordinator or Competition Support. 

o Ride the bus to and from the competition, usually get free entry into the 
competition.   
o Responsible for taking roll on the bus going to and from competitions, 
ensuring student safety, maintaining order, and relaying communication 
from the band director.   
o Will have a bus bag to take with them which includes a roll sheet, and a case 
of water for the return trip.  Some chaperones choose to bring snacks for 
their bus but that is not mandatory. 
o Ensure there is a medical bag on each bus. Obtain from Competition 
Support. 
o Please do not dispense any over the counter medication to the band 
members without Competition Support’s consent.  They have permission 
forms which will need to be reviewed first. 
o Stay with the band while in the stands to ensure appropriate behavior 
o Go with the band to dress for the show and help with uniform problems as 
well as wrapping and pluming hats 
o Stay with the band during awards to ensure appropriate behavior 
o Ride the buses back to the school, take roll, distribute water, ensure 
appropriate behavior 
o Ensure the buses are left clean at the end of the night. Trash bags are 
provided in the bus bag. 

 

• Pit Crew – help unload front ensemble percussion equipment from the trucks at the 
competition, to and from the competition field, and back onto equipment trucks at 
the end of the performance.  For questions, contact the Volunteer Coordinator. 

 

• Prop Crew - assemble the props, transport props to and from the competition field, 
then tear down the props and return them to the trucks after the performance.  
Watch for communication from the Prop Master regarding times.  For questions, 
contact the Prop Master.