Competitions and Parades

Competitions

Cost – Parents/Adults usually have to pay even if acting as a chaperone for the band. Cost may run from $5.00 to
$10.00. Band members do not have to pay admission.

Students are transported to and from competition by bus.

Concessions are sold by the hosting band as a fundraiser. Students should have money for up to two meals, as
competitions may last most of the day and late into the evening. Band Boosters will as a rule have water for the band
members.

The band plays in a division based on size of the band. This can change from competition to competition.

It is generally expected that whenever a band is on the field, there is no entering or leaving the stadium seating area,
and talking is at a minimum. When bands are transitioning, setting up the pit, etc, people are allowed to move in and
out of their seats.

It is okay to cheer for your band. Consider that the band is moving from one formation to another and playing music
that is being judges, so cheer, but then settle down for the next number. At the end of the program, Cheer away!, but
be aware, do not point out a mistake that you may have seen in the program because the judges, who may be able
to hear you, may not have seen the mistake.

The awards ceremony is at the end of the competition, so there may be a lot of time between when we compete and
awards. The band stays for the entire awards presentation, as our drum major and section leaders are on the field
during the ceremony.

It is expected that the students will return on the bus back to the school for turning in uniforms, debriefing, etc.
Competition days are long, but once back at the school if everyone does what they are supposed to, the students
will be able to leave much more quickly.

Typically the Band Director provides an itinerary for the trip several days before the competition. This is subject to
change if there is a last minute change in the lineup for the bands performing. Be prepared for changes. Ask your
student specifically about what they should wear to competition.

Specifics about competitions

1. You can usually purchase messages to be read to your band student or the band as a whole as they are being
announced for their program.

2. You can usually purchase raffle tickets or 50/50 tickets.

3. Seats are hard, (bleachers) so you might want a stadium seat or cushion.

4. It gets chilly when the sun does down. Awards ceremonies may not be over until around 10 pm .

5. Programs may be available for purchase.

6. DVDs or CDs of the performance are sometimes available. Cost may run to $50.00

Parades

The HCHS Marching Trojans will participate in several parades this year, most during the Christmas season. The
band is paid for some of these performances.

Christmas parades planned this year are on the calendar.

Uniforms are always the formal Marching uniform.

Students meet in the band room as directed by the Band Director.

The band is transported to and from parades by bus.

Typically there are “staging” areas for the bands, floats, etc. to line up.

Band parents should go to the parade town and park wherever you can, but preferably near the end of the route so
that you don’t have to walk too far.

Parents that are assisting the band (please sign up before the actual parade) will then need to proceed to the
staging area. Parking for parents assisting is wherever you can find it, and then return to where the bus is parked or
the staging area. If your band moves before you get there, you can usually follow the sound of the drums to locate
where the bands are warming up.

Parents assisting the and generally walk the parade route on the outside fringe of the band area. Look for dropped
costumes, music, instrument parts, etc. Try to pick up if you can, without interfering with the band formation,
otherwise pass the word to a parent in the back.

Remember, the band members can’t usually see what is around their feet in a parade. If they are crossing railroad
tracks, try to look before your section crosses for anything that could trip them up and try to softly tell your section to
“watch out”. If they are playing music, don’t bother, they cannot hear you because they are listening for a whistle or a
hand signal from the drum major and are not paying any attention to you.

The boosters will have a water cooler and/or bottled water available to students and escorts at the end of the
parade. Boosters try to plan a snack or food of some sort after the parade, also.

Students do not usually need much money for a parade appearance as they are transported to and from the parade
site, and are provided drinks and food after the parade.

The weather is tricky during parade season. One day can be extremely warm and the next extremely cold. Tell your
student to dress in layers.

Parades are usually held between Thanksgiving and the second weekend in December, so it is very busy. It is not
unusual to have back to back parades on Saturday, then one on Sunday, then another on Monday.

Two of the parades we perform are traditionally nighttime parades – Erwin and Lillington.