Welcome to the
Award-Winning
Sumner High School Spartan Band!
New Band Parent
Survival Handbook
About This Handbook
This information has been put together by a group of parents who spent a large portion of their student’s “freshman year” in various stages of confusion and being overwhelmed. There were many hours spent together watching practices and performances, waiting to pick up kids, following yellow school buses and asking lots of questions.
What we know: Marching Band is different from any other activity that your student may have been involved with. It’s a world unto itself, with its own language, rules and etiquette. As first-time Marching Band parents, we had no idea what to expect. Now as “veteran” band parents, we have a few suggestions and pointers to pass on to other parents.
Okay, here we go….
1.Your Student CAN Handle It
“My child will learn to manage time? You’ve got to be kidding?!”
Time management will be the most important tool that your student will
acquire when they become members of the SHS band program.
Your student will learn how to keep a schedule, how to be punctual, and how to
set priorities. A detailed schedule will be distributed to all band students. It will list every rehearsal, football game, and competition your student will be required to attend. (You can also view this schedule on the Band’s web site at www.sumnerband.org - this schedule will now become a permanent attachment to your refrigerator!)
Being a member of the Sumner High School (SHS) Band Program will bring
your student an interesting and fulfilling educational experience. They will work hard and experience many triumphs, as well as downfalls; two things that will prepare them for the real world after high school. They will also have a lot of fun along the way and
make many good friends.
2.Time Commitment
“It seems like my student lives in the band room!”
Without a doubt, band is a big time commitment: there are rehearsals at least
two or three times a week, football and basketball games on Friday nights, competitions and parades on the weekends. Time management is the key to your student’s success. (Having such a busy schedule is actually a benefit. Band students don’t have time to get into trouble!)
3. Rehearsals
“Does my student really have to be there for every rehearsal?”
Rehearsals during Marching Band season are mandatory. One absent member will
disrupt rehearsal for all members of the band. To be able to put the best possible
musical product on the field, the director and staff need for all members of the band to be present during all scheduled rehearsals.
Please see the SHS Band Student Handbook for the consequences of missed rehearsals. Management of a band this size is a monumental task and it becomes next to impossible if members of the band are absent. Please help your student make every effort to be there…and on time.
4. Parent Involvement
“What can I do to help my student?”
There’s a saying: “Parent Involvement = A Successful Band Program”. This is so true! Getting involved in the band program will give you the opportunity to share with
your child the last four years of their education, these years that go so fast and are rarely enjoyed by many parents. Your student will most likely say they rather not have you around (this is normal), but most parents actually learn that in reality they appreciate your involvement and will thank you in the future.
SHS is fortunate to have a talented and dedicated band director, Joe Carl, and staff. The band parents are needed to support the director, and help with the details of uniform fittings, fundraising, chaperoning, feeding and watering an organization this size….just to name a few.
The SHS Band Program needs our parent group in order to function; it is for this reason that we urge you to get involved. Grandparents, siblings, or any member of your family can get involved and make a difference. The SBPA (Sumner Band Parents Assoc.) is a great way to meet the parents and the kids your student will be spending much of their time with for the next few years. The easiest way to volunteer is by attending the monthly SBPA Booster meetings where you’ll learn more about the program and where it needs your help.
5. The SBPA - Sumner Band Parents Association
“Wait….do I have to join a club or something?”
We are the SBPA (Sumner Band Parents Assoc.) – that’s our ‘official’ name, but it’s easier to think of us as the SHS Band Boosters! Who are we? You! Any parent or guardian of a SHS Band student.
You don’t have to volunteer for anything, or even attend every meeting. However, if you come to meetings, you might discover things that your student has never mentioned like upcoming trips, events and fundraisers (that help pay for trips). And the band director gives a report at every meeting – so you’ll know what’s going on.
The Booster meetings are held one evening a month in the band room. A Board of Directors is voted in every spring. They are a dedicated group of band parents who spend a lot of time and energy helping to ensure the success of the SHS band program. They are just like you: busy people with families, jobs, homes, etc.
Your help and support is vital to the success of this program and greatly appreciated.
6. A YEAR AT A GLANCE
A typical SHS Band “PERFORMANCE” year
SUMMER: Summer Marching Band: June through early August. “Keep playing, marching and meeting new friends!” There are fun trips and parades where we are seen by tens of thousands of people in the Puget Sound area. Parents volunteer to bring popsicles at the end of rehearsals. A family BBQ and awards dinner at Loyalty Park in Sumner typically closes out the Summer Band season.
FALL: Field Show Season, Sept. – early November. What is a ‘field show’ you ask? The band is playing music (usually 3-4 songs) and moving around the field in different directions. Props are used and the color guard (flags) performs to bring the whole ‘show’ together. There are several parades as well. We always participate in the Puyallup Fair Opening Day Parade – and enjoy a scone and a ride or two afterwards.
WINTER: The band program makes a shift to Symphonic Band – a concert style band. We march in the Santa Parades in Puyallup, Sumner & occasionally in Enumclaw. Basketball Pep Band season is a fun time for the band. A few of the performances are mandatory, but the students have such a good time that many students choose to attend just for the fun of it. There is a Winter Concert in January, followed by the Valley Region Band Contest and then our ‘Collage Concert’ in March.
SPRING: The Spring Concert in May has been nicknamed “the crying concert” because it kind of hits home that our senior band students will be graduating and moving on in their lives. The Spring Concert is followed by an Ice Cream Social and friends and family are encouraged to indulge in an ice cream sundae. Marching Band rehearsals return, there are several parade performances, and typically an overnight trip with the entire band (more about the overnight trips later). The school year closes with the Awards Picnic Dinner – a family fun event held at Auburn’s Game Farm Park.
7. Fundraisers
“We pay band fees… so why are there fundraisers?”
With the school district budgets shrinking yearly, more and more of the cost to run a successful band program is left to the Band Boosters. The money collected from the band student’s fees only covers a portion of the budget. Our biggest expense, by far, is transportation. For example, to move the entire band from the high school to a parade, it usually takes 3 buses. Depending on the location of the parade and duration of the trip, it is easy to figure that we will spend $1500- $4,000 (or more) on transportation alone. Per trip.
If we opted not to have fundraising events, there would be two choices:
1) Each family would pay out of pocket for trips.
2) Not go anywhere. No parades or competitions. Nothing.
So, with that said, here are our typical money raisers for the band:
8. A YEAR AT A GLANCE
A typical SBPA “FUNDRAISER” year
· SUMMER: With Summer Band there are several small fundraisers – a car wash and a bowl-a-thon are two examples. The money collected goes towards transportation costs for the summer parades & performances.
· FALL: The SBPA has a table at each home game where we sell various sweatshirts, hats, lanyards, cinch packs, glow sticks, purple feather boas, Spartan blankets, etc.
· OCTOBER: We host our annual “Sunset Festival of Bands Field Show Competition” at SHS’s Sunset Stadium. While this is a new and growing event, it has the potential to be a huge fundraiser for the band. We have created a “boutique” type of field show competition that is unlike any other competition around. A lot of parents are needed to make this event a success. It is worth it – we have gotten great feedback from the other band directors and students. Also, the Seahawk’s Blue Thunder drum line performs and students are encouraged to join them – what a blast!
· NOVEMBER: The always popular fundraiser, ButterBraids, almost sell themselves. We are one of the few groups in our area to sell these delicious pastry delights.
· SPRING: The annual “Big Band Dance and Auction” – our biggest fundraiser of the year! The work really starts in the Fall for this event, which is growing by leaps and bounds every year. There is much parent help needed prior, day-of, and after the event.
9. What It’s All About
“What’s in it for my student?”
· Band students score an average of 62 points higher on SAT tests.
· It has been shown that high school music students have higher grade point averages than non-music students in the same school.
· Through involvement in group music activities on the high school level, individuals learn to support each other, maintain commitment and bond together for group goals.
10. Nuggets of Purple and Gold
Quotes from graduating seniors of the SHS Band Program
1. “High school is full of ups and downs; being a member of the Sumner High School Band creates an automatic support group and circle of friends that will never let you down. Traveling and participating in band events brings everyone together to form lifelong friendships and connections, all while having the chance to learn and play music.”
2. “All of the teachers at Sumner High School are supportive of their students, but Mr. Carl goes above and beyond the call of duty for his students. Music is his passion. He puts all of his time, effort and heart into the band program and getting the opportunity to be his student is reason enough to join the Sumner High School Band program.”
Quotes from graduating seniors of the SHS Band Program
(Cont’d)
3. “The marching is different and the work is hard, but the rewards are much more worthwhile. In junior high, I never saw a trophy or a banner. But now in high school, our walls are covered with banners, trophies, plaques, and other such things that we’ve collected over the years to show how great our program really is. You need to see it to really grasp what we mean when we say ‘the award winning Sumner marching band’.”
4. “Band brings people closer than any other club, sport, or activity. There is nothing like pooling 100 different people in a room together for one common passion, a love for music. It is an instant friendship. Nearly all of my best friends are in band. There is never a dull moment. “
5. “I will always remember the countless practice sheets we got in middles school to the countless hours of practicing with the high school band. But it was worth every hour of my time. I have been on many adventures with the band and I couldn’t ask for anything better. I wish someone would have told me how great band was and I would not have taken it for granted and not just do it just because it was an “Easy A” for many years.”
6. “What many people don’t know is that learning to play an instrument enhances the brains mathematical and logical abilities. Many studies have been done on this matter, but a convincing argument can be made by simply counting the number of band students in advances or honors classes. Conversely how many of the AP or IB math students are in the band?”
7. “This program has caused me to make decisions for my future that will benefit me for years to come. Not only will band make your high school experience even more exciting, but it will give you a strong sense of belonging, one that would not be attainable through any other program, club or class available at Sumner. “
Quotes from graduating seniors of the SHS Band Program
(Cont’d)
8. “Band is the most fun thing you will ever do throughout school. It is not a class, it is a second home. Your fellow band mates will become your brothers and sisters.”
9. “One of the most important aspects of band is that once you become a member, it’s as if you have instantly made over one hundred friends. Band is literally like a family. We look out for one another.”
10. “By playing in Jazz Ensemble, a musician’s ability and confidence increases faster than somebody who just plays in marching band. In Jazz Ensemble, an instrumentalist, most of the time, is the only person playing their part, so they have to play each song correctly and make sure that it is heard. In marching band, there are always multiple players to each part, so not everybody has to play the music that is provided. This single aspect increases a musician’s ability faster and gives the player more confidence in playing their instrument.”
11. “The members of the Jazz Ensemble are the best in the band because they care the most about the band, they practice the most, and they get the most music. Mr. Carl chooses pieces, not on what we can play, but what we will be able to play. It is Mr. Carl’s job to help his students become better musicians, and he chooses the music based on that goal.”
12. “When the Jazz Ensemble travels we go in style. The band stays in a hotel with usually something like a mall within walking distance. My favorite part is the trust Mr. Carl gives us. He lays down the rules, meeting times, and expectations, and then lets us loose to go have fun as a band. It is a good feeling to know that Mr. Carl trusts us to make good decisions and represent our school and town positively.”
10. Overnight Trips
“An overnight band trip?! Yikes!”
“Overnight band trips.” Or better yet…..“Overnight COED band trips”. It’s enough to give a parent nightmares! Our best advice to you is this: “Don’t worry.” Mr. Carl has been supervising these types of trips for over 20 years.
The sleeping arrangements are typically this: imagine a huge room – like a gymnasium in a high school. Boys on one side of the room, girls on the other. Chaperones line down the middle. There is rarely an issue, other than it takes some time for it to get quiet enough to go to sleep.
Parent chaperones are always welcome on these trips (and needed). It’s a fun time to hang out with other band parents and enjoy a HUGE slumber party of 100+ kids!
- ‘Top Ten’ Hints to Save You Time & Grief
- Save as a “Favorite” and check it often. The website is a good place to look for schedule changes and updates.
- Make your student responsible for being prepared. The first time they forget something will hopefully be the last! They learn to be resourceful when they have to be.
- Network – This is how we meet each other. It is also one of the best ways to get helpful hints on band parenting from others. At booster meetings, at events, after concerts – get to know other band parents. We’re all in this together!
- Carpool to rehearsals & events. If you find yourself following the same car to and from the high school band room, arrange for your students to share rides. Other parents are usually grateful for the chance to save time and gas by carpooling.
- Be prepared to cheer! The band loves it when they have their own cheering section. There is a group of band parents (current & former) that sit near the band during home football games. Join us - it’s fun!!
- Don’t put uniform items away in the closet or drawers when cleaned. Keep all items (socks, shoes, band shirt, deodorant, etc.) in the garment bag. Your student will save time spent hunting for them each time they are needed.
- Pack a bag with snacks and a water bottle for band trips. Even if you are sending lunch/dinner money for a trip, your student will be happier if there are snacks and a drink to tide them over until the meal stop.
- Band uniforms are to be kept clean, hung up and stored in the garment bag when not in use. Uniforms are dryclean only! Take them to Quality Cleaners in downtown Sumner – they have experience cleaning the band uniforms. The cost is approx. $10.
- Be patient! When picking up your student from a band event (concert, field show competition, parade) there is always clean up afterwards – putting away music, instruments, stands, etc. This can take anywhere from 10-15 minutes.
One Last Word…
We know you are probably feeling very overwhelmed right about now – this is natural and normal. Things will become ‘routine’ and easier as the year goes on. Your student may be feeling overwhelmed as well. It is very important that you support your student and let them know that everything will be okay. The benefits of being a member of the band will be well worth the craziness of the first few months.
We look forward to you being a SHS Band Parent! Welcome!