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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How can I stay informed of band-related activities and
last-minute changes?
A: The web site is updated frequently, but to be sure you receive all the essential information, especially late-breaking news, you should subscribe to the band listserv.
Q: What is the "pit crew"? What is ISSMA?
What are guantlets? What is the Auxilliary?
A: A glossary of band terms that answers
these and many more "what is" questions is given on the info page.
Q: I've got some cool digital North band pictures. Do you want them?
A: Yes!
We're especially interested in recent pictures of the concert and jazz
bands in action as well as pictures for the upcoming marching band season,
to display on the home page or multimedia page.
Please send your pictures or a link to where they can be found to
the band webmaster.
Q: Are family and friends invited to attend marching band contents?
A: Not only invited, but strongly encouraged.
Many marching-band families attend every contest, and almost everyone
attends at least one.
The more the merrier, since a strong cheering section can energize the
band and lead to a stronger showing.
Q: I want to attend a marching band contest and watch my
student perform. When does it start and how do I get there?
A: Itineraries and maps to contest sites are made available each week
prior to a band contest, usually by Thursday.
A link usually appears on the home page and on the entry for the contest date in the schedule page.
Q: How do Football Friday's work?
A: On game days, the students practice after school, get their own dinner
(older students often give younger ones rides to Subway or somewhere else)
or they can pack their own dinner, then get ready for the game.
For the first couple of weeks, getting ready means just warming up
and practicing.
For later games, it involves putting uniforms on as well.
For the earlier games, the students wear their official band contest
t-shirts (which they usually get the night of the parent pitch-in).
The band plays the National Anthem on the field around 6:45pm, then moves
to the stands where they play during timeouts and after North scores.
They leave the stands to line-up for the halftime show about 15 minutes
before halftime.
The drum line warms up, the pit crew gets stuff ready to roll, etc.
Once half time starts, the band marches on the field and begins their
show, which is the same show they present at contests.
After half time, the band or parts of it usually sheds their uniforms,
then part of the band (it varies by week) often returns to the stands
for the fourth-quarter, again to play during timeouts and after North
scores.
Band parents traditionally sit together, wear maroon shirts, and cheer
and clap and make lots of noise when the students come on and off the field
and at certain points during the show.
Q: How do I get spirit items, shirts, jackets, etc.?
A: Spirit items are offered for sale at various band functions, including
the annual pitch-in and parent display at the end of band camp or
mini-camp.
Order forms are sometimes linked from the Band Supporters page. You may also contact the Merchandise & Spirit chairman listed on
the Band Boosters page.
Q: Where do I send marching band payments?
A: Send them to Thomas Wilson; Band Department; BHS North; 3901 North Kinser Pike; Bloomington, IN 47404.
You may also be able to make payments directly from your student band
account by contacting the treasurer (listed on the Band Boosters page), if your account has
enough money.
Q: What is band camp? What are the rehearsals the week before?
A: Band camp is an intensive week of marching-band rehearsals.
Rehearsals typically run from 9am to 9:30pm, with breaks for lunch and
dinner.
Dinner's are served by parent volunteers, but the students are on their
own for lunch.
Students can bring lunch or go out.
Older students often give rides to younger students to one of the local
fast-food restaurants.
Each student should be sure to bring lots of water---1/2 gallon
minimum---and sunscreen, as well as comfortable shoes.
Sunglasses, hats, and an extra shirt are good to have as well.
Marching-band rehearals usually start the week before band camp,
with afternoon sessions for freshmen and other new marchers
(along with section leaders) and evening sessions for the
full band.
The color guard and percussion section begin practicing even
earlier---often actually before school lets out in the Spring semester.
For more accurate and detailed information about this year's rehearsal
schedule, check the schedule page.
Q: What is a student band account?
A: A student band account is an account kept on a student's behalf by
the treasurer of the band boosters.
A portion of the proceeds from some fund-raising activities that the
student participates in is placed into the student's account.
You can use the band account to pay for fees, trips, and certain
other items.
Q: What are some ways I can earn money for my band account?
A: You can purchase grocery certificates from Marsh, Kroger, or Bloomingfoods.
$5 of every $100 is deposited in your account.
A sign up form is available on the Band Supporters page. You can also participate in selling ads for the souvenir yearbook
each spring.
There are often other opportunities during the year; ask your band
director.
Q: As a parent, how can I become more involved with the band program?
A: Many opportunities to be involved present themselves throughout the
year, including simply attending band concerts and contests.
The best way to get involved, however, is to volunteer either for
the band boosters board or with various events, e.g., chaperoning a band
trip, staffing a concession stand at a football or basketball game, or
helping out with the ISSMA contests often held at North.
Contact the volunteer coordinator and/or boosters board president
(listed on the Band Boosters page) if you think
you might like to volunteer.
Q: How do I join the band boosters?
A: If you have a child in the band program, you're already a member.
Parents and guardians are asked to support the organization with a small
annual dues payment each fall and by volunteering whenever possible.
In addition to helping to enrich your child's experience,
volunteering is a great way to meet other band parents.
Many close friendships have started in the concession stand, while
chaperoning, in the pit crew, etc.
Q: How does the boosters organization support the bands?
A: The band boosters organization provides both financial and volunteer
support to the bands.
Money raised by the boosters helps to fund purchases of large instruments,
uniforms, tuxedos, music, and various other expenses.
In addition to fund-raising efforts, booster volunteers help organize,
run, and chaperone band events, from local ISSMA contests, to trips
across the state, to the occasional trips across the country or
overseas.
Q: How are boosters board members elected?
A: They aren't elected, they volunteer (or are volunteered)!
If you would like to join the board, inform the board president,
listed on the Band Boosters page.
There's probably an open position right now, and if not,
one can probably be created.
Q: Help! What do I wear for tonight's concert?
A: See the "concert attire" section of the info page.
Q: Where can I find private lesson teachers?
A: See the "private lessons" section of the info page.
Q: What does it take to earn a band letter?
A: See the "band letters" section of the info page.
Q: How do I find answers to questions not listed here?
A: You may find your answer on the info page or one
of the other pages on this site.
If not, please send your question to
the band webmaster and we'll try to find the answer for you.
Q: I know something you don't know (or aren't saying). How do I submit a FAQ entry?
A: Please send your question and answer to
the band webmaster,
and we'll add a new entry.
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