Page current for 2023-24 Season as of May 28, 2023
Welcome to the Quaker Valley High School Marching Band! This page is your beginner’s how-to guide to get you started with important information about dates/calendar commitments, forms, and purchases necessary for camp, as well as the TO-DO list for all members.
WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST?
1. Get all of the Marching Band dates on your calendar. Click on the “Calendar” tab, where you can subscribe to the calendar on your electronic devices, or view it on the website. The marching band year runs from July-July.
2. Read the handbook. Click here to download the handbook, or hover over the “Marching Band” tab, then select “Marching Band Handbook” from the pull-down menu to read it on the website. There’s a lot there to digest, but the handbook is your go-to source for most questions related to the Marching Band and contains all of our policies and procedures. Students and parents/guardians should thoroughly read the handbook together so they understand what is expected of them as members and parents/guardians of members of the organization.
3. Read about band camp. Click here! Band Camp is the largest single chunk of work Marching Band students will undertake for the entire year, but is also one of the first things new members will participate in. New members can be overwhelmed by this–it is important for new members to learn specifically about band camp so that they have realistic expectations for their entry into our organization.
4. Fill out your forms. All forms for all members may be found on the Document Downloads page here. If you’re committed, fill out the Preferred Contact Information and Contract here and this year’s medical form here: QVMB Med Form 23-24.
5. Purchase marching shoes and gloves if you do not already have them. DO THIS NOW so that you are prepared later! All instrumentalists are encouraged to consider purchasing earplugs for indoor rehearsal. Earplugs are MANDATORY for drumline members.
SHOES: All members of the Marching Band and Guard need marching shoes.
Instrumentalists: Purchase these shoes (Drillmasters) in black and in your size.Colorguard: Purchase these shoes (Prowlers) in black and in your size.
GLOVES: All members of the Marching Band and Guard need marching gloves EXCEPT PERCUSSION. (It is encouraged that you order multiple pairs to have extras–they are cheap and it is convenient to have extra gloves on hand…pun intended!).
ALL Instrumentalists EXCEPT PERCUSSION: Purchase these gloves (Long Wrist Sure Grip) in black and in your size. CLARINETS MUST cut off the tips of the fingers of the gloves. FLUTE/PICCOLO may or may not do this depending upon personal preference. It’s a good idea to purchase extra gloves–they’re cheap and get lost, wet and/or dirty easily.
Colorguard members: Purchase these gloves (Deluxe Sure Grip Gloves) in black and in your size. As with the instrumentalists, it may be a good idea to purchase extra gloves to have on hand.
EARPLUGS: Percussionists are required to have earplugs. Other instrumentalists are encouraged but not required. Guard does not need earplugs!
Cheapest option: The disposable foam earplugs commonly found in hardware stores work fine!
Better option: “Etymotic” silicone earplugs like these provide noise reduction and hearing protection while still allowing the music to sound relatively clear to the musician. Cheaper versions of this style of earplug are also sometimes found in hardware stores.
Best (non-custom) option: Higher quality etymotic silicone earplugs with filters like these or these are more of an investment, but provide the best experience for musicians where the musician perceives a reduction in volume with no reduction in clarity.Custom earplugs are available through an audiologist at considerable cost, and are most appropriate for professionals.
Students should order their shoes in gloves in time to have them for the week of band camp. Having shoes in time for band camp is an advantage as marching shoes are really good for…marching.
We link to the lowest price for these items we can find at the time of opening a new season’s registration. However, if you can find the same items elsewhere for a better price, please buy them there and let us know about it!
6. GET CONNECTED! Follow us on Twitter @QVHSBandOrch, on Instagram @pride_of_quaker_valley, sign up for text alerts by downloading the “Remind” app and signing up for “QVMB Reminders” @QVMB, check your e-mail and our the website often, and contact Mr. Neville with any questions at nevillec@qvsd.org. More info about how to get in the loop can be found here!
7. Read about our history. You should know about the six-decade legacy of musicianship, camaraderie and excellence that you are about to join.
I’VE DONE ALL OF THE ABOVE–WHAT’S NEXT?
What does the Marching Band actually do? Check out the event descriptions below:
EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
“BAND FRIDAYS”: This is the informal term given to Fridays during Marching Band season (which is the 9-10 weeks of the varsity football season plus any post season play). Students come to school in the morning with everything they need to perform for the football game that night. Immediately after school, the Marching Band practices until dinner, which is served by generous volunteer parents. After dinner, students change into uniform and head to the field or to the buses to attend the game. “Band Friday” encompasses both rehearsal and performance on Friday nights.
PRE-CAMP AND BAND CAMP: All rehearsals and events of the Marching Band are mandatory, but there are reasonable excusable absences throughout the year. In general, if it would excuse you from a day of school, it’ll excuse you from band. However, there are no excusable absences from Band Camp save for extreme illness or family emergency, and while there are excusable absences from pre-camp, students are asked to make every effort to prioritize attendance. Pre-Camp and Band Camp are very valuable—students strive to perfect and polish their marching routines and music, and also develop a sense of unity and teamwork. We do the bulk of the work we need to do for the entire season at Pre-Camp and Band Camp–we need you there!
OPENING DAY: The Marching Band performs for the first full service day for Quaker Valley School District employees. This is a short event that takes place first thing in the morning.
QUAKER NIGHT: A “meet the team” night for the varsity football team.
FESTIVALS: The Marching Band usually performs in 1-3 select local marching band festivals per season. Festivals are non-competitive exhibitions of local bands where students have the opportunity to view the various marching and music styles presented by other bands, as well as to present their own halftime show for an appreciative audience of marching band students and community spectators.
ELEMENTARY BAND TOUR: The Marching Band performs for students at Osborne and Edgeworth Elementary schools. This event takes place during the school day in the morning.
SENIOR NIGHT: The last varsity home football game of the season (or one of the last home games toward the end of the season). Band, Cheerleading and Football seniors and their parents/guardians are all individually recognized on this night.
HOMECOMING: Marching Band alumni who wish to participate with the band may join the in the stands for this game and are also encouraged to participate in the pre-game parade. Alumni who want to visit should do so during the third quarter of the game. During the day, the Marching Band performs pep rallies at each of the schools in QVSD.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND NIGHT: A home football game where music students in the middle school are invited to participate with the high school Marching Band.
HALLOWEEN PARADE: A local parade through Sewickley held Halloween weekend. Band members dress up in costume to parade through the town. Middle school band members sometimes join the High School Marching Band for this event.
SANTA PARADE: A local parade through Sewickley held in early December.
BAND BANQUET: A year-end celebration that recognizes the hard work and dedication of the year’s Marching Band members, as well as specially recognizing graduating seniors. Typically the Sunday after Prom weekend in May.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: A patriotic parade held on Memorial Day through Sewickley.
LEETSDALE JULY 4 PARADE: A patriotic parade held on July 4th through Leetsdale. Band alumni are invited to come back to perform and are strongly encouraged to participate for this event.