Welcome to the Reading Memorial High School Marching Rockets! One of the most exciting experiences in which you can be a part! I am thrilled to be your Band Director and can’t wait to work with each of you! If you are a new student, or entering your senior year, I hope that you (students and parents!) will be involved in one of the most active organizations at Reading...the Reading Memorial High Marching Band!

I’m sure that you have many questions about the Band program. For returning students, I will work tirelessly to ensure that you have your best year in band yet! For new students, I will strive to make your transition to the high school Band experience as easy as possible. Please take a few minutes to look at the following important items as a starting point for your participation in the Reading Memorial High School Marching Band. Normally by now we would have a full schedule of the season in this packet, however because of Covid-19 some events are up in the air. We will get a full schedule out to you soon.

Now, more than ever, we have information to justify why we participate in this demanding, yet rewarding, activity. Experts have concluded that the study of music helps with spatial reasoning, test taking, and overall quality of life! Factor in social skills, emotional development, leadership training, group interaction, aesthetic perception, music-making, and the discipline of being in a band program, and I can't understand why anyone would not want to be involved. The ultimate goal is a lifelong understanding and appreciation for high-quality music and music-making.

M�. M���ig��

Welcome to the RMHS Marching Band!

New students will be fitted for uniforms during the week of band camp. A garment bag (any garment bag will do) should be purchased to keep the uniform clean. Clothing under the uniform changes with the weather- from shorts and t-shirts to sweats and hand/foot warmers. As long as the clothing under the uniform is not visible or restrict movement during the performances, it should be fine to wear.

Additional items needed: gloves- can be purchased from the uniform committee for $5.00 pair. shoes- sold at National Music store (394 Main St. Woburn) approximately $30-$40 There is a limited selection of shoes that have been donated by previous students that can be used.

For color guard: uniforms are determined by the color guard coach and Mr. Mulligan to add a visual element to the show. They will also need gloves, shoes, and undergarments- to be determined by the uniform. A color guard team jacket can be ordered during the week of band camp.

Uniforms

FundraisingWe are in the process of finalizing our fundraisers for the year. Fundraising that supports the band programs as a whole.

Ongoing fundraisers that benefits the band program are:

Catalog Sale (Yankee Candle or TBA) details will be announced in August.

Mattress Sale! Sept. Mattress showroom is set up in Coolidge school.

Trivia Night - Adult fun for everyone - January

Princess Tea Party - For our smallest guests our very own Band/Guard Princesses will entertain the crowd.

Home Show - The proceeds from the food sold and from the ad book generate a large portion of our annual funds.

Band Fees

Have an idea to raise money?We would loveto hear it.

$$

Why is there a marching band fee?The User fee is paid through the Athletics Office and is required for all students. RPS will send notice when the fee is due. This fee is charged for many RMHS extracurricular activities. It covers some of the costs of the music arrangement and drill, bussing, equipment transportation, uniforms, membership/entrance fees, equipment, and rehearsal space.

Why do we still have fundraisers?Fundraising is needed to cover the cost of staff members for fall and winter seasons, annual scholarships, and fun events- pizza, ice cream, pasta parties, breakfasts. The BPO also needs to carry liability insurance, a PO Box, and file taxes annually. Staff members are the “extra” personnel assisting the students in specific areas- percussion, woodwind, brass, visual technique, and color guard. The BPO also funds staff members for the winter groups- jazz band, stage band, percussion ensemble and winter guard.The BPO awards scholarships to several graduating seniors every year.

Forms Prior to attending any rehearsals, students must be: registered on FamilyID, parents and students must complete a concussion course and a pre-participation head injury form, and submit a physical exam to the Athletics & Student Activities Dept. The FamilyID forms can be found on Plus Portals.

Parents are also required to sign a liability form before volunteering for the band, and must have an update CORI form on file.

As a member, we ask that you give time & help. The band needs you. Your kids need you! Your kids commitment to the band is a great one, when you volunteer to help with the band you see that commitment in action. Parent involvment makes for a successful band program and you may be surprised at the positive effects it will have on you!

We know you’re busy - we’re busy too. Choose your level of volunteerism - be on the board, or assist a board member or just sign up to run with the pit crew. All levels are needed, below you will see a list for open co-positions to shadow the board members. All of these positions come with a “how to” and in this case a partner. Please email for full descriptions.

Keep in mind that nobody is flying blind in the board positions, we are all here to help each other and guide through the process. For competition, parade and game volunteering a Sly Reply sign up sheet will be set up electronically for easy sign ups. You will get an email prior to each event and you can open the link and click on your desired task.

Check out our website www.tinyurl.com/rmhsbpo

Join our facebook groupRMHS Band Parents Organization to keep up to date

Questions? email rmhsbpo@gmail.com

Email rmhsbpo@gmail.comOr email a parent mentor directly

with any questionRosemary Murphy - rosemurphy1@verizon.netLauren Bennett - laurenbennett3@verizon.net

Sue Brown - Coffeychick@yahoo.comAnne Joyce - najoyce30@comcast.net

Posting a question to our facebook group willalso get you a quick response.

RMHS Band Parents Organization

You are a member of theRMHS Band Parent Organization (BPO)!

Co - PresidentCo - Vice President

Open Board Positions

Congratulations!

BPO Meetings: typically the 2nd or 3rd Monday of each

month. Stop in to stay up to date.

Most of your first year questionswill be answered in this guide but pleasefeel free to reach out to a parent mentor

with any other questions.

Questions?

Mr. Mulligans website (calendar, sheetmusic and student sign ups)

rmhsmarchingband.weebly.com

Shutterfly site - dump your pictures here!https://rmhsmarchingband.shutterfly.com

Reading

R

O C KETS

MARCHING BAND GUIDE

The BandBand Directors – Joe Mulligan is our director he is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the band program, including hiring and supervising extra staff & consultants, managing bpo, and educating our children!

Color Guard Coach - Natalie Juliano

Band Staff– You will also regularly see other adults rehearsing the band. The extra staff is hired by the district at the discretion of the director. They are technique and section specialists - weapons (color guard), visual, woodwind, brass, battery percussion and front ensemble.

Drum Major and Assistant Drum Major - Once “rookies” just like your kids, they are now upper-classmen and conduct the band during marching season. Although they are junior directors, they are still students and do not make decisions for the program as an extension of directors.

Student Officers - President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer manage student communication, band wide social events, and fundraising.

Section Leaders - One student for each section: Woodwinds, High Brass, Low Brass, Battery Percussion, Front Ensemble and Color Guard. They also help with communication and section social events.

There are many elements to a successful band, here is an organizational list to help you see how all the parts fit together:

Check out our website www.tinyurl.com/rmhsbpo

Give your child support & encouragement for being in band! Tell him/her how proud you are of what they

are learning and how they are changing as part of the band!

Making sure students are “where they need to be.” Follow the schedule closely to make sure your student

attends all rehearsals and performances.

Come to the BPO Meetings! Meetings will be scheduled as seen needed by the director and BPO. You’ll

always walk away with information your kids forgot to tell you.

Get out of the car and talk to other parents, we all have at least one thing in common.

Attend football games and competitions to cheer for them! The band ALWAYS performs better with a large

cheering block behind them.

Wear Red & Black - time to break down and wear that Reading apparel and show your support!

Volunteer to help. After all, you’re coming to the game/competition anyway!

Join our Field/Pit Crew for performances. Not everything is heavy, and much of it is on wheels. It’s an

easy way to volunteer with minimal committment and you get a free ride to the event and get in for free!

Not able to attend? Lend a quick hand at the school when you drop-off & pick-up your child.

Help with Fundraisers! The more hands, the easier the work! Or suggest a fundraiser - we need fresh ideas.

Take pictures and upload them to our Shutterfly Site https://rmhsmarchingband.shutterfly.com

You Are More Talented Than You Realize! Please share your talents with us!

Easy Ways For

a “Rookie”

Parent to Help

the Band

Program

Show Support

Wear Band

Apparel. Click

the link on our

websitewww.tinyurl.com/rmhsbpo

Great for underthe uniform -comes inblack too!

At Football GamesThe band & guard only performs at home football games. Students will report to the band room prior to the start of the game by a designated call time. During the game, they sit in a designated section of the home stands. Parents and friends are not allowed to sit within the band, but are welcome to sit nearby.

The band plays their field show as halftime entertainment. The band then goes into the stands and are expected to stay for the entire game. Students are not allowed to leave from football games until formal dismissal, unless other arrangements have been approved in writing by the director prior to the game. The MB is "off" 3rd quarter, this is the chance for them to buy something at the snack shack you may want to give your son/daughter money before the game.

The band performs at the Thanksgiving Day football game, whether it is at home or in Stoneham. The night before is "Drill Down" and a run through of the performance in the Field House. Parents are invited to watch- it is something to see!

ParadesParades help raise money for the band & guard. Students report to the High School for rehearsal and equipment loading. They are transported by bus to the town hosting the parade and “step off” at the designated time. We look for volunteers to walk the parade with the kids to pass out water and to make sure that they don’t encounter any issues in the road. Volunteers are needed as bus chaperones as well. On Parade day it is usually a good idea for your child to pack a lunch for the bus, it tends to be a long day and there is usually no opportunity to buy food. Feel free to attend the parade! Take pictures anywhere on the route.

At CompetitionsMarching band/color guard competitions are like track meets or softball tournaments where many different schools compete/perform. For the band, competitions are their “game days.” Band competitions are hosted by another school’s band program and take place in their football stadium. Bands that perform are critiqued and ranked in different areas of marching band performance by qualified judges.

Please come to as many competitions as possible! The band needs your support as a cheering section in the stands! We also need help chaperoning, moving equipment, and making sure water is readily available. An email will be sent out with a link to Sly reply- you are able to click on the link to volunteer for each competition NESBA establishes the admission fee for the hosting schools. During the regular season, it is $10/adult and $8 for students/seniors. The marching band students, staff and a limited number of chaperones do not pay the admission fee. There are also concessions available.

Competition are typically on Saturdays and occasionally on Sunday. Our performance time is set by NESBA; our band performs at different times each week. The performances schedules pretty much run on time so you can time it perfectly to see the band. If you arrive after the start of the competition you can only enter the stands between bands playing so as not to interrupt performances. Take photos please, we have a shutterfly share site and welcome your downloads.

On competition days — Students report to the High School for rehearsal and equipment loading. They are transported by bus to the competition. Students are expected to remain with the band throughout the entire competition. Extenuating circumstances and other arrangements by parents need to be approved by Mr. Mulligan.

At the competition — Band members change into their uniform and a have final warm-up. The band marches into the performance stadium, plays their show, and marches out. After the performance, uniforms, instruments, and equipment have been packed up, most kids change out of their uniforms into casual, weather appropriate clothing. Students then return to the host stadium to watch the remainder of the bands performing. At the end of the competition, an awards ceremony is held. Once awards are given, students return to their buses and travel back to RMHS. Back at the band room, students are formally dismissed as a group once everything is unloaded.

Band members should have money to purchase lunch/dinner during competition days, which can last as long as 10 hours. Again, sunscreen and insect repellent are good items to have on hand. Also, students should be prepared for different weather conditions. Be sure to pack a jacket for the cooler weather after the sun goes down!

Where does the band perform?

Competition Saturdays - What does that look like for the parent?The kids will typically practice in the am from 7:45 to noon then board a bus and head over to the competition. Each band is given a scheduled time to play and the time is precise (15 mins each). The bands are broken up in divisions. If you would like to see the band you can drive over for the RMHS designated time and just enjoy the Reading band or sit for the whole division (3) to see their direct competition. You are welcome to stay and watch the remaining bands as well to see the awards ceremony. After the awards the students will get back on the bus and return to RMHS to unload and to be picked up by a parent.

The New England Scholastic Band Association was originally founded by a small group of High School Band Directors in early 1977 for the purpose of providing a competitive outlet for high school color guards during the winter months. NESBA, then turned its attention to standardizing and coordinating the rules and procedures for marching band competitions.

About NESBA (band competitions)

Check out www.nesba.org for competition listings and performance times.

Attending the Competition

This is a great opportunity to see other bands perform and support their hard work. There are some very talentedmarching bands in our area and it can be a real treat to see them all perform. If you don’t care about seating, your otheroption is to arrive late at the show just to watch Reading.

Marching band fan etiquette

1. Please do not enter or exit the stands while a band is performing. If you need to enter or exit, do so while the band is setting up their equipment or exiting the field.

2. Show your support by applauding and cheering all the students, regardless of school. All of the students have worked hard and are excited to perform for an audience that appreciates what they do. Please refrain from making any disparaging remarks about other schools, students, or performances. (This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how even the most well intentioned people can get caught up in the heat of competition and make hurtful remarks!)

3. Noisemakers (ex. Cow bells, shakers) are fine before and after a performance, but please do not use them during the performance. They may distract the performers and could even affect a band’s score if the judge is unable to hear the music. Please NO AIRHORNS at any time. Cheering and applause are fine during a performance and may be especially appropriate after a solo or when the band achieves a particularly striking effect.  

4. Please do not talk during performances. Turn cell phones to a silent setting. You would be upset if you missed your child’s performance because the people sitting nearby were chatting, answering cell phones or otherwise making noise. Please be respectful of others’ desire to see their child perform. Hopefully they will be respectful of you too!

5. Keep in mind that marching band is about putting forth your best performance. It is not about beating another band, winning a trophy or getting a certain score. It’s ok to be excited if the band improves their score or wins a certain award; but ultimately we hope the students feel a sense of accomplishment that comes from the heart, not from a trophy.

Don’t worry too much about finding your child after the performance. They usually have an uncanny ability to find you when they need money for the concession stand! Most likely they will all sit together and watch the remainder of the show, then they get back on the bus to RMHS.

What are the judges looking for exactly?

They are looking for all sorts of things! Here’s a summary of what the judges in different categories are looking for:

Musically• Is it in tune all the time?•Are individuals playing their parts or faking it?• Are they playing in the correct style with correct technique?• Are the notes articulated correctly?• Dynamics are the changes in loud and soft appropriate and played with control?• Are rhythms played accurately?• Is the timing right? Are the parts lined up together?• Is it played musically and with expression?• Balance Can you hear all the instruments in balance or are a few sticking out? Is one section overpowering the others?• Is there a variety of styles, sounds & dynamic contrasts or is does everything sound the same?• Do they play with confidence, intensity and showmanship?• Does the music coordinate well with the visual?• Does the band have the stamina to perform all the music perfectly all the way through the show?

Visually• Are they marching in step? (All the left feet move together, etc.)• Do they have good posture?• Are they using the same marching technique? They should be “walking” the same way, with toes pointedupwards and feet striking the ground at the same angle.• Do they use a variety of step sizes? Do they march at a variety of tempos?• How clean is the drill? Are they locking into recognizable lines and forms or do they never quite get there?• When they are moving at high speeds are they able to maintain strong posture & technique?• Do they move with confidence and control?• Does the visual design enhance the music? Does it create a variety of emotions and evoke a reaction from the audience?• Do the drill, guard work and music fit together?• Is the show imaginative?• Does the guard use a variety of equipment, techniques and styles?• Do the flags and costumes fit the theme and add to the visual effect?• Does the guard show uniform technique? Are they spinning together?• Are the performers focused? Do they maintain intensity and stay “in character” the whole time?

Bedford High School Marching Band Division 1 3:00 PM

Billerica HS Marching Band Division 1 3:15 PM

Joseph Case Cardinals Marching Band Division 1 3:30 PM

Framingham Flyer Marching Band Division 2 3:45 PM

Andover Golden Warrior Marching Band Division 2 4:00 PM

Somerset-Berkley Regional Blue Raider Marching Band Division 2 4:15 PM

Medford Mustang Marching Band Division 3 5:10 PM

New Bedford Whaler Marching Band Division 3 5:25 PM

Shepherd Hill Regional Marching Band Division 3 5:40 PM

Norwood High School Marching Band Division 3 5:55 PM

Melrose Red Raiders Marching Band Division 3 6:10 PM

Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans Division 3 6:25 PM

Cranston East Thunderbolt Marching Band Division 3 6:40 PM

Reading Rockets Marching Band Division 3 6:55 PM

Plymouth HS Marching Band Division 4 7:25 PM

Everett Crimson Tide Marching Band Division 4 7:40 PM

North Andover Scarlet Knight Marching Band Division 5 7:55 PM

Methuen Ranger Marching Band Division 5 8:10 PM

Salem Blue Devil Marching Band Division 5 8:25 PM

Wakefield Warrior Marching Band Division 5 8:40 PM

END 9:15 PM

NESBA Marching Band Performances

BAND DIVISION TIME

AWARDS First Half 4:30 PM

Our Home ShowWhat should you expect when Reading hosts the band competition? Put on your red and black! This is our largest band fundraiser and a huge effort that required many volunteers. It is our only event that at least one adult from each family MUST VOLUNTEER. The students will also have their own volunteer positions. We create an ad book, sell raffles and sell food in the snack shack. This is a full day event (see a competition sample schedule below) and an exciting time for the our band It’s a great opportunity for you to share the day with the kids. As we get closer to our Home Show we will give you more details for volunteer positions.

Pre-band Camp - August 10 - 14 4:45pm to 9:00pm (pre-camp evening hours only) - Students are expected to attend the whole week of preband camp. We fully understand summer is for vacationing please speak to Mr. Mulligan if there is a conflict during Pre-band week.

Do students have to attend all of band camp?August 17 to 21, 2020 – Marching Band Camp at RMHS. Block off the summer calendar!7:45 to noon (home for break) 4:45 to 9

Yes. Students must attend ALL of band camp. This is a group activity which requires everyone’s participation. Unlike athletic teams, there are no substitute players. If students miss a rehearsal or performance, there is no one to cover their parts. The majority of music and drill are learned during band camp. If students miss band camp, they create more work for themselves, staff members and other students, in order to help them learn the material they missed. The calendar for band camp is published well in advance to allow families to arrange their summer plans around it. If there is an unavoidable conflict, please speak to Mr. Mulligan ASAP. It is a long week and it your child may require extra support and encouragement to power through. After your child has experienced his/her first competition all their hard work will make sense and to them and you.

What should my student bring to band camp?Students have a morning practice from 7:45 to noon. There is a break from noon to 4:45, and an evening practice from 4:45 to 9. Practice begins promptly, students and equipment should be in place and ready to go right at the start. The first 15 minutes of each rehearsal is for stretch block. Friday's practice is from 7:45 to noon, then students report back at 3 pm for a barbecue. Friday BBQ for allParents, siblings, grandparents, etc are invited to a cookout and a run-through of the performance at 5 pm. Students should bring: their instrument, water, towel, sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, sunglasses, and a dot book. Students should wear comfortable clothing: sneakers, t shirts, shorts, sweats. *Note: there is a nominal fee for the BBQ, an invitation will go home with your child as we get closer.

Once school begins, weekly sectional rehearsals are held Monday evening from 5:30 to 9:00 and whole band is Wednesday evening 5:45 to 9:00 and before each performance (football game, competition, or parade). Rain or severe weather does NOT cancel band rehearsals or performances. Students should be prepared to perform in inclement weather. An additional rehearsal on November 22nd is a special night for the band program as many of the alumni visit and participate in a “drill down” with current students. A drill down is a contest of how well students follow verbal instructions (ie. right face, horns ups, etc.)

Band Camp and Pre Camp

Rehearsals

Students mustbe on time forall rehearsals -“on time” inband languagemeans early.

Sample competition schedule

Check out our website www.tinyurl.com/rmhsbpoJoin our facebook groupRMHS Band Parents Organization to keep up to date

Questions? email rmhsbpo@gmail.com

Mr. Mulligans website (calendar, sheetmusic and student sign ups)

rmhsmarchingband.weebly.com