There are many opportunities for you to get involved with the band program. Just offer to join or help out with one of our committees!
Click here to see all band program committee Contacts.
Chaperones are required for all band activities taking place off campus or after normal school hours. To work as a chaperone, you must sign up with the Chaperone Coordinator and then register through the Band Director. Depending upon what duties you are signing up for, the WCPSS will perform a varying level of background check. See the Chaperone page for more information about working as a chaperone.
The Fundraising Committee coordinates all activities that help raise money for the band program. See the Fundraising page for more information.
Sewing skills are needed to support several aspects of the band program.
Flags
All of the beautiful flags used by the Colorguard and Winterguard are hand stitched. Sewing committee members perform the following tasks to make flags:
- Meet with flag designer to learn fastest method for flag construction.
- Order necessary fabric, upon flag designer request.
- Cut out flag patterns. (The flag designer will teach us how to do this.)
- Begin sewing flags in August, to support Marching Band season.
- Set deadlines for completion of each flag with Colorguard instructor.
- Continue to work on flag construction and repair through the Winterguard season.
Measuring
The band program maintains a stock of Marching Band uniforms that must be fitted to each student. Measuring the students is the first step of this process. Colorguard and Winterguard members must also be measured to allow their uniforms to be constructed. Sewing committee members perform the following measuring tasks:
- Size each Colorguard and Winterguard member for their uniform (these will be ordered).
- Measure and fit each member of the Marching Band for uniforms during the first week of band camp.
- Maintain a spreadsheet of the uniform number assignments for each band member and provide the Band Director with a copy.
Alterations
Sewing committee members will make minor adjustments to Marching Band uniforms and Colorguard/Winterguard uniforms to maintain proper fit.
The two-week band camp that is held at the end of summer is a major event in the band year, requiring huge amounts of planning and parental support. The major effort of volunteers is concentrated into the following three areas:
Staff
A tremendous effort is required by the staff that works with the students to hone their skills during band camp. Volunteers act to make the staff's job easier whenever possible.
- Make arrangements for meals for each staff member (using parent volunteers).
- Week 1 - provide dinner and sleeping arrangements (if needed) for staff.
- Volunteers may be asked to provide housing (Band Director will advise of need and requirements).
- Volunteers to bring in lunch for the staff at the school.
- Volunteers to provide a location and dinner for the entire staff (typically 7 or 8 people) each evening. This is typically at a volunteers home where staff can eat, relax, and plan activities for the next day.
- Week 2 - bring in lunch and dinner for the staff at the school (typically 5 people).
- Keep bottled water for staff members during breaks near the drum major podium.
Students
Students work very hard during band camp. Volunteers are needed to make the student experience as pleasant and easy as possible.
- Make sure that water, cups, and ice are available to students at all times.
- Provide extra food for students that forget to bring their lunch (typically a number of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches).
- Make dinner arrangements for students Week 2. Stocking coolers with necessary items.
- Make sure that lunch is provided to students (brought by students or dropped off by family member) for Weeks 1 and 2.
- Create a list for each student grade level of supply items that they need to bring:
- Paper products, chips, fruit, etc.
- Afternoon snacks for Week 2.
- Contact every family with information about items that their child needs to provide.
Preview Show
At the end of band camp, a preview show is performed for the parents so that they can see all that their children have accomplished in the past two weeks. This is an exciting event and the first performance of the Marching Band show for a large group of people. The preview show is followed by a potluck dinner in the band room for parents and students.
- Arrange and coordinate potluck dinner. Each grade level is assigned different items to provide (salad, entree, dessert).
- Create itinerary for evening meeting to follow dinner.
- Create a back-up plan in case it rain.
- Contact all families involved with information about the show and dinner. We strive for 100% attendance at both events!
Members of the Instrument Repair Committee perform repair and maintenance tasks on school-owned instruments that do not require the services of a professional instrument repair technician. All work is done under direction of the Band Director. Members of this committee also maintain trailers used to transport band equipment and other items.
Members of the Props Committee design, build, and maintain the props used to increase the visual effect of Marching Band and Winterguard performances.
Members of the End of Year Committee plan and coordinate activities that take place at the end of the school year. This includes:
- Band picnic
- Plaques for graduating seniors
- Awards
Members of the Scholarship Committee shall secure funding for internal and external scholarships and work with the Band Director and school administration to determine how these scholarships shall be dispersed. Sources of scholarship funds can include:
- Community support
- Alumni
- Fundraising
- Donation of leftover funds from band accounts of graduating seniors.
The Communications and Publicity Committee shall attempt to maximize local media coverage to keep the band program as a center of attention. Consider use of journalism students at the school to produce media materials as part of an internship program.
The General Committee performs all tasks that do not fall under the charter of any other specific committee.