Posted: 7/7/2015 4:38:47 PM EDT
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parents,,,,going to my freshman sons 1st booster meeting in a few.
They asked we bring bottle water to donate for practices. I will be wearing a tshirt and shorts. Wont be carrying on school grounds. 
Anything else I should expect? |
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If it's anything like it was back in the mid 90's when I was packing a saxophone or a clarinet, there will be a lot of riffy heavy Sabbath tunes being played on brass and woodwind instruments during periods of downtime, punctuated by snare drums and those really big fucking drums some of the kids will be carrying on their chests and hitting with mallets.
Be ready for it. BTW, band nerds usually accept gracious and thoughtful gifts of gold, frankincense and weed. |
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The high school I graduated from (...when dinosaurs roamed the earth) had one of those bands that won every national championship they entered...and they referred to themselves as "Band Fags"
Some people move houses to get into a good high school football program. People actually moved here so their kids could be in our band. The kids even printed up t-shirts that said BAND FAG on it along with the school insignia and they wore them with Pride Of course, try to do that now and you'd end up on the national news... |
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Quoted: If it's anything like it was back in the mid 90's when I was packing a saxophone or a clarinet, there will be a lot of riffy heavy Sabbath tunes being played on brass and woodwind instruments during periods of downtime, punctuated by snare drums and those really big fucking drums some of the kids will be carrying on their chests and hitting with mallets. Be ready for it. BTW, band nerds usually accept gracious and thoughtful gifts of gold kegs of bud light, frankincense crates of condoms and weed. Quoted: If it's anything like it was back in the mid 90's when I was packing a saxophone or a clarinet, there will be a lot of riffy heavy Sabbath tunes being played on brass and woodwind instruments during periods of downtime, punctuated by snare drums and those really big fucking drums some of the kids will be carrying on their chests and hitting with mallets. Be ready for it. BTW, band nerds usually accept gracious and thoughtful gifts of gold kegs of bud light, frankincense crates of condoms and weed. Fixed it for you. Marching band was the most perverse and wild group I've ever been a part of. I miss those days.  |
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The high school I graduated from (...when dinosaurs roamed the earth) had one of those bands that won every national championship they entered...and they referred to themselves as "Band Fags" Some people move houses to get into a good high school football program. People actually moved here so their kids could be in our band. The kids even printed up t-shirts that said BAND FAG on it along with the school insignia and they wore them with Pride Of course, try to do that now and you'd end up on the national news... Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. |
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Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. Quoted:
Quoted:
The high school I graduated from (...when dinosaurs roamed the earth) had one of those bands that won every national championship they entered...and they referred to themselves as "Band Fags" Some people move houses to get into a good high school football program. People actually moved here so their kids could be in our band. The kids even printed up t-shirts that said BAND FAG on it along with the school insignia and they wore them with Pride Of course, try to do that now and you'd end up on the national news... Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. This experience is what I'm looking for. hopefully the other parents aren't uptight |
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My wife & I were both in band (me percussion, her sax) and wanted our daughters to be in band as well. My oldest plays percussion and will be a sophomore this year, my youngest plays sax (in fact my wife's old alto sax) in middle school. The district has a great band program and we are glad to be a part of it. It's not cheap though, I think we spend around $1000 each year for various fees.
We wanted to be active with the band boosters since we wanted to support our kids and the fact that the boosters always needs help so this year we volunteered to be VP of concessions. At home games the band boosters run the concessions stands for the first half and the athletic boosters the second half, and we split the proceeds with the athletic boosters. Worth ~$10k to the band boosters each year. As VP's it looks like we're basically going to have to open up and manage the concessions stands which means getting there around 3pm on home game days (JV games too). It will be a lot of work but it's fun IMO and worth it for my kids. My parents rarely ever went to see me perform and never volunteered for anything, I want my girls to know and see that I care. An just because I am proud of my daughter, here's last year's show. She is the #3 bass drum. I'm down on the sidelines as I was part of the pit crew (moving pit instruments on/off the field). 
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Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. Plenty of band programs around the country people would fight to get in . . . Clusters in Texas, Cobb Co., GA, and Greater Indianapolis produce the best consolidated amount of overall band talent as far as Bands of America is concerned. Couple of other schools spread around as well... Basically anywhere that has a Bands of America regional is about the center of a bunch of good programs which charge $1000+ a year to be in band and basically be a full-time job for the students. Band programs at that level usually have 5-6 different performing ensembles (or more) which means the band room is always full from when the school opens to when it closes. The band program I work for has Marching Band in the summer and fall, 3 concert ensembles in the fall/winter/spring, Winterguard during the winter and spring, Indoor drumline during the winter and spring, 2 jazz ensembles during the fall/winter/spring, Percussion ensemble during the fall/winter/spring, Pep Band during basketball season, and a steel drum band during the winter/spring. Summer is usually the slowest time and we start marching band in June for once a week rehearsals then a week of pre-camp in July followed by a week of "real" camp. Once school is in we rehearse 3 nights a week, perform at friday night football games, have 2-3 saturday rehearsals and then compete at band contests three times. I am but a small part of the staff during marching band but it really is a completely different world in band from the rest of school. |
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parents,,,,going to my freshman sons 1st booster meeting in a few. They asked we bring bottle water to donate for practices. I will be wearing a tshirt and shorts. Wont be carrying on school grounds.
Anything else I should expect? Don't expect trouble, I guess. |
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Don't expect trouble, I guess. Quoted:
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parents,,,,going to my freshman sons 1st booster meeting in a few. They asked we bring bottle water to donate for practices. I will be wearing a tshirt and shorts. Wont be carrying on school grounds.
Anything else I should expect? Don't expect trouble, I guess. I didnt. Mostly redneck school in S AL. All went well. The powers that be just talked about band camp coming up. And stuff to do at the games, concessions, ice water, etc. I saw my boy but of course he acted like he didnt know me, with his friends around. Of course I made it a big deal to go up and give him a big hug and say how happy I was and to love all over him, with his friends around. (I live about 100 miles from him so I dont get to see him much) |
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Tier 1 band nerd checking in: I did this carrying a 35 lbs Sousaphone <a href="http://s487.photobucket.com/user/oscardeuce/media/1EFAF7CE-8035-4A4D-B00A-B7E733388000_zpsmabryt6y.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr232/oscardeuce/1EFAF7CE-8035-4A4D-B00A-B7E733388000_zpsmabryt6y.jpg</a> Tier 1 is right. You're like band nerd royalty.
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Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. Quoted:
Quoted:
The high school I graduated from (...when dinosaurs roamed the earth) had one of those bands that won every national championship they entered...and they referred to themselves as "Band Fags" Some people move houses to get into a good high school football program. People actually moved here so their kids could be in our band. The kids even printed up t-shirts that said BAND FAG on it along with the school insignia and they wore them with Pride Of course, try to do that now and you'd end up on the national news... Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. DAMN, YOU'RE GOOD!   
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parents,,,,going to my freshman sons 1st booster meeting in a few. They asked we bring bottle water to donate for practices. I will be wearing a tshirt and shorts. Wont be carrying on school grounds.
Anything else I should expect? If you are going to help and be around the kids you may have to get a back ground check. |
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Quoted:
Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. Quoted:
Quoted:
The high school I graduated from (...when dinosaurs roamed the earth) had one of those bands that won every national championship they entered...and they referred to themselves as "Band Fags" Some people move houses to get into a good high school football program. People actually moved here so their kids could be in our band. The kids even printed up t-shirts that said BAND FAG on it along with the school insignia and they wore them with Pride Of course, try to do that now and you'd end up on the national news... Broken Arrow? My kids were all in band here in California, As a boozer,uh booster parents we had a blast. Several of us hauled the band equipment so we didn't deal with the kids too much. After everything was packed up we would party at the hotels on overnighters. Before long we had the band director and the staff partying with us. It will be what you make of it, like I said,we made some good friends. Much the same experience here but color guard. I have 2 daughters that were in indoor and outdoor color guard. Helped to load and unload equipment, set up props, get the stuff on and off the field. My kids have been out of school for a couple of years now but I still get together about once a month with 4 of the other dads. We usually have a couple beers, eat dinner, and shoot the shit. Meeting tomorrow in fact. |
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OP, as a former band nerd (percussion and trombone) I welcome you to the family. All three of my kids were in band as well and my oldest son went on to march 5 years in Drum Corps International, 2 years with Memphis Sound and 3 years with Phantom Regiment.
My advice, don't be a drive-by parent, drive by the band room and drop them off. High School bands thrive on volunteers, be one. That oldest son of mine is starting a new job, he's a band director. Old Marine 
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I have set up a scholarship for kids to be in band who otherwise could not afford the pay to play fees. I am up to about 8 kids so far. My high school was also one of the bands students changed school to join.
Granted I was honored to have made the best damn band in the land, but there is so much to learn at any level. Mom and dad were always there for me. Just being there means so much to every member in the band. Be there for the kids either by volunteering,financially, or morally supporting them! Maybe someday they can make Micheal Jackson moonwalk!
ETA The Pride of the Buckeyes will perform at an NFL game at Wembley stadium inondon England this fall |
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I have set up a scholarship for kids to be in band who otherwise could not afford the pay to play fees. I am up to about 8 kids so far. My high school was also one of the bandsstudents changed school to join. Granted I was honored to have made the best damn band in the land, but there is so much to learn at any level. Mom and dad were always there for me. Just being there means so much to every member in the band. Be there for the kids either by volunteering,financially, or morally supporting them! Maybe someday they can make Micheal Jackson moonwalk!  http://youtu.be/GTca2nrIn4UeTA
The Pride of the Buckeye will perform at an NFL game at Wembley stadium inondon England this fall I've always wanted to know the nuts and bolts behind how you guys pulled stuff like this off. |
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If he truly is a nerd, expect him to out-earn you by the time he's 30. Unless of course, you were a band nerd as well. I was a band nerd...drum major for 2y, placed #1 in state 3y in a row in Trombone, 1y in Trumpet, and 1y in Baritone. Got a full ride to college offered if I would have majored in music...turned it down though. Ended up accepting a 2y scholorship for acidemics. At 35y old I out earn both my parents combined. And I consider the money I currenlty make to be crap...trying to start my own business next in Healthcare Technology and make some real money. |
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Son doing the summer band practice for now. He is doing his 4 th year with trombone. 3 years middle school, now he is entering high school.
Daughter quit flute after middle school. He is more dedicated than she was. As for me, i tore it up in JROTC. Loved it. Couldn't play a note to save my life. |
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I wasnt a band nerd. LEO. Everyone out earned me. Quoted:
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If he truly is a nerd, expect him to out-earn you by the time he's 30. Unless of course, you were a band nerd as well. I wasnt a band nerd. LEO. Everyone out earned me. There's got to be a whole lot of truth to that I played guitar in a Big Band several years ago and the band members were all formerly in high school and college marching bands They all had (10 of them) white collar office jobs and made considerably more than I did. I was the only blue collar guy in the band They all could read music as if it were a Dick & Jane primer while I could only read chord charts Obviously, their disciplines they learned early in life really paid off later for them I'm ok now but, jeez, my life would have been sooo much easier if I had been more motivated and disciplined like those "nerds" I made fun of when I was young |
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parents,,,,going to my freshman sons 1st booster meeting in a few. They asked we bring bottle water to donate for practices. I will be wearing a tshirt and shorts. Wont be carrying on school grounds.
Anything else I should expect? Prepare to lose a lot of your free time. Marching bands require a lot of parental support and fundraising. My S/O is the VP of boosters for her kid. It's a lot of work. |
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At 35y old I out earn both my parents combined. And I consider the money I currenlty make to be crap...trying to start my own business next in Healthcare Technology and make some real money. Same here (we're the same age). All of the friends I've kept up with that were in band with me are also doing very well. I never really thought about it before. |
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I've always wanted to know the nuts and bolts behind how you guys pulled stuff like this off. Quoted:
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I have set up a scholarship for kids to be in band who otherwise could not afford the pay to play fees. I am up to about 8 kids so far. My high school was also one of the bandsstudents changed school to join. Granted I was honored to have made the best damn band in the land, but there is so much to learn at any level. Mom and dad were always there for me. Just being there means so much to every member in the band. Be there for the kids either by volunteering,financially, or morally supporting them! Maybe someday they can make Micheal Jackson moonwalk! http://youtu.be/GTca2nrIn4UeTA
The Pride of the Buckeye will perform at an NFL game at Wembley stadium inondon England this fall I've always wanted to know the nuts and bolts behind how you guys pulled stuff like this off. Knowing where you are,where you need to go,how many beats to get there, marching a measured step to get there, and guiding off those around you. Then 6 hours of practice a day. |
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Ended up accepting a 2y scholorship for acidemics. Quoted:
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If he truly is a nerd, expect him to out-earn you by the time he's 30. Unless of course, you were a band nerd as well. Ended up accepting a 2y scholorship for acidemics. Now that is funny! |