Competitions

Times posted on the calendar for the competitions (example Hamilton 5pm) are the time the competition STARTS. We will not know the time of our performance until the Monday prior to that competition. Our performance time will be communicated via the weekly FYI and posted on the homepage.

Call time is the time that your student needs to report to the band room. This is typically 2 hours prior to our departure from the school. Your student should have their uniform, dinkles (which have been cleaned the night before) and white tube socks with them. Most often your student will bring their uniform to school and will change into their uniform once at the competition site. Sometimes Mr. Engel has the students arrive at the school in their bibs. Make sure your student has a change of clothes and shoes if arriving at school in bibs. Dress for any and all weather. Layers are great. We have arrived at competitions in sunshine and warmth to end up in darkness and frigid evenings of fall. Rain gear and blankets can also be good to have on hand.

Have your student wear comfortable and lightweight clothing under their uniform. Shorts, bike shorts, leggings, t-shirts, tank, long johns or any other clothing appropriate for the weather is advisable. The students generally get very hot under their uniform. The girls will change on the uniform trailer and the boys change on the buses if they want but most generally in the parking lot!

Right after the student’s perform they will go back to the buses, change out of their uniform, grab a snack and water (Music Boosters provide) and head out into the crowd to watch the other bands perform. Please send money with your student so they can get something to eat and drink after they perform. The snack and water that is provided will not hold them for the entire day. It is not unusual for students to pack snacks or even sack lunches in their back packs. The band normally stays at the competition until we have received our awards. Some competitions have awards after each class and some have awards at the end of the competition. The classes in order of performance are Class C, Class B, Class A and Class AA. We perform in Class B.

If you would like to wish the students luck before they leave, all are welcomed to join for the send off at the time of departure. This is fun, especially if you are unable to attend the competition.

Your student is responsible for anything and everything they bring to a competition. Also, remind your student that they need to pack wisely. The buses will have two students per seat and everything that they bring will have to fit in their seat. (Uniforms and instruments are not taken on the student buses.)

Once back at school the students must stay to help unload the equipment and the band room is cleaned up and ready for school on Monday.

Viewing the Competitions

For parents new to marching band, one of the most important things to know about a competition is that you must be in your seat before the band starts to play or you'll miss the performance.

While a band is playing no one is allowed to move in or out of the stands. The only time movement is allowed is between performances and the competitions run very punctually, with performances every 15 minutes. Please note that this just isn't a courtesy. Volunteers will be stationed in the stands preventing movement in and out.

We recommend arriving at the stands at least 25 minutes before the Mustangs perform so that you can move into your seats just ahead of the band that preceeds the Mustangs. If you try to arrive 10 minutes or less before the Mustangs perform you risk missing them.

The competitions are usually run as fundraisers by the music boosters of the host school. There's a nominal admission charge, and the concession stands normally sell the standard fare.

Parking can be a problem at some of the competitions. Please allow yourself ample time to find a parking space and to walk to the field.

State

Every year the band strives to achieve a rating of "1" at one of the four competitions so that they can perform at one of the state OMEA competitions held the weekends of October 25 and 26, and November 1 and 2. If the band goes to state, they'll only perform on one of those days.

Unlike a sport, the bands do not compete against one another. Each band is judged on their own merits. Awards are usually given out every two hours or so. If the Mustangs go to state, and they perform first in their group, we'll know their rating, and will be done two hours after starting.

Questions

If you have any questions at all regarding competitions, please talk to a parent of an upperclassman and don’t hesitate to contact either one of us.

Please use the website for directions to all competitions.

Thanks!
Email or 985-0559
Email or 791-7107