Ten HUT!  This guide is intended to prepare you and your child for a long and successful season of high school marching band!  I am a high school marching band instructor of 8 years in the great state of Indiana -where the bands are more than just halftime entertainment.  Our seasons are defined by long hours in all sorts of weather, long bus trips, and a competitive season that takes a 5 month toll on its participants!  We all know that marching band is a fall sport and is nearly halfway over, but I am writing this guide and posting it now because the true needs are so evident now that I thought it would be the perfect time to record everything for you!  Instead of a typical paragraph format guide, I thought I would put together a checklist of items that you should make sure your child should have for any marching band season.  I will keep this guide updated as things come to me that need to ba added-so feel free to check back often for additions!

Marching Band Essentials

• Obviously, your child will need his/her instrument!  A few things to consider before assuming this point ends here...Whatever instrument your child uses is about to take LOADS of physical abuse.  If you are counting on an antique all wood clarinet or a brand new top of the line trumpet, you are in for a lot of pain!  These instruments are great...if not prefered, for concert band during the school year or maybe even special marching band shows where good warm weather is forecasted, but an everyday instrument should be purchased with the idea that it will take a beating and be in and out of the repair shop frequently! 
• A good pair of gym shoes are essential!  It is also not a good idea to wear shoes without socks because the blisters will come in bunches.  Think about this...this year's gym shoes are next year's marching band shoes!
• Have an endless supply of light colored t-shirts, and shorts!  Make sure that you have shorts or pants with a belt or a drawstring because it is not uncommon for band members to lose a couple of inches off of ther waist line over the course of the season from intense exercise. 
• Each student should own a rain coat or even a full rain suit with pants.  "Bushmaster" makes a great suit that is available at Sam's Club and even Walmart I believe.  Your band student can keep this at school in their band locker along with a couple of extra pairs of socks.  A poncho also works for light rain days because a woodwind instrument can be played underneath.
• Own several pairs of whatever color socks that the pants of the band uniform are.  They will need these for "show days."
• Drill book!  Depending on how competitive your band is, you will need to have some sort of coordinate book.  You can either purchase a 3-ring binder and some clear protective sheets for the actual drill sheets, or just carry a flip pad with your cordinace points for your show.  An old bathrobe tie or thick shoelace can serve as a shoulder strap.  It's always good to carry a pencil inside the drill book incase a change is made in a practice. 
• Liars and Flip Folders are needed to attach sheet music to instruments.  It is crucial for all students to have their music on them especially early on in the season when they are just learning it. 
• It's also a good idea to have a strong bookbag or duffel bag to carry all of these things in them to and from practice and to contests.  That way things don't get misplaced and the bag can be easily grabbed when you're running late to practice!
• Carry a small first aid/hygiene kit inside of the back with the standards of tylenol, tums, neosporin, and an ace bandage for those strange band injuries!
• There are 4 things that your child MUST bring to each practice aside from their instrument.    Each member should bring a water jug with fresh water, a bottle of sunscreen (Coppertone Sport is HIGHLY recommended) and lip sunscreen, a pair of higher quality UV sunglasses, and a bottle of insect repellent. 

Woodwind Players

• Every woodwind player should have plenty of reeds available for the season.  I would recommend owning a few of each different reed size between a 2-3 as the skills will increase throughout the season.  A harder reed is needed for a concert band sound and softer (lower number) is needed for a louder-clearer marching band sound.
• A durable ligature is also needed.  Rovner makes a great ligature for all reed instruments that can take a beating and produce a quality indoor and outdoor sound.

• Also a small screw driver  kit should be a MUST for all woodwind players because the screws will loosen up over the season.  Each student should take 2-3 minutes each week and simply tighten down the screws on their instrument to cut down on repairs and screw replacements. 
• All woodwinds should also carry a reed holder (La Voz makes a cheap durable one...see pic).  Reeds will get chipped in band practice and the student might not always be allowed back inside the building to get a replacement.  These cases are nice and also easily fit inside the instrument case.  

• Woodwind players should also carry a small towel to wipe off their instrument and pads if it happens to get wet during a practice. 

Brass Players

• Brass players have it easier than woodwind players simply because their instruments do not require as much everyday detailed care.  Each brass player should however have plenty of valve oil.  Most of the maintenance on a brass instrument should take place at home to keep the pipes cleaned out and the instrument polished before shows. 
• If you own a new instrument or are marching a new school bought instrument, it is also acceptable for brass players to own a thin pair of gloves to further protect the shine of the horn-although it is not a NEED. 

Percussion Players

• Your supply of sticks needs to always remain high, especially if your drum line is intense!  Don't race out before band to purchase a certain type of stick though because some instructors will require the same brand and make for each member...and sometimes they are even provided for you. 
• Every percussionist should purchase a practice pad that corresponds to their instrument.  They are portable but most importantly, QUIET!  The act like a real head and you can get lots of extra "anytime" practice with one. 

Color Guard Members

• Guard members should definately invest in the bag idea and a smaller drill book.
• Always have a few rolls of guard tape.
• Keep a large supply of hair ties and bobby pins!
• A small lock box for jewelry that needs to be off during practices.
• A bag to cover all flags and other equipment.
• Some might be supplied but make sure you have guard gloves. 

Drum Majors

• Drum Majors must always be prepared for everything.  They should carry a school supply box full of unique items with them to all practices. 
• Always have a time telling device.
• Invest in a nice metronome for keeping time.  (There is actually a clock and a metronome in a single device)
• Purchase a few pairs of thin WHITE gloves so the band can see your hands easier. 
• Even if your band does not use them, carry a whistle with you because it will always get the band's attention if they need to hear instructions. 
• It's also fun to have a nice conducting baton whether you need it for the shows or not. 

Parents

• OWN MANY MAPS!  Good bands travel a lot and if the band program doesn't supply you with maps to the contests, print one off from yahoo or something!
• Own a seat cushion for the stadium bleachers.
• Purchase a nice digital camera or a video camera.  Trust me...your child will want to see the pictures despite saying that they are embarassed when you take their picture!
• Buy school spirit wear and wear it to shows.  Kids love to look up and see their supportive band parent sections!
• Take a thermos to contests with plenty of hot drinks for the cold days! 
• PATIENCE!!! Your child has committed to a demanding activity that will stress them out at times and put them behind in many household responsibilities.  Be patient with them and support them even when they take their frustrations out on you.  It w/ill all be worth it in the end because the memories made in this activity will last a lifetime!