1. Outdoor practice: It's a good idea for students to wear breathable clothing for their outdoor practices because it's HOT! Athletic shorts instead of jean shorts are a good idea. They will definitely want these for band camp so why not use them during the weeks leading up to it as well. Also remember a gallon sized water jug, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. They practice a lot on the asphalt parking lot and the turf...both radiate heat. Good running shoes are also important.
2. Uniform fittings: Over the next three weeks the students are assigned a day to come early (5-6pm) to get fitted for their marching band uniform. The schedule for this can be found on the "NEWS" section of the band website but here's a link http://jenisonbands.org/news/ . It is not necessary for a parent to attend with your student but you are welcome to if you'd like. There is a charge for some items (like shoes, gloves, band t-shirt, shako box...) if your child does not already have these items. This will either be charged to your credits or your student will bring home a slip of paper telling how much they owe.
3. Items to purchase: It's time to be thinking ahead to pre-camp (8/1-8/4) and band camp (8/8-8/12), Your child will need a dot book (spiral bound 3x5 cards), a pencil, and a shoestring (to tie the dot book to them) by pre-camp. Additionally, make sure your student has khaki shorts for the last day of band camp. This is part of the uniform they wear for the community performance Friday evening.
Let's end with a couple definitons:
The "winds" include students who play any instrument that you blow into...essentially everything except percussion. During marching band, percussion is broken into two groups, the front ensemble which is located traditionally at the front of the field and remains stationary during the show, and the drum line which includes the bass drums, tenors, and snares. The drum line also marches during the show.
A "shako" is the hat that the students wear as part of their uniform. The students will receive a shako (and the box to store it in) at their uniform fitting. The plumes (feathery things) are handed out prior to performances and returned after for safe keeping.