The Fabulous Marching Cavaliers

Helpful hints to save you time, gas & grief

Mr. Boyd, the instructors, and the MCPA want this to be a positive experience for all the students and their families.  Here are some helpful hints (learned from our own and many other band parents' experiences):

•·      Hold your child responsible for being prepared.  Before they leave the house for rehearsal or a performance make sure they ask themselves, "Do I have EVERYTHING I need?"

•·      If you have seen the movie Drumline you heard the following, "If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late."  This is a phrase that Mr. Boyd and the FMC live by.  This means that students are expected to arrive for scheduled practice about 15 to 30 minutes early so they are in position and ready to rehearse at the scheduled start time.  If start time is 5:00 p.m., plan to arrive between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m.

•·      When you pick up your child up from practice, try to be there a little early:

•·      First, you'll get to see the amount of work that your student puts in to this program.

•·      Second, you can listen to "circle."

•·      This is usually a great way to find out about any changes or new information.

•·      Also, it's a great way to meet other band parents. 

•·      Mr. Boyd and the instructors try very hard to end practice at the scheduled time. Occasionally practice may run over.  Please be patient ... if this happens it is for a very good reason.

•·      Ask your student for any schedule changes each week.

•·      Always be prepared for changes.

•·      Check the web site often -

•o   www.fabulousmarchingcavaliers.org

•·         Network - Take the opportunity to meet other parents (at MCPA meetings, after practice, at games & competitions, fundraising activities, etc.).  This is how we all met each other. It is also the best way to get helpful hints on band parenting from others.