BMB Parent FAQ

Q: How do I keep up-to-date with everything BMB-related?

The first thing you should do is join the Blaine HS Marching Band group on the BAND app.  This is where we'll post regular updates and reminders about the band's upcoming activities.  There is also a dedicated BMB section of the blainehsbands.com website that contains lots of valuable information.  

For general Blaine High School Band information (not specific to BMB), we also have a Facebook group and a Blaine HS Bands group on the BAND app.

Q: Where can I find the band's schedule?

The schedule is managed by the Director and BMB Committee via Google Calendar.  There is a dedicated calendar page on the blainehsbands.com website where an up-to-date schedule is always available, along with instructions for adding/syncing the band's calendar on your personal device(s).  The schedule is also available in the BAND app.

Q: I have a question that I can't find an answer for. What should I do?

The fastest way to get your question(s) answered is to post to the BAND app, or email communications@blainebandboosters.org.

Q: How does my student get the information they need for BMB?

Information for student members typically flows as follows: director/staff -> drum majors -> section leaders -> all BMB members.  While students are welcome to join the BMB group on the BAND app, student-specific communication is typically handled in chat applications like Slack or Discord.  If your student has questions, they should start by reaching out to their section leaders.

Q: I'm new to marching band. What kinds of activities does the band participate in?

The band performs in several capacities including parades, halftime shows at football games, and marching band competitions.

Q: What does the season schedule typically look like?

The past few seasons, the schedule has followed the following rough outline:

• End of school year/early summer: Initial practices & parade prep

• Late June: Blaine Festival and Parade

• Early July: Break / No activity

• Mid/Late July: Practice resumes (typically two evenings per week)

• August through start of school: 

  • Practice continues (2 evenings per week), plus:

  • One week of Drill Camp (Mon-Fri: 8 hours per day), and

  • Heat Week (Mon-Fri, 12 hours per day)

• Start of school through October

  • Practice continues (after school, 2 evenings per week)

  • Pep and Halftime performances at home football games (typically Friday evenings)

  • Competitions on most Saturdays, ending with Youth in Music Championships (YIMS) at US Bank Stadium (mid-October)

  • Anoka Halloween Parade (late October)

  • Season-Ending Banquet (late October/early November)

Q: How much advance notice should I expect for event details?

In some cases, event organizers don't publish schedules until shortly beforehand.  We'll try to post details as soon as we have them; keep an eye on the BAND app.  Also, be sure to open calendar events for detailed information like arrival times, locations, maps, etc.  The schedule will be posted in the notes.

Q: My student needs to leave early from practice/an event.  How do I report an absence?

See the "Report an Absence" page on the Blaine HS Bands website.  There is a Google absence form that needs to be completed/submitted before the practice/event by the student’s parent/guardian.  The only way to get an absence "excused" is to have a parent/guardian fill out the form. Section leaders may fill this out the day of rehearsal or performance. If a section leader fills out the form it is an unexcused absence. Absences can lead to loss of participation in events and a loss of lettering points. Absences on a performance day count toward a double absence. 

Q: Which activities are families allowed to attend? Is there a cost to attend?

Band Rehearsals:   Families are allowed to watch practices, but have to take efforts to not interfere or distract the students while they are working.    There will be several promoted opportunities during the season where families and parents are encouraged to attend and watch final run throughs of the shows.  These events are free and will be communicated via the BAND app.

Football games:  Families are absolutely encouraged to cheer on the BMB at all home football games, while cheering on the Bengals football team! You will need to pay the usual ticket price for entrance into the stadium. If you want an up-close view, we need volunteers to move props and equipment!

Competition shows:  The more families and supporters, the better!!   There will be a ticket fee to get into all competitions, including Youth In Music (YIM).  However, if you are signed up as a volunteer, you get into the competition for free!

Q: What does a typical competition show day look like for volunteers?

Call time for students will be early in the morning, the exact time will be different for each show. If you are a designated chaperone your call time will be shortly before the buses leave BHS. Some chaperones will ride the buses with the students.  All other parent volunteers will meet at the competition using their own conveyance (there may be extra seats available on the buses if you prefer) at a specific time.

Volunteers will assist students with the offloading of equipment from the trailers, and assist with any other tasks that may be needed (i.e. food prep and serving).   Volunteers will be assigned to a specific piece of equipment/prop to either move or assist students with moving; this could be one of the props, front line instruments, sound system, etc.   

We will move any equipment and instruments to a warm up area, then hang out while the band warms up.  Close to show time we will then move the equipment to the field, on the field, then watch the show off the field (and track) at field level.  Once the performance is concluded, we will move the equipment back to the trailers. The students are responsible for loading the trailers.  If you are not a chaperone, at this point you are welcome to go enjoy the rest of the competition.  Chaperones will need to stay close to the students until it is time for them to meet back at the bus to return to BHS.  

There will be a dedicated volunteer chat for each specific event in the BAND app to coordinate and communicate with all that show’s volunteers.

Much more detailed information and directions will be provided for each event.  

Q: I'm too busy to volunteer. Can I help in other ways?

You can donate money that can go towards something specific for BMB. 

Q: Do I need to register with the school district to be a BMB volunteer?

Yes, you will need to submit an application and be subject to a background check via the district website in order to volunteer for positions around the students.  Volunteer / Overview (ahschools.us)

Q: What is the difference between the Blaine Band Boosters and the BMB Committee?

The Blaine Band Boosters is an organization that supports all bands in the Blaine High School Band program.   The BMB Committee is a subcommittee of the main Band Boosters organization, addressing the specific and numerous needs of the Marching Band.  

Q: How can I purchase BMB merchandise?

A virtual store will be open for a specific period of time (usually 3 weeks) normally twice a summer: one late spring, one during mid summer practices.   Due to costs, the Boosters/BMB Committee is not able to carry an inventory of merchandise outside of these store openings.

Q: What steps do I need to take to sign my student up for BMB?

You can register your student(s) through ParentVue. 

You need to make sure that there’s a current sports physical (good for 3 years) on file with Blaine High School.  If you are an incoming freshman and you have current sports physical with the middle schools, then you will need to get the physical form transferred to Blaine High School.

Once you have the sports physical submitted to Blaine High School, then you can register your student for the summer season.  Fall season registration opens on August 1. 

Q: Why do I have to pay the school district activity fee and a booster fee?

School district fees go towards the staff salaries that are contracted, janitorial needs, etc.  You need to pay for school district fees for Summer Season ($50)/Fall Season ($240) through ParentVue.  The Booster Fees are a one time payment that go towards the Marching Band needs.  These are two separate fee payments that need to be made.

Q: What does the Booster Fee cover?

Booster Fees cover a variety of items that goes towards the total budget for each BMB season.  The budget is dependent on how many students there are in the band, and the needs of creating each show.  Shows can cost anywhere between $25,000.00 and higher.  This includes: Staff Salaries (non contracted), Props, Drill, Dot books, Parade Music, Show Music/Licensing, Event Registration, Color Guard Uniforms/Equipment, Student Parade T Shirt, Student Competition T Shirt, and more.

Q: Is there an option to reduce any fees to relieve a financial burden?

Yes!  You will need to request partial payments.  Payments for Booster Fees need to be completed before August of each season.

Q: What method of payment can be used to pay Booster Fees?

We accept payments by: cash, check, cashier’s check, money order, & Venmo.

Q: When is the Booster Fee due?

The BMB Booster Fees are due the first week of BMB practice and need to be paid by the beginning of August.

Q: What happens if I don’t pay the BMB Booster Fees by the beginning of August?

Your student(s) will not be able to march until the full payment is made. 

Q: Why do we need fundraisers?

Marching band shows are VERY expensive.  There are costs associated with instruments (purchasing new equipment, and maintenance of existing equipment), staff salaries, music, show design expenses, props, competition entry fees, transportation, and many other items.  Feel free to talk with a BMB Committee member for more information, and join us at one of our meetings to hear much much more.  

Q: How does my student get to and from events?

Students will be required to ride a provided bus at BHS, both to and from all competitions and events.

Q: How do I know when the bus will return from an event?

While we do our best to anticipate a return time to BHS after a show, there are many factors that can change those times.  We will communicate via the BAND app on the latest ETA’s when the buses leave the competition location.

Q: Do I need to send food with my student?

Rehearsals:  Except for Heat Week and Drill week, there is typically no lunch break. Feel free to send a snack with your student, and make sure they always bring lots of water!

Competitions:  That will be communicated as part of the specific competition details.  There will likely be several competitions where food will be provided, accommodating for various dietary restrictions. 

Q: Who provides food for the band?

Usually, Volunteers like you!   In certain cases, the BMB Committee will arrange for an outside vendor to provide food (such as pizza).  Specific details and needs will be provided closer to the event. 

Q: My student has food allergies. Who should I notify?

This information should be provided to the BMB Director at registration.  If you missed this at registration, please email the BMB Director.  This information will be anonymously provided to the Food Committee.  

Q: Do I have to purchase a uniform for my student?

Uniforms are provided to each student.  Uniforms are reused every year for all but Color Guard.

Students are also responsible to purchase uniform shoes ($40) and gloves ($10/pair) on an “as needed” basis.

Q: Do uniforms come home with students between competitions?

Uniforms are kept at the school between competitions.  

Q: What should students wear on performance days?

Students should arrive on performance days in their show shirt, athletic shorts, long black socks and Vipers (shoes); many students wear clothes over this to keep warm.  Uniforms are only worn while the band performs; they are otherwise kept in garment bags on the bus.

Q: How should long hair be worn on performance days?

Typically, hair is worn up to be completely under the shako (hat).  Many students "French braid" hair for an easier fit.  We do not want loose ends on the back of the neck.

Q: Do jewelry and/or piercings need to be removed for performances?

Yes, all jewelry and piercings should be removed or replaced with clear plugs.

Q: Is the student/family responsible for cleaning uniforms?

No.  Uniforms are laundered by the district at the end of the season.

Q: Does my student get to keep their uniform at the end of the season?

No, unfortunately not.  Since these uniforms are used every year, it becomes very cost prohibitive to replace uniforms every year.

Shoes and gloves will be kept by the students, and can be reused each season as long as they are in acceptable condition.

Q: When does the band get new uniforms?

The band has new uniforms for the 2024 season!  Typically new uniforms are purchased every 10 years or so.  The color guard typically gets new show-specific uniforms each season

Q: Does the band need new props every season?

Yes.  Props tend to be custom specific to each show.  The BMB Committee makes efforts to make props as reusable as possible year to year to reduce costs, while still balancing the unique needs and elements of each season’s show.  

Q: Who builds the props?

Volunteers!  Each summer volunteers are recruited to help fabricate and assemble props as needed.  We’ve done everything from stages, to boxes, to (the infamous!) plywood trees.  We often need carpenters/woodworkers, sometimes metal workers, but also anyone who can use a saw or drill, or can swing a paint brush!  If you can help, we’ll find a place for you, no experience needed!

Q: How are props transported to shows?

Props are broken down and hauled in one of our 2 trailers to shows.  Show volunteers will help offload and reassemble props (if necessary) at each competition.