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New Ranger Band/ Color Guard Parents Guide

Welcome to the award-winning Smithson Valley Ranger Band program! On behalf of our Band Boosters, we are so happy to have you here!

Your student is embarking on a journey that will help to build and shape their character, foster leadership and also challenge them. You will be amazed at the transformation that you’ll witness over the course of the next year. Your student will meet new people, be encouraged and championed, and will grow both musically and emotionally.

To ease any nerves, we have compiled some helpful information and facts in order to provide as many answers to common questions that you might have in the coming months. Additionally, NEVER hesitate to reach out to a fellow Ranger Band parent or caregiver with any other questions or concerns. We have all marched the same path and are eager and happy to help.

FAQs

What is Summer Band Camp?

The end of July marks the start of the marching season. Summer rehearsals are all about learning the band’s marching show-music and drill. UIL rules dictate when a high school program can begin working on marching drills. This date fluctuates based on the start date of school, so summer camp will usually begin on or around the last week of July (but many sections begin unofficial gatherings to practice and team-build earlier in the summer). The kids will be learning show music and drills in addition to the pre-game show and all of our stand tunes for the season. Attendance at this camp is mandatory. Speak to the directors about any concerns.xt and edit me. It's easy.

What is Band Registration?

Band Registration is typically held the Saturday following the first full week of Summer Band Camp and serves as a chance for the PARENTS to get all of the information they will need to navigate through the band year. Stations will be set up so you can learn about fundraising opportunities, volunteer opportunities, your student will be fitted for their marching shoes, marching uniform, concert uniform, purchase spirit wear, and so much more.

What is Remind?

You will see many references to information being distributed via the Remind app. If you haven’t already, please join Remind via the code that Mr. Duncan shared in the summer band packet. This is the main tool that our directors use to communicate and share important information with our students and their caregivers. Schedules for games and competitions, schedule updates, ETA announcements for parents waiting to pick up after band events and more are all shared on this app. While, we make announcements through Facebook, Remind is used to send specific information to our students and their caregivers.

What is GroupMe?

GroupMe is a communication app that Band Boosters uses to connect with volunteers across various event groups. There is also a GroupMe group for every band section and color guard to help parents stay informed. If you are not connected to your student's section parent group, reach out to a fellow section parent or reach out to a band booster parent and we will help you get connected.

Is there a Facebook page for the Ranger Band Parents/ Caregivers?

Yes! We have an active private Facebook page for current Ranger Band parents/caregivers. Search for SVHS Ranger Band Parents and be sure to answer the qualifying questions and agree to our page rules in order to approved as a member of the page. No matter how you might feel about social media, this Facebook page is an invaluable resource for staying in-the-know about everything that is going on and is a great place to get your questions answered quickly. During marching season, our wonderful chaperones will keep us updated via FB about the ETA of our buses--which is a great resource for parents waiting to pick up their kids.

What is Color Guard?

A talented group of students who spin flags, rifles, sabers, and dance in the marching show. Guard is an integral part of the visual performance of the marching show and add color through choreographed dance routines that match the drill design. Color Guard selection is based on tryouts in the spring. The group is under the direction of the Color Guard Director and is governed by the Ranger Band Staff. The Color Guard has their own individual competition season in the second semester called Winter Guard.

What Do Band Fees Cover?

Band fees cover the cost of putting your student on the competitive marching field, in addition to providing teaching staff and opportunities throughout the school year. The school district only covers a portion of the cost of yearly UIL activities, school-owned instruments, and marching/concert uniforms. The Ranger Band competes in many highly prestigious marching competitions each season. Band fees also cover clinicians, master classes, contest entry fees, meals for your student, and many other items that fund this competitive program. Please see the published payment schedule for a detailed breakdown of what your fees cover. Additionally, the Band Booster organization raises as much money as possible each year through sponsorships, partnerships, and fundraising. These funds help offset expenses incurred by the band department. The Boosters' efforts allow band fees to be significantly lower than they would be without their financial help.

What is Meet the Band?

Meet the Band is a fun event that is held one evening during the last week of summer band camp. Parents, friends, and family are invited to share a meal, prepared by our talented “Grill Team,” as the band gives us a sneak peek of what they’ve been working on all summer. You’ll get to hear the first few sections of the marching show (and prepare to be AMAZED at what these kids can accomplish in just a few short weeks!), as well as the stand tunes the band will be performing at the football games.

What is the Stadium/Fajita Dinner?

Each year, the band holds a special performance of their contest show for our parents, friends, and families, and afterward, we enjoy a meal together. Stadium Dinner is held on a Friday evening during a “bye” week for the football team. Often, our parent volunteers are not able to just sit and watch the band perform because of their volunteer duties. We provide this performance so that our parents may see the show without any distractions. Because it is local, it provides an opportunity for everyone to attend—family, friends, and the whole community! Silent and live auctions are also held at Stadium Dinner to help the Boosters raise additional funds to support our band and color guard. It’s a great evening of fellowship and fun for all!

How do I get football tickets?

Band students do not need tickets to the football games. Parents, however, will need to purchase tickets for all football games they choose to attend. You may purchase season tickets through Comal ISD or General Admission home game tickets through the Comal ISD Brushfire website each week. For AWAY games, you will need to purchase VISITOR tickets on the opposing team’s district website. Someone often posts the links to away tickets on our parent Facebook page ahead of those games, so plan to check Facebook for information on tickets.

Many band parents like to sit in the General Admission area nearest the band. It’s a great way to socialize with other band parents and get the best view of your band students having fun together during the game! It’s a great time and we’re looking forward to seeing lots of band parents in the stands with us this year!
FYI: Comal ISD students and employees get free entry into regular season home games.

What do we need to know about caring for the marching uniforms?

The marching uniforms are sent home a few times a year to be machine-washed. Specific washing instructions will be provided. Students are responsible for making sure the marching uniform is hung correctly following each performance. Do not cut or alter any portion of the school-owned uniform.

The marching uniform pieces vary each year but may include the following components:

Jacket – Self-explanatory
Bibs – The overall-style pants worn under the jacket
Gauntlets – Removable cuffs worn over the jacket
Shoes – Must be purchased through the band department to ensure uniformity
Socks – Must be black and at least calf-high, no gray heels and not white Nike logo on side
Hat – Self-explanatory
Plume – Tall feathery adornment attached to the hats just before performances
Show Top – Custom-made tops that coordinate with this year’s show theme and add to the visual interest of the marching show, The band will wear their show top that will replace their uniform jacket for marching season. The show tops don’t typically make an appearance until a few weeks into the football season, and they will periodically come home for a gentle but much-needed laundering.
Dri-Fit Shirt – Black moisture-wicking shirt with the Ranger Band logo. This shirt is to be worn with the bibs and under the jacket at all performances.
Hydration Backpack – This is considered part of the uniform, and students must have their hydration backpack with them at all times, including all rehearsals.

The students will also have a Summer Uniform, which consists of khaki shorts and a Ranger Band polo. The band wears the Summer Uniform for the Comal County Parade as well as for the first couple of football games. For rehearsals this year, students will wear Rehearsal Uniforms consisting of white dri-fit shirts and blue shorts. You will order your student’s Summer Uniform and rehearsal uniforms from the TMF Store before school begins.

What do we need to know about Concert Uniforms?

Concert Uniforms are tuxedos for the boys and gowns for the girls. Owned by the school. Once your student has been fitted for their concert uniform, your student will bring it home. Please hang it nicely and store it safely until it’s needed for the Holiday concert in December.

Tell us about the Friday night football games:

On most Fridays from the end of August until the beginning of November, there will be a football game. Watch the calendar, because this year we have several Thursday night games in lieu of Fridays. On game days, the students will meet directly after the last bell (or at a set time if it is an away game with travel) to begin preparations. They will eat a nice meal served by the Band Boosters, and there will be an inspection of uniforms, music, and equipment before the buses are boarded for away games, or before walking in formation to the stadium for home games. The end of the football game does not mean the band is released. If we are at home, the band waits until the stands are almost empty before marching back to the band hall. If we are at an away game, all members must board the buses to return to Smithson Valley High School. The students will then ALL help to unload the equipment buses, Big Blue and Little Blue. If you are picking up your band student, please be very patient. Keep a lookout for a Remind message and check our parent Facebook page for a current ETA. If your students have cell phone make sure to encourage them to communicate with you as well so you know when it is a good time to pick them up.

What if the football team makes the playoffs?

In case you’re new to Ranger Football, our football team generally does exceptionally well and regularly advances to the playoffs. For the last two years, the Smithson Valley Ranger football team won the 5A Texas State Football Championship game at AT&T Stadium—and yes, the band was there playing in the stands. The Ranger Band is expected to play at all SVHS playoff games, home and away. This usually includes a game during Thanksgiving break and well into December, so plan accordingly. The schedule for these games will be different from the regular season, so watch for directions to come from the band directors.

What if it rains at a football game?

The band is expected to attend the game even if it is raining. The district’s safety regulations will be in effect so if lightning is detected, the game will be delayed, paused, rescheduled, or called completely.

What are Marching Contests?

Besides football games, the fall is all about marching competitions for the Ranger Band. These competitions are mostly held on Saturdays. They are composed of UIL and other marching events. Most of the competitions are in the San Antonio or Austin area. The day of a competition, the students will meet at the band hall at an instructed time (also known as their Call Time). They will rehearse and then load the buses to travel to the competition site.

Many competitions have a preliminary contest where they announce winners, and then hold a finals competition for those bands that qualify. After the final awards are announced, the band will reload the buses and return to SVHS. Make sure to keep an eye out for ETA announcements on Remind and the Band Parent Facebook page.

This all means very long days for our band kids! Hydration and nutrition are always a top consideration. You will be notified when a sack meal needs to be sent or if a meal is provided. We highly recommend that you volunteer to chaperone or work on the Pit Crew for one or more of these competitions. It is truly amazing to see what it takes to put on one of these shows, and to see the incredible teamwork that goes on between our directors, students, and volunteers.

What are the UIL Regional and State Marching Competitions?

The University Interscholastic League—UIL—governs the state marching contests. The UIL has strict rules concerning the conduct and procedures to advance to the state competitions. The schools in the state of Texas are divided into classes based on student population. Smithson Valley High School is Class 5A—the class for medium-large schools.

Every year the UIL contest begins with the Region marching competition, which includes one performance. The bands are given a rating of Division I, II, III, IV, or V. These are not 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place awards. All bands receiving a Division I rating proceed to the Area competition.Division I bands from 3-4 regions gather at the Area competition. It is during this competition that the bands advancing to State will be decided. All bands perform in prelims with a select number of bands performing again in finals. A predetermined number of bands will get to make the coveted trip to State. T.

The State contest is usually held in San Antonio at the Alamodome and is held in November for Class 5A. The Ranger Band most recently earned a spot at the State Marching Contest in 2023 and 2024 and expects to be there again in 2025. Making it to the state marching competition is a HUGE accomplishment for our program! Should the band qualify to compete at the State contest this year, the district will excuse the absence of our students from class. You can find more information on the official UIL Texas website.

What is Band Banquet?

Band banquet is held in May of each year and is known as “Band Prom.” Band Banquet is a gathering for the band and senior parents to celebrate a successful year of band and color guard. Dress is not as formal as prom, but most students wear nice clothing. It is held off campus and includes a meal as well as entertainment.

Band Terminology:

You’ll hear your students, the directors, and other band parents speaking a whole new Ranger Band language, so we’ve put together a list of terms and acronyms to help you speak our language and better understand what is going on:

Band Boosters:

Band Boosters are a group of parents and caregivers who dedicate our time and energy to work as a team to help our band, color guard, and our directors perform at their highest level. Join the Band Boosters today to make a difference and build new friendships!

Band Buddy:

Within each section, students are assigned a "Band Buddy" and they exchange small gifts for football games. Each section does its own thing, but the Band Buddy gifts are typically just a few snacks or candy for the recipient to enjoy during the game. Seasoned Parent tip: Buy Band Buddy snacks in bulk and keep them somewhere safe for gifting later. You’ll be glad to have this stash of gifts when your student reminds you at 11 p.m. that they need a Band Buddy gift the next day.

Band Pad:

The Band Pad is the gated off section of the parking lot adjacent to the baseball field where our band does the majority of their marching practice.

Bandtober:

In October band takes over so it is commonly referred to as Bandtober because we normally have a football game and competition every week.

Battery/Batterie:

The marching percussion including snare, tenor, bass drums and cymbals. Same as Drum Line.

Big Blue:

The large 18-wheeler trailer that hauls our instruments and props to and from games and competitions is loaded and unloaded by students before and after every football game and competition.

BOA:

Bands of America, a national organization hosting marching and concert competitions for high school and college bands.

Call Time:

This is the time that all students are to be at the band hall or band pad with their necessary gear and are expected to be ready for further instruction from our directors.

Chaperones:

Volunteer adults supervise the band and color guard students and travel with them on the buses to every game, performance, and competition. These chaperones are all approved volunteers through Comal ISD annually.

Comal Classic:

A marching contest hosted by Canyon High School that is typically one of our first marching competitions of the year. A great place to see shows we will be competing against during the marching season and get valuable feedback on our performance from judges.

Comal County Fair Parade:

Held toward the end of September, our band marches in this popular parade in downtown New Braunfels. All Ranger Band students participate—even those who play instruments that do not typically march (i.e., marimbas, vibraphones, etc.), making attendance mandatory. It is also known as “Unfair Day” because it is a school holiday, yet the kids must wake up early to report to the band hall and spend most of the day at the parade and fair. Despite this nickname, “Unfair Day” is still a fun experience for the kids.

Concert Season:

Concert Season is December through May. These are the concerts that the band performs in the high school auditorium and when they have their UIL concert and sight reading concert at Seguin High School.

Drum Majors:

These three students are chosen by the directors and the band to conduct the marching band through the marching season. They help the marching band maintain tempo and direction. The drum majors are responsible for relaying the band directors’ directives. Any band member can try out to be a drum major at the end of each school year.

Ineligibility:

The condition of being unable, under UIL rules, to participate in a band activity due to poor grades.

Feed The Band:

Before football games and marching competitions, a dedicated group of band boosters coordinate the feeding of our Ranger Band and color guard students. Meals range from Chick-fil-A to pizza. The price of the meals is factored into your band fees so that you don’t have to worry about getting food or money to your hungry teen before performing. While our Feed the Band chair can’t cater to the individual food preferences of each band member, they do cater to dietary restrictions and food allergies, so please reach out to our Feed the Band chair and alert them to your student’s dietary restrictions at the beginning of the school year.

Front Ensemble:

See Pit Instruments and Equipment.

Little Blue:

The smaller trailer that is often used to haul props and band gear to and from games and competitions

Load Crew:

A group of band students that work hard to strategize, help load and unload equipment and props at all games and competitions, and unpack everything when returning back at the school."

Pit Crew:

Consists of students and dedicated band booster parents who are responsible for loading all equipment and props onto the buses and trailers, unloading them at the performance site, getting the equipment on the field, and setting it up. They then remove the equipment quickly to meet the timing rules set by the judging body, load it back onto the trailers, and unload it at the school. Our pit crew parent volunteers are among the superheroes of our organization and they’re fun to hang out with, too! You should seriously consider joining us!

Pit Instruments and Equipment:

Large instruments and equipment moved onto the marching field sidelines by band parents and students. These includes, but are not limited to: marimbas, various drums, wood blocks, vibraphones, xylophones, amplifiers, speakers, computer hardware, podiums, ladders, gongs, chimes, bells, cymbals, synthesizers, electronic keyboards and props.

Props:

Large visuals used during marching season, moved by students to enhance the visual effect of the show.

Sections:

Consists of a group of like instruments (for example: Saxophone Section, Trumpet Section, percussion etc.)

Section Leader:

Students chosen by the directors to be leaders in each instrumental section of band. They are responsible for helping run practices, setting a good example, being of help to those in their section, helping with communication from directors and more. Students can apply to be considered for section leader and other leadership roles at the end of each year.

SLT:

Student Leadership Team. This includes Section Leaders, Drum Majors and other students in positions of leadership within the organization.

Helpful Advice from Seasoned Band Parents:

-Encourage your student to get outside and moving around over the summer. This will help them to acclimate to the heat and make the start of summer band a little easier.

-Good, supportive shoes for band camp are VERY important. Our students are on their feet most of the day during band camp. Please encourage them to wear comfortable athletic supportive shoes.

-Sunscreen is also VERY important for summer band. Stock up on it and make sure that your kid has enough to reapply as needed through the day.

-Encourage student to be responsible for being prepared. The first time they forget something will be the last! They learn to be resourceful when they must be.

-Water, water, water! Encourage your student to drink water before and after rehearsal and to keep filling up their hydration backpack during rehearsal.

-Color Guard parents should budget extra funds (approximately $250 for marching season and about $500 for Winter Guard) to cover additional hair/makeup supplies; new rifles, etc.

-Color Guard rehearsals are typically extended by about 20 minutes to account for the extra clean-up and resetting of the cafeteria after they’re done, so plan accordingly when picking up your Color Guard student.

-Don’t make plans for weekends from the last weekend in September to the first weekend in November. Every weekend will be spoken for during this time frame for Friday football games and Saturday marching competitions.

-Make plans to meet up with the band before HOME games outside of the band hall to “march down” to the stadium alongside them. Our drumline provides the beats and there’s nothing like cresting the hill before Ranger Stadium and seeing the crowd turn in excitement as their beloved Ranger Band comes into view. All are welcome to march down with the band. Just show up early and be sure to wear your walking shoes.

-There are cleaning supplies made specifically for hydration backpack that make cleaning your student’s hydration backpack much easier. Just google hydration backpack cleaning kit.

-Send a clean shirt to switch out of at lunchtime during summer band camp. During competitions too! Get at least two Dri-Fit shirts for Friday and Saturday performances or you will be doing laundry every night!

-Buy portable phone chargers for your student to use for football games and competitions, since buses seldom have outlets to use for charging.

-Take lots and lots of pictures and video. Four years goes by really fast and there will be so many special moments, achievements and growth that you will want to capture.