This is a template for band directors to use to help them design their own Yearly Proactive Plan for their program. This allows the director to be on top of things and to think of things before they happen. The plan starts in June to signal the end of the school year. The actions below are based on six parts:

1. Performances

2. Preparation for performances

3. Position selections

4. Concert performances

5. PROACTIVE MEASURES

6. Administrative/managerial assignments

—————–End of the Academic Calendar——————

June

Play at graduation – Concert performances

Collect instruments and equipment – send out for repairs – Administrative/managerial assignments

Have beginning band class for rising fifth and sixth graders – Preparation for performances

Have intermediate band class for rising sixth seventh and eighth graders – Preparation for performances

Have advanced band class for rising eighth and ninth graders – Preparation for performances

July

Starting the third week of July have a marching band camp for new ninth graders, section leaders, and drum major 2 to 3 days a week. During this Camp, Work on musical fundamentals, marching fundamentals, band traditions and history, and indoctrinate into disciplinary procedures. Teach the freshman does star-spangled banter, the Alma Mater, and any other regular music played by the band. – Preparation for performances

August

Starting the first week of August, have a band rehearsal for all band members 2 to 3 days a week. Review all marching fundamentals and introduce music for the first show, as well as all traditional music to be played. During the second week of rehearsals, start the field placement for the first halftime show. Also begin working on the first show. – Preparation for performances

Pass out uniforms to returning band members – Administrative/managerial assignments

Fit new band members for uniforms – Administrative/managerial assignments

September

During class work on musical fundamentals, scales, and rhythm reading. – Preparation for performances

Begin to choose music for winter concert as well as spring adjudication. – Concert performances

Continue marching band performances – Performances

Start Fall fundraiser – Administrative/managerial assignments

October

During third week of October, pass out music to be performed at winter concert. – Preparation for performances

Begin working on this music. – Preparation for performances

Continue marching band performances – Performances

November

Began to wind down marching band, and begin perfecting music for winter concert. – Preparation for performances

Also choose other songs that are to be prepared for spring adjudication. – Administrative/managerial assignments

Spend time rehearsing Pep Band (were applicable) – Preparation for performances

Select destination for spring band trip – Concert performances

December

In the second or third week of December have the winter concert. – position selections

Also give students musical assignments to work on over winter break. – Concert performances

Continue to rehearse Pep band. – Preparation for performances

Select spring fund-raiser – Concert performances

 

—————–Start of the Calendar Year——————

January

Begin to prepare concert band for Adjudication/Spring Concert. – Preparation for performances

Begin to prepare Jazz band for spring performances – Preparation for performances

Begin Drum major tryout process. – position selections

Have pep band perform at selected basketball games – Performances

February

Continue preparation of concert band(s) – Preparation for performances

Continue preparation of Jazz band – Preparation for performances

Have Pep band perform at selected basketball Games – Performances

Continue Drum major tryout process – position selections

Take informal survey of band members that will be returning during the fall (including evaluation of what students will be graduating) – PROACTIVE MEASURES

March

Take concert band(s) to adjudication – Concert performances

Last week of March, begin to train band members on second instruments – PROACTIVE MEASURES

Continue the rehearse Jazz band – Preparation for performances

Select music for spring marching band camp – PROACTIVE MEASURES

Start spring fundraiser – Administrative/managerial assignments

April

Recruit at middle school feeders – Take band to the schools to perform – PROACTIVE MEASURES

Continue to rehearse concert band for Spring concert/ graduation – Preparation for performances

Take Jazz band to adjudication/festival – Performances

Have auxiliary tryouts – position selections

Conclude drum major tryouts – position selections

Continue training members on new instruments – PROACTIVE MEASURES

Begin to select music for fall – PROACTIVE MEASURES

Select destination for fall band trip(s) – PROACTIVE MEASURES

Have section leader interview/auditions – position selections

May

Have spring concert – Concert performances

Take spring band trip – Performances

Select fall fundraiser – PROACTIVE MEASURES

Have spring band camp for returning members – Preparation for performances

Have band awards Banquet – Administrative/managerial assignments

Collect band uniforms-clean and store – Administrative/managerial assignments

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Make sure to contact Block Band Music and Publishing and ask to get your copy of Dr. Davenport’s book:

“Practical Techniques for Building the High School Marching Band”

 

Dr. Kevin O. Davenport