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
———————————————————————————————————————————
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