Welcome to the PLD Marching Band!
If you are a parent of a middle school or new band student, and you want to find out what's in store for your student, you have come to the right place. Our page has a wealth of information about the PLD band and its many accomplishments. If you still have questions our Vice President of Membership will be more than happy to talk with you.
If your student has already made the commitment to join the band, the transition to the PLD marching band is a big step. Factor in the process of going from middle school to high school for many new members, and it can seem overwhelming for both the students and the parents. However, there is no need to stress. Our board members and veteran parents will help get you organized on everything you need to accomplish and help you proceed through the maze of paperwork and forms to complete. We will also get you up to speed on what's happening with the band and provide a wealth of useful information that will come in handy for the next four (or five) years.
If you are a parent of a middle school or new band student, and you want to find out what's in store for your student, you have come to the right place. Our page has a wealth of information about the PLD band and its many accomplishments. If you still have questions our Vice President of Membership will be more than happy to talk with you.
If your student has already made the commitment to join the band, the transition to the PLD marching band is a big step. Factor in the process of going from middle school to high school for many new members, and it can seem overwhelming for both the students and the parents. However, there is no need to stress. Our board members and veteran parents will help get you organized on everything you need to accomplish and help you proceed through the maze of paperwork and forms to complete. We will also get you up to speed on what's happening with the band and provide a wealth of useful information that will come in handy for the next four (or five) years.
Band Parents Association
The PLD Band Parents Association (BPA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization. Our mission is to provide support, both moral and financial, to the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Band program, its directors, staff, and the students. Members of the BPA include parents and legal guardians of current band members who donate their time, effort, energy, and talents on committees who oversee activities which directly support the PLD Band. The BPA is essentially an organized group of parents supporting our band kids.
BPA Board of Directors
The BPA is governed by a Board of Directors which consists of: President, Past President, President -Elect, CFO of Operations (Bingo), Vice President - Fundraising, CFO of Arts (Treasurer), Secretary, Communications and Membership. The board is responsible for BPA budget and other financial matters, approving Committee chairpersons, and other administrative responsibilities. Board positions are filled by the nominating committee. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors you may contact a nominating committee member. Board members are selected each fall and serve a term from January- December.
The Marching Band Information Booklet
The Marching Band Information Booklet is a packet of information given to all parents each marching season. Updated every year by the BPA, the band booklet contains details on such topics as: Band Classes, Band Camp, Awards, Marching competitions, contest etiquette, KMEA and BOA scoring, Overnight trips, Marching Season, Concert Season, Winterguard, Band fees, Band Parents Association, and Board of Directors, committee chairpersons, and committee members. It even has a listing of Band vocabulary. It is the most comprehensive listing of all things pertaining to the PLD Marching band. It is a must read.
The PLD Band Parents Association (BPA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization. Our mission is to provide support, both moral and financial, to the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Band program, its directors, staff, and the students. Members of the BPA include parents and legal guardians of current band members who donate their time, effort, energy, and talents on committees who oversee activities which directly support the PLD Band. The BPA is essentially an organized group of parents supporting our band kids.
BPA Board of Directors
The BPA is governed by a Board of Directors which consists of: President, Past President, President -Elect, CFO of Operations (Bingo), Vice President - Fundraising, CFO of Arts (Treasurer), Secretary, Communications and Membership. The board is responsible for BPA budget and other financial matters, approving Committee chairpersons, and other administrative responsibilities. Board positions are filled by the nominating committee. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors you may contact a nominating committee member. Board members are selected each fall and serve a term from January- December.
The Marching Band Information Booklet
The Marching Band Information Booklet is a packet of information given to all parents each marching season. Updated every year by the BPA, the band booklet contains details on such topics as: Band Classes, Band Camp, Awards, Marching competitions, contest etiquette, KMEA and BOA scoring, Overnight trips, Marching Season, Concert Season, Winterguard, Band fees, Band Parents Association, and Board of Directors, committee chairpersons, and committee members. It even has a listing of Band vocabulary. It is the most comprehensive listing of all things pertaining to the PLD Marching band. It is a must read.
VOLUNTEERS of the PLD BAND PARENTS ASSOCIATION
A quality band program like the PLD band requires people. The Band's instructors cannot do it all. Parental involvement is critical if the band is to succeed. There are many opportunities for parents to be involved with helping the band achieve its goals each marching season. It takes SEVERAL parents to "get our show on the road". This page is intended to give parents an overview of many committees and activities the Band Parents Association is responsible for each year. We need your help. Please consider volunteering for one or more volunteer committees.
COMMITTEES of the PLD BAND PARENTS ASSOCIATION
Listed below are short descriptions of the many duties and activities the Band Parents Association fulfills each marching season. As senior students graduate, new band parents are needed to step into those roles. Band parents may volunteer to be on more than one committee. Please see the Committee Chairpersons list beginning on page 13 of the PLD Band Handbook.
Fundraising
Assists with Bingo, Snap Raise, Spirit Night and Community/Corporate Sponsorship activities.. Assists with sales of various bandwear items throughout the season (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.).
Pit Crew
Load, transport instruments and equipment for football games, band trips & concerts. Pit crew travels with the band and is responsible for getting all equipment on the field for performances. You are active during marching season and concert trips. You would not be required to go on all trips. Design and build show props, instrument carts and other projects as needed.
Band Practice Support
Assist students as needed on and off the field during the two-week band camp and after school/Saturday rehearsals. For example, committee members provide students with water and towels, have the first aid kit available, plan for treats for students
Uniforms
Fit, alter, maintain and clean uniforms, oversee transportation of uniforms on band trips, and assist students with uniforms before/after football games, contests and concerts.
Color Guard
Assemble flags and equipment for show, maintain and clean uniforms, assist students with uniforms and equipment before and after football games and contests. Oversee transportation of flags, equipment, & uniforms for band trips.
Inspiration Committee
Coordinates spirit ideas for band members before contests, candy w/ inspirational quote, etc.).
Hospitality
Committee members plan the spring Band Banquet, Picnic on the Dawgwood, Directors Lunch and the Preview Picnic.
Communication
Assists with photography, web page, newsletter and social media updates.
Travel Committee
Assists Travel Chairperson with various duties in overnight travel (hotels, buses, etc). Must be able to be at overnight trips. Collects state competition ticket orders and distributes to parents.
Food Committee
Assists with meals served to students at practices, competitions and band trips.
Bus Chaperones
Parents travel with the students on band trips (i.e - contests, concerts, other performances). Signing up as a chaperone does not mean you will go on every trip but you will be available to help. Bus chaperones stay with the band at all times. They help students get into uniforms, provide water, notify directors of any injuries, provide moral support, etc.
Hotel Chaperones
Parents are responsible for monitoring students at the hotel during overnight trips. Signing up as a chaperone does not mean you will go on every trip, but you will be available to help. Hotel chaperones are assigned a designated group of rooms and are responsible for keeping students on schedule (wake up calls, lights out, and assisting with room checkout).
New Member Committee
Distributes information to new members, serves as contact/help for new member questions.
A quality band program like the PLD band requires people. The Band's instructors cannot do it all. Parental involvement is critical if the band is to succeed. There are many opportunities for parents to be involved with helping the band achieve its goals each marching season. It takes SEVERAL parents to "get our show on the road". This page is intended to give parents an overview of many committees and activities the Band Parents Association is responsible for each year. We need your help. Please consider volunteering for one or more volunteer committees.
COMMITTEES of the PLD BAND PARENTS ASSOCIATION
Listed below are short descriptions of the many duties and activities the Band Parents Association fulfills each marching season. As senior students graduate, new band parents are needed to step into those roles. Band parents may volunteer to be on more than one committee. Please see the Committee Chairpersons list beginning on page 13 of the PLD Band Handbook.
Fundraising
Assists with Bingo, Snap Raise, Spirit Night and Community/Corporate Sponsorship activities.. Assists with sales of various bandwear items throughout the season (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.).
Pit Crew
Load, transport instruments and equipment for football games, band trips & concerts. Pit crew travels with the band and is responsible for getting all equipment on the field for performances. You are active during marching season and concert trips. You would not be required to go on all trips. Design and build show props, instrument carts and other projects as needed.
Band Practice Support
Assist students as needed on and off the field during the two-week band camp and after school/Saturday rehearsals. For example, committee members provide students with water and towels, have the first aid kit available, plan for treats for students
Uniforms
Fit, alter, maintain and clean uniforms, oversee transportation of uniforms on band trips, and assist students with uniforms before/after football games, contests and concerts.
Color Guard
Assemble flags and equipment for show, maintain and clean uniforms, assist students with uniforms and equipment before and after football games and contests. Oversee transportation of flags, equipment, & uniforms for band trips.
Inspiration Committee
Coordinates spirit ideas for band members before contests, candy w/ inspirational quote, etc.).
Hospitality
Committee members plan the spring Band Banquet, Picnic on the Dawgwood, Directors Lunch and the Preview Picnic.
Communication
Assists with photography, web page, newsletter and social media updates.
Travel Committee
Assists Travel Chairperson with various duties in overnight travel (hotels, buses, etc). Must be able to be at overnight trips. Collects state competition ticket orders and distributes to parents.
Food Committee
Assists with meals served to students at practices, competitions and band trips.
Bus Chaperones
Parents travel with the students on band trips (i.e - contests, concerts, other performances). Signing up as a chaperone does not mean you will go on every trip but you will be available to help. Bus chaperones stay with the band at all times. They help students get into uniforms, provide water, notify directors of any injuries, provide moral support, etc.
Hotel Chaperones
Parents are responsible for monitoring students at the hotel during overnight trips. Signing up as a chaperone does not mean you will go on every trip, but you will be available to help. Hotel chaperones are assigned a designated group of rooms and are responsible for keeping students on schedule (wake up calls, lights out, and assisting with room checkout).
New Member Committee
Distributes information to new members, serves as contact/help for new member questions.