NSBA GUIDELINES FOR BANDS AT
ATHLETIC CONTESTS
Foreword by the NSASSP
The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals
(NSASSP) recognizes the Importance of extra-curricular
activities in the total high school program. As principals,
we are also well aware of the time commitment and dedication
required on the part of students and directors alike
to make extra-curricular activities meaningful and successful.
Balancing these demands with the
Other multitude of demands placed on students and staff
is no easy task.
The brochure outlines in detail a number of substantive
suggestions or guidelines that appear to be most applicable
to bands and Instrumental groups that might perform at
athletic contests. This document would be an excellent
resource for new band directors just entering the profession.
The NSASSP Executive Board Is of the opinion that the
guidelines that you have developed are applicable and
entail a number of conditions that should be reviewed
by high school principals and discussed with high school
band directors.
We applaud your efforts to articulate a standard set
of guidelines and expectations. We believe that this
type of professional planning and foresight will most
certainly yield positive results for the students in
our schools.
The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association offers the
following guidelines to help focus the proper perspective
of the pep band in the total band curriculum. Our guidelines
were developed through a NSBA pep band committee, with
input from several other states that have previously
developed guidelines, and through the MUSIC EDUCATOR
NATIONAL CONFERENCE, which has developed guidelines for
performances of school music groups.
1. It is recommended that high school principals, athletic
directors, and band directors select athletic contests
at which they wish the band to perform during the year.
The number of events should not exceed 16, excluding
postseason games, with no performances during vacation
periods.
Rationale: This would establish a reasonable balance
between pep band and the core of the band program. It
would also lessen the possibility of exploitation of
band students.
2. It is recommended that the decision for bands or pep
bands to travel to preseason or postseason contests be
determined in consultation between the principal and
the band director.
Rationale: There are a number of factors to consider,
including weather, travel time. School time missed, parents'
and students' wishes, expenses, the need for team support,
and community pride.
3. It is recommended that pep bands perform at postseason
football games, rather that the entire marching band.
Rationale: Poor weather conditions, concern for uniform
care, and excessive rehearsal time can diminish community
pride in those bands that have limited marching band
budgets and rehearsal time.
4. It is recommended that band students should not be
expected to perform past halftime at home athletic events
for which they perform.
Rationale: Bands generally are able to do the bulk of
their performing only before and at halftime of athletic
events. Once the students in the band have completed
their performing obligation, they should be free to choose
whether or not to remain for the rest of the game and
where to sit Although remaining for the rest of the game
may give the appearance of team support, such a practice,
when required, generally has a negative effect on the
band students.
5. It is recommended that the band director should be
consulted before any commitments are made on his or her
behalf to perform for an athletic event.
Rationale: Among school officials, only the band director
has a true picture of the performance demands being placed
on the band students at any given time. To commit the
band students to a performance without consulting the
director shows questionable judgment and a lack of understanding
for both the students and their director.
6. It is recommended that bands should not be expected
to perform at a pep band event if unforeseen and unavoidable
conflicts with other school and community activities
would not allow the remaining students to perform in
a manner representative of that band program.
Rationale: Athletic events offer an audience for band
students. To expect them to perform ineffectively due
to cdircumstances beyond their control has a negative
effect on them, on their band, and on the school.
7. It is recommended that the school district or athletic
department provide any performing band personnel admission
fees to athletic events, including all tournaments and
postseason play. It is also recommended that the school
district or athletic department provide transportation
to and from athletic events, including all tournaments
and postseasons p0laly.
Rationale: They Nebraska State Bandmasters Association’s perception is that it is unfair to require students to pay admission fees and/or transportation cost for any athletic event at which they are required to perform. Students and parents have already invested substantial amounts of money for instruments, instruction, music, uniform fees, accessories, etc. It is therefore, unreasonable to exp3ect performing band students to incur additional costs when required to performers a supports group for athletic contests.
8. It is recommended that junior high and middle school bands not be held responsible for performing at pep assemblies and games.
Rationale: In spite of pressures to have them imitate
high school bands in these activities, at this level
it requires a disproportionate amount of time, at the
expenses of music learning to prepare and perform pep
music on a frequent basis.
9. It is recommended that college athletic departments
be required to provide transportation costs when inviting
high school bands to perform at their athletic events,
it is recommended that one per year be the limit.
Rationale: It is felt that the taxpayers of each school district should not have to pay for entertaining at athletic functions other than the ones in the local district.
The intent of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association is composing guidelines for pep bands, is to insure that the primary goal of all band programs is to focus the teaching on long term values and not to let the adjunct organizations of the band program get out of balance in the total perspective of school band programs. It is important that the demands of public performances and competitive activities not be allowed to become dominant or excessive, and that public performances remain secondary to education in the curriculum. There should be no contradiction between the two because the former clearly supports the latter. This relationship, however, must be kept in perspective.
By definition (see example below) the core of a band program is the concert band experience. The concert band group is the all-encompassing medium of exposure which se4rves as the tool by which the student is introduced to the varied activities expected of any varied band program. An effort should be maintained to keep the total band education program in check with itself. Without controls (guidelines) music education begins to separate itself from the total band program pictures.
High School Bands
The diagram below illustrates and example of the structure that is often used in high school band programs. In the example, a student enrolled in the main concert band class may elect or be selected to participate in none, one, or several of the adjunct ensembles or activities. Each of the adjust ensembles or activities exists to further the students’ skills in performing music, their knowledge of music, and their attitudes toward music. Although these groups may differ somewhat in the music they perform and the aspect of music emphasized, their main purpose of the education of the students.
Adjunct groups or activities may rehease during part of the regular band period or may have separately rehearsal times and function either as a regular class or an extracurricular activity. All adjunct ensembles ors activitges shoulod require membership in the concert band. If there is a second or third concert band, the same patteren, with perhaps fewer adjuncts ensembles or activities, may exist for the group.
NSBA Pep Band Guidelines Printable copy
