VPHS Instrumental Music Notes

...a not-so-lyrical composition of survival tips for "Marchin Spartan" families

Join our tradition of musical excellence at Villa Park and GET INVOLVED with your student! Booster Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 in the rehearsal hall--everyone is welcome to come and join us as we continue plans for another great year! Just as all sport teams perform better with crowd participation, so does the Instrumental Music Department! Not only do we need help at EVERY GAME AND EVENT, but there are a lot of senior parents holding board positions that will need to get replaced next year, so keep your eye out for a job that you would like!

Football Games and Field Shows

Football games: All games start at 7:00pm. Call time will initially be at 5:00pm for Home games (full Marching uniform), 6:00pm for Away games(Theme t-shirt and jeans). All parents are encouraged to support the Marchin Spartans in the stands or helping with logistics. Students usually arrive back at VPHS around 9:30pm. All students must be picked up within 30 minutes of returning to VPHS.

Zero Period Jazz Band credit: During the second semester, zero period incorporates a number of performing ensembles including Jazz Band and Jazz Combo, Orchestra Winds, SCSBOA block, Musical Theatre Ensemble (The Boyfriend) and Drum and Bugle. This year, there is no Wind Ensemble planned for zero since the instrumentation of the first period concert band is essentially a wind ensemble. The SCSBOA block is for the entire second semester and is NOT the same as the D Block for the Disney performance. There are two competitive parades scheduled for the SCSBOA Block (Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association) - April 25th and May 16th. Students participating in ANY of the listed ensembles should sign up for Zero Period Jazz Band regardless of the specific ensemble(s) they are playing in. Days will rotate between the ensembles.

Basketball game schedule: The basketball schedule will be posted when it is available - see the Calendar page for details. Game time is 7:30 and call time is 6:45. This is not open to all students. Students must be "registered" (previously signed up and committed) to the Basketball Band

Testing: Testing will occur throughout the year on music and marching. Specific test dates will be published later. Until test dates are published, students are individually responsible for meeting testing expectations on the specified dates as posted on the rehearsal hall white board, announced in class and reviewed at rehearsals.

Schedule Changes

Calendar changes are impossible to avoid, but there are three ways we will work to keep you fully informed:

Student updates in class from Mr. Jay - classroom schedule at the back of room, handouts and student notices on whiteboard in front of room--students should check them often!
Family updates online via the email address that you provide at registration---if you have more than one household that needs email notification please provide email addresses for BOTH households. If your email changes, please provide that as well.
Checking this website for updates.

Survival Notes for Football games, Parades and Tournaments

Notes for Parents:

ATTEND ALL PERFORMANCES!! Your kids may not say it (or realize it) but they need and want you there! Performing in front of those you know has an impact that is important and immeasurable! This includes games, tournaments and concerts at school!
Bring a padded stadium chair! Your backside will thank you after sitting through evening games and long tournament days. At home games, our Instrumental Music parents enjoy sitting at the 30 yard line closest to the concession stand in the section next to the Marchin Spartans so we can visit and get to know each other, cheer the Marchin Spartans on, and see our own kids up as close as possible!
Support your student by making sure their uniform is cleaned as required during the season, and that when they leave for performances, all parts of their uniform are worn correctly.
Please make sure your student arrives promptly to all performances and pick them up promptly afterwards.
Support our music director by supporting and reminding your student of all policies, guidelines and expectations while in uniform.
Wear the Instrumental Music "booster wear"--we have t-shirts, polos and jackets to show off our school spirit and pride in our kids (see last page to place your order)
All football games and tournaments have entry fees for spectators, so bring money to get in. If you have other student family members attending, remind them to bring their ASB cards so that they can get in at student prices. You will also want to bring money for food, snacks and drinks. Some sites will allow small coolers, others will not.
Tournament days are long....hot during the day and cool at night---sunscreen and jackets will be welcomed friends, as will lots of water.
Volunteer to help during games, parades and tournaments are always needed.
Support your student by offering extra hands to help with snacks/water for the Marchin Spartans, load/unload truck, help set up field pre show.

Notes for Musicians:

Put on sunscreen if you are prone to sunburn! Daytime tournaments and parades are sunny and hot! Extra water is a MUST!
If you take regular medications, make sure to bring them with you!
Bring whatever you may need for a nagging headache, chapped lips, or runny nose. Some tournament days can last up to 12 hours!
Also important to remember: spare gloves and black socks, bandaids, valve oil, extra reeds, jacket for cool evenings after being in hot sun all day.
Remember to bring what you need to keep your hair "up"!
Pack a few snacks, and/or bring money to buy them. Remember the rules about eating while in uniform; ask your section leader about these if you have any questions.
All marching shoes look alike! Write your last name in the inside of the tongue of both your shoes!!!

UNIFORM POLICIES and HOW TO's

Uniform Care:

All uniforms MUST be kept in the Blue (or Black) uniform bags.
All uniforms MUST be kept clean at all times. If your uniform is dirty
DO NOT WAIT - take it in to be cleaned before the next performance. Usually, a portion of judging is the overall look of the Marchin Spartan, including uniformity, uniform cleanliness and orderliness.
You are responsible for all parts of the uniform including:
- Jacket (dry cleaners ONLY)
- Pants (dry cleaners ONLY)
- Citation cord - DO NOT WASH OR TAKE TO CLEANERS - NOT WASHABLE!!!! Return to right shoulder after cleaning uniform - braided part goes under arm, straight thingies go over arm. Hook to shoulder flap.
- Collar shield - HAND WASH in gentle detergent/Oxi-clean - Do not take to Cleaners. Be sure to return to inside uniform collar after washing and uniform is returned from cleaners.
- Hat & hat box - NOT washable, gently wipe with DAMP rag or anti-bacterial wipe NO alcohol - will dry out leather of hat.
- Gloves - machine washable on COLD, so color won't fade
- Black socks - machine washable on COLD, so color won't fade
- Black marching shoes - wipe clean, use Armor All wipes to "shine" - do NOT want shiny
- Uniform bag - machine washable
- Marchin Spartan T-shirt - machine wash - cold water so won't shrink or fade
When required to take uniform to cleaners, (usually 2-3 times a season). We recommend the cleaners listed below. Both of these places have worked well for Marchin Spartan Parents and have reasonable charges. Neither of them is overnite! Cost is approximately $6.00. Remember to plan ahead...usually 2-3 days turn-around.
Students are required to keep hair off collar when wearing the hat/uniform. If your student has longer hair - They will need to use pony tail holders, pins, hairspray or even the infamous thi-high hose tops (buy a pair of thi-highs @ Sears, cut the legs off & voila! Instant headband!) EVEN BOYS that have hair touching the collar must wear it up!
Your student should wear the Marchin Spartan T-shirt under the uniform jacket. It will help keep the free from sweating directly only the jacket. Lightweight shorts under pants Please do not let them wear jeans or anything besides the recommended clothing under the uniform as it makes it too bulky and TOO HOT!!! These are wool uniforms!
NO makeup of any kind is allowed.
NO piercings that show (if they are new & can't come out, use tiny bandaids to cover - the round ones)
If you have "cut-fingered" gloves, no finger-nail polish allowed other than clear.
After each performance, it is VITAL that you air out the uniform. Hang them properly and let them dry completely before storing in bag. We also recommend using Febreeze to help cut odor and "refresh" uniform. These kids work hard during the shows and SWEAT! If you don't air out the uniform, it will mildew and will be ruined.
Students should hang uniforms as shown at fittings -Pants - seam to seam/ Jacket correctly on sturdy hanger. They need to be put in bag until home, then air out as indicated above. (#10)
NO STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING OTHER THAN WATER WHILE IN UNIFORM - they stain easily.
Encourage your student to use deodorant/antiperspirant LIBERALLY before they "suit up" - they might want to bring it to performances for use after shows too! This is a delicate subject, but sometimes it is necessary to be "blunt" - sorry! We don't want them to smell and hear about it from others...

Recommended Cleaners:

Crystal Cleaners (next to Pizza Hut @ Tustin/Meats)
2095 N Tustin St | Orange, CA 92865 | (714) 998-5170

Olive Cleaners (in Olive Heights center at Lincoln/Orange-Olive Rd)
820 E Lincoln Ave | Orange, CA 92865 | (714) 637-7911

Behavioral Expectations for ALL Performers

Professionalism...

Whether we are in class, sectional, game, or a Saturday competition, we are representing the Instrumental Music Program, Villa Park High School, the Orange Unified School District and the City of Villa Park. It is vital that we maintain a positive code of conduct at all times. You may certainly enjoy yourself while always being polite to and respectful of those around you. Remember that the words "please" and "thank you" will work wonders.

All adults should be treated with respect. This includes your directors, parents, volunteers, chaperones, audience, and anyone else we see, whether they know us or not. We always want to leave people with the best possible impression of us--both on and off the field.

Public Displays of Affection (PDA)... This is an especially interesting topic. Even a kiss on the cheek is inappropriate in public when in uniform. There are better ways (verbal and non-verbal) to show your support and confidence in each other. Hand Holding should not take place in front of the audience.

Specifics....

At all times, the policies set forth by the OUSD will apply at all Instrumental Music activities both on and off campus; before, during, or after regular school hours. This shouldn't be necessary, but here are examples of specific behaviors that WILL NOT BE TOLERATED:

smoking
drinking
illicit drugs
profanity
behavior deemed to be in poor taste (PDA)
abusive or threatening language directed toward any staff member or fellow student. Such language is unnecessary and unacceptable at all times

MAJOR JAY HAS A STRICT TIME CLOCK! BE ON TIME!! CALL TIME IS CALL TIME ON TIME! ON TIME MEANS READY TO PLAY, NOT WALKING IN THE DOOR! KNOW YOUR MUSIC! HAVE YOUR MUSIC! HAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT! Heed this friendly warning or else.....

HAVE A QUESTION? Call your section leader, a board member, or check our website!

Last Updated 08-25-10