2023 Northern Lights Homeschool Marching Band Information
Marching Band t-Shirt Design Competition
We would like to invite you to participate in our Marching Band T-Shirt design competition! Students (and adults) are welcome to create a design for this year's marching band t-shirt. Here are the rules:
Pre-camp Pre-Camp is required for all new marchers to NLMB, regardless of potential experience at another school. Students will meet their Section Leaders and learn the basic commands in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Choose at least one session. Both sessions will cover the same material. You may attend more if you like. Experienced marchers are not required to attend Pre-Camp, but are welcome to attend as a refresher course. We will not play music at these sessions, but you should bring your instrument to learn how to hold it during various command positions.
Colorguard rehearsals - May 3, 10, 17, 24
Drumline rehearsals - May 3, 10, 17, 24 - 1-4pm
Band Camp - June 5-9, 9am-3pm. Required for all participants.
Weekly Rehearsals - Wednesdays, June 14 to August 2, 9-11am
Parking - Parking lot D is to be used for drop-offs and pick-ups only. We expect to use this lot for the band to march. Please park in lot A if you are staying during band camp or rehearsals. MAP
Parades
We want to get our parades set ASAP because we realize that many of you need to make your vacation plans early. Please keep in mind that there is still a chance this could change. Not all parades have set dates yet, and sometimes things do get cancelled or altered. However, here's our plan for this summer!
To Do
Information and Timeline for Marching Band Uniform Distribution and Inspection
Uniform fittings will be held on Wednesdays in May. Inspections will be held during band camp.
We would like to invite you to participate in our Marching Band T-Shirt design competition! Students (and adults) are welcome to create a design for this year's marching band t-shirt. Here are the rules:
- Designs must be one color only.
- Designs may not be hand-drawn. Only Graphic Designs will qualify. (In other words, they must be drawn on a computer.)
- Designs should not be too detailed. These t-shirts are screen-printed and not able to handle fine details.
- Designs must be kept confidential. Do not show them to anyone else. (Our marching band t-shirt designs and colors are top-secret until they are revealed to the entire band during the last day of band camp.)
- You are not allowed to know the color of the shirt the winning design will be printed on.
- Submitted designs are subject to any changes deemed necessary without consultation with you prior to printing.
- The winning designer will not be informed of their selection until the design is revealed to the band.
- Designs must be submitted as a .pdf file to wmarch@wmhfa.org. DO NOT send them to office@wmhfa.org. (Even Mrs. Lash is not permitted to see the design or color of the shirt.)
- Designs must not focus on one particular instrument over the others. This is not a trumpet shirt, it is a BAND shirt!
- Have fun and be creative! If your design is not chosen this year, it may be kept for future shirt ideas!
Pre-camp Pre-Camp is required for all new marchers to NLMB, regardless of potential experience at another school. Students will meet their Section Leaders and learn the basic commands in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Choose at least one session. Both sessions will cover the same material. You may attend more if you like. Experienced marchers are not required to attend Pre-Camp, but are welcome to attend as a refresher course. We will not play music at these sessions, but you should bring your instrument to learn how to hold it during various command positions.
- Session 1 - May 17 - 1:30 to 3pm
- Session 2 - May 24 - 1:30 to 3pm
Colorguard rehearsals - May 3, 10, 17, 24
- Middle Guard - 1-2pm
- Junior Guard - 2-3pm
- Senior Guard - 3-4pm
Drumline rehearsals - May 3, 10, 17, 24 - 1-4pm
Band Camp - June 5-9, 9am-3pm. Required for all participants.
Weekly Rehearsals - Wednesdays, June 14 to August 2, 9-11am
Parking - Parking lot D is to be used for drop-offs and pick-ups only. We expect to use this lot for the band to march. Please park in lot A if you are staying during band camp or rehearsals. MAP
Parades
We want to get our parades set ASAP because we realize that many of you need to make your vacation plans early. Please keep in mind that there is still a chance this could change. Not all parades have set dates yet, and sometimes things do get cancelled or altered. However, here's our plan for this summer!
- June 15 Three Rivers Water Festival Parade
- July 4 Cascade with a potluck picnic afterwards at a park
- July 8 Traverse City Cherry Festival Parade
- July 15 Ionia Free Fair Parade
- July 29 Byron Days Parade
- August 5 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Parade
To Do
- Block off June 5-9 on your calendar. All students must attend every day of band camp. No exceptions.
- Start memorizing the music! All band members must pass the memorization test (due date April 24). No exceptions.
- Sign up for Marching Band at your parent portal.
- Schedule your uniform fitting here.
- Fill out your t-shirt size/absence report here.
- Sign up to help here.
Information and Timeline for Marching Band Uniform Distribution and Inspection
Uniform fittings will be held on Wednesdays in May. Inspections will be held during band camp.
2023 Information Packets
Read the Marching Band information carefully and make sure your children understand the marching band requirements
Students age 9 and up who have older siblings in the band may join Banner Carriers. These students carry the flags of the many states the NLMB has visited, and march with the Band during parades. There are a limited number of slots available. Banner Carriers learn basic marching commands during Band Camp from their dedicated instructors. This age-appropriate curriculum includes learning how to move in time with the beat, march in step on the correct foot, mark time, move in line with the rank, adjust spacing, focus on verbal commands, and respond as a unit. While there is intentional instructional time, Banner Carriers also have relaxed team-building and social opportunities at Band Camp.
Boys age 9 and 10 may join the Rifle Drill team (must be 9 by September 1). Each Rifle Drill Team student will learn a drill to perform as a team while marching to the cadence as well as with each song. There will not be any tosses or twirls, strictly military style drills and marching. We will focus on crisp, clean, coordinated moves and marching as one unit. This is a great opportunity for your student to refine their marching skills, learn a new discipline, memorize a routine and get a taste of the responsibility and dedication needed to march with an instrument. This is a great option for boys who are ready for the next level, but not old enough to join the instruments. Each Rifle Drill Team student will need to purchase a wooden rifle from WMHFA. The rifles are approximately $50 and you may be able to sell it to the next year’s Drill Team when your student begins marching with an instrument. Please note: all students enrolled in the Rifle Drill Team may occasionally carry a flag or banner in a parade, if needed, but will march with the Rifle a majority of the time.
Boys age 9 and 10 may join the Rifle Drill team (must be 9 by September 1). Each Rifle Drill Team student will learn a drill to perform as a team while marching to the cadence as well as with each song. There will not be any tosses or twirls, strictly military style drills and marching. We will focus on crisp, clean, coordinated moves and marching as one unit. This is a great opportunity for your student to refine their marching skills, learn a new discipline, memorize a routine and get a taste of the responsibility and dedication needed to march with an instrument. This is a great option for boys who are ready for the next level, but not old enough to join the instruments. Each Rifle Drill Team student will need to purchase a wooden rifle from WMHFA. The rifles are approximately $50 and you may be able to sell it to the next year’s Drill Team when your student begins marching with an instrument. Please note: all students enrolled in the Rifle Drill Team may occasionally carry a flag or banner in a parade, if needed, but will march with the Rifle a majority of the time.