If you are student or parent in the Marching Band, please go to our Communications page for directions on how to sign up for our email group, as well as other methods of communication that we use. All band members and parents must subscribe to our email group and/or Discord server in order to be up to date with all information.
Kennett Marching Blue Demons is an intense and rewarding activity. Students learn the importance of discipline, teamwork, and dedication. We spend hours in the hot sun and evenings in the fall frost. Each member relies on each other to help create a show to share at football games and competitions. The marching band plays for more people and performs in more venues than any other performing group in Kennett Consolidated School District.
Practices:
Practices are held during spring, summer and fall months; starting in May. Mandatory rehearsals begin on on in mid-August.
Band Camp is a span of time before the marching season with concentrated practice. The practices go from 8:00am to 8:00pm with a lunch break and extended dinner break. Camp usually lasts from 9 days. At camp, students will learn or improve their basic marching techniques and learn their coordinates. Band Camp is mandatory.
After camp is over, rehearsals continue every Monday and Wednesday until the end of the season (approximately the first weekend of November). Rehearsals run approximately from 6:00 to 8:30pm. We have practice this late to avoid conflicts with other sports. It also allows us to practice on the football field.
Football Games:
Football games are held either at home or away. The marching band attends most football games. At some home games, the home marching band plays pre-game. The away band will play pregame but this is not always the case. During the game, the band will be playing stand tunes. Students will have the third quarter off to visit the concession stand and interact with the visiting band.
Competitions:
The band competes in a circuit called Cavalcade of Bands. Each band competes against a band with an equal number of members. Competitions are held on Saturday. These events are large and often take a majority of the day. We are judged on many different aspects including effect, individual player, design, and ensemble performance. Saturday competition commitments are mandatory and require 12pm-11pm with very little exceptions.
Parades:
There are approximately four parades a year: Halloween, Tree lighting, Homecoming, and Memorial Day. They usually only last an hour or two. The Memorial Day parade is slightly longer than the other ones since we also play the National Anthem after the parade finishes.
Costs:
This will be communicated directly to members via email.
Sports:
You. can do marching band and be on a KHS sports team so long as they do not conflict at all with the KMB schedule. Outside/travel/rec teams pose more of a problem. If you have any questions whether or not another activity will conflict, contact Mr. Whisler directly.
Expectations:
All students are expected to attend all practices, football games, parades, and any other events on the schedule. When a member is absent, even for a portion of the practice or event, it hurts the group as a whole. Tardiness is not tolerated. We begin promptly and expect everyone to be there ready to go. This means that you will have to come early to be sure you are ready to go. If you have questions about attendance, contact Mr. Romano directly.
New members should expect a lot of help and support from other members and the directors. It can get very frustrating but always know that everyone is there to help you get better! With that said, you may always ask for extra time on something you don't understand. Talk to a director or peer to schedule a time to get help.
We recommend you read the following article as well:
Is marching in band as tough as playing sports?
Practices:
Practices are held during spring, summer and fall months; starting in May. Mandatory rehearsals begin on on in mid-August.
Band Camp is a span of time before the marching season with concentrated practice. The practices go from 8:00am to 8:00pm with a lunch break and extended dinner break. Camp usually lasts from 9 days. At camp, students will learn or improve their basic marching techniques and learn their coordinates. Band Camp is mandatory.
After camp is over, rehearsals continue every Monday and Wednesday until the end of the season (approximately the first weekend of November). Rehearsals run approximately from 6:00 to 8:30pm. We have practice this late to avoid conflicts with other sports. It also allows us to practice on the football field.
Football Games:
Football games are held either at home or away. The marching band attends most football games. At some home games, the home marching band plays pre-game. The away band will play pregame but this is not always the case. During the game, the band will be playing stand tunes. Students will have the third quarter off to visit the concession stand and interact with the visiting band.
Competitions:
The band competes in a circuit called Cavalcade of Bands. Each band competes against a band with an equal number of members. Competitions are held on Saturday. These events are large and often take a majority of the day. We are judged on many different aspects including effect, individual player, design, and ensemble performance. Saturday competition commitments are mandatory and require 12pm-11pm with very little exceptions.
Parades:
There are approximately four parades a year: Halloween, Tree lighting, Homecoming, and Memorial Day. They usually only last an hour or two. The Memorial Day parade is slightly longer than the other ones since we also play the National Anthem after the parade finishes.
Costs:
This will be communicated directly to members via email.
Sports:
You. can do marching band and be on a KHS sports team so long as they do not conflict at all with the KMB schedule. Outside/travel/rec teams pose more of a problem. If you have any questions whether or not another activity will conflict, contact Mr. Whisler directly.
Expectations:
All students are expected to attend all practices, football games, parades, and any other events on the schedule. When a member is absent, even for a portion of the practice or event, it hurts the group as a whole. Tardiness is not tolerated. We begin promptly and expect everyone to be there ready to go. This means that you will have to come early to be sure you are ready to go. If you have questions about attendance, contact Mr. Romano directly.
New members should expect a lot of help and support from other members and the directors. It can get very frustrating but always know that everyone is there to help you get better! With that said, you may always ask for extra time on something you don't understand. Talk to a director or peer to schedule a time to get help.
We recommend you read the following article as well:
Is marching in band as tough as playing sports?
Kennett Marching Band | 100 East South Street | Kennett Square, PA