Just as the Panther Band has as the head of the music program, the parent boosters could easily be considered the backbone. Therefore, the parents are given the chance to get to know the inner workings, the etiquette, but mostly each other at the team-building day called Parent Band Camp.
This year, it was held Saturday, Sept. 10 on the high school campus — the same time and place as their kids were attending Band Camp 2. Kids (in full costume) did double takes as they passed by the boosters (also in costume at times). The kids were actually proud to see their parents, because, after all, when wearing clown hair or fairy wings everyone has pretty much moved past the awkward phase.
The band program has one of those rare high school groups where parents are physically and mentally close to the students on a regular basis. Being so vital, the parent unit needs to be a bonded machine that can function despite tight schedules, unique personalities and daunting weather. Mind reading is always helpful as well.
Find out what's happening in Beniciafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The parents did activities such as building a mascot and motto and learned all about ‘ready-up.’ In the real world, ready-up occurs during the electrically charged minutes prior to competition. hair, shoes, straps, buttons, etc. immediately before the official inspection, while the uniform is on the musician. A loss of inspection points can be the difference between first and second place, so parents are critical in polishing shoes, removing scuffs, straightening uniforms, even cutting hair in the great outdoors. On Saturday, the finer points were taught during a fun relay. The parents sported the official uniform, and learned the no-spill techniques of hydration.
They closed the day by learning a military drill just like their students were taught, and then cool-headedly performed it in front of their kids. This was the highlight of the day, when it suddenly hit the parents about how hard their kids work, and how easy their kids make this all look. The respect level definitely moved up a few notches — from students and parents alike.
Find out what's happening in Beniciafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Former alumni assisted in the parent workshops. Brooke Noska, a 2007 graduate of and former member of the Panther band, is a strong symbol of what a band program can do for someone’s future. She is currently the entertainment, training and development supervisor at Six Flags’ Discovery Kingdom. There, she oversees at least 100 performers, guides and characters.
“Band leadership prepared me for leadership in the real world,” she said. She seemed comfortable carrying that level of responsibility on her young shoulders, not so different from being band council president when she was a Panther musician.
Mr. Martin also spoke to the parents about the program. “It’s about the bond created between the kids and the parents. It’s not the friends who come to root at the competitions….it’s YOU,” he said.
He was emphatic that the program cannot be successful without parents: “Your kids are performing to you, for you. They work really hard; they do it for themselves and, believe it or not, for you.”
Parents find great benefits in being so closely involved in the world of their teenager, and find they are respected and accepted so readily. The boosters take a supportive role while being a background presence, thus keeping the kids ultimately accountable. The students also gain the respect of the adults, since the boosters see not only the talent, but also the hard work that goes into performing. It’s a great symbiotic relationship.
Leslie Blackie, a band parent who successfully ran Saturday’s Parent Camp, said it in a nutshell. “I love being part of my teenagers’ lives — on the periphery.”
For Mr. Martin and Mrs. Carlson, Color Guard Instructor, all components are starting to jell. The booster parents have the same passion and spirit as seen in their kids. This is what carries them through a schedule which is not for the faint of heart.
(As a side note: Congratulations to Mr. Martin and Mr. Chris Piazza, who won the Solano County “Arty” award on Sunday. It was for Best Musical Direction, for their work on Beauty and the Beast, performed at Benicia High School in May. The Panther Band orchestra has earned another feather in its cap.)