GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Who are the Upper Moreland Music Patrons?

The Upper Moreland Music Patrons are the booster organization that helps raise funds, assist in events and work to ensure a successful program. For more information please click About Us 

How can I stay connected to what is going on?

Email - Generally sent out weekly and contains important information for the week. UMMP Facebook Page - Many Pictures, videos, comments and is a closed group generally for Parents/guardians. Remind - This is a service that you will be instructed to create an account that can text/email messages in an instant from the Teaching Staff  Google Calendar - This has all events, helpful hint: Sync with your personal calendar to keep your life organized! 

What happens in the event of inclement weather?

Weather is always an issue however communication is the only solution, generally if there are concerns Remind is the notification service that will inform you of a delay, cancellation or change in plans. Please pay attention to the details in the remind message (example "It's sunny now but change of rain later today"). Safety is always first, after that damage to the instruments is also a concern. Events may be cancelled or rescheduled or have the band perform in the stands only, please pay attention to details in the Remind message.

How Can I help?

All Upper Moreland Band Parents should attend monthly UMMP meetings, this is a great way to meet other parents and understand what is coming up and ask questions, make suggestions and be part of the process. You can also volunteer at the home show as well as Chaperone or Grunt to competitions.

Where can I learn more about Volunteer Certification?

It's easy every parent is welcomed; there are forms that need to be completed and submitted to the school district. You may already have some of these certifications if you were a coach or involved in scouting. For requirements for volunteering at UM Click Here.

What do I need to know if I plan to attend a performance or competition?

Plan on arriving approx. 45 minutes before the UM scheduled time to allow time for Parking, event tickets, finding a seat etc and remember the scheduled performance time could shift a little. Consider having a few dollars for Tickets, Snacks or Concessions, events sometime can be long and it is a nice break. Candy Grams are a fundraiser for the hosting school but gives you the chance to send your child a personal message and a little treat. Consider carpooling and sitting with other UM parents the kids love seeing/hearing the UM Community applauding for them. Please be respectful of other bands performing, we ask this of the students and we should do the same.

What Are Candy Grams?

It's a fundraiser for the hosting school, generally for about one dollar you purchase a candy bar where you fill out a sticker with your son or daughters name and school and leave them a message The kids normally get them at the end of the night.

Where do I go to see pictures and videos from band events?

Normally one or two parents will take great pictures or videos and upload them to YouTube or a Google folder then post the link on the UMMP Facebook page. It works best on a Google folder or YouTube as the UMMP Facebook is a closed group and the kids may share them on their Facebook page or you may want to add to your personal Facebook Page.

How much Money should I give my student for events?

Generally, the kids like to purchase a snack; they also like to send their friends Candy Grams. Larger events such as champs have souvenirs. Consider approx $10 for snacks and more if they want souvenirs.

Why should I turn my headlights off when waiting to pick up my student?

The most important reason is safety, when the kids come out of the school having a 100+ cars with headlights shining in each direction can make if difficult to see. Also if they are practicing the reflection or direct headlights in their face makes it difficult to perform. Lastly car headlights  can be blinding to the driver in the car in front of you.

What is an I-Account

During the year there are several fund raisers where the student can raise money for various band activities. These fund raisers place money into the students I Account. They are tracked over time and by completing an I Account voucher form you can use the funds for band trips or other band sponsored activities.

Marching Band

When/Where does the band practice?

The Marching Band generally practices on the lower field outside the band room near Terwood Rd, during the year they may have practice up in the stadium to get used to the artificial turn. In the event of inclement weather they may have smaller sectional rehearsals inside. For times of Marching band you need to check the calendar Generally the rule is to be early, allow time for drop off, getting equipment ready. The kids know they should be there at a min 15 minutes early. 

What happens if I need to drop of a lunch or dinner for a practice?

If you student forget his lunch or dinner or perhaps you want to drop off a hot meal the best method is to drive by during the outdoor rehearsal and wait until they get a break and give it too them. Normally there are other parents there that you may know that you can drop it off with them as well. Caution that sometimes lunch or dinner break may get moved up or pushed back so you may want to get there 15 to 20 minutes before the lunch or dinner to drop it off.

What is the Parent Preview?

The Parent Preview generally happens very early in the year, this is as close to a dress rehearsal where you get to see the first performance of the new show. Generally the show is almost complete and only the big ending is not ready for Prime Time. You will get an email with details of the parent preview and you show up, bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch what they have been practicing for months. You will see/hear during the year the improvements but it all starts at the Parent Preview.

What is the difference between a performance and competition?

Your child will perform and strive for excellence at both performance and competition however there are some differences. Performances could be the Parent Preview, Halftime at Football Games, parades etc. During a performance they are not scored but still perform with excellence. For competitions they are scored and you will see judges on the field. Normally each week the scores go up as they are getting fine tuned and performing better as a group. During the home show they are judged and scored however as they are on their home turf they are not in competition.

What are Sectionals?

Marching Band is made of several different sections, each section has a student leader, examples of sections are Color Guard, Pit, Trombones, Sax's Trumpets, Flutes etc. At times there may be a sectional where just the pit practices their material. So you will see practices with the whole marching unit and just the sections.

What Division is our Marching Band in?

It depends and does change from year to year, in the past the Marching Band was in Patriot Division or Yankee Division. This is determined by the number of students and many other factors. We are part of the Cavalcade of Bands and you can see their web page for more information.

How can I find out the Scores from competitions?

The UMMP Facebook Page normally has the score posted, sometimes almost seconds after it is announced. You can also go to Cavalcade of Bands to see scores but generally it takes a couple of days to get posted.

What is Champs all about?

Champs are what they practice and train for so hard all Marching Band Season. Champs is generally the first or second weekend in November. It is held in Hershey Stadium or in Allentown PA. This is the final performance where the Marching Unit is judged. Tickets are sold in advance on line or you can get them at the stadium the day of the event. This is a big day for the Marching Unit after this there are performances such as the Hatboro Parade. Generally there is a Champs Party before that the parents put together to wish them well.