C. Preseason Rehearsals

1. Housing

2. Food 

3. Registration Items and Procedure

4. Convocation

5. Rehearsal support (water etc)

6. Transportation to rehearsal sites

7. Leadership Training

8. Rehearsal/Instructional plans

9. Rehearsal Site preparations

10. Alternative rehearsal site prep.

11. Membership Auditions

12. First Year Induction ceremony  (Circle Ceremony)

    Student Preseason Guide:

    2019 Preseason Checklist-Timeline - Google Docs.webloc

UCMB Preseason

The Saturday 9 days before the first class day of Fall Semester is the traditional first day of "Band Camp" commonly referred to as  New Member Weekend.

New Member/drumline/front ensemble /color guard weekend: New Members, percussion and guard move in on Saturday. Drumline and “pit” get right to work on show materials while new members get two days of training in marching and music that makes them ready to work with all the returning members and feel comfortable. New members check-in and move into their own dorm rooms on Saturday morning and at 1:30 parents and students meet for a welcome and intro session. Then, goodbyes are said and the fun begins!

UCMB Preseason: The rest of the band moves in and the entire band is brought together. Sections are formed, players meet, music begins—before dinner, much music has already been rehearsed. After dinner more rehearsal and a parade across campus to Jorgensen Auditorium. 

On that day leaders, first year members, percussionists, and color guard arrive on campus to begin the new UCMB year. The first two days focus on orienting new members and giving the drum-line, front ensemble, and color guard a solid beginning. Traditional music selections and Our "marching routine" including the full repertoire of marching basics is taught and new members are prepared to learn our marching show when the other returning wind players arrive on Monday. 

After several hours of organization and first playing rehearsals the band parades to Jorgensen Auditorium for "UCMB Convocation"–a formal beginning of this years UCMB with a program of speeches, special guests, and presentation and the new year is officially underway. Each day consists of morning, afternoon, and evening rehearsals. Social Events are planned for evenings and meals. On campus students live in their own dorm rooms and get to know the campus and make many friends while the band learns music for shows, concerts, and the stands. Our traditional Pre-game is learned along with the half-time show for the first game. 

Housing:

On-Campus Residents check into the dorm room they will occupy for Fall Semester upon arrival and checking in with the band. Costs for use of their room during Pre-season is paid for out of the band budget. Members must sign and submit Preseason Housing and Meal Contract by a specified date in mid/late July. The Band Office must submit student by the specified date in order for each student to be allowed to move in. Confirmation of early arrival  and move-in information is sent to each student by Residential Life. Commuting students provide their own housing but all members receive meals until student meal service begins on Friday lunch.

Food:

All Band Members receive a Special Events Conference Card for meals from their arrival until Lunch on Friday. (the "Preseason Housing and Meal Contract" is required of all band members to arrange for the Conference Card and Per Diem money). Members eat most meals together in a specified dining hall except for two "On the Town" meals for which per diem is supplied by the band in lieu of a dining hall meal. "On the Town" meals are usually designated as a special "Big Buddy" meal or "Section Meal" provide a chance to explore downtown Storrs restaurants and have a different social experience.  Members are on their own for meals once the normal meal service begins on Friday lunch. 

Meals are arranged by the UCMB Office through the Program Assistant at the Department of Dining Services (Bea Nerbonne as of 2019). Updated contact information can be found in the UCMB Vendor List and Campus Contacts Document.

Pre-Season Registration:

Upon arrival on campus for Pre-Season, band members go through an important short registration sequence usually including these stations: Sign in, Personal information check, Pre-season schedule/information, Performance/rehearsal conflict check, Uniform, Shoes, Flex Pass/Meal Swipe Donation or fee, Banquet Deposit, instrument assignment, big/little buddy assignment, picture, and name tag. The name tag should be worn throughout Pre-Season. 

Transportation to Rehearsal Sites: 

A bus is employed by the band for transportation from the Music Building to the Outdoor Rehearsal Facility during Pre-Season. The bus often requires additional trips to accommodate all students.  Students with cars drive to our outdoor rehearsal site. At the end of the rehearsal day, the bus makes a loop through campus to help students get back to their dorms safely. 

Leadership Training

RehearsalSchedule/Instructional Plan

Preseason Schedule    Schedule of rehearsals and locations including New Member weekend and entire week.