B. Physical Preparations/Logistics

Background

Physical and Logistical preparations for rehearsals and performances for the UCMB are more complicated that for most bands because our indoor facility and outdoor rehearsal facility are an opposite ends of campus. In addition all football games are played off campus. For every outdoor rehearsal equipment and personnel have to move to our rehearsal location at a remote part of campus. Members need bus or car transportation or must walk a significant distance. Once assigned members are in charge of their own instrument except for sousaphones, drum line, front ensemble, and color guard. Two 24' box trucks park in a loading dock beside the rehearsal field and house sousaphones, drum-line performance instruments, front ensemble, and sound equipment. A 40' storage container houses the rehearsal drumline, some sound equipment, and miscellaneous rehearsal needs (yard markers, water coolers, tables, etc). There is no water available at the rehearsal field so it must be brought in for every rehearsal. 

When inclement weather forces an indoor rehearsal, the two trucks must be brought to the music building on the other end of campus, unloaded on the street, moved to a parking area, brought back after rehearsal and reloaded on the street and returned to their parking space loading dock by the rehearsal field. Rehearsal rooms must be prepared with chairs and stands (if available) and returned to a neutral condition after rehearsal. 

For Football games and off-campus performances, the trucks are already loaded with Sousaphones, percussion, and sound equipment. All other instruments and equipment are loaded in the bus storage compartment. For most outings the band receives a continental breakfast as buses are loaded. Breakfast and lunch items are picked up from Food Services, transported to the field in our van. Volunteers from our Fraternity and Sorority set-up, serve and clean-up, breakfast at the departure location by our rehearsal field, and later set-up, serve, and clean up lunch at the football stadium.

At the stadium there are specific tasks to set up our area in the stands and prepare for field performances. An "early crew" of one bus of 50+/- members handles the duties described here-in. 

All this preparations require many hands and much planning. The Associate Director, Administrative Assistant, and Logistics team are the primary organizers with help from each of the other Directors, assistance from a large number of KKY and TBS members, and many other volunteers at crucial times such as loading into and out of the stadium. Successful operation takes the cooperation and enthusiasm of everyone.

Permissions 

Fire Baton and Fire Sticks: Approval is necessary for both performances AND rehearsals with fire! 

University Service Contacts

Logistics Team

The Logistics Team is a small number of members lead by the Logistics Coordinator who works closely with the Associate Director to plan and execute all physical preparations for rehearsal. Assistance from the Administrative Assistant, other Directors, and KKY and TBS is always available. The Logistics Team is made up of some playing members of the band and other students who choose to become part of the band and serve in this capacity. Those students are considered full members of the band and are incredibly important to the success and smooth operation of the UCMB. The  Logistics Guide has detailed descriptions of every task necessary for normal rehearsals and performances of the band. 

KKY-TBS 

Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma Sorority have many supportive roles in logistical matters. They are charged to assist in any way necessary. They take primary role in the uniform process and support all other activities as needed.