MARCHING MUSTANGS STUDENT STAFF
The Marching Mustangs pride themselves on students taking ownership of leadership positions. Student leaders are the vehicle for success in the ensemble. Each leadership position is vital to the success of the band. Students in these positions are expected to go above and beyond, sometimes putting in extra time outside of rehearsals. Please read the descriptions below for each leadership position within the Marching Mustangs.
2020 Marching Mustangs Student Leaders
Marching Mustangs Leadership Positions
Drum Major
Horn Sergeant
Woodwind Squad Leader
Brass Squad Leader
Percussion Squad Leader
Color Guard Squad Leader
Flute Section Leader
Clarinet Section Leader
Saxophone Section Leader
Trumpet Section Leader
Mellophone Section Leader
Trombone Section Leader
Low Brass Section Leader (Baritones/Sousas)
Equipment Manager
Librarian
Please Note: The positions of Equipment Manager and Librarian do not require a video application submission. Only a typed paper explaining your qualifications for the position.
Drum Major
Horn Sergeant
Woodwind Squad Leader
Brass Squad Leader
Percussion Squad Leader
Color Guard Squad Leader
Flute Section Leader
Clarinet Section Leader
Saxophone Section Leader
Trumpet Section Leader
Mellophone Section Leader
Trombone Section Leader
Low Brass Section Leader (Baritones/Sousas)
Equipment Manager
Librarian
Please Note: The positions of Equipment Manager and Librarian do not require a video application submission. Only a typed paper explaining your qualifications for the position.
Drum Major
Student leader of the band obtained by a try-out which is judged by the director and staff.
Jobs include:
Squad Leaders
Are responsible for all aspects of rehearsal and performance within their section. Squad Leaders have oversight over Section Leaders and are responsible for ensuring an effective rehearsal and performance atmosphere for all players. All squad leaders work closely together to enhance the esprit de corps of the band. All sectionals and extra rehearsal time must be coordinated through the squad leaders, who will seek approval from the Band Director.
Percussion Squad Leaders
All of the duties of section leaders, plus the following:
Woodwind/Brass Squad Leaders
The basic duties of the Brass/Woodwind Squad Leaders include:
Color Guard Squad Leaders
As a member of the Marching Band Leadership, the Guard Squad Leaders must fulfill any leadership team duties assigned by the Band Director, Color Guard Instructor, other staff members, or Drum Major(s). Guard Squad Leader responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
All of the duties of section leaders, plus the following:
Section Leader
Jobs include:
Section Leaders are in charge of "setting the standards of excellence" in musical and Marching execution as they "lead by example." Modeling excellence, and in motivating and encouraging their section to perform at a high level of excellence. They lead sectional rehearsals. They are responsible for disseminating information and announcements to all members in their section. They are responsible for helping to organize and maintain Band equipment. They respect every member of their section as a valued Band member. They strive to serve each section member by providing help and encouragement. Furthermore, They will complete weekly inspections, maintain field discipline, provide instruction, serve as positive role models, and assist the drum majors as needed.
Below is a break down of specific tasks of the section leaders
Music Inspection: Prior to each football game the section leader will view each member’s flip folder. Section members that do not have a flip folder will need to be sent to a band director for the appropriate pass. Flip folders will not be used for competition events.
Equipment Inspection: Prior to each performance the section leader will view the following items from each member:
All uniform parts including pre-uniform
Working condition of instruments
Instrument Inspection
Prior to each performance the section leader will view each member’s instrument.
Brass instruments should be polished and uniformly clean. All other sections should be viewed
for component parts, i.e.reeds, ligatures, etc...
At the conclusion of your inspection you will record students not meeting inspection. Report these students to the squad leaders.
How to do all this?
Deficiencies
Uniform related should be sent to the Vice President of Uniforms
Marching Related
Study and know the drill for your area of the field.
Equipment Manager
The primary role of the Equipment Manager is to work with the Captains, Stage Manager, and Equipment Crew. Also to be responsible for all instruments and equipment owned by the band.
In addition he/she is responsible for all field equipment/props necessary for all rehearsals such as the drum major ladder, yard markers, sound equipment and etc. The Equipment Manager is also responsible for loading and unloading equipment when the band travels.
Specific Responsibilities
Librarian
Student in charge of music and information dispersal, appointed by the director.
Jobs include:
Student leader of the band obtained by a try-out which is judged by the director and staff.
Jobs include:
- Provide a good example for students to follow.
- Maintain order while the staff are not available.
- Conduct the band on the field in rehearsals and performances.
- Assist Section Leaders with their duties.
- Various administrative duties such as rehearsal attendance records, logs, etc...
Squad Leaders
Are responsible for all aspects of rehearsal and performance within their section. Squad Leaders have oversight over Section Leaders and are responsible for ensuring an effective rehearsal and performance atmosphere for all players. All squad leaders work closely together to enhance the esprit de corps of the band. All sectionals and extra rehearsal time must be coordinated through the squad leaders, who will seek approval from the Band Director.
Percussion Squad Leaders
All of the duties of section leaders, plus the following:
- Directs percussion sectionals during the summer and the regular marching season.
- Ensures that all percussion equipment is accounted for and stored
- Helps keep percussion areas in the band room clean and organized
- Oversees the loading and unloading of all percussion equipment at all band functions.
- Reports any vandalism to the band director immediately.
- Encourage all team members to achieve their full potential
Woodwind/Brass Squad Leaders
The basic duties of the Brass/Woodwind Squad Leaders include:
- Oversee their section leaders and monitor their respective progress;
- Begins warm-up when the Directors are not available
- Insures that the sections locker area is clean and organized
- Assist the Band Director(s) and Equipment Manager with instrument inventory and maintenance
- Helps keep the band room clean and organized
- Oversees the loading and unloading of all woodwind and brass instruments at all band functions.
- Makes sure that all rehearsal sites are clean before leaving.
- Encourage all team members to achieve their full potential
Color Guard Squad Leaders
As a member of the Marching Band Leadership, the Guard Squad Leaders must fulfill any leadership team duties assigned by the Band Director, Color Guard Instructor, other staff members, or Drum Major(s). Guard Squad Leader responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
All of the duties of section leaders, plus the following:
- Assists in teaching the marching show to the Guard.
- Leading Stretches and Warm-ups
- Starting rehearsal if the Instructor will be late due to work commitments
- Assisting the Staff identifying problem areas or concerns withing the show/work
- Be the "eyes & ears" between the other Guard Members and the Color Guard Instructor and Band Director - listen to your Guard when they have issues or questions and then talk with the Instructor if the situation calls for it.
- Makes sure that all rehearsal sites are clean before leaving.
- Is responsible for seeing that all guard equipment is put in its proper place after each rehearsal and kept in an orderly manner.
- Oversees the loading and unloading of all guard equipment at all band functions.
- Keeps a record of all issued equipment and its condition.
- Realize that the guard is part of the band and encourage others to realize it as well.
- Encourage all team members to achieve their full potential
- Be an example to other members of the Color Guard
Section Leader
Jobs include:
- Provide a good example for students to follow.
- Responsible for checking other students of his/her section for proper music, uniform and equipment.
- Instruct and answer questions pertaining to the music and marching.
- Follow through with any instructions the director may provide for the band.
- Conduct sectionals when directors or instructors are not available. (All sectionals must be pre-approved by the directors.)
- Check for locker violations on a regular basis
Section Leaders are in charge of "setting the standards of excellence" in musical and Marching execution as they "lead by example." Modeling excellence, and in motivating and encouraging their section to perform at a high level of excellence. They lead sectional rehearsals. They are responsible for disseminating information and announcements to all members in their section. They are responsible for helping to organize and maintain Band equipment. They respect every member of their section as a valued Band member. They strive to serve each section member by providing help and encouragement. Furthermore, They will complete weekly inspections, maintain field discipline, provide instruction, serve as positive role models, and assist the drum majors as needed.
Below is a break down of specific tasks of the section leaders
Music Inspection: Prior to each football game the section leader will view each member’s flip folder. Section members that do not have a flip folder will need to be sent to a band director for the appropriate pass. Flip folders will not be used for competition events.
Equipment Inspection: Prior to each performance the section leader will view the following items from each member:
All uniform parts including pre-uniform
- White, short sleeved Under Armor or similar moisture wicking fabric.
- Black shorts made of a fabric that does not bunch up under the band uniform such as spandex or a thin polyester
- Long solid black athletic socks (must be fully above the ankles)
- Designated black band shoes (Dinkles)
- Shako
- Band pants with string to support shoulder straps
- Band jacket
- Gauntlets
- Hair up neatly so it does not protrude under the shako
- Plumes (passed out/in by Boosters)
- Gloves (passed out/in by Boosters
Working condition of instruments
Instrument Inspection
Prior to each performance the section leader will view each member’s instrument.
Brass instruments should be polished and uniformly clean. All other sections should be viewed
for component parts, i.e.reeds, ligatures, etc...
At the conclusion of your inspection you will record students not meeting inspection. Report these students to the squad leaders.
How to do all this?
- Assign a specific place to inspect your section.
- Allow plenty of time for the inspections.
- Don't do all of the work yourself. Part of being a leader is the ability to keep every member involved. Giving your section members a specific task helps keep us all accountable for the success of the ensemble.
Deficiencies
Uniform related should be sent to the Vice President of Uniforms
- Others should be sent to band director.
Marching Related
Study and know the drill for your area of the field.
- Have all chart related equipment at each rehearsal.
- Be an EXCELLENT marcher and EXAMPLE setter!
- Create and place section posters in the band hall.
- Assist the Drill Instructors in maintaining field discipline.
- Be alert for instructions at all time in all venues.
- KNOW YOUR STUFF!!
Equipment Manager
The primary role of the Equipment Manager is to work with the Captains, Stage Manager, and Equipment Crew. Also to be responsible for all instruments and equipment owned by the band.
In addition he/she is responsible for all field equipment/props necessary for all rehearsals such as the drum major ladder, yard markers, sound equipment and etc. The Equipment Manager is also responsible for loading and unloading equipment when the band travels.
Specific Responsibilities
- Assist the directors with the distribution and collection of all school owned instruments, mouthpieces, mutes, and lockers
- Assist the director and Captains with periodic and random locker inspections
- Assist the directors with maintaining an accurate band inventory
- Assist the Stage Manager to tighten all music stands on a weekly basis
- Head up two instrument cleaning days (one each semester) and work with section leaders to make sure all instrument are cleaned with swabs, valve slides greased, piston/rotary valves oiled, cork greased and keys oiled as required on each instrument
- Report any needed repairs of school owned instruments to the director. Students should bring all repair needs to the Equipment Manager
- Organize, supervise, and implement loading procedures for all trips. Keep an accurate log of ALL school owned equipment that will be taken by the band
- Assist Captains to ensure that all band equipment is brought back to DGS and properly stowed away
- Organize a loading crew that will be responsible for providing assistance to volunteer parents for loading and unloading of the trucks
- Serve on the stage crew for all band concerts
Librarian
Student in charge of music and information dispersal, appointed by the director.
Jobs include:
- Provide a good example for students to follow.
- Maintain and organize all music in the library.
- Handout, take up and make copies of all music distributed to students.
- Keep music updated in the Music Library Spreadsheet
- Make up marching folders with music for all sections during the summer.