Overview:  The Pit Crew exists to assist with the movement of instruments, equipment, props, and other items of the TWHS Marching Band.  It consists of parent volunteers (which aren’t necessarily the percussion “Pit” band parents).  The Pit Crew assists in the loading and unloading of the Band Trailer, and the Auxiliary Trailer before, during and after all events in which the band travels.   

The Band Trailer – The Woodlands High School is fortunate to have a semi-tractor trailer for the transportation of instruments.  The band students are responsible for making sure their instrument (and everything needed to make sure the instrument is ready to use) is loaded onto the trailer.  Once the instruments are loaded, all other equipment (ladders, platforms, etc.) are loaded onto the trailer. 

The Auxiliary Trailer – also referred to as the “Prop Trailer”.  Again, the band is fortunate to have a 15’ pull-behind, fully enclosed trailer for use in hauling props used in the band performance.  The prop trailer is loaded and unloaded by the pit crew.  The prop trailer is pulled by one of the parents in the pit crew.  Props aren’t necessarily used in all performances.  The prop trailer is used in hauling other items (such as coolers, water, etc.) as needed to support the other band organizations.

Props – If props are to be used during the performance season, the pit crew is generally responsible for the design and fabrication.  The director’s staff will decide the prop concept and the pit crew will have a construction weekend to construct the bulk of the props.

Travel – The Band will generally travel to all of The Woodlands High School football games and to certain State, Regional, and National band competitions.

Football Games Loading – The home games (and many district away games) are played in Conroe at Moorhead Stadium.  Other away games will be at various locations in the Houston area and around Texas.  Regardless of game location, on game days, the pit crew will arrive at the High School at the designated time.  Often the band will practice after school on game days and the trailers will be loaded following their practice.  Once the trailer(s) are loaded, the trucks will leave for the stadium.  The Pit Crew will meet up at the stadium and begin unloading, usually before the band buses arrive.  Once all the instruments are un-cased by the students, the cases may (or may not) be loaded back onto the trailer.  The Pit Crew will assist with staging the performance equipment and props to the designated staging area. 

 Half-Time Performance – Once the equipment is staged, the pit crew assignments are given out and everyone is dismissed until about 10 minutes before halftime.  When the director begins to assemble the band on the end-field, it is the time for the pit crew to report – each to their assign duty.  When duties are carried out and the band is in place for performance, the pit crew will generally stand on the track in front of the pit area.  After the performance, the same duty assignments are performed to remove the equipment and return it to the trucks for reloading.  Props are generally loaded up at the conclusion of half-time performance and the pit equipment is staged around the truck.  In inclement weather, tarps are tied over equipments as needed.

Football Games Unloading – The re-loading of the truck will be done at the conclusion of the football game.  The students will re-case their instruments and load the semi-trailer as before.  When the trailer is packed, the truck will depart back to the high school where the students and pit crew will unload the instruments and props for storage.  

Band Competitions – Much like the football game procedures.  There is the likelihood of overnight trips where loading may occur the day before and times will be coordinated for unloading for performance and/or practice.  Some of the competitions limit the number of pit crew allowed on the field and therefore field passes will be limited. 

Communication – Email.  The week of a band event, word will be sent out about special times or factors particular to the event.  The Pit Crew is always an all-call.  If you know you won’t be at an event, please send an email to pitcrew @twhsband.com .  If you can only be there for a portion of the event, then please send an email about the times.  Otherwise, it is assumed you are planning to be there.  There will be copies of the pit crew roster with email addresses and phone numbers for your use. 

Pit Crew Wear – For identification purposes, you are requested to wear the pit crew t-shirt and lanyard with id-pass.  The t-shirt cost $15.  Your pit crew id is your pass into the event.