TWHS Pit Crew 2009
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, sound cart(s), 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.
Who ever has the biggest truck! 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 construction nights,
days, or weekends 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 the 1 year-old
Woodforest 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 approximately $15. Your pit crew id
is your pass into the event.
