Please read the following from the Contest Coordinator in regards to last minute preparations for the Premier shows...
Last Minute Reminders
To all FFCC directors:
For 53 colorguards units, the season starts in two days. The rest are still preparing their students for their first show in the next two weeks. As we approach the beginning of the season here are some reminders to make your contest days easier.
Are all your documentations in order with the circuit? (Rosters and insurance)
Directors’ season pass badges for Cadet/B/AAA units will be in their check-in packets. Passes for all other units will also be available at check-in at both Hagerty and Winter Springs. Non-competing units will need to sign for their pass at check-in.
Directors’ passes will not be replaced if lost.
New units will receive a lanyard with their pass. Returning units should already have a lanyard or may be purchased at check-in for a dollar each.
Plan to leave for the contest early enough to accommodate unexpected delays along the way.
Arrive early enough to do a sound check. The sound techs will be ready to go one hour prior to the start of the contest. Check the schedule for breaks, but realize that the sound techs need breaks during the day as well.
If you are bringing your music on CD, label it clearly with your school or unit name as it appears on the schedule and your class.
Test your music CD on more than one CD player before coming to the contest. Our system is professional, but some people forget to “finalize” the CD, so even if it plays great on the computer, it won’t play anywhere else.
Have a dedicated show CD with just one track. Don’t use it for practice.
HAVE BACK-UP MUSIC CD’S WITH YOU IN THE GYM, even if you are using an mp3 player.
If you are using an mp3 player, make sure that it is FULLY charged and remember that someone from your staff must operate it. Create a playlist with just the show music so that something else won’t accidentally play.
We are no longer keeping your show music. If someone does not retrieve your CD immediately following your performance it will be placed in your score sheet packet and given to your captain at retreat.
Judge commentary CD’s will be available at the trophy table inside the gym approx. 30 minutes after your performance.
Re-check that your flag poles tips are in good shape. Check your rifles and sabres for padding and taping. Especially check your props. ANYTHING that touches or may touch the floor (even if it’s not designed to do so when erected) must be taped and/or padded. When in doubt, tape it!
If you have props with wheels, make sure they roll smoothly and won’t lock up and scratch the floor.
Percussion units, check the wheels on ALL your equipment. Check the feet at the base of your stands (they must be taped). Timpani pedals must also be taped.
Floor carts with metal wheels will NOT be allowed inside the gym.
Remember that your students may perform bare-footed, but everywhere else on campus (even in transit during warm-ups) they MUST have footwear on.
Have you practiced entering and exiting? Putting out the floor? Clearing the floor? Do your students and helpers know what to do when the door opens? (Here’s a hint: Get your floor cart into position and all your performers and props inside the gym. They don’t need to wait outside. Once the floor cart is in position, don’t waste time just standing around. Determine who is pulling it out and get them to work right away while the previous unit is still going out the door.) Make sure everyone knows about stopping halfway until getting the signal from the timing judge or starter.
Make sure your commanding officers know when and where to report for retreat and what to do.
Have you taught your students how to behave at a contest, especially when they are in the back stands and everybody can see what they are doing?
Have you taught your new parents how to behave at a contest? I especially bring your attention to flash photography. Probably 95% of flash pictures are parents taking a picture of their own child. Do they know the danger they are creating to their own children and their teammates?
Check the video policy for each show. The standard policy is that each unit will receive one video pass and that person may only film their group and no others. I know that the Hagerty packet had the old, less restrictive policy in it, but we must follow this new policy. Please make sure your parents are aware of this so we don’t have any difficult situations.
Contests do sometimes get ahead of schedule, but remember that you do NOT have to compete any earlier than the scheduled time. You may want to tell your parents not to try to get to the show just in time to see your group. Tell them to get there early. Not only do they not risk missing their children, but they’ll get to see other great performances as well.
Contests do also sometimes get behind schedule. If that happens, we will get word to the warm-up areas with adjustments if they are necessary. You may have to spend extra time in holding, but we will try to avoid that if possible.
Do you have someone to handle basic first-aid for your students just in case?
Remember that outside the gym the contests are staffed by school volunteers doing the best they can. If you have any issues, find myself or the contest director to resolve the situation.
If you are doing any outside warm-up, please be considerate of other groups and keep your music to a tolerable level – loud enough for your students, but not so loud that others can’t hear theirs.
Preparation, thinking ahead and patience will serve you well and help make the day run smoothly for all of us.
If you have any questions, ask. We are here to help.
