10/05/19 - Harvest of Harmoney Parade & Competition

Thank you for helping with the GI competition this Saturday.  Here is the plan.

The Band loads buses at 6:00 am and leaves KHS at 6:30 am.  The trailer will already be loaded on Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm.  We should not need much additional help for this early time.  Meet us in GI.

We arrive at Connestoga Mall at 7:30 am.  We unload the Battery percussion, Sousaphones and Flags at the mall.  Look for our blue trailer and busses as we may change location but usually park in the Southeast parking lot, Southeast of the mall.  Any Pit Crew members available that can help would be most beneficial.  This preparation time happens quickly and any help is appreciated.  Once the students are in uniform they take their percussion and sousaphones on the bus with them.  We will leave the trailer parked at the mall during the parade.  We step off for the parade at 9:15 am-ish.

The parade begins at 8:00 am going down 3rd Street.  We arrive at the check in location at 10th & Walnut at 8:30 am. (band order) (parade route)

After the parade (10:00am-ish), we meet back at Connestoga Mall to load the Battery percussion, Flags and Sousaphones back on to the trailer and then we take a lunch break.

By 1:00 pm we are at a rehearsal at GI Central Catholic's football field.  We will unload the whole trailer for this rehearsal and then reload it after the rehearsal.  This is a full unload / rehearsal / reload the trailer, so any/all of the Pit Crew that can be there is beneficial.  At 3:00 the band will change in to uniforms and arrive at GISH by 3:30 pm.

By 3:15 pm the trailer arrives at GI Senior High (on the North side of the football field) and we unload the trailer and prepare for our show.  We are On Deck at 4:50 pm and the Band performs on the field at 5:00 pm.  (band order)  We will follow the Hastings band's performance.  After our performance we reload the trailer and students return to the stadium for the awards.

Awards are at 6:15 pm.  After awards (by 6:30?), we return to Kearney.

Back in Kearney we unload the trailer and we are finished. 

If you have any questions, please contact Ed Uden 308-440-0694.
If something changes during the day, call/text Ed to find out what the plan is.

Remember to wear BLUE.  Let's represent Kearney with great class.

09/21/19 Saturday UNK Parade & BMF Field Competition

The trailer will NOT be going to the parade (per the Directors), so students will need to get their own equipment to and from the parade, and we will not need to have anyone at the parade route to load/unload the trailer.  This gives us time to be ready for the BMF parking and pit area details.

The Band equipment will be in the KHS Band room.  The Band is to assemble in Warmup area A at 2:45 pm, so our Kearney Pit Crew needs to be available by then to help move all the equipment to the South end of the HS parking lot.  We begin staging our pit crew outside the fence at 3:00 pm.  At 3:15 pm we move our Pit on to the track.  So, we need to be set up and ready to go for performance no later than 3:10 pm at the South end.  We follow Grand Island Senior High, so when they are On Deck (their Pit is on the track), our Pit needs to be in the staging area outside the fence.  Be sure to stay on the North half of that driveway so that the GISH band can enter the field and perform.  After the GISH band enters the field, the North Platte Pit will exit the field and then our KHS Pit will enter the track and be On Deck.  Stay on the outside four lanes and be in the order we enter the field.  Remember that this is in reverse order from what we do at UNK for football halftime shows.  The sound system and speakers will always be first, but the rest of the pit will be in reverse order.  Once the Pit is set out on the field, we stand back against the front of the stadium while they perform.  After their performance, we will move everything to the Band Room.  If you can help with getting equipment to the Band room and with cleanup, that would be appreciated.

If you are helping with the BMF event, you need to stay at your position with the volunteers for the BMF event until we assemble at 2:45 pm.  At 2:45 pm please join our KHS Pit Crew for moving our gear for the KHS Band performance.  Those not helping with BMF will need to help us with moving equipment while the BMF volunteers are finishing their tasks.  The Parking workers should be done when GISH parks, so they should be able to leave their posts and help on schedule.  The Pit Area volunteers will need to get NP & GISH on the field and then they can join the KHS Pit to help get KHS on/off the field.

Thank you for your help.  We appreciate everyone who is helping.  Everyone is needed for this event to happen successfully, both as a BMF volunteer and as a KHS Pit Crew volunteer.  Thank you.

Remember to wear BLUE.

Thank you for helping and supporting the KHS Band.
Be sure to make our BMF guests feel welcome.  Remember, we represent Kearney in all we do.

Kearney Signup Genius (sign up to help with Pit Crew and/or BMF19):  click here

Details for the BMF Parking/PitArea:  click here

Guest map for BMF:  click here




Lineup for Front Ensemble on the Field: [[assignments]]
1/1) Center Podium (50yd) [[_______]]
2/2) Sound Tower Rack  on left 48yd line [[_______]]
3/4) North/Left Speaker/Subwoofer  (35yd) [[_______]]
4/3) South/Right Speaker/Subwoofer (35yd) [[_______]]
5/10) Timpani Wagon2 - also transport chimes on this wagon
6/9) Glock/Bells
7/8) SynthCart  on 50yd line - bass guitar on left [[_______]]
8/7) Xylophone

9/6) new Aux Rack inside Right 40yd line [[_______]]

10/5) AuxPercussion Wagon1 - bass guitar, bells, gong, x-stand and white bass drum [[_______]]
11/17) North/Left Podium (25yd) [[_______]]
12/16) Vibe2
13/15) Marimba2
14/14) Marimba1
15/13) Vibe1
16/12) Vibraphone (red wheels)
17/11) South/Right Podium (25yd) [[_______]]
18/18) Props Wagon (flats on the middle of the field) [[_______]]
 

09/20/19 Football Halftime

This Friday game will be the same as the last game.

Check the post from the previous game (8/30/19) for all the details.

Here is the short version.
+ 5:20 pm - Trailer at UNK Fine Arts- unload instruments (percussion & low brass).

+ 5:55 pm - Trailer moves to Foster Field - at North end - setup percussion stands, rope, etc. in the stands  - Unload the Trailer - we need every's help if possible.

+ Watch the 1st Quarter and up to the last 5 minutes of the 2nd Quarter of the game.

+ 5:00 minutes left in the 2nd Quarter, we need everyone back at the trailer to prepare for Halftime.

+ 2:00 minutes left, we move onto the side of the field. 

+ Halftime - move everything in place, the Band does their show, then move everything off ASAP.

+ Reload everything back into the trailer.
+ Watch the rest of the game.

+ At the end of the game, please check the grandstand where the Band is to make sure all the percussion and sousaphone stands have been picked up and taken back to the trailer.  Also make sure the rope and post/bracket come back to the trailer too.  The two ladders need to go inside the fenced area under the grandstand.

+ Load all instruments back into the trailer back at Fine Arts when the Band gets there.

+ We will unload the trailer at the High School.  The trailer will not be going to the parade route on Saturday.  See the Saturday blog entry for details.

Remember to Wear BLUE.

Thank you for supporting the Band.  We are glad you're on the team.

Call Ed Uden with questions 308-440-0694



Lineup for Front Ensemble on the Field: [[assignments]]
1) Center Podium (50yd) [[_______]]
2) Sound Tower Rack  on left 48yd line [[_______]]
3) South/Right Speaker/Subwoofer (35yd) [[_______]]
4) North/Left Speaker/Subwoofer  (35yd) [[_______]]

5) AuxPercussion Wagon1 - bass guitar, bells, gong, x-stand and white bass drum [[_______]]
6) new Aux Rack inside Right 40yd line [[_______]]

7) Xylophone8) SynthCart  on 50yd line - bass guitar on left [[_______]]
9) Glock/Bells
10) Timpani Wagon2 - also transport chimes on this wagon
11) South/Right Podium (25yd) [[_______]]
12) Vibraphone (red wheels)
13) Vibe1
14) Marimba1
15) Marimba2
16) Vibe2
17) North/Left Podium (25yd) [[_______]]
18) Props Wagon (flats on the middle of the field) [[_______]]

08/30/19 Football Game

The season begins.  Thank you for helping on the Pit Crew!

The Band marches halftime at Friday night's game vs GISH.  We need your help right before the game (during pregame) and possibly as the game starts at the North end of Foster Field, by the blue Band trailer.  We will help get equipment unloaded so the Pit can warm up and get everything set up.  We should be unloaded by the start of the game so you can then watch the first quarter and most of the second quarter.  Then, at 5 minutes remaining in the 2nd Quarter, we need everyone back at the trailer and we will get ready to go on the field.   At 2 minutes before Halftime, we move on to the NW side of the field to preset and then move to the field at the start of halftime.  After the Band has performed we move everything back off the field and load it all back in to the trailer.  This week will be our first run this year, so there may be some adjustments made as we go - thank you in advance for your patience as we get everything fine tuned.  These first weeks are vital because we are establishing what we each need to be doing for Halftime so that when the competitions start, we know the routine and can execute smoothly.  Come join the team, we will have a fun time.

We could also use a few people to help at 5:30 pm at UNK Fine Arts to get the percussion battery and sousaphones out.  Look for the blue Band trailer - we will be parked on the South side of the C.T. Ryan Library (East of the Fine Arts building).  Then again AFTER the game at the same spot East of UNK Fine Arts to load the battery and sousaphones back in to the trailer and then unload back at the High School Band room.  Students do most of this work, but it helps to have some adults around to assist in loading & unloading the trailer at UNK as the students are in uniform and we don't want to risk damaging uniforms as we load and unload stuff from the trailer.

Remember to Sign Up on the Band Website at SignupGenius for your spot for each performance.  IF possible, it would be ideal to have the same 12 people for the competitions and games so that everyone has their job and know what needs to happen.  But, we understand that not everyone can be at every game and competion, so we appreciate your help and your willingness to volunteer and support the Band.  The first eight (8) people to sign up will be offered a free pass lanyard to the Football game.  (Please return the lanyard/pass to me after the game so we have it for the next game).

Your help is needed and it is appreciated!  Thank you!

Remember to wear BLUE.

If you have any questions, call or text Ed Uden 308-440-0694.

Loading the Band Trailer, Equipment Carts & 2019 Field Lineup

Loading the Band Trailer, Equipment Carts & 2019 Field Lineup

This post has details on loading the trailer and on the lineup for the field.

Loading the Trailer:  (Left&Right are as you face the front of the trailer)
1) Podium Stands (largest one first, then the other two) - decks toward the wall - strap all to wall
2) Timpani (4th largest one on left side under nose shelf, then 3rd one in front, then 2nd largest on right side by the door, then smallest one in between these three.  Then strap across to keep them up front.)
3) Generator needs to go next to the wall right by the side door, put orange cones between generator and door for easy access from side door
4) 2 Sousaphones on Trailer Nose SHELF
5) Sound Tower Rack (up front by the podium stands).
6) Wagons (put up on the 2x10's to create the shelf - put Left one in first, then Right one.)
7) Set the 'bridge' on the left wagon over to the front shelf.  Put white Bass Drum on the bridge (between shelf and left wagon) - strap it on to the bridge
8) Subwoofers - One goes under wagons on left side up by the podium stands - strap it in.  Second one goes up front by the Sound Tower Rack.  Speakers go up on the wagons, one by left Vibe, one by right Vibe

9) Marimba3 (red wheels - nose back) - under the wagons, on the left side

10) Vibe1 (nose back) on top of wagons, left side

11) Vibe2 (nose front) on top of wagons, right side
12) Xylophone (nose front) on top of wagons, in the middle - between Vibes 1&2

13) Marimba1 (nose front - goes in under wagons w/Marimba2)

14) Marimba2 (nose back - goes in under wagons w/Marimba1)   - then LoadLock at back of wagons
15) EquipmentCart1 (pit/aux cart), then LoadLock
16) EquipmentCart2 (battery/harnesses), then LoadLock
17) 2 Decks from Wagon1 on the Left side, over the wheel well area, on top of the load locks
18) 2 Decks from Wagon2 on the Right side, over the wheel well area, on top of the load locks
19) EquipmentCart3 (colorguard/bassdrums), then LoadLock
20) SynthCart, strapped to right side wall
21) ? new Aux Rack
22) Attendance Backpack, Pepband Charts - up front
23) For Games:  Sousa stands may fit on carts or may need to go on the wagons (likely on the wagons).  X-stands, snare & tenor stands may go on carts or on wagons for the games.

Loading Equipment Carts:
=== Cart1: Pit Equipment & Extras
Cart1/TopShelf: 2 Synth Keyboards, Bells case [need to strap down keyboards]
Cart1/MiddleShelf: 2 Sousaphones
Cart1/BottomShelf: 2 PlumeCarriers, PercussionVault, Percussion case, Plume case
=== Cart2: Battery Percussion
Cart2/TopShelf: Drumline Harnesses (interlock 1,3,5,7 toward one side, 2,4,5,8,... toward other side)
Cart2/MiddleShelf: 4 SnareDrumCases and 1 Sousaphone
Cart2/BottomShelf: 2 TenorDrumCases, BassDrum1, Percussion case and the CymbalVault
=== Cart3: Percussion & Colorguard
Cart3/TopShelf: Colorguard Flag Bags (keep between the ends of the cart) [need to strap down]
Cart3/MiddleShelf: 4 BariSaxes, 1 Sousaphone
Cart3/BottomShelf: BassDrumCases5,4,3,2  and Snare5

In the Football stadium, we need 5 X-stands, 5 snare stands, 2 Tenor stands, and 6 Sousa stands
plus the rope and post to mark off the Band area.

Lineup for Front Ensemble on the Field:
1) Center Podium (50yd) [1 Dad sets it]
2) Sound Tower Rack [2 Dads, 1 pulls, 1 runs electrical, plus students] on left 48yd line
3) South/Right Speaker/Subwoofer (35yd) [2 Dads, 1 pulls, 1 runs cable to Tower]
4) North/Left Speaker/Subwoofer  (35yd) [2 Dads, 1 pulls, 1 runs cable to Tower]

5) new Aux Rack inside Right 40yd line [1 Dad pulls, plus student]

6) AuxPercussion Wagon1 - transport bass guitar, bells, gong, x-stand and white bass drum [1 Dad pulls, plus student]

7) Xylophone
8) SynthCart [1 Dad w/student - run power & audio line to Tower] on 50yd line - bass guitar on left [1 Dad pulls, plus students]
9) Glock/Bells (on X-stand?)
10) Timpani Wagon2 - also transport chimes on this wagon
11) South/Right Podium (25yd) [1 Parent sets it]
12) Vibraphone (red wheels)
13) Vibe1
14) Marimba1 [1 Dad pulls, plus student]
15) Marimba2 [1 Dad pulls, plus student]
16) Vibe2
17) North/Left Podium (25yd) [1 Parent sets it]
18) Props Wagon (flats on the middle of the field) [1 Dad pulls, plus students]

*** Be sure to check back, this post will be updated as we fine tune our plans and operations.

Photos of the loaded Equipment Carts:

Cart1-left

Cart1-right

Cart2-left

Cart2-right

Cart3-left

Cart3-right

Welcome to the 2019 Marching Band Season.  

We are looking forward to a great season supporting the KHS Marching Band by helping in the Pit Crew.  Thank you for volunteering.  We appreciate your involvement and support of the KHS Band.  Please sign up for the weeks you plan to help.  Thank you.  The Bearcat Pit Crew is made of of volunteer parents who help with transporting the band equipment to football games for the halftime show and to competitions.  We load and unload the percussion, low brass, sound system, props and other equipment on the band trailer and help the students move it on and off the field for halftime shows and competitions.  The Pit Crew works together as a team with everyone having their assignment and working to help our students have a great experience putting their show on the field.  We have had great teams for years and look forward to this coming year.

2019 Marching Schedule:
08/30/19 - KHS vs GISH Football Game at UNK Foster Field 7pm (setup, game & halftime)
09/20/19 - KHS vs PapioS Football Game at UNK Foster Field 7pm (setup, game & halftime)
09/21/19 - UNK Band Day Parade - Downtown Kearney 10am
09/21/19 - UNK Bearcat Marching Festival at KHS Football Field 1pm (setup & show)
10/05/19 - Harvest of Harmony (parade & competition) in Grand Island - all day
10/11/19 - KHS vs LSW Football Game at UNK Foster Field 7pm (setup, game & halftime)
10/12/19 - LHS Marching Contest (competition) in Lincoln at LHS - all day
10/18/19 - KHS vs LHS Football Game at UNK Foster Field 7pm (setup, game & halftime)
10/19/19 - LPS Marching Competition (competition) in Lincoln at Seacrest - all day
10/26/19 - NSBA State Finals Competition at KHS Football Field (competition) - late afternoon and all evening

We are doing signups this year through SignupGenius.  See the link on the Band website or click here to sign up.  If you have been part of the Pit Crew in past years, please consider signing up to help on the Pit Crew this year.  If you have not been on the Pit Crew yet, please consider helping support the Band, the Directors and the Students by helping on the Pit Crew this year.  Watch this blog for details about each game and competition event as this is the spot we will post all the information you need to be prepared to join the Pit Crew.  Thank you.

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10/20/18 - NSBA in Kearney

The Final Saturday is upon us.  Thank you for being part of the Pit Crew this year.  It has been a great marching season and it has been fun working together.  

Saturday starts at 6:45 pm for our Pit Crew in the KHS Band room where we need those on the crew who are not actively working/volunteering hosting the event, to help the Pit move the equipment around the West side of the High School, through the South parking lot and to the South-west corner of the football field area.  We will help the Pit set up the equipment, wagons and sound system in preparation for their performance.  Please be sure to bring the podium skirts to put them on our podiums at the gate.  IF you are one of the volunteers helping host the event, when Grand Island (the band right before Kearney) has left your area, please join our band and help us get our Pit on and off the field.  You will be able to volunteer for either the afternoon or evening shifts and still be able to help our Band's Pit Crew.


The Band marches in competition at 8:30 pm.  We need to be staging our equipment by 8:00 pm on the South side of the field, and we are On Deck at 8:15 pm on the track ready to go.  After the competition we will hold the Pit equipment at the South end of the field while we wait for UNK's performance and Awards.  We will send the Pit students to join the Band after the performance to get pictures taken in the Gym.  After the Awards we will help move the Pit equipment back to the Band room.  The trailer will not be used for the Band at this performance.  Note that our three podium stands will be on the track in front of the stadium during the day.  We will need to get our podium stands after the afternoon awards so we can skirt them before our performance.  We will put them between the two fences for the evening.  UNK will want to use the two side podium stands after our performance so we will need to remove the skirts so they can take them back on to the field.  Remember to put the podium skirts back in the bag and then back in the trailer during cleanup.

After UNK's exhibition performance and before the awards, we will participate in the Pit Crew Olympics.  This is something fun this year that we are trying with the Pit Crews from other schools, to have fun with the crowd.  We have spoken with other school's Pit Crews and they are in, so let's have some fun with this.  Scott Murrish is coordinating this and he has it set up for teams of 4 to compete.  We will discuss this on Friday evening at the game.

After everything is over, if you are available, we would appreciate any help with clean-up.

For a site map with instructions and all time schedules, go to this link:  http://bit.ly/NSBA18 

* Note that I may need to make changes to this post as things develop.  Please check back here for updates on Friday after the game if you can, or on Saturday morning before you come to the High School.

Thank you all for helping to make this a great marching season for our students.
 
You are appreciated!

Remember to wear BLUE on Saturday.  Let's represent Kearney well.


NSBA in Kearney! - October 20th 2018
9-11 am Rehearsal at KHS
4:30 pm Last Supper at Kenwood Elementary
6:45 pm Depart Kenwood for KHS (on KPS Band Bus)
7:00 pm Arrive and get into uniform in the band room
8:30 pm Performance at the NSBA. 
9:15 pm Awards
9:30 pm Clean Up

We are the last band to perform, following our band your help in cleaning up would be fantastic!