Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2015
9
When planning how to
best use your warm-up time at
contest, there are several things to
remember. This is not a rehearsal
time; you will not necessarily be
able to make last minute changes
that will be effective on the field for
the immediate performance. This is
time for mental and physical focus;
a time to reinforce the breathing
process, the amount of air it will
take for a successful performance,
how to bring all elements together
in order to manage physical
endurance and stamina throughout
the upcoming performance.
Be Organized
At most contests, there are areas
not designated for official warm-up
that may allow room for stationary
silent warm-up activities. More than
likely there are open areas around
or near the contest venue that can
also be occupied for silent warm-up
activities. It is always a good idea
to follow the guidelines for each
contest and make sure you are not
infringing on the area of another
band or are in a forbidden area.
Before moving to the designated
warm-up area, there are some things
you can do to get more out of your
warm-up time. This time should be
filled with activities that you would
normally do with your students and
for which the designated amount of
warm-up time might not allow.
Breathing
– spend time going
throughawell thought out breathing
exercise. This can be director or
student lead and can be done as a
full band or in individual sections.
Everyone should
be held account-
able for using
proper technique;
directors
can
monitor this as
student section
leaders take their
sections through
the process.
Stretching
–
this is an essential
activity prior to
the performance.
Simple shoulder,
arm, upper body,
and lower body
stretches can help
stave off the
effects of adrena-
line, performance
anxiety, and nervousness; all
things that can make controlled
movement more difficult and less
efficient. Once again, this can be
led by students or directors, just
continue to monitor individual
technique and execution to insure
students are doing what needs to be
done to prepare for the upcoming
performance.
Student Leadership
– this is a
perfect time for student leaders to
speaktotheirsections.Manysections
have traditions in which they like
to engage prior to a performance.
These traditions
are motivational
in nature, are
meant
for
the
younger
marchers
to
benefit from the
experiences and
be inspired by the
upper classmen,
and are great for
team building
and
student
ownership.
Be Punctual
Don’t waste
time; be in
position to take
the warm-up area
slightly ahead of
your scheduled
start time. You may take the warm-
up area as soon as the previous band
vacates the field. Have your students
lined up in order for the first activity
you have planned for the official
warm-up area; make it routine so
that students know to go directly to
the first activity.
Remain calm throughout the
entire process; your students and
staff are a direct reflection of your
Have a plan and
communicate that plan.
Each staff member,
student, and parent
has a job to do for the
success of the event.
Live this plan every
day when you rehearse
and don’t add anything
“new” during your
warm-up... All warm-ups
or exercises that you
do should be something
you do on a regular
basis and only things
that you use in your
field production.
Kathy Johnson
Making Efficient Use of Your
Warm-up Time at Marching Contest
