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Hello Marching Statesmen Families! Band Camp starts THIS WEEK! Students: Please pay close attention to the schedule and be sure you report to GCM on the correct days and times! Parents: Please take advantage of the many sign-up opportunities below so we can make this a GREAT season of support for our amazing band program!
Let’s GO!!!!!! 🎉
| | 2026 MARCHING STATESMEN SEASON IS HERE! | Reminder to check the Marshall Band website (www.marshallband.org) for the most up-to-date calendar, as well as copies of our weekly newsletter on the Band News page. | | |
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
Monday, August 3
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8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: LEADERSHIP DAY (upperclassmen leaders only; Leadership will have uniform fittings this morning!)
Tuesday, August 4
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8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Marching Winds (NEW Marchers & Leaders ONLY)
Plus ALL Colorguard! (Report to Band Room)
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9:00 AM: ALL SENIORS Uniform Fittings (report to Uniform Room)
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1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Marching Percussion (All; includes front ensemble)
Wednesday, August 5
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8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Marching Winds (NEW Marchers & Leaders ONLY)
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9:00 AM: ALL JUNIORS Uniform Fittings (report to Uniform Room)
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Marching Percussion (ALL; includes front ensemble); marching percussion will have uniform fittings this afternoon!
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Colorguard rehearsal
Thursday, August 6
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8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Marching Winds (ALL) –Sophomores will have uniform fittings on this day.
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Marching Percussion (All; includes front ensemble)
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Colorguard rehearsal
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6:30 PM: OPTIONAL Student Movie Theater Social (See details below)
Friday, August 7
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8:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Marching Winds (ALL) –Freshmen will have uniform fittings on this day.
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Marching Percussion (All; includes front ensemble)
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Colorguard rehearsal
| | FILL OUT THE BAND CAMP LUNCH FORM | For FULL DAY Band Camp days (August 10-14 and August 17-20), students can choose to bring a lunch from home OR they may “opt in” to pay for and receive a catered lunch from a local restaurant. This year, the Band Parents’ Organization (BPO) will provide complimentary catered lunch from Moby Dick to ALL students and staff on the final day of band camp (August 20)! | ALL Students: Please take two minutes to complete the lunch form to let us know whether you will be bringing your lunch or ordering a catered lunch! (Form contains all the details on payment and catered lunch vendors.) | | |
Returning Marchers: Please find your shoes and make sure they fit BEFORE band camp starts! We will make only ONE group order for shoes, and if you are not part of the group order, you will need to pay your own shipping for new shoes.
New Marchers: You will be fitted for marching band shoes and uniform during the first week of half-day camp. If you are not in attendance during the first week, we will find you during subsequent weeks for fitting.
| | Outgrew your shoes, or don’t want to pay for new shoes? If your marching band shoes are still in good condition, but no longer fit, take advantage of our GCM Band Uniform Facebook Group to pass them down to another band family! Families looking for a gently used pair can check the Facebook Group first before choosing to purchase new shoes. | | MARCHING STATESMEN BAND CAMP STUDENT SOCIAL | |
Join us for the first Band Camp Student Social Event that has been announced by student leadership:
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Event: DCI 2026: Big, Loud, and Live!
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What: Movie theatre outing to see a big-screen viewing of the Drum Corps International live World Championship Prelims!
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Where: Regal Movie Theatre in Springfield Town Center
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When: Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 PM
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Cost: $20.69 (tax & fees included)
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Please note: Attendance at band camp socials is encouraged (for the fun!), but is completely optional, transportation is NOT provided (though section leaders are welcome to organize carpools), and cost of each event (roughly ~$10-25) is paid by individual attendee and is not covered by band camp fees.
Details for other social events planned by student leadership will be announced during band camp and typically include: BOWLING outing during week 2 (tentatively the evening of August 13 or 14), and evening POOL PARTY during week 3 (tentatively August 20), as well as a couple of smaller gatherings organized by section leaders at times TBD.
These optional events are a great way to make social connections with other band members outside of band camp practice hours before the school year starts. 😊
| | BAND CAMP PARENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES | Parents: Please sign up for the many opportunities we have for you to help! | | |
BAND UNIFORM FITTING HELPERS
We still need volunteer help with UNIFORM FITTINGS from August 3-8. Please click the sign-up button above if you are able to donate a few hours to this task. (Friendly, on-the-job training will be provided!) Also, if you have a special skill in sewing or hemming, please sign up in that slot or contact Parent Volunteer Uniform Chairs Laura Hogan, Melissa Ni or Jennifer Gibbons Kincaid to assist with uniform alterations! THANK YOU!
BAND CAMP LUNCH SERVERS
From August 10-20, we need Band Camp Lunch Shift Volunteers to assist with set-up, serving, and clean-up. We also have a few slots for food pickup for those who would like to help but just have a half-hour or so.
BAND CAMP TREAT DONATIONS AND DISTRIBUTORS
These days are hot, rehearsals are long, and this group works HARD…so we like to provide the students and staff with some fun and motivational treats along the way! Check out our volunteer slots for providing popsicle treats and in-person distribution!
| | CONCESSIONS SIGN-UPS NOW AVAILABLE | | The Success of our Marching Statesmen season is made possible by our many parent volunteers! We ask that ALL parents commit to signing up for at least 8 shifts/tasks (PLUS Tag Day) during marching band season to support our band program. | |
Please be on the lookout in the coming weeks for the following Sign-Ups:
- MARCHING COMPETITIONS & PARADE VOLUNTEERS
- FALL BANQUET FOOD CONTRIBUTION & DECORATING
| | Mark your calendar for TAG DAY on Saturday, August 29th from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. We will need all hands on deck and 35 cars/parent drivers for Tag Day! Sign up below if you are able to be a PARENT DRIVER. | | Marshall High School cafeteria will serve as Tag Day “Headquarters,” and we need volunteers to help out with other Tag Day duties as well. Sign-up below to help out with breakfast to start our day or with ice cream to help celebrate everyone’s hard work! | |
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What is Tag Day?
Tag Day is our single largest fundraising event for the Marshall Band and Marshall Colorguard/Winterguard programs! On Tag Day, Marshall band and color guard members go door to door throughout the Marshall area and ask for donations to support our program. If no one answers a door, the students leave a flier (called a Tag) that explains the purpose of the visit, describes how funds are used, and provides instructions for those who are interested in submitting donations online or via mail at a later time. Donations are fully tax-deductible. All money collected goes
directly to the band and guard for repair and replacement of instruments, uniforms, and equipment; instructors for sectionals; special clinics; and competition fees. Participation in TAG DAY is required for band and guard members. And we ask that all parents support this effort through volunteering as drivers or in other roles throughout the day.
| | MARCHING STATESMEN PARENT SOCIALS | |
Parents: Please mark your calendars and join us for these upcoming events, where you can get to know some fellow band parents before we kick off the new season of football games and competitions!
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Monday, August 10: Band Parent Donuts and Coffee
At drop-off on the first FULL day of Band Camp on August 10, please join us between 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM at the stadium entrance behind GCM High School (near the concession stand) for donuts, coffee, and conversation! We LOVE our new & returning band parents!!!
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Wednesday, August 26: Tag Day Envelope Stuffing & Social!
While the Marching Statesmen are attending Wednesday evening rehearsal, you are invited to make your way to the home of Samantha Rayburn (8603 Antioch Cir. Vienna, VA 22180), where we will mix and mingle and stuff envelopes with fundraising marketing materials in preparation for our annual Tag Day fundraiser! No sign-up required…just show up and pitch in!
| | CALL FOR PARENT VOLUNTEERS LEADERSHIP! | |
We still have a few more vacancies to fill! Please reach out to Michelle at president@marshallband.org if you are interested in serving in one of these vacant roles below:
- Senior Recognition Night Chair (non-Senior parent preferred)
- Marching Show Props & Materials Crew Committee
- Concessions Coordinator Co-Lead for NON-Varsity Football Events
- CONCERT Band Uniform Assistant
- Fall Band Banquet Organizer (handles decorations and paper goods purchasing)
Your help is welcome, valued, and NEEDED for our upcoming Marching Band season! (No experience necessary. We gratefully accept all donations of your time and talent!)
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Monday, August 10
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
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7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Parent Donuts and Coffee Social
(Come join us at drop-off before work for a quick hello to meet other band families!)
Tuesday, August 11
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
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7:00 PM: First BPO Meeting of the Year in the Band Room (ALL Parents are welcome!)
Wednesday, August 12
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
Thursday, August 13
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
- OPTIONAL Student BOWLING Social (Date/Time TBD)
Friday, August 14
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
- OPTIONAL Student BOWLING Social (Date/Time TBD)
Monday, August 17
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
Tuesday, August 18
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
Wednesday, August 19
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
Thursday, August 20
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Last Day of Full Day Band Camp Rehearsals (Everyone)
- OPTIONAL Evening Student Pool Party Social
Friday, August 21
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NO BAND CAMP DUE TO MARSHALL FRESHMAN ORIENTATION!
Monday, August 24
Tuesday, August 25
- 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM: After-school Marching Statesmen Rehearsal
Wednesday, August 26
- 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Evening Marching Statesmen Rehearsal
- 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Band Parent Social and Tag Day Envelope-Stuffing Event at the home of Samantha Rayburn (8603 Antioch Circle)
Thursday, August 27
- 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM: After-school Marching Statesmen Rehearsal
Friday, August 28
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7:00 PM – First VARSITY HOME FOOTBALL GAME (v. Annandale HS)
Marching Statesmen students report to band room at call time provided by Mr. Vesilind and section leaders…usually 5:30/5:45PM. First game does not include field performance, but students will perform music in the stands wearing their band t-shirts and will stay for the duration of the game!
Saturday, August 29
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8:00 AM – 4:00 PM – TAG DAY FUNDRAISER!!!
This is an all-day fundraiser for ALL band students (concert band & marching band) and raises a critical amount of money for our band program! We will need MANY parent drivers and volunteers to assist with this key fundraiser, so please make plans to participate! See above for details!
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