Your instrument and your music/lyre and flipbook, if you’ll be playing. If you have two instruments, it’s wise to bring the oldest one. Things tend to get thrown/dropped/wet at band camp and you don’t want to ruin your high dollar instrument. However, unless the two instruments are exactly the same use the one you plan to perform with to eliminate any wild cards in your scenario.
A water bottle, and a lunch if necessary. If you’re a singer going to a similar camp, pack a ton of water and keep hydrated throughout the day. While brass, woodwind, string and percussion players also definitely need to keep hydrated, singing with dry chords could cause injury. Sunscreen to prevent burning, as well as guard against melanoma. Sunglasses to stop the sun from blocking your eyes, if allowed. A hat can also suffice if you don’t have or aren’t allowed a pair of sunglasses. A change of clothes: just something simple like exercise shorts and a t-shirt. You never know if you might slip in the mud, get sweaty, or simply start feeling uncomfortable. Deodorant to put on mid-day (at a meal?) if you have longer rehearsals.
Stretch. Marching band can be demanding during the summer. You don’t want to pull a muscle or injure yourself. Also, take it easy when you have off time- Even though it’s summer, staying outside and running around is sure to wear you out, leaving you with little energy or focus when it’s time to get back to work. Wear sunscreen and a hat if you will be marching in the sun. That sunburn won’t feel good tomorrow, and it’ll spare you sock tans, glove tans, and drum harness tans (somewhat). Remember to reapply every 2 hours or so. Wear chapstick that protects against the sun. Sunburned lips are not fun to play an instrument with, especially for brass players. Also be sure to wear shoes that don’t come off in the mud if you know your school’s fields are muddy during the summer. Drink plenty of water. This means water or Gatorade/Powerade (see Warnings). Soda and juice will dehydrate you and can damage woodwind instruments if you drink them shortly before playing. Be sure to drink a full glass of water 20-30 min before you go out into the heat. Avoid drinking milk or eating dairy products just before camp. The heat will not cause it to curdle, your stomach will stay at a constant temperature unless you get heat stroke and the acid in your stomach always curdles milk anyway. Dairy will take a while to fully digest and you could become nauseous. Get an insulated jug for water. Don’t forget to clean and dry it after each day’s practice, so it doesn’t gunk up inside. Eat healthy foods! Eating food that wouldn’t benefit your body in the first place will be even worse after such a strenuous activity such as marching. People seem to discredit how tiring it is- Heavy clothing and walking around in the sun all day is hard enough, but doing that with any instrument- from a lightweight piccolo to a fifty-pound bass drum- will surely exhaust you. Eat what you would before a workout, and plan to drink throughout the day. Wear movable clothing and comfortable, athletic shoes. Dress appropriately for the weather and don’t forget a jacket and gloves if it will get cold.
Avoid getting a woodwind wet, especially the pads - they will fall off. If you are forced to march in the rain close all holes/keys. Use your cleaning cloth to dry the instrument after each practice. If you ever have to get pads replaced on your marching instrument, ask for plastic pads. Oil your valves or slide before practice. It’s much harder from mid-field. For percussion, take the opportunity to learn from your drum instructor how to tie cymbals properly and how to replace and tune a drumhead. If you don’t already know those instruments as well as you know the instruments you spend the most time at, be it at a lesson or in the school auditorium, you need to take the initiative to ask someone how they work in full detail. Trust the words of every percussionist ever- not only will it keep the instruments in good condition for this session of camp, but it will also further your musical education and may come in handy in other performances, auditions and ensembles. Learn the proper way to set your instrument down: not on its keys or delicate valves. If you must set your instrument on the ground, set it with the others from your section in a formation. It’s a nice flourish and shows off sectional spirit, and it might help save them from a careless foot. However, remember that your protective case or a stand made for the instrument is the most secure place to keep it. Consider marching a second-string instrument, particularly during rehearsals. You can buy one on Ebay or even at a garage sale.
Never handle or play somebody else’s instrument without permission. It is very rude, and you will be held accountable if the instrument breaks. If you are given a drill sheet with your formations on it or music do not lose it, because you will probably get in trouble. Your whole section might have to run laps!
Remember that everyone is at band camp to learn. If you’re a newcomer, don’t take it personally when an instructor gives advice. Remember, they’re trying to help you look better in performance. If you’re a returning member, help out newcomers and be patient with them. You learned once, too.
