Million Dollar Band - The University of Alabama

.: Band Camp 2009 :.

Band camp is vital to the preparation for the upcoming Crimson Tide football season. Our pre-game, first show, and much of the material used throughout the season will be taught during band camp. Participation in Band Camp 2009 is a requirement. Please check our band camp web page on a regular basis for updates.

BAND CAMP Registration:

Will take place in the Music Building Room, #204, the IRR:
Sunday, August 9, 11:00 am. - 1:00 pm: new members
Monday, August 10, 9:00 - 11:00 am.: returning members

Required Opening Band Camp Meetings:
Sunday, August 9: new members meeting, 2:30 - 3:30 pm.
Monday, August 10: all members meeting, 7:30 pm.
GTA's, Drum Majors, Leadership Team Pre-Camp schedule: please click here
Crimsonettes: please check with Mrs. Powell for your reporting info and schedule.
Colorguard: please check with Mr. Simpson for your reporting info and schedule.
Band managers, please contact John (Christian) Wehby, Head Manager, for more info on your report date, schedule, and duties during Band Camp.

Please click on a link below for your 2009 Band Camp Schedule:

Colorguard

Crimsonettes

Percussion

Winds and Brass

Acrobat Reader: To read and print out band camp schedules and music, you will need Acrobat Reader 9. If you do not have that, please go to: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

HOUSING Move-In:

Are you living in University Housing this coming academic year?
If you are living in University Housing this coming academic year, you can move into your permanent residence on Sunday, August 9 beginning at 8:00 a.m.
You should have received info from Residential Life instructing you on where you will be residing and how to check in to that housing.
University Bands will not be a part of the Housing Move-In process. Any questions you have should be directed to Residential Life.
If you live in a university apartment or dwelling that will not be available on August 9, you will need to make plans to stay somewhere else until that dwelling is available.
Please do not call the University Bands office regarding band camp housing issues. If you have questions, they should be directed to Residential Life and Housing at:
CLICK HERE
We cannot provide and do not have storage space for you. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Dining Info:

Please note that once Band Camp begins, your on-campus choices will be limited.
Please also note that your Bama Cash can be used at many food establishments in Tuscaloosa.
If you have any further questions, please contact Bama Dining at: (205) 348-6816.
Please click here to be taken to the Bama Dining web page that will help you with your questions.

Band Shoes and Heavy-Duty Portable Music Stands:

Sunday, August 9: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm., new members
Monday, August 10, 9:00 am. - 1:00 pm., all other members
You can purchase heavy-duty portable music stands from Gadsden Music
You are required to have a portable music stand at all rehearsals. You
may purchase one from Gadsden Music or on your own.
Band Shoes: You can also purchase marching band shoes from Tuscaloosa Music (or on your own).
Please wear thick, white athletic-type socks when being fitted for your shoes. We will wear white, MTX marching shoes.
Heavy-duty portable music stands are $15
Marching band shoes are $35
Checks for music stands should be made payable to Gadsden Music.
Checks for marching band shoes should be made payable to Tuscaloosa Music.
Credit/Debit cards and cash are also acceptable forms of payment.
Gadsden Music will also be selling valve oil and other items you might need for the fall season.

Shelton State Students:

Any student attending Shelton State who wishes to participate in marching band must register for MUA 153 at the University of Alabama as a "Special Student."
Shelton State students must also be registered for at least 6 additional hours at their respective institution.
Registering for marching band through Shelton State will not be acceptable.
Shelton State Students must purchase a parking tag for the Fall Semester 2009. For more info on purchasing a tag, Please click here.
Faculty, Staff, and Students from Surrounding local Institutions (Shelton):

"Faculty, Staff and Students from surrounding local institutions that visit The University of Alabama campus will be required to purchase a visitor/vendor permit from the Transportation Services office. Faculty or staff members that are employed by both The University of Alabama and the local institution will be required to purchase a Faculty/Staff permit. Students that are dual enrolled will be required to purchase a student permit. It is the Faculty, Staff, and Students responsibility to know and abide by The University of Alabama's rules and regulations."

Band Camp Checklist:

Please make sure you have been accepted as a student to the University of Alabama or are a current University of Alabama student in good standing.
Please make sure you download, read carefully, sign, and then turn in at Band Camp Registration the Agreement of Understanding document at the end of the Handbook.
Please click here for the Handbook
Please click here for the Agreement of Understanding (only)
Please make sure you are registered for marching band through the University of Alabama in either MUA 153 or MUA 353:
MUA 153 is for everyone except Junior and Senior Music Majors
MUA 353 is for Junior and Senior Music Majors

Please make sure you have registered as a prospective or returning member on
our website. If you need to register, please click here
Please make sure you have filled out and brought with you to band camp a Medical Information Form (offered below).
Please note that you cannot take band as a non-credit option per University Policy.

Medical Information Form:

Please click here for your Medical Information Form.
Fill it out and when you are finished, print out two copies of your form.
One will be for the marching band and one for your personal records.
If you do not fill out the information required, you will not be allowed to participate in Band Camp.
We have to have these forms on record in accordance with University policy and regulations.
Please fill it out and bring it to Band Camp with you. Do not mail it; fax it; or e-mail it to us. You will turn it in when you go through Band Camp Registration.

Band Camp Auditions 2009:

All returning brass and woodwind players are required to audition at August Band Camp. The purpose of the audition is to determine if a student meets the minimum playing skills required for membership in The Million Dollar Band. Students who do not meet the minimum standards will be given alternate status with the opportunity to work into the performance roster. Freshmen and transfer stuents should have already auditioned during their orientation or a scheduled time. Auditions for all returning wind players TBA.

Any music questions?: Please contact Justin Ward

Parking:

You must have a parking tag/permit. This requirement pertains to all staff and students, including Shelton State students.
At band camp registration, you will be issued a parking decal from the marching band that you must display in your car at all times.
Whenever parking in the Moody Lot, you must display your band decal and parking tag/permit.
Your band decal permit and tag/permit will allow you to park in the Moody lot weekdays after 3:00 p.m. and game-days in the designated area.
Prior to 3:00 p.m. on week days, you must abide by the university's parking regulations, rules, and policies.
We will not intervene if you receive a parking citation.
No one, staff or student, is permitted to park anywhere other than a designated parking spot. The grass, burms, anywhere else is prohibited.

TRAINING ZONE

Band Camp takes place during one of the hottest times of the year in Alabama. In preparing for band camp, please:

Make sure you get outside prior to Band Camp and get acclimated to the heat and humidity.
Please get accustomed to wearing tennis shoes/sneakers during band camp. You will not be allowed during any time of camp or during the season to wear sandals, flip-flips, or any similar footwear.
Marching bare footed is also unacceptable.
Try to engage in some type of aerobic conditioning to prepare you for the marching demands and other physical demands of Band Camp.
Try to get used to drinking lots of fluids each day, especially in the mornings.
Please avoid consuming caffeinated beverages (they cause you to lose fluids) and beverages with added sugar. Avoiding caffeine and sugar is a good policy when engaging physical activity in hot and humid conditions.
Try to accustom yourself to eating a healthy breakfast.
Plan on bringing a hat, appropriate clothing, sun screen, and a wash-cloth or small towel that you can dip into ice water (in a container we’ll provide) and place on the back of your neck. Instead of a baseball cap, try purchasing a bucket hat or some other type of hat with a very wide brim that goes all the way around the hat and protects your neck from the sun.
Please bring plenty of insect repellent. Given the West Nile virus possibility that always exists, it seems good sense to make sure you always have insect repellent on or available during rehearsal hours when mosquitoes are likely to be present. You can now purchase products that combine sun protection and insect repellent in the same product.

Band CAMP FAQ’s 2009:

Where is Band Camp held? On the campus of the University of Alabama.
Will you provide water and cover during camp? Yes. This year we will provide adequate water stations and we will also be supplying canopies for you to stand under during breaks, if they are available.
Will I need to provide for and take care of my own meals? Yes. You should budget for three meals each day of Band Camp.
Will we have an end-of-camp exhibition performance? TBAPleae check our website for updates.
Can the band help my parents acquire football tickets? No. The best way to secure football tickets is to contact Tide Pride at:
205-348-6113 or go to Tide Pride
Where can I find out about the Crimson Tide football schedule and game start times.? Please go to: Football Schedule 2009
What full-band away-game trips will we be taking this fall? 'Ole Miss and Auburn. The remaining away-games will be smaller pep band trips: Mississippi State.
Are we required to participate in a possible SEC Championship and bowl game? Yes. You are required to participate in both the SEC Championship game and a possible bowl game that will take place the last week of December or during the first two weeks of January. Please plan accordingly.
Where will the band be seated during 2009? We will be seated in Section DD. This is the same section at last season.
Are there any fees associated with band camp other than meals, marching band shoes, and a heavy-duty portable music stand? No.
What about colorguard and Crimsonette shoes/boots, apparel? You will need to speak to your director/instructor about purchasing apparel.
What do I do about getting fitted for a band uniform? You will be provided with a time to get fitted during or after band camp, and then if alterations need to be made, the marching band will take care of that for you.
Will I need to be conscious of the weather and plan accordingly? Yes. Please make sure you bring sunscreen; a hat of some sort; and other appropriate clothing; and please plan on drinking lots of water during band camp.
How do I find my way around campus, acquire directions? Please go to www.tour.ua.edu and you will find all the information you need for navigating your way around the University of Alabama. Please be aware that our campus is undergoing major changes as a result of its move to becoming a pdedestrian campus.
For more information on Parking and Road closings and construction on campus, please go to: Parking
How do we acquire our music? Music will be available for you in the “members only” section of our website. Make sure you are registered on the database and then use your username and password to access the members only section. Click on Pre-game and Halftime Music once you are in the Members Only Section. There you will find music for our TECHNIQUE AND WARM-UP PROGRAM, first halftime show, pre-game, cheers, and warm-ups. Auditions for all returning wind players will take place on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.
What if I am having problems getting into the Members Only Section? Please contact Neal Flum at: nflum@music.ua.edu
Having any problems with your music? Please contact Justin Ward
If I am a freshmen, do I have to attend BAMA BLAST? 'Bama Blast has been cancelled for 2009

We will continue to update our Band Camp section as information becomes available.

Please check this section on a fairly regular basis. We look forward to seeing all of you in August! ROLL TIDE!
Million Dollar Band