New Market Christmas Parade

After speaking to the band about the New Market Christmas Parade, the desire to participate was unanimous.  It is truly a lot of fun, no pressure, and approximately a 2 hour commitment.  We hope all of our band families will come out to support and enjoy this community event, sponsored by the New Market Volunteer Fire Department!

All the information you should need is included below – please read carefully.

All Winds and Percussion are required to attend.  Any legitimate conflicts must be communicated to Mr. Souder right away.  This includes FRONT ENSEMBLE percussion who will participate in varying capacities (carrying lead banner, playing sleigh bells & cymbals, or marching in formation with the band).

Color Guard members will not be required to attend as almost all of them are participating in a Winter Guard camp that day.

Students: We will learn the simple music and practice marching a parade block a couple times during the week of the parade.  The band room will be open before call time to come get your marching instrument.

Saturday December 12th
New Market Christmas Parade @ New Market School

Students are to wear festive & warm clothing, are encouraged to dress up and decorate themselves and their instruments.  Be creative and go all out!
No glue or tape (other than electrical tape) allowed.
We will have our “best festive-dressed contest” prior to warm-up.  No one is allowed to dress in full Santa attire – parade rules.

1:00 – Call time in front of New Market School – drop off near or on College Street which runs in front of New Market School.  Park anywhere along the parade route or neighboring roads.
Per parade rules: do not park at the school.
(ACT test-takers may arrive late) – warm-up, play through music, set up parade block

2:00 – Parade begins – see link below, scroll down for parade route map – the route is short though it has been lengthened this year, and the band is typically at the beginning of the parade.

2:30-2:45 – Finish parade where we started, quick instructions, students released.

*Any student who needs to take their instrument back to the school may do so.  I will announce what time I’ll be locking up based on when we’re leaving the parade.

School-owned marching band wind instrument usage:
This will be our last marching band performance.  All students who have been using a school-owned marching band instrument (mellophones, baritones, tubas) must thoroughly clean, oil, and repair (as needed) their instrument and turn it in Monday/Tuesday next week in class.