News : Parents, volunteers help bands succeed

Vinton-Shellsburg band parents help set up the backdrops after the trailer arrives at Kingston.

Peter Hart of West Music offered free minor emergency repairs to all participants.

V-S parents help wheel the backdrop to the performance area as the band takes the field.

While there is plenty for band members to do to prepare for their performances and contests, there are many things that the band members rely on their parents and other volunteers to do so they can focus on preparing themselves and their instruments for their performances.

(See the story about the Vinton-Shellsburg Band's Division 1 rating, and photos, HERE).

At Vinton-Shellsburg, that group of volunteers includes many people doing many different jobs.

It began early in the school year as Mrs. Chris Juhl and her art students painted the backdrops used for this year's show. It continues each week as several parents help load the VS Band trailer, drive it to the competition site, unload the trailer and set up the equipment and displays.

The work began as soon as the fleet arrived at Kingston Stadium on Saturday. Parents helped unload the equipment. While band and flag corps members unloaded their items, the paretns began setting up the backdrops, making sure everything is set up and ready to make the quick journey from the waiting area to the performance area.

The band members also have some professional help available. Peter Hart of West Music spent the day at Kingston stadium, where the music store offered to make free minor emergency repairs for all of the participants. Hart said that about a dozen band members brought intstruments for minor repairs.

"I also gave a way a lot of free reeds, water key springs and corks," said Hart.

West Music store offers this service for free each year, said Hart.

"We have a lot of customers who play in these bands," he said.