Pit Crew
The Friendswood High School Band Pit Crew is a team made up of band parents that assist the pit students with transportation of the pit instruments and other band equipment.
The pit instruments consist of such large items such as marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, timpinis (kettle drums), chimes, gongs, and bass drums. A number of percussion instruments also mount on a mobile framework called a spider. There are also several smaller snare drums, cymbals on individual stands, and several handheld instruments.
The pit crew is also responsible for transportation of the electronic sound system, band director’s public address system, drum major’s podiums, color guard equipment, chaperone supplies, and the band uniforms.
On the day before the game or competition, the pit crew leaders coordinate with the band directors for any changes from the previous performance. A detailed drawing of the field layout is produced along with a list of assignments and the line-up sequence for the equipment. Directions and maps for out-of-town performances are also produced.
For away-from-home football games and band competitions, the pit crew loads the pit equipment, uniforms, color guard equipment, and chaperone supplies into the band’s equipment trailer and a rental truck. Each piece of equipment is loaded in a specific order to its assigned location in the vehicle. This assures that space is used efficiently and that the vehicle is load-balanced. Specific pit crew members are responsible for strapping each item securely into place. When the vehicles arrive at the stadium, the pit crew unloads the items and moves them into a specified order along the stadium sidelines.
For home games, many of the pit crew members enjoy the dinner served at the school cafeteria before the game.
During the time before the performance, pit crew members enjoy the game and catch up on what’s happened with each other in the past week. A few preparations are also made during this time such as scouting for power outlets and checking for obstacles that might hinder moving the equipment onto the field. At about three minutes before the performance begins, the pit crew reports to the sidelines to remove rain covers from equipment and start final preparations.
As the band goes onto the field for their performance, the pit students and pit crew parents swing into action to quickly move the equipment into place on the field. The entire set-up is done is less than one minute.
When the band’s exciting performance is completed, the pit crew moves onto the field again to assist the students in taking the equipment off the field. Certain items are returned to the stadium sidelines while others are loaded into the vehicles or returned to the band hall.
At the end of the game or competition, the last of the equipment is packed up and returned to the band hall. In the band hall, each item is placed in a specific location, ready to start a new week of rehearsals. Usually, this is done so efficiently that all equipment is returned to its proper location before all the band students have entered the band hall.
The pit crew is proud to contribute to the success of the Mighty Mustang Band. Many lasting friendships have been made and we look forward to the start of marching season.
Any band parent who would like to be a part of the pit crew can contact :
Dave Schilling
281- 992-7921