.: Time Management

In every work situation time is of the essence. The person who plans his/her time and details the tangible aspects of the job will find themselves far and ahead of those who fly by the seat of their pants. The drumline/winterguard program plan is no exception. Developing this kind of time planning will not only serve you well, it will impress every other individual with whom you work. Everyone has lives they must attend to outside of this activity. They will support you best when they can know your needs well in advance.

The Master Calendar
The master calendar is for everyone connected with the production of your drumline/winterguard. On your master calendar, enter established dates for performances, trips, exams, proms, school breaks, or any other dates that will impact your production schedule. Working backwards from the first show, figure out how many rehearsals you will need to teach the show. Note the start of production showing all rehearsals. Working backwards from when you will begin teaching the show, and then determine how many weeks you will need to teach basics. (If you are a scholastic unit, basics may already have been taught prior to band season.) Note this class time, be sure you allow time needed to teach technique. If you are a scholastic unit, move to the calendar time when the summer/fall season ends and schedule the time you will begin rehearsals. Plan time to have the show finished for the first contest.

This is Your Production and Performance Schedule
Did you allow any time off between band or corps and your winter drumline/guard? Please consider burn-out. Determine whether you want to hold 2 or 3 full weekend camps which will give you Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, or if you want to do all-day Saturdays or a series of week nights. Don’t let school work suffer so be careful of overdoing the school nights.

Detail Your Production Schedule
- Project when your music must be chosen, edited or arranged
- Indicate when costume and prop designs must be complete
- Indicate a production schedule for sewing people showing when you want prototypes made up to indicate budget planning deadlines
- Indicate show planning meetings
- Indicate fundraisers

Put any reminder on your calendar that will keep you on target. Give this calendar to every person involved in the project. Prepare a more simplified version for the performers. If you plan your time, you are more likely to succeed, far less apt to be caught off base or behind schedule and parents, members, and administration will be better able to support your efforts.