I have an Allstate student for the first time. I did not grow up in Texas, I've never dealt with the Allstate process directly. I know the basic information is coming out tomorrow in email. What else do I need to know? Do the directors of Allstate students get any special reserved seating at the concert, or do I have to wait in the giant line? I know that I need to stay in the same hotel as the students, am I expected to stay in the rehearsal and chaperone the entire time? Are any meals provided to the students or do I need to make all arrangements?
No reserved seating. You have to wait in line but you get to wait in line before parents. No you do not stay at the rehearsal...you can if you want...but you should go to clinics. Check with your district. Many districts give a per diem for student food. You just need to make sure they are in their room at night. They can just send you a picture of them in their room with the time in the background. Or you can check them in person.
Some of these details you're asking about with the concert depend on what level of school you are. If you're 5A/6A there will be a long line. If you're 1A-4A you can easily just walk into the hall with no wait before the 3A concert. (I've never actually gone to the 4A concert specifically separately, so not sure if a line forms for that one - I don't think it does)
As the other responder said, you don't have to handhold all of the time for the kids. I tend to make sure they make it to the first rehearsal, encourage them to make it over to the convention center for the lunch breaks and then we'll walk around and look at instruments and such. Make sure they understand to stay with a group of students - it is a city.
I've had a couple students before who were more timid and we had to spend more time with them. Try to figure out a way to do a special dinner on Friday or another night where maybe their parents meet you and you celebrate the kid. This year Valentines day is on Saturday, so it hopefully won't be as difficult to do that.
Congrats to you and your All State student. You don't have to nor should you spend all your time at the convention in the rehearsals. There will be many beneficial clinics going on and you need to attend all you can. Meals are not provided for your student. I would suggest that you meet them for lunch just to touch base. Take time to enjoy the convention. By all means spend some time in the display area and see all the good stuff. Welcome to Texas and the Texas Band World.
