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Pit Kids

Posted by Not Sure on 6/15/2026, 10:43 pm

What do you do with your pit kids in the stands. I've had issues with them being the percussionists who really don't want to do drum line, and become very do-nothings in the stands at football games. Giving them some of the aux parts is my first instinct, but putting a triangle in a marching band section seems silly to me. During 3rd quarter, they button up their end of the truck. Your thoughts?

Re: Pit Kids

Posted by Former TX Perc guy on 7/15/2026, 1:38 pm, in reply to "Pit Kids"

MEGALINE - I have 20 kids in my marching percussion program now. They all play on a drum in the stands. My two synth kids are both multi-instrumentalists. One of them plays clarinet in the stands, and the other plays electric bass in the stands.

We do Snares, Flubs, Quads, and Basses. When we run out of drums, we will probably add a cymbal line.

We also use the MEGALINE for community events. Pep rallies, Parades, playing at school district events, etc... big, loud drumline is always more impressive to Tommy Tax-Payer, and Sammy School Board Member.

Re: Pit Kids

Posted by Mr. Dude on 7/10/2026, 1:44 pm, in reply to "Pit Kids"

Mine play. They each have a show part, and a not show part. They march for parades, games we're not performing the show (which the last 4 years has equaled the number of games we marched the show). Is it too many drums for our size, yes. Does anyone care? no.

Re: Pit Kids

Posted by TYB Host on 6/20/2026, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Pit Kids"
Board Administrator

At Parker's school (yes, the Park of BrynnPark) they just sat there when not loading/unloading. My kiddo, not being a football fan, sometimes read a book. They were never given the opportunity to play another instrument. Granted, there's 7 snare, 3 tenors and 5 bass drum. They did have 5 on cymbals, but discontinued those for some reason. So you have at least 20 kiddos basically doing nothing in the stands.

Was it my call as a parent to say something? No. Do i wish they did things differently? Absolutely.

Tim

Re: Pit Kids

Posted by Abd on 6/23/2026, 9:39 am, in reply to "Re: Pit Kids"

I also sat as a pit member... Twenty years ago! Do better than my directors.

Re: Pit Kids

Posted by Abd on 6/18/2026, 8:45 pm, in reply to "Pit Kids"

Cymbals or an assigned drum. Builds skills, builds character. Everyone contributes musically in the stands.

Re: Pit Kids

Posted by 3A bd on 6/19/2026, 2:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Pit Kids"

This, 100%. I'm planning on marching 3 bass, 2 snares and 1 tenor in the show, but I will have 4 bass, 3 snares, 2 tenors and an abundance of crash cymbals in the stands. Everyone contributes musically. It can get a little obnoxious and loud, but that's just fine for a football game!

Re: Pit Kids

Posted by 2nd on 6/19/2026, 10:21 am, in reply to "Re: Pit Kids"

Second this. Make them the play something live everyone else, cymbals or a drum. Percussion kids should be held to the same requirements as every other band student.

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