2024 Marching Band Attendance Policy for All Major Parades
In order to march in a major parade, all performing band members (musicians, color guard, dance crew, drum majors) must:
1. Attend the final Thursday rehearsal before a major performance (New Hope Pride, Queens Pride, DC Pride, Providence Pride, NYC Pride) or request and receive an exemption from the marching director and their captain in advance (see exemptions below).
2. Be proficient in the music and marching routines (musicians), the color guard routines (guard members), or the dance routines (dance crew).
3. And, to do NYC Pride, perform in a minimum of three (3) June parades, or attend three (3) June marching rehearsals, or do a combined total of three (3) June parades and rehearsals, including the final pre-NYC Pride rehearsal, or request and receive an exemption from the marching director and their captain in advance (see exemptions below). Note: that indoor rehearsals, May rehearsals, and stand-and-play gigs like the Dyke March do not count toward the mandatory minimum of three (3) June parades/rehearsals to do NYC Pride.
Exemptions: We routinely grant exemptions for work-related conflicts, weddings, illnesses, and such, so please speak to the marching director and your captain as soon as a scheduling conflict arises.