TO: Participating Band Directors

RE: 2015 VOLUNTEER CLASSIC

Welcome to the 2015 Volunteer Classic. As you know, the festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 10 on Lillard Field in the Jack Renfro Stadium. The stadium is located just east of Maryville, TN on Highway 321 within 15 miles of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enclosed is a list of festival rules, performance schedule, maps, and picture information.

All buses, equipment trucks & cars must enter the gates on Hwy. 321 at the front entrance of the school. You cannot enter the back gate. Upon arrival your buses will be met by one of our guides and escorted to the parking area. At that time all students, chaperones, and bus drivers will have their hand stamped so that they may leave and re-enter the stadium as needed. CHAPERONES RIDING THE BUS WILL BE GIVEN A HAND STAMP ALONG WITH THE BAND STUDENTS AND BUS DRIVERS FOR FREE ADMISSION. At the time of arrival on the festival date, please register in the hospitality room first. You will receive a packet of information and will be assigned student guides. Dressing rooms will be available.

Since all ratings will be announced at the end of the festival you may need to instruct your students and chaperones to eat at the stadium concession stands. There are no facilities near the stadium equipped to handle large groups. There will be a hospitality room for band directors & bus drivers located in the choir room next to the band room. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN FOOD OR ORDER PIZZA TO FEED YOUR STUDENTS WHILE ON CAMPUS. This is an important fundraiser for our band program. Please be respectful.

Please instruct your students to respect the performing bands by being as quiet as possible. Your chaperones should be responsible for student conduct before and after your performance. There will be a special section for band directors and their spouses reserved beneath the press box. NO ONE EXCEPT JUDGES AND FESTIVAL WORKERS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE PRESS BOX.

When your band is on the starting line the M.C. will announce the name of the band. Please instruct your drum major to wait until the M.C. asks "Drum Major, is your band ready?" He/she should then render a salute and start the band's performance.

Good luck in the 2015 VOLUNTEER CLASSIC. We are looking forward to having you here!

Sincerely,

John Gallagher

Festival Chairman