It's been a while since I was at SHS, but the band looked very sloppy while marching in the parade. They had untucked, oversized polo shirts on and most of them looked annoyed. Hopefully when they go to competitions and perform outside of Stoughton, they look more presentable and represent the town well!

I said the same thing.. Mr. C would've been so mad to see the lines!

My husband and I enjoyed the parade and the ceremony at Town Hall, except for one thing - you couldn't hear a blessed thing that was being said! Worst PA system ever. I caught a few words from the veterans' agent, Rev. Cho and Mr. Feaster. All the rest was barely audible, including the reading of the roll call. So please, organizers of this event, check out the equipment beforehand so that those in attendance can actually hear what's being said.

I'm in the marching band , and yes the shirts were big, but we weren't annoyed,we were just very hot . Try marching in thick black pants. Us marchers work very hard. You are out of line and very disrespectful....as i said we work very hard and you shouldn't be putting us down, it's very rude.

To the people criticizing the marching band you are totally clueless. Marching band members had to purchase the shirts themselves and it was hot and humid that day! This is the same marching band that earned a gold medal at the NESBA state competition where they competed against schools that were 2-3 times their size. The music department is one of the only areas that differentiates us from other towns. It would be nice if they could get more support!

The 2011-2012 SHS marching band did very well this season. They represented Stoughton with excellence and class. They earned many gold medals and high marks. They work very hard especially during competetion season. This parade they tried something new with polo shirts and new hats to keep the students as cool as possible because if they had to wear the usual uniform they would havebeen extremely hot. They only had one practice for this parade. During competitions there were many from other towns that complimented some parents in the stands about the quality of music Stoughton Marching band performed. The members of the SHS marching band have done an outstanding job and have without a doubt represented the town of Stoughton with pride and class. Don't be a stranger to SHS, all are welcome to come cheer on our students in all sports and maybe then after seeing them at their best you can make a comment!!!! Go Black Knights :)

I don't think our Veterans are dissapointed by the band. After all, there wouldn't be much of a parade on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day without them. It is too hot in May for the kids to wear their full uniform. As it is, they still had a shirt and full overalls under their polo shirts. Polo shirts that they purchased themselves without the benefit of trying them on before ordering. The Color Guard had a full body unitard on under theirs. By the time they get to the Town Hall, they have already played, marched and stood through 3 ceremonies. Wouldn't it be nice if the town provided seating for them so they didn't have to stand in the sun, holding heavy instruments for the long ceremony? Then another ceremony at the Park and finally 2 more ceremonies at the last cemetary. The Music Department and the students should be applauded for their committment and accomplishments.

Unfortunately you can't tuck shirts into overalls or a unitard.
You can send your donations to the High School and maybe next year they can get lightweight uniforms.

Sorry, didn't mean to reply directly to your comment, I meant it as a reply in general to all the comments.

Any way, if that's the comment you want to make - please have the POPS return all my donations from over the years. I have been advocating for light weight uniforms since I was marching back in the 80's. They still haven't gotten it right. From the picture it looked like pants. Hey, there's an idea - I'll earmark my future donations for pants, instead of overalls or a unitard so they can tuck in their shirts!
Gosh, it's just a comment that it looked sloppy and people agreed. They sounded great as usual. I love living close enough to listen to them practice when they are outside.

I didn't think they looked bad and I'm all for having the kids be a little cooler. Maybe next year they will add lighter pants. Anyway, I don't think POPS is responsible for purchasing uniforms. I know they do a lot but I don't think they have any say on uniforms. Finally, whether you like what they wore or not, we should still appreciate the fact that they were there.

It is sad to hear all of the negative comments regarding the SHS Marching Band when they were in the parade with some of us defending them. We are just trying to keep them cool and hydrated. In the past, the weather has been so unpredictable for the students to wear their full dressed uniforms so it was decided by the teachers to try something new. It worked, however, the students were still very hot as that is the weather in New England. We do our best so the kids will be comfortable and not faint from exhaustion and fatigue due to over heating or other medical issues coming out. During the parades it is the kids that we watch out for in their safety and well-being, that is our goal and I think all of us achieve that goal. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this was not a competition, it was the SHS Marching Band marching for the Veterans in our country, please let's not lose sight of that. We all know how great they our Music Department is, let's just be grateful we have such accomplished children and teachers.

Jane
Just saying I dont have a kid in the band.Get over yourself!! When i was in high school everything was free and no complaints.Look was happened with the times,people have nothing better to do then
complain.GET A LIFE !!!!!!

I can not believe some of these comments. So the kids stood for 3 hours, yes 3, without their shirts tucked in. You know what else they didn't do? They didn't sleep in on a day off, spend time with their family on a day off, complain about how long that parade can be, didn't get paid for their time, nor did they represent the town in any negative way. I have never played an instrument but can imagine that lugging them around for 3 hours in the hot sun might be difficult. One poster above said they looked annoyed, I suggest anyone lugging around an instrument for 3 hours in the sun may not keep a smile on their face the whole time. I congratulate the band and the parent volunteers for how well they did.

kudos to John Bonney,thank you