Mustangs 411: FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions About Our Programs)
How much does it cost to be a member of the Mustangs Colourguards?
The guard members have the luxury of organized and committed staff and parents whom have orchestrated fundraiser's throughout the school year so that a member would never have an out of pocket expense. Even the members jacket can be fund raised! The cost varies of how much each members is responsible to raise, for 2009 it is $700.00 of fundraising per member for the Mustangs (with a $20.00 registration fee) , $300.00 of fundraising per member for the Ponies with a $10.00 registration fee, and for Colts and Fillies there's a low cost registration fee OF ONLY $10.00 which includes their performance shirt and of course our end of year party and awards program!
What happens if we don't raise enough money?
The member will directly be responsible for those funds and will not be allowed to perform at Championships until it is paid in full (this has never ever been a problem).
What is your rehearsal schedule like and why?
A typical Mustang rehearsal is 3 hours on a Monday AND Thursday evening, 5:30-8:30PM see schedule.
Our Saturdays vary from 5 hours a Saturday to special camp weekends to learn the show.The Varsity guard does not run after school like other sports because the amount of material we need to cover is far more intense and cannot be gone over and refined in a 90 minute period. The schedule is alike most guards we compete against anywhere in the USA and Canada.
The Ponies do rehearse after school and are far less intense in scope thus they run Tuesdays and Thursdays and selected Saturdays.
The Colts and Fillies, which is for K-4 grade members, rehearse selected Saturday mornings.
I am interesting in auditioning for the Mustangs, but I'm not sure if I am good enough and I am in 6-8th grade. What should I do?
First off if you're in the 6th-8th grade right now, a student at Mount Markham, Brookfield or Faith Christian schools. See above for the Ponies as you can be a member easily, to be in the Mustangs at that grade level you have to have met specific criteria as a student and have parental permission. As far as auditions go, we can assure you that if you have a positive work ethic and are
committed to being the best you can be, you'll do great! In our sport NO ONE SITS THE BENCH and 6th graders have been Mustang members!
What kind of people join the Mustang Colourguards?
Great question...Rich, poor, middle class, broken homes, intact families, Honor roll students, athletes,musicians, dancers. Basically our members come from all walks of life and we have a grade requirement that we uphold which is higher than any other sport in any of our schools or community educational offerings.Our Mustangs have traditionally been great individual achievers and we have seen members go from failing 2 subjects regularly, before joining the guard program, to being on the honor roll within a few months.We teach your student HOW to learn and how to manage their time more effectively. The bottomline as to "what kind of people join the Mustang guards"?, those who want to be a part of a team, meet new friends,travel a little and learn about life.
What else should I know before joining?
If you aren't committed. If you are lazy. If you think you are better than anyone who is a member at the time, stay home...or join some other organization that will put up with defeatist and negative behaviors. However...if you want the experience of a lifetime and are willing to work for it...JOIN.
What is the MYCGC, NECG and WGI?
The MYCGC is the MID YORK COLORGUARD CIRCUIT, it is the umbrella competitive circuit that sanctions and rules all local NY state shows that we regularly attend. The MYCGC is one of 2 NY state circuits. The MYCGC covers Albany to Syracuse, from Binghamton to Oswego and is the largest circuit in NY with nearly 45 member units.
WGI is WINTERGUARD INTERNATIONAL and is the national organization that supplies rules, competitive and educational philosophies and instructional support. WGI is worldwide and the WGI National Championships is the epitome of our competitive activity.
Who teaches the guards?
Do I get a varsity letter?
Yes, for each successful season of membership in the Mustangs, you get credit toward a Varsity
letter,which is awarded on your junior year or sooner at our annual banquet. You need 2 years of solid performance as a member in good standing.
Why do my grades need to be 70% minimum as a Mustang? No other sport does that!
Again...you choose to do your work...you chose to be a member of the Mustangs...you will follow through on your responsibilities as required...because YOU CAN! and we help you choose the best way for you! The Ponies also have grade requirements for their membership. see the handbook!
How does the fail list work at any high school in our guards service area so I don't get disqualified from a show?
Simple...if you're doing your work, following your grades and communicating with your teachers, this may never be a problem...however IF IT BECOMES ONE, here's how it works...If you are on the failure list for 1 subject and your GPA is 70 or more, you will be on member probation until you get off that failing mark. If you're on the failure list for 2 subjects, then there is obviously some real problems...and yes, you are most likely to blame...thus, you can rehearse with the guard, but you MAY NOT perform until those marks are cleared. If you are failing more than 2 subjects, you most likely aren't in the guard any longer and this question is irrelevant.
Do we travel?
Oh yea! We not only go to schools ranging from 20-200 mile radius on at least a half dozen occasions a year, but we also plan a trip to perform in the costs of this is built into your annual fees that you fundraiser for.
How do I volunteer to go on a trip as a chaperone?
As a parent, your assistance and support is vital. Chaperone forms are included in the Mustang member handbook, then refer to your MUSTANG MEMBERS HANDBOOK to see what the Chaperone requirements and responsibilities are.
What time would I generally be able to pick up my child on a show day?
Good question! The LATEST that we have ever returned to Mount Markham Elementary is 11:45PM on a Saturday night.
We find that on the average it's been between 10:30PM -11:00PM. The nice part about this is that you know where your child is, what they're doing and who they're with on any Saturday evening in the dead of winter!
Can I pick up my child from the show? Why/why not?
Yes you may, and you will have to supply a written note/document absolving the staff, school and chaperone person duty of responsibility for the care of your child. This is especially important if the student is needed at home or a special event has arisen and that you must take them following the performances. HOWEVER, we ask that you do not take the child home from the shows, as the bus rides and post show socialization's are all part of being a colorguard member and for the Mustangs, this is where many of our fondest memories or laughs have come from. It's all part of the social wellness of being in the Mustangs.
What is the Unadilla Races? Cookie Dough The Sport of the Art Show?
The Unadilla Races are the motocross events held annually in 3rd week in July that the Mustangs vend racing programs at the event for a fundraiser making a few cents on each one we sell!.
The good folks at Unadilla have done this for us for 4 years and it is a GREAT weekend of fun and all the money helps offset the costs of the guard greatly for the following season!
Cookie Dough is a fund raiser we do every year prior to the holidays. This product darn near sells itself and the profit usually pays for the equipment, staff and special show needs.
The Sport of the Art Show is held every year on the 3rd or 4th weekend of March. It is the Mustangs sponsored show that usually has nearly 2 dozen units coming to MtM HS to compete. Every parent of every guard member is asked to help that day with whatever the tasks are needing to be done. Planning for the Sport of The Art show or as we call it: the "home show" {meaning it's our home that everyone is coming to}will have planning meetings and plenty of advance notice
for everything. We are proud to say that our show is one of the most successful in the MYCGC each and every year.
How do I get more involved as a parent? Who would I contact?
Our parents group: The MTM Associates meet every 2nd Thursday of any month at 7PM in the off season (April through October) then for 2008-09 the Associates will meet on SATURDAYS as the guards rehearse making it easier for parents to get to the Leonardsville School, you will be notified exactly where via mail and this website as the students are usually rehearsing in the gym next door. To ask more specific questions or info you can contact Mrs. Abaté, Executive Director of all guards
Can I come and watch my child rehearse? When would be the best time.
Of course! We suggest that you come near the end (8:00PM) on Mondays or Thursdays. Please refrain from making comments or passing judgements on other students. This is very "bad juju" and MAY be reflected on you or your child. Remember, an adults words are like punches to a child and please remember the student MAY ACTUALLY have more experience than you do as a guard performer and that alone should say you may want to refrain from being 'helpful" let the staff do that job and be "the bad cops".
