Best Etiquette for Awards and Retreat Ceremonies: Parent Guide
Awards and retreat ceremonies are some of the most memorable parts of an FMBC event. Students get to stand with their ensemble, represent their program, hear results, and experience the competitive side of the marching arts in a very public way.
For parents and families, this can be exciting, emotional, and sometimes stressful. You may be hoping for a certain result, waiting to hear your school’s name, or trying to understand what the scores and placements mean. That is completely normal.
At the same time, awards and retreat are not only about results. They are also about sportsmanship, respect, professionalism, and giving every ensemble the opportunity to be recognized appropriately. The way adults respond during these moments can have a direct impact on how students understand competition.
As a parent, you play an important role in keeping the awards environment positive, respectful, and student-centered.
Remember That Every Ensemble Has Worked Hard
By the time awards begin, every student on the field has already put in significant time, energy, and effort. Some programs may have had a great performance. Some may have struggled. Some may be celebrating major growth that is not obvious from a score alone.
As a parent, you should remember that every ensemble deserves respect during the ceremony. Applaud when groups are recognized. Avoid negative comments about other schools, placements, show designs, or performance quality.
Your student’s program is not the only group with students, families, and staff members who care deeply about the outcome. A respectful awards environment acknowledges the work of everyone involved.
Let Students Experience the Moment
Awards can be a powerful moment for students. They are standing with their peers, representing their school, and hearing results in real time. Whether the outcome is exciting, disappointing, or somewhere in between, students need the chance to experience that moment with their ensemble.
As a parent, you should allow students to remain focused on their group during retreat. Avoid trying to call them over, get their attention from the stands, or pull them into a conversation during the ceremony.
Even if you are excited for them, let the staff and student leaders guide their behavior on the field. There will be time afterward for photos, hugs, and celebration.
Applaud With Class
It is always appropriate to cheer for your student’s program. Awards are exciting, and positive energy from the stands is part of the experience.
As a parent, you should cheer proudly when your school is recognized, but you should also be respectful when other schools are announced. Applause does not take anything away from your student. It helps create a better environment for all students.
Avoid booing, sarcastic reactions, exaggerated silence, or negative comments when another ensemble receives recognition. Students hear more than adults sometimes realize. The way families respond teaches students how to handle competition.
Celebrate your program without diminishing someone else’s.
Keep Results in Perspective
Scores and placements matter in a competitive activity, but they do not tell the entire story of a season or a performance. As a parent, it is natural to care about the results. However, you should be careful not to make the score the only thing your student hears from you after the ceremony.
A group can place lower than expected and still have made real progress. A group can win and still have important work to do. A score is one measurement from one performance at one event. It should be understood as part of the process, not the complete definition of the students’ achievement.
You can support your student by asking questions like:
“How did the performance feel to you?”
“What are you proud of from today?”
“What did the group improve?”
“What did your staff say after the performance?”
Those questions help students process the day with more maturity and perspective.
Avoid Publicly Criticizing Judges or Results
You may not always agree with the outcome. That is part of competition. Scores can be surprising, placements can feel disappointing, and different people may view performances differently.
As a parent, you should avoid criticizing judges, contest staff, other programs, or results in the stands, parking lot, or on social media. Those comments can quickly become discouraging for students and damaging to the overall event environment. If your student is disappointed, they do not need adults reinforcing frustration with anger or blame. They need adults who can help them process the result, stay grounded, and continue growing.
You can acknowledge disappointment without turning it into disrespect.
For example, instead of saying:
“The judges got it wrong.”
You might say:
“I know that result was hard to hear, but I’m proud of how you performed and how your group handled the day.”
That type of response supports the student without undermining the educational value of the activity.
Respect the Ceremony Structure
Retreat and awards ceremonies have specific procedures so the event can recognize ensembles clearly and efficiently. Students may be asked to stand in certain places, remain quiet, salute, receive awards, or follow instructions from event staff.
As a parent, you should respect the structure of the ceremony. Remain in spectator areas, follow venue rules, and avoid entering the field or restricted spaces unless you are specifically authorized.
Even if the ceremony feels informal or exciting, it is still part of the event. The students are representing their schools, and the audience helps set the tone.
Be Mindful With Photos and Videos
Awards are a natural time to take photos and videos. Families want to capture the moment, especially if their student’s program receives recognition.
As a parent, you should be thoughtful about how you record. Avoid blocking the view of people behind you, standing in aisles for long periods, or moving into restricted areas for a better angle.
You should also be mindful when posting online. Celebrate your student and your program, but avoid captions or comments that insult other groups, question results, or turn the ceremony into a public argument.
A good social media post should reflect the same sportsmanship you would want others to show toward your student.
Follow Your Program’s Post-Awards Plan
After awards, students may still have responsibilities. They may need to return to the buses, load equipment, change uniforms, meet with staff, attend a post-show talk, or help clean up their area.
As a parent, you should follow the instructions provided by your school’s director or staff. Avoid pulling your student away from the ensemble before they have been released.
This is especially important after emotional results. Students may be excited, disappointed, tired, or distracted. Clear post-awards procedures help the staff keep everyone accounted for and allow the group to end the day properly.
There will be time to celebrate or talk once the students are released.
Help Students Handle Winning Well
If your student’s ensemble has a successful awards moment, celebrate it. Students should be allowed to feel proud of their work.
At the same time, you can help them understand how to win with class. Winning should not become an excuse to mock other programs, exaggerate superiority, or treat the result as proof that the work is finished.
As a parent, you can reinforce pride and humility at the same time:
“You have grown so much this season. Remember where you were just two short months ago”
“You should be proud of that performance.”
“It’s great to see your hard work recognized.”
“Celebrate this, and keep working.”
“Make sure you congratulate your friends from other schools too.”
Winning well is part of the educational experience.
Help Students Handle Disappointment Well
Not every awards ceremony ends the way students hope. Disappointment is real, and it is okay for students to feel it.
As a parent, you do not need to dismiss their feelings or pretend the result does not matter. You can acknowledge the disappointment while helping them keep perspective.
You might say:
“I know that wasn’t the result you wanted.”
“I’m proud of the way you performed; you did your best.”
“One result does not erase the work you’ve put in.”
“What do you think the group can take from today?”
This helps students learn that competition includes both celebration and frustration. The goal is not to avoid disappointment completely. The goal is to respond to it with maturity.
Remember That Students Are Watching the Adults
Awards ceremonies can bring out strong reactions from adults. Students notice those reactions. They hear what is said in the stands, at the buses, in the parking lot, and online.
As a parent, you have the opportunity to model the kind of behavior this activity is supposed to teach: respect, discipline, perspective, humility, confidence, and resilience.
If adults respond to results with bitterness, students often learn to blame. If adults respond with maturity, students are more likely to process competition in a healthier way.
Your reaction does not need to be perfect, but it should be thoughtful.
Our Overview
Awards and retreat ceremonies are important because they recognize achievement, create memorable moments, and bring the competitive part of the event into focus. But the value of the experience is not limited to who receives which placement.
As a parent, you can help make awards a positive part of the FMBC experience by cheering respectfully, honoring every ensemble, keeping results in perspective, avoiding public negativity, and supporting your student through both success and disappointment.
The students on the field are learning more than how to perform. They are learning how to compete, how to respond, how to represent their programs, and how to grow from every experience.
The way we handle awards should support that growth.
About Eric Levy: Currently serving as the Director of Education & Marketing for the Florida Marching Band Championships and a percussion educator, designer, adjudicator, and arts leader with more than 25 years of experience in the marching arts. His work has included teaching, designing, judging, presenting, and developing programs for marching bands, drumlines, colleges, arts organizations, and performance programs in the United States and internationally. His collegiate experience includes work with multiple colleges and universities across programs affiliated with the Big Ten, ACC, HBCU institutions, and other collegiate music and marching arts programs. In addition to his work with FMBC, Eric is active in music education, program development, leadership training, marketing, and arts administration. Through his educational work, he focuses on helping students, educators, and organizations better understand the systems, standards, leadership practices, and culture that support successful and sustainable performing arts programs.
About FMBC: The Florida Marching Band Championships is Florida’s premier marching band circuit, dedicated to showcasing excellence in musical and visual performance. Since 1998, FMBC has celebrated the talents of thousands of student musicians, providing a platform for growth, achievement, and community through the marching arts.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact: media@fmbcstate.com
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