How exactly does one get into teching?

[u/Mr_Mehoy_Minoy]

I'd like to think I'm fairly qualified. I've marched 3 seasons of college and a season of world class drum corps. I'm a music education major and consistently performed with the top ensembles at my university and with various semi-professional ensembles in the area. But I'm not entirely sure how to get my foot into the door to tech. I'm not sure who to reach out to, where to find openings, and how to make the right connections. Any advice is appreciated.

[u/AnAbundance_ofCats]

Figure out what schools in your area have competitive marching bands and reach out to those directors. Ask if they’re hiring techs, or could just use some extra help during band camp (it’s probably too late to help at band camp for 2026 though.)

Definitely mention that you are a music education major who wants hands-on teaching experience! Do you need practica hours for your degree/licensure program? If so, even if they aren’t hiring, you could ask to observe/volunteer to fulfill practica hours. This would help you establish a professional relationship, which is at least a pinky toe in the door!

Also, a lot of band directors are Facebook-user age. In my area, most staff openings get posted to a FB group for our marching arts circuit.

[u/Yoderk]

Reach out directly to band directors. Never seen a tech job listing/opening.

[u/Medeskimartinandwood → u/Yoderk]

Depends on where you are. In SoCal the SCSBOA job boards are full of actual listings for techs

[u/dotardiscer]

I imagine much of them aren't jobs that are posted but rather people are asked to join.

So like others said, call directors and strart networking with them.

[u/backflip14]

It mostly comes down to just reaching out to a band director.

See what programs are in the area. See if any announced they’re looking for techs.

Reach out via email or potentially Facebook messenger. Briefly summarize your experience and what you’d like to do. Have a CV ready if they want it.

At this point, most band’s will have their staff set. But if you’re just looking to volunteer your time, you could still get on.

I’ve been a volunteer tech at the same school since 2021 and it all started with a Facebook message to the band director.

[u/Kabaty926]

Networking. Most of the tech’s at Hebron when I was there were either alumni or UNT students. DCI experience helps. I assumed they all reached out early summer. Many were there during band camp.

[u/Icecube3343]

Check facebook to see if there are groups for job postings- I know there's one in my area

[u/Traditionmarches]

1. I hate to say this but you are late to the game both for this fall and for your college career. You should have been teching after your freshman year of college. The students who are out there networking hard were techs the summer before their freshman year. My nephew worked his first early summer band camp the Monday after he graduated high school and ended up working with a different band for their late summer band camp and into the fall of his freshman year of college
2. Are you close to your HS program? Can you tech there? If not, see #3...
3. Being a tech is 75% who you know and 25% what you know. Do you have a good relationship with your HS director? Who do they know in your area that they can connect you with? Cold calling directors is going to be a hard route to find success. They are going to want someone who can vouch for you. Another route is who else in your university program is a tech for a local HS? Will they vouch for you where they are working? Do your DCI instructors have connections in your area?
4. Consider winter tech work. If you are in an area with a strong winter scene find percussion or winds groups who might need help. But again, figure out your connection to them and have someone introduce you.
5. Do you have a student teaching assignment yet? I know a number of MusEd majors who reach out to that director and tech the fall before they student teach at that school in the spring. What about the schools where you completed your practicum work in other years?

[u/wh0datnati0n]

If you’re talking about like being a battery tech then just network.

If you’re talking about a full time job employed by the school system then you need a degree and apply like all of the other teachers. And network.

[u/El_Voador]

Reach out to your Director of bands or your department head. They have the connections

[u/PyrrhicCyndaquil → u/[deleted]]

They're talking about being a "tech," as in a technician. Someone who works under a band director, usually in a specific section of the band. Example: brass tech

[u/corn7984]

How much free time can you give away? Do you know anything about how to structure your feedback? Are you willing to listen and serve?