This applies to Marching Season, Winter Guard Season, and Indoor Percussion: Competition days can be very long depending on how far the competition location is. Call time (when students need to be at school) is typically in the morning. Students warm-up and then help load instruments, equipment, and props onto the trucks and buses. There is time after loading for student to eat lunch, and they are also welcome to take food and snacks on the bus with them. Typically, the Boosters offer the option for families to pre-order a sandwich meal (marching season only) that will be distributed to students before they get on the bus for the competition. After arriving at the venue, students need to unload all the instruments, equipment, and props. They usually have free time to watch other schools perform and get merch (show patches) and food from concessions. There is a call time for students to be back at the buses to change into their uniforms. Students warm up again and then line up to enter the stadium and compete. After the performance, if there is time before awards, students can change out of their uniforms and start loading the instruments, equipment, and props on to the buses and trucks. If there is not time, students stay in uniform to go to the awards ceremony. After returning to school, students will need to help unload the buses and trucks before they check out with their section leader to be dismissed.

Marching Season officially ends in December. The Holiday Concert and Pass in Review is the final concert of the fall season, during which the marching band plays through the entire marching show’s music one last time. Color Guard will perform the choreography inplace. Also in early December, Cardinal Alliance participates in the San Marcos Holiday Parade, which typically takes place on the 1st Sunday of December. Note that after football season ends, Cardinal Alliance rehearsals are moved to an earlier time.