Line Tryouts
Application Packet
2018-2019
Tryout Clinic: February 5th-8th
Tryouts: Friday, February 9th
*ALL FORMS DUE TUESDAY, JANUARY 30th
Ryan High School Strutters
Tryout Information 2018-2019
Dear Parents,
The tryout date for Strutters will be Friday, February 9th, 2018. I feel that it is important that you are aware of what is expected from each dancer on the day of tryouts. It is also important to understand the responsibilities of the dancers who make the team. There will be a great commitment required out of each parent whose child is selected as a member of the Strutters Drill Team.
The February 9th tryout will be preceded by one week of after school clinics. This clinic will take place from 4:30pm-6:30pm in the Ryan High School Dance Studio Monday, February 5th through Thursday, February 8th. Every dancer, unless academically ineligible or suspended, will attend all daily clinics. During this time the dancers will learn the tryout routines and procedures. All candidates should wear dance attire and dance shoes. (PLEASE no sports bras without a leotard on top and no shorts.)
February 9th is the only tryout date that will be offered. Tryouts begin promptly at 4:30pm on that day. Line tryouts will end around 7:45pm. Each candidate must stay for the full tryout period in order to allow for judging callbacks and full group tryouts if necessary. Tryouts are closed to the public. Once the judging is complete and the decision for next years’ team is made, the tryout numbers of the candidates chosen for the team will be posted on the Strutter website. This can be either a very exciting time or a very disappointing time, so please be supportive of your dancer.
There is no set number of dancers on the team. Membership depends on how many candidates tryout and on their score variations. The candidates will tryout in front of judges who are qualified in the area of dance and drill team. Judges are from outside the Denton Independent School District. THE JUDGES’ DECISION IS FINAL.
There will be a required parent meeting on Thursday, January 25th at 7:00pm in the Ryan High School Commons. Parents/Guardians of all candidates who wish to tryout must attend one of these two meetings. This will be a time to give you additional information and answer any questions you might have. Your dancer will not be allowed to tryout if they do not have a parent/guardian attend the meeting or contact the director if there is a conflict. Please read and make sure you completely understand all of the attached information.
All attached forms must be completed by you and your child and turned in to Mrs. Jones at Ryan High School no later than Tuesday, January 30th. If you have any questions, please call me at (940) 369-3116.
Sincerely,
Keli Jones
Strutter Director
IMPORTANT DATES
In preparation for drill team tryouts on February 9th, please be familiar with the following information.
Thursday, January 25th Parent Meeting – 7:00pm in the Ryan High School Commons.
Tuesday, January 30th All tryout forms must be turned into the Director at Ryan High School.
Mon – Thur., February 5th-8th Tryout Clinic – Tryout routines will be taught from 4:30pm-6:30pm in the Ryan High School Dance Studio. All candidates MUST attend all practices.
Friday, February 9th Tryouts – 4:30pm in the Ryan High School Dance Studio. Tryouts are closed to spectators. Results will be available once the tryout process is complete.
Tuesday, February 13th Booster Club Meeting – 7:00pm in the Ryan High School Renaissance Hall. New Line Members will be measured for their hats, wind suits, etc. (1st “New Line” payment is Due!).
Tuesday, March 20th Booster Club Meeting – 7:00pm in the Ryan High School Renaissance Hall. New Line Members will sign up for Spring Show Ushering shifts. (2nd “New Line” payment is Due!)
Tuesday, April 10th Booster Club Meeting – 7:00pm in the Ryan High School Renaissance Hall. New Line Members will receive information regarding their Arts & Jazz Festival performance. (3rd “New Line” payment is Due!)
Thursday, April 19th Officer Mock Tryouts – 4:30pm-6:30pm in the RHS Main Gym (2018-2019 Strutter Line attendance mandatory).
April 23rd-27th New Line Practice 4:30pm-6:30pm in the RHS Dance Studio (2018-2019 Strutter Line attendance mandatory; Boot fitting, uniform fitting, and practice wear ordering will take place. We will also prepare for our Arts and Jazz Performance. [Deposit to Leapin’ Leo’s and Boot Payment Due!])
Saturday, April 28th Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Performance (Time TBD).
July-August Strutter Summer Practices (Time TBD in RHS Dance Studio).
August 3rd-5th Strutter Line Camp
What to Wear the Day of Tryouts
*Black leotard (boat neck preferred, but not required) *Black jazz shoes/sneakers
*NO jewelry *Bright RED lipstick (Female Candidates only)
*Hair in ponytail *Black dance pants
*Black socks/tights *Brown smokey eye (Female Candidates only)
v Dance World at Denton Triangle Mall carries most of the attire; also check Discount Dance online.
What to Expect the Day of Tryouts
1. Each candidate will be known by an identification number which will be worn during the audition.
2. Each candidate will perform the splits, a jazz routine, and a kick routine in groups of 4-5 members.
3. Auditions are closed to spectators.
4. There will be three (3) certified judges selected by the director and approved by school administration.
5. Each candidate will be judged on a 100-point scale.
6. Selection of the members will be based on the categories of dance technique, showmanship, knowledge of jazz, kick routine, and knowledge of the Strutter constitution (Quiz at Mock Tryouts), splits, rhythm and timing, precision and unison, and overall impression.
7. The number of selected line members will be based upon the number of candidates auditioning and their final scores.
8. Announcement of the new line shall be posted online following the conclusion of the auditions, callbacks, and final tally of all scores.
Strutters
Membership Requirements
· Each member must want to be a Strutter.
· Each member must be willing to abide by all rules and follow directions.
· Each member must enjoy learning and performing dances.
· Each member must demonstrate responsibility at all times.
· Each member must understand that any decision made by the director/administration is in the best interest of the team and its members.
· Each member must have a desire to cooperate and to be one of the group.
· Each member must maintain an average of 70 or above in each class.
· Each member must register for the designated drill team class for the 2018-2019 school year.
· Each member is required to attend drill team camp and all other required dance/choreography workshops throughout the year.
· Before school, after school and summer practice sessions are required. Time specifications for these will be established as camp dates and other school schedules become available to the director. Summer practice for all members is mandatory upon notification of these dates and times.
· All members must be present for all practice sessions, games, pep rallies, competitions, etc.
· All members must audition for every performance unless ill or injured.
· Members will purchase their practice clothing and other necessary clothing as required. All personal obligations for uniform orders must be met.
· Members must undergo a physical, completing and turning in the district physical and UIL consent forms with their tryout packet. (The District offers physical examinations in the spring. Once that date becomes available, we will send that information out to parents.)
· All members must be willing to commit themselves for the entire year of 2018-2019 membership in Strutters.
· Strive to maintain an exemplary reputation in and out of Strutters, including their internet/on-line reputation. (Contract required.)
STRUTTERS
MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
· Anyone who meets the set qualifications will not be discriminated against because of race, creed, or educational handicap.
· Prospective members shall be entering grade nine (9) through twelve (12).
· A candidate who is academically ineligible for extra-curricular participation during the six weeks period in which auditions occur may audition to become a Strutter but may not participate in the after school clinic. The candidate will be allowed to attend the clinic, but will be responsible for learning the audition routines on their “own” time and must check in with the director each day during the audition workshop to receive any necessary information.
· All candidates and their parents must attend the March 22nd meeting for tryout information. Failure to attend or meet with the director will result in the candidate’s inability to audition. Prospective members and their parents must be fully aware of the time and expense in becoming a Strutter.
· A prospective member must currently attend a D.I.S.D. school.
· Candidates will be expected to perform a specific required routine at auditions. A panel of three (3) qualified judges shall evaluate the performance of the candidates for line membership. Selection of line members will be based on the sum of all three judges.
FINANCES
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY BECAUSE THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF THE STRUTTER ORGANIZATION SEEMS TO CAUSE THE MOST CONFUSION. IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS AFTER READING THIS SECTION, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK.
Listed below is an itemized list of expenses that could be incurred by new members. Hopefully, this will give candidates an idea of what to expect in terms of financial obligations. The largest sum of money is due in April following tryouts; however, some items may be purchased over a period of time. This list is not inclusive and it must be realized by all members and parents that additions must be made from time to time. Great care is taken by the director to keep costs as low as possible. Note: this list is only to give you an idea of what to expect.
Costs incurred by the individual (all are over-estimates and are not exact amounts)
· Practice attire (includes tops, pants, jazz shoes, etc.) - $380.00-$480.00
· Uniform attire (wind suit, hat, squad shirt, field boots) - $250.00-$265.00
· Miscellaneous (sweatshirts, basics for spring show) - $100.00
· Strutter Coat - $250.00 (after completion of 1st year on team.)
· Strutter Camp - $385.00
*Some items may be purchased from outgoing seniors for a discounted price. A “Garage Sale” date will be announced after tryouts.
The school provides the official field uniforms. These uniforms are issued to the members and returned at the end of the school year. The above items are ordered as a group rather than individual and an exact list will be provided after tryouts.
When looking at the total cost, please realize what you would be paying for dance lessons five times a week, dance wear, dance conventions that would be attended, and recital fees. If you have never been involved in dance before, I encourage you to look into these costs and compare. In addition, practice attire is purchased the first year only. The cost of participation significantly drops for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years.
THE FOUR SEASONS OF STRUTTERS
Being a Strutter means commitment for all four seasons. Strutter activities begin immediately following auditions and continue throughout the year, until the following auditions. This involves commitment on the member’s part for a full year.
I. SPRING (March-May)
A. TEAM PRACTICES before school (7:45am-first block)
B. AUDITIONS are the first activity of the new squad, usually held in early to mid-Spring.
C. SPRING SHOW will usually be held in March-April. The Strutters will begin preparing for the show immediately after competition.
D. STRUTTER OFFICER AUDITIONS are held in April-May following Spring Show. A member must be current for at least one year before being eligible to audition for an officer position. (Only Juniors and Seniors can be Officers).
E. TRAINING for the new line will take place during one week in April-May. The purpose of this training is to prepare the new line for the Arts and Jazz Festival and camp.
II. SUMMER
A. OFFICER CAMP is in early June. The exact place and date varies from year to year. Camp lasts 3 days and is mandatory for the dance officers.
B. SUMMER PRACTICE is scheduled to take place for the week prior to camp (July-August). These practice sessions are mandatory for all Strutters and are important in preparing the team for camp and football season performances. Each Strutter must also attend at least one mandatory squad practice that will be determined during the first practice in May.
C. TEAM CAMP Will be held sometime at the end of July or mid-August. Camp lasts 5 days and is required of all team members.
III. FALL
A. TEAM PRACTICES begin when school starts. Strutters practice every day. Practice sessions begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. every morning and continue through 1st block. Thursday afternoon practices may be called on occasion, from 4:30pm-6:30pm for all Strutters.
B. PEP RALLIES are held throughout Football season. The Strutters actively participate in all of the pep rallies.
C. FOOTBALL GAMES are held weekly throughout the months of September, October, and early November (playoffs into December). Members are required to attend all games including potential playoff games.
IV. WINTER
A. BASKETBALL GAMES which the team attends are pre-scheduled and all academically eligible members are required to attend. The Strutters will perform at selected games.
B. COMPETITION PRACTICE begins during the months of December and January. All competition material is taught at these practices. After school and weekend practices may be required depending upon the availability of gym space.
C. COMPETITION is anywhere from late January, February, to early March. The team generally travels every 2 years. We take four team routines, three-four officer routines, and 2 large ensembles (Jazz Elite and Highsteppers). There will be occasional Saturday practices as needed for Competition and Spring Show.
As you can see, drill team is a full year commitment. If you, or your child, feel that they cannot meet these expectations, they should not participate in the auditions. It is an honor to be selected as a member of this award-winning organization. It requires enthusiasm and dedication, not only from the dancers, but from the parents as well. The team can be the best thing only if it has your support. I hope each of you will be willing to give your support to your dancer and the team as they prepare for a successful year!