STATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
“Greyhound”
MARCHING AND CONCERT BANDS
STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK
BAND—IT IS NOT AN ACTIVITY,
IT IS A WAY OF LIFE!!!!
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
Plato
There are many things to do in life,
The choices are quite grand.
But only a musician
Knows how it feels to be in a band.
To share a magical language and create a beautiful sound.
The Chance to be an artist in a special way, I’ve found.
My Instrument is like a friend
Eager to come out and play.
The more time I spend practicing, the better I can say
Those inner thoughts which fill my mind.
Beyond the words I speak
Allow me to express myself in a way that’s quite unique.
Each day I spend in band
I start to realize
Everything is possible
When seen through music’s eyes.
Knowing that bit of wisdom
I now will take a stand,
And pledge myself to excellence
By playing in the band.
Tim Lautzenheiser
STATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GREYHOUND BAND MISSION STATEMENT
The SHS Greyhound Band’s mission is to become better musicians, which will be measured by:
a. The use of scales, technique, timbre and musicality
b. Having successful and entertaining performances.
c. Learning the appropriate musical vocabulary and knowing how to implement or “do” the vocabulary
d. Attention to details
e. Cooperation and focus
f. Enthusiasm, Energy, Responsibility and Respect
g. Commitment to practice, Commitment to the program, commitment to your personal musicianship.
We will accomplish this by working together in class and after school. We will accomplish this by having sectional rehearsals, by practicing individually and by being responsible for yourself, your instrument, and your group.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sections
1. Band History, Tradition, and Pride
2. Organizational Philosophy
3. Objectives of the Music Department
4. Greyhound Band Government
5. Band Courses offered at SHS
6. Music Department – Instruments and Equipment
7. Policies
8. SHS Band Fans and Chaperone Duties
9. Uniforms – Assignments, Care and Maintenance
10. SHS Band Fees
11. Band Dancers
12. Band Camp
13. Special Activities
14. Fundraisers
15. Band Banquet
16. SHS Band Schedule
17. How will you receive SHS Band Information?
Appendix / Forms
A. *Travel consent/Permission Form / Medical Form(to be signed and returned)
B. *Student/ Parent Contract Form (to be signed and returned)
C. *School Instrument / Personal Instrument use form (to be signed and returned)
D. Parent/ Volunteer Profile Form – to Chaperone Trips
E. Fee Payment Sheet
F. Drum Major contract
G. Drum Major Audition requirements
H. “What is Discipline” and “Effective Practice and Rehearsal”
I. Financial Aid Application for High School Band.
J. Student Leadership Application
K Student Leadership Contract
L. Video, audio, photograph, name listing Consent Form
M. Supplemental Student Positions
* are REQUIRED forms necessary for participation
This Handbook was created to serve as a guide and introduction to the policies, procedures, and activities of the Statesville High School Band Program
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1. BAND HISTORY, TRADITION, AND PRIDE
The Statesville High School Band is composed of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. The Band also includes students from not only SHS, but from the Crossroads Early College High School as well. Our district / feeder schools include Statesville Middle and East Iredell Middle as well as students from other schools, District, private and Charter.
The Statesville High School Band has a diverse population and is the “Show Band” of Iredell County dating back to the 1969’s, when the band marching with bagpipes.. The band participates in all the high school footballs games, the Statesville Christmas Parade and one or two marching band competitions per year. Our band has 3 concerts per year, with the option to participate in the NC MPA Concert Band festival. Our students also participate in ISS All County Honors Band Festival, NW District Honors Band Festival and NC All State Band Festival.
Band is an elective course at SHS. If your child was removed from band previously, for whatever reason, The Band Director has the option to deny reenrollment in the band class
The Statesville High School Band usually takes a major performance trip (optional) every two years.
2. ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
The band is comprised of interested music students in grades 9 through 12 that meet prerequisite skill levels on their instruments. Student leadership is selected from the membership by the director
The Band Dancers are also a part of the SHS Band program. Membership for the dancer group is selected by auditions.
All students are expected and required to participate in band camp, after school rehearsals, performances, and special trips.
3. OBJECTIVES OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
1. That each student reaches his/her full musical potential
2. That each student grows socially, both as individuals and as a group
3. To promote school spirit
4. To encourage and support interest in the area of fine arts
5. To create and maintain relationships within our school and community
6. To develop a high standard of musical performance as individuals and as a group
7. To develop and maintain high standards of scholarship, leadership, individual
responsibility, discipline, high moral character, and social contact.
4. BAND GOVERNMENT
From within the membership of the SHS Band, there shall be certain individuals (selected or elected) who will assist in running the everyday necessary band functions. These individuals shall be at least in the 10th grade, have proven leadership ability, and be in good academic standing (scholarship and citizenship). Also, these individuals must be enrolled in band for two semester as well as marching band. Band student leadership is a SERVICE position, not an authoritarian position. The fundamental responsibility of leadership is to encourage all students to become better and more focused individuals and musicians
Leadership will be selected by audition, election or appointment. (See Leadership Application Appendix)
Drum Major (Audition)
Duties: * Assist Band Director and Staff
* Assist Band Director with rehearsals
* Help Maintain Band Spirit
* Assist Band Director with Discipline within group.
* Inspect band for posture, uniformity, horn carriage, etc
* Participate in ALL band activities
* Maintain respect and responsibility towards all.
* Assist Band Director and section leaders with creating show charts.
Section Leaders and Captains (Appointed)
Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, low brass, dancer and drum line.
Duties: *. Assist Band Director in leading and directing their section
* Assist Band Director in maintaining proper maintenance, storage
and care of equipment
* Assist Band Director in maintaining musicianship of their section
* Assist Band Director in calling and running all sectional rehearsals
* Ensure all section members have music
* Proper instruction of marching and playing techniques
* Assist with discipline within the section
* Assist with setting up of section for rehearsal and performance
* Inspection of section members
* Participate in ALL band activities.
* Treat EVERYONE with respect and responsibility.
* Assist Band Director and Drum Major(s) with creating show charts
Librarians, Uniform Managers, Drill Committee
These positions are NOT Leadership positions and can be separated or combined with any of the other leadership positions. Each job is specific.
Additional leadership roles can be added or deleted at the discretion of the band director.
Failure to follow these directives or to be lax, lazy, egotistical or non-cooperative in the execution of your responsibilities will result in your removal from the leadership position.
5. BANDS
Marching Band
The Statesville High School Marching Band is open to all SHS students who show a general competency on their instrument. The Marching Band performs at all home and away football games ( if it is financially feasible) during the first semester of the school year. (August - November) The group may have called rehearsals after school as well as during the sectional classes on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30 – 5:30 pm each week. Students will perform at football games and competitions, students will show their school spirit by performing for pep rallies, local parades and community events as needed. A schedule will be provided at band camp for all activities throughout the year. Any changes to the schedule will be made as soon as they become available.
Symphonic and Concert Bands
The Statesville High School Symphonic and Concert Bands are open to all students in grades 9 through 12 who desire to perform traditional band literature and develop proper technique. So that the band remains consistent, students are required to participate in Marching Band/Fall Band as well. Symphonic Band members will be selected by the band director from grades 10 – 12. Tenth – twelfth grade students not selected for the symphonic band will be given preferential part/chair assignments in the Concert Band. Ninth grade students may audition for the Symphonic Band. Both bands will perform numerous concerts throughout the year as well as graduation. Both bands will perform a concert musical number together at the end of each concert. . Second semester activities may include county, district and state music festivals as well as a musical performance trip.
Students enrolled in Concert Band will be enrolled in:
9th Grade— Band I Fall/ Band I Spring—Beginning Band
10th Grade – Band II Fall/ Band II Spring—Intermediate Band
11th Grade – Band III Honors Fall/ Band III Honors Spring—Advanced Band
12th Grade – Band IV Honors Fall/ Band IV Honors Spring—Proficient Band
Honors Courses have additional requirements to receive honors credit.
11th and 12th Graders may choose to remain in Band II if they do not wish to earn honors credit
Intro to Band
Intro to Band is a fundamental level class. It is open to any student grades 9 through 11 who wish to renew their instrumental playing skills. If a students does not have any skills, this is a beginning and introductory class. Students should speak with the Band Director to discuss admission to this class.
Studio Lessons/ Advanced Musicianship Class-- MAGNET CLASS/FAMIS
Studio lessons/ Advanced Musicianship class is an individual based class which focuses on individual performance skills and techniques as well as fundamental and advanced music theory. You must be enrolled in two semesters of band (fall and spring) and must have approval of the band director to be allowed to enroll in this class.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band at Statesville High School is a 5th block class. Students will receive ½ credit for full participation. This group will explore the styles of swing, Latin, ballad, rock, bossa nova, and blues. It will also give students the opportunity to explore the creative art of improvisation. Members are selected from the regular band enrollment. The Jazz Band will perform at various times throughout the year.
Steel Drum Ensemble-- MAGNET CLASS/FAMIS
Statesville High School is privileged to have Steel Drum Equipment. Enrollment in this class will be selected from the current band enrollment (must be enrolled BOTH semesters in band). Music of the Caribbean and popular music adaptations will also be studied. Students from other ISS high schools who are concurrently enrolled in band classes at their schools may come to SHS to participate in this magnet class.
Solo and Ensemble Class / Festival
Each School year, the NC Music Educators Association sponsors regional solo and ensemble festivals during the month of February. The purpose of these festivals is to encourage the study and performance of solo and ensemble materials for your instruments. Through student practice, performance and a review of adjudicator’s constructive comments, improved individual and group performance may result. This is an optional activity, unless you are a member of the Studio Lessons class.
ISS All County Honors Band, NW District Band, and NC All State Band opportunities are available to those band students who are enrolled in both semesters of band for any given year. There are fees that the students must pay for each audition and performance opportunity. (Fees are in addition to regular band fees)
Intro to Band I requirements
Woodwinds/ Brass
1.Must be able to play the following concert scales—once with 90% accuracy each 9 weeks
Bb. Eb, Ab, F, C
2. Be able to sight read two exercises using Whole, half, quarter, eighth note and rest patterns. – one per 9 weeks
Percussion
Play the above scales on the Mallets
Play basic rolls , quarter, eighth note/ sixteenth note etc. rhythms on Snare drum.
Play basic crashes on cymbals
Must have instrument, music and pencil at all times
Band I Requirements
1. A desire to learn to play an instrument and to read music to be able to participate in the SHS Band
2. A minimum of a 2.0 GPA
3. A positive attitude
4. No write ups or suspensions
You must perform the following scales and exercises with 90% accuracy once per 9 weeks.
Concert/Major Scales – half notes (to the 9th) and district rhythm with arpeggio on mallets
G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Chromatic
Snare Drum Technique:
Rudimental Long Roll: (Open-Closed-Open);
Orchestral (Buzz) Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)_
Flam: (Open-Closed-Open)
Single Paradiddle: (Open-Closed-Open)_
Mallets Technique: Scales – 1 Octave Plus Arpeggio, same rhythm as winds
Major Scales: G, C, F, B-flat, E-Flat, A-flat; Chromatic Scale: C Two Octaves
Timpani Technique: Roll: (ppp-fff-ppp)
Interval Tuning: 3rds, 4th, 5ths
Sight reading exercises –1 exercise per 9 weeks—on instrument of the director’s choosing
Recommended ISS All County Honors Band Auditions
Must have instrument, music and pencil at all times
Band II -- Woodwind and Brass
You must perform the following scales and exercises with 90% accuracy once per 9 weeks.
Concert/Major Scales – half notes (to the 9th) and district rhythm with arpeggio
G, C, D, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Chromatic
Sight reading exercises – 1 exercise per 9 weeks
Recommended ISS All County Honors Band Auditions
Must have instrument, music and pencil at all times
Band II – Percussion
You must perform the following scales and exercises with 90% accuracy once per 9 weeks.