Hamilton

High School Band

2003 – 2004

Every successful organization has a set of rules that it must follow. If it does not, it is likely success will not be forthcoming. The following rules and regulations apply to everyone in band, and are simply to insure that the HHS Band remains one of the best bands in Texas.

HHS BAND

The Hamilton High School Band is a competing organization, offered as part of the curriculum of Hamilton High School. Band is a full-year course. There are currently no audition requirements to be a member of the band.

Please remember, that in signing up for band, you are making a commitment to contribute to the organization. You are expected to follow through on your commitment.

GENERAL CLASSROOM CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

  1. Behavior that interferes with what we are trying to accomplish will not be tolerated. Talking is not allowed when it interferes with your responsibility, or interferes with another person’s responsibility to the music or show. The director tries to give ample time for socializing before and after rehearsals. Wait until then
  2. Gum is NEVER allowed. It is not possible to play your instrument as well as you should with gum in your mouth. The sugars and acids in gum will ruin your instrument. Place gum IN THE TRASH CAN before class begins.
  3. Do not touch property or instruments of others. This includes all percussion equipment. If you are seen touching it, you become responsible for anything that might happen to it later.
  4. Always have the equipment necessary to fulfill your responsibility. That includes instrument, music, pencil, etc.
  5. You may do homework in band ONLY when told to bring something to study. Any other time is inappropriate.
  6. No student is allowed to touch the stereo or recording system.
  7. All rules and regulations for the HHS Handbook apply to students in band, just like other classes.

Disciplinary action for violation of these rules may include D-Halls, parent conversations, or temporary removal from the show. Disciplinary action for continued or severe infractions could result in OCS, revoked opportunity to attend trips, or complete removal from band.

EARLY AND EXTRA REHEARSALS

At Hamilton High School, we make a concerted effort to keep extra rehearsals to a minimum, but BAND WILL INCLUDE EARLY AND EXTRA REHEARSALS. They are necessary in order to accomplish our goals. These rehearsals are REQUIRED, and are part of your grade. Making arrangements to get to rehearsals, both early or extra, are the responsibility of the student. Roll will be checked at rehearsals.

PERFORMANCES

The main reason for all of our hard work is performance. Any group that performs poorly cannot be considered one of the best in the state, no matter how large they may be. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON TIME FOR EVERY PERFORMANCE. Missing a performance will result in severe penalties. If a student works, they are expected to adjust their work schedule in order to attend the performance. Transportation difficulties will not be considered as an excuse, and should be taken care of by the student.

BUS TRIPS

Several times during the year, the HHS Band travels out of town to different events. Moving 110 people, uniforms, and equipment is not as easy job. To make this easier, and to prevent accidentally leaving a student, we follow these guidelines:

  1. Each bus will have a bus captain responsible for checking roll. This should be done every time the bus stops, and any students exit.
  2. Each band member will sign up for a bus for each trip. Once you are signed up on a bus, you may not change. Being signed up on two busses will result in the student being assigned to a bus at the director’s discretion.
  3. Stay in your seat while the bus is moving. This is STATE LAW, and failure to follow it can result in serious injury.
  4. Obscene language/music is not permitted.
  5. Only one “jam box” is allowed per bus. There are no limits on personal stereos with headphones, as long as the student understands they must leave them on the bus at events, and are not secure.
  6. Everyone is responsible for cleaning the trash out of the busses.
  7. For legal reasons, students who are non-band members may not ride the bus without parent or legal guardian written permission, as well as consent of the director AND principal.
  8. In keeping with school rules, ALL BAND MEMBERS MUST RIDE ON THE BUS TO AN EVENT. Any exceptions must be approved by the principal.
  9. You may ride back from an event with someone else, provided:
  1. Your PARENT or LEGAL GUARDIAN signs you out. (please note this does not say boyfriend/girlfriend, brother/sister) OR
  2. The parent signing you out is that of another band parent and the director has received

** WRITTEN permission from both parents

** VERBAL permission from both parents, BEFORE we leave Hamilton. We do not have time to hold the busses, while you try and chase down a parent on a cellular phone.

Other situations must be approved by the director AND principal.

LOADING/UNLOADING

Although it is typically the responsibility of the freshman band members to load the equipment truck, everyone is expected to help. It is also EACH STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY, to load their own instrument. You should not depend on anyone else to load it for you. Due to the amount and size of the equipment we take, it is recommended that flutes and clarinets carry their instruments with them on the bus.

Unloading is the responsibility of every student riding back with the band. The consequence for “ducking” this responsibility will be assignment to the loading crew for a period of weeks.

OUT-OF-STATE TRIPS

Occasionally, the band travels out of state to attend special performances. The following items must be noted:

  1. Each band member is responsible for raising a certain amount of money to finance his/her part of the trip. Failure to do so will likely result in that student not participating in the trip.
  2. The band will be accompanied by at least one sponsor for every ten students. Choosing sponsors will be the responsibility of the Band Boosters, and the director. Choices will be based at least partially on parent’s previous contributions to the program.
  3. Along with the directors, the sponsors are in charge. What they say, goes.
  4. Never go ANYWHERE by yourself. Travel in groups. If you can’t find others to go with you, DON’T GO!
  5. Breaking rules and regulations on the trip will result in the student’s activities being curtailed. If the infraction is serious enough, the student will be sent home at the parent’s expense.

Band Dates – 2003-2004

August 1 ---- Summer Band Rehearsals Begin

August 31 ---- Dove Festival Parade, Hamilton

October 6 ---- U.I.L. Regional Marching Clinic, Kooken Field, 7:00

October 18 ---- U.I.L. Regional Marching Contest, Burleson

October 25 ---- U.I.L. Area Marching Contest, Waco

November 15 ---- District Band Auditions and Concert, Hamilton

December 6 ---- Region Band Auditions, Brownwood - HPU

December 8 ---- Christmas Concert, 6th, JH, and HS bands, 6:45 p.m. Auditorium

January 10 --- Area Band Auditions

January 23 and 24 ---- Region Band Clinic and Concert,

San Angelo

February 7 ---- Regional U.I.L. Solo/Ensemble Contest, Brownwood

February 23 --- U.I.L. Concert/Sightreading Clinic, 7:00 p.m. Auditorium

March 3 and 4 -- U.I.L. Concert / Sightreading Contest, HAMILTON

May 10 ---- Spring Concert, High School Band - 6:45 p.m. Auditorium

Other dates will likely be added throughout the year.

HONORS BAND

The TEA has approved Hamilton ISD to offer an Honors Band program in its yearly schedule. Honors Band is open to any junior or senior band member. Successful completion of the Honors Band program will result in an extra five points added to the student’s grade at the end of the year. Requirements for Honors Band include, but are not limited to:

Participation in District/Region/Area/State Auditions

Perform in a Grade 1 Solo or Ensemble at UIL contest

Perform in small ensembles throughout the year for civic events

Attend concerts throughout the year, when available.

Prepare a research paper on an assigned topic

In order to participate, the student must be approved by the director and the Guidance Counselor.

DRUGS / ALCOHOL

The use of illicit drugs or alcohol by members of the Hamilton High School Band will not be tolerated. The following rules will be in effect:

  1. Before boarding any school transportation for an overnight trip, the student should expect to have his/her luggage, cooler, uniform bag, instrument case, coats, and bags inspected before boarding.
  2. Any student attempting to take drugs or alcohol onto school transportation will be left in Hamilton, and reported to the proper authorities.
  3. Any instances of drug or alcohol use discovered during a trip may be handled by the school administration, OR law enforcement.
  4. Possession of any of these items while representing the band will result in IMMEDIATE removal from the program. If the group is in another city at the time, the student will be sent home by whatever means are available. Expenses will be the responsibility of the parent. Other penalties will likely follow, in accordance with school policy and state law.

FOOTBALL GAMES

  1. Attendance at football games is required.
  2. Drinks are permitted in the stands.
  3. Food is NOT permitted in the stands. This applies to percussion and Flags as well.
  4. Non-band members are not allowed to sit in the band area.
  5. Students will sit with their section.
  6. You should be ready to play at all times.
  7. NO GUM.
  8. Unlike smaller bands, the HHS Band DOES NOT take a break during the 3rd quarter. Students should eat before or after the game. Students are welcome to eat food on the bus, on the way to out-of-town games.

BAND HALL

We are fortunate to have a wonderful rehearsal facility. Students are expected to do their best to take care of it.

  1. NO GUM!
  2. Pick up your trash at the end of rehearsal.
  3. Put your instrument and music where it belongs at the end of rehearsal.
  4. Keep trash out of the storage shelves.
  5. Unless told otherwise, all chairs and stands should be put up properly at the end of rehearsal. This shall be the responsibility of the seniors.

UNIFORMS

Each student is required to purchase a band shirt each year, along with black socks.

Students are responsible for the uniform assigned to them. If part of it is damaged, lost, or missing, the student shall bear the burden of repair/replacement. Each uniform costs approximately $400.

DRUM MAJORS

Drum Majors are selected each year from the band. In order to be a Drum Major, you must be a junior or a senior, and follow the audition procedure as set up by the director. DRUM MAJORS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP.

FLAG CORPS

Members of the Flag Corps are chosen each year from those band members that choose to audition. Those auditioning must follow the audition requirements set forth by the director. A Flag Corps member

may be any grade level. Those chosen for the Flag Corps are REQUIRED TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP.

LETTER JACKETS

Band students may receive a letter jacket by being named to the District/Region or Area Band, receiving a Division I rating on a solo, or by being a member of the band for four consecutive years.

BAND BOOSTERS

As the parent of a band member, parents are automatically members of the Hamilton Band Boosters. The purpose of the Hamilton Band Boosters is to support the Bulldog Band in its yearly endeavors. Their efforts have helped to make the Bulldog Band one of the best programs in the state. This handbook lacks the appropriate space to list the many tasks the boosters tackle in order to aid the program.

The band boosters generally meet once a month in the high school band hall. Meetings are announced in the Hamilton Herald News.

GRADING POLICY

Grades in band are determined by participation and punctuality. Failure to attend a performance will result in grade reductions. Spring and Christmas concerts are required by the State of Texas as part of the course, therefore missing these performances result in a much larger reduction in grade.

A grade reduction of two points will be made for each instance a student arrives late to rehearsal. Other consequences may also apply in accordance with the school handbook.