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Band Class Offerings and Requirements:
Fall Semester:
BAND: We offer BAND 1- BAND 4 Honors. The Fall Band Class is open to wind players and percussion. All students signed up for a Fall Band Class must also sign up for and participate in Marching Band. The main focus of Fall Band is Marching Band and a Winter Concert. Students who choose to take Honors Band (receiving an extra quality point towards GPA) must complete extra requirements.
MARCHING BAND: All band students in Fall Band and Small Ensemble Percussion and Flag class must sign up and participate in Marching Band. Students will received .5 of a credit for Marching Band. Band Camp, Football games, Competitions, and Parades are required.
SMALL ENSEMBLE FLAGS: All students who wish to be on the SIHS Flagline must sign up for the class (not the Fall Band class). These students must also sign up for and participate in Marching Band.
Spring Semester:
BAND: We offer BAND 1- BAND 4 Honors. The Spring Band class is open to wind players and percussionists. The main focus of Spring Band is State Festival contest in March, and the opportunity to participate in All County Honors Band, All District Honors Band, and All State Honors Band. Students who choose to take Honors Band (receiving an extra quality point towards GPA) must complete extra requirements
JAZZ BAND: We offer a Jazz Band section that starts in the end of January and will meet after school during the week. Students will be expected to participate in extra performances and rehearsals. Audition is required to participate in Jazz Band. Students will received 1.0 credits for Jazz Band. Students will be required to attend ALL after school rehearsals and performances. If you cannot attend ALL rehearsals and performances you will not be allowed to sign up for Jazz Band.
ATTENDANCE:
In order to have and maintain high quality ensembles, attendance from ALL members at ALL times is required. We will rehearse during class and in our afterschool practices. Students will be informed well in advanced so that preparations can be made. You will receive a zero for a practice or performance grade if you do not attend the practice/performance-regardless of the excuse. You MUST make up the time minute for minute to receive a grade. Only absences that are excused will be allowed to make up time, and this at the directors discretion.
ALL PERFORMANCES (CONCERTS, CONTESTS, FOOTBALL GAMES, PARADES, AND COMPETITIONS ) ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL BAND MEMBERS.
Unlike any other class or organization, each and every member is extremely important and we cannot succeed without every member present. It is impossible to make up any performances, therefore; attendance is at the utmost importance for the ensemble and the student’s grade. Like working at a job, if you are NOT present, you do not get paid for that time. Do not expect to get “paid” with a grade if you miss a performance or band event. Student’s earn each and every grade in band.
Excused Absences Include:
· Death in the family
· Extreme personal illness: The student is expected to have a doctor’s note stating the student’s inability to perform.
· Situations involving extenuating circumstances, situations of a “one time only” nature, or circumstances relating to personal family emergencies may be excused at the director’s discretion.
· Work, Dental Appointments, non-emergency appointments, and meetings in general WILL NOT BE EXCUSED!!!!! Band calendars are provided many months in advance, please schedule around band events.
· If you know that you will have to miss a performance for any reason, please inform the director as soon as possible. Most conflicts can be resolved if discussed in advance.
· ALL TIME MISSED MUST BE MADE UP MINUTE FOR MINUTE TO RECEIVE EVEN PARTCIAL CREDIT. AMOUINT OF CREDIT RECEIVED WILL BE DETEREMINED BY THE BAND DIRECTOR. ONLY EXCUSED ABSENCES CAN BE MADE UP.
TARDIES TO PERFORMANCES AND PRACTICES:
· All students receive a grade for each performance and the occasional afterschool practice. Students who are tardy to these events will start out with a grade of a 70 for the event. I cannot stress the importance of being on time to all band events.
· Students who are tardy to practice will run one lap for each minute tardy.
· Students who are tardy because of situations involving extenuating circumstances, situations of a “one time only” nature, or circumstances relating to personal family emergencies may be excused at the director’s discretion. – Please discuss with the director as soon as possible.
· During the school day class, tardies are not acceptable. We have many members and lots of equipment, and students are expected to be in their seats with all materials no later than 2 minutes after the tardy bell. We have lots of music and material to cover to ensure our success. Repeated tardies to class will be dealt with on an individual basis. Students with tardies will be dealt with according to school rules and policies.
Procedure for missing rehearsal (afterschool) or a performance:
If you are going to miss an afterschool rehearsal or a required performance you MUST notify Mrs. Parker immediately. You MUST fill out an absence form prior to the absence or immediately after the absence and record your make up time on this form. You will receive a ZERO for your missed rehearsal or performance. Only EXCUSED absences will be allowed to make up time (minute for minute) missed. Excusing an absence is at the director’s discretion. Once you have made up the time for the absence, your grade will be changed accordingly. If you choose not to make up the time, the grade will remain a ZERO. You can make up time in ASD, SAVE, Saturday School or pre-arranged with Mrs. Parker. No other times will be accepted.
FALL ATHLETES:
As past band members can attest, we have always some issues with fall athletes missing marching rehearsals due to games or practices for their fall sport. Students participating in fall sports should not be forced to choose between Marching band and their fall sport. In an attempt to accommodate our fall athletes we have the following guidelines:
1. Our fall athletes may be excused from afterschool rehearsals ONLY if they have notified Mrs. Parker in writing in advance. The time for the rehearsal may be excused but the material covered is the students responsibility to make up.
2. The same procedures and policies for full-time members will apply to our fall athlete members.
3. All fall athletes WILL be expected to attend ALL Marching band performances and competitions. If there is a conflict is schedules----PLEASE tell Mrs. Parker as soon as possible so that a solution can be reached.
4. All fall athlete members will be required to march in the various Christmas, Homecoming and other parades.
5. Our Fall athletes are required to participate in band camp---again, if there are scheduling conflicts, most conflicts and be worked out by notifying Mrs. Parker as soon as possible.
6. Please remember that Fall Band and Marching Band are classes that you receive grades for participation and attendance. Accommodations and final decisions for allowing for fall sports activities are ultimately left to the directors’ discretion. It is YOUR responsibility to notify Mrs. Parker of schedule conflicts!!!!!!!
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REQUIRED MATERIALS
Each Band Member is expected to have the following materials to successfully participate in the SIHS Band Program.
· Their instrument(personal or school owned)- in a good working condition
· Marching Band- flip folder, lyre, pencil, music, drill charts, black marching tennis shoes (It is the student’s responsibility to purchase these from any store. They MUST be completely black closed toed shoes with NO heel. This will cost the student less than us purchasing marching shoes through a company.) black socks, band gloves(we will order these).
· Concert Band- Music and pencil
· Woodwinds- mouthpiece, 3 good reeds (at all times), cleaning swabs.
· Brass- mouthpiece, valve oil
· Percussion- 2 pairs of snare sticks and a stick bag, mallets if needed
Any instruments owned by students that are left in the band room/instrument room over the summer will become property of the SIHS Band Program and will be inventoried as school owned equipment. PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR INSTRUMENT HOME OVER THE SUMMER!!!!
SCHOOL OWNED EQUIPMENT
1. School owned equipment includes, but is not limited to, low brass instruments, percussion instruments, woodwind instruments, flags, other flag squad equipment, flip folders, lanyards, percussion mallets, percussion practice pads, percussion carriers etc…
2. School owned instruments will be checked out by the student/parent signing a contract assuming responsibility for the check out period.
3. Band members are responsible for normal maintenance on school owned instruments required to keep them functioning properly. Please treat these instruments with your utmost care.
4. Valve oil, cork grease, slide oil, reeds, etc…will not be furnished by the band program. These may be purchased from a local music dealer.
5. Report any major problems with school owned equipment to the director so it can be repaired in a timely manner.
6. All school owned equipment must be returned to the proper storage areas following all rehearsals and performances. If this is abused, students will not be allowed to use school owned equipment.
7. All school owned instruments and equipment MUST be checked-in in the same condition as it was checked out to the student. At the end of each school year, students will turn in ALL school owned equipment and instruments. The student is responsible for paying for ANY and ALL damages that occurred to the instrument/equipment while the instrument/equipment was checked out to that student. Students will be expected to pay for ANY and ALL damages by the end of the school year, or the student will be put on the school fees list (once on the school’s fees list a student will NOT receive report cards, schedules, or diplomas until the fee is paid).
Vandalism or abuse of any school owned equipment will result in disciplinary action and possible expulsion from the band program.
GRADING:
Band members must take a conscious and concerted effort to master the music and materials taught in class. Individual and at-home practice is imperative and expected.
50% DAILY PARTICIPATION INCLUDES:
· POSTURE/INSTRUMENT POSITION, TONE QUALITY, TONGUING/INTONATION, CORRECT NOTES/ CORRECT RHYTHMS/CORRECT FINGERINGS
· PENCILS
· INSTRUMENT, MUSIC, AND ALL MATERIALS
· ATTENTION – NO TALKING,WORKING ON OTHER WORK, OR PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION (PARENTS WILL BE CONTACTED)
· PLAYING AND WRITTEN TESTS
50% PERFORMANCES/CONCERTS
ONE UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM A PERFOMANCE WILL AUTOMATICALLY DROP YOUR GRADE AT LEAST ONE LETTER GRADE OR MORE!!!!!
Read that again and make sure you understand completely!
Marching Band and Jazz Band are Pass/Fail classes.
To receive a passing grade, you must:
· Attend ALL GAMES AND PERFORMANCES ( or have made up time for excused absences)
· Have no more than one unexcused absence from afterschool rehearsal
· Have good rehearsal skills
· Participate in all class activities to the best of your ability
Satisfy other written and playing requirements
The following will affect the student’s band grade and/or can lead to disciplinary action:
· Late for rehearsal/ performance
· Inappropriate verbal language
· Not following directions
· Did not put away band uniform
· Public display of affection
· Improper wearing of the uniform
· Leaving rehearsal early
· Leaving music and/or instrument out
· Being ill mannered toward other students
· Talking back to ANY band staff or parents.
· Bullying other students
· Vandalism of school property or other student’s personal property
· Breaking ANY SIHS school rule or policy
BAND DUES
The mandatory band dues are part of the SIHS Band fundraising program. Our annual Band Booster budget supports the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Color Guard. Your student would not be able to experience the great opportunities that we offer without these Booster club funds.
THE BAND DUES ARE $110.00 .
These dues go towards:
· Marching Band T-Shirt for student
· Marching Band field show music, drill
· Color Guard uniforms, equipment and Color guard routine
· Marching Band and Color Guard props
· Equipment repairs and purchases
· Marching Band uniform upkeep, cleaning and repair
· Music
· Special events and celebrations for students
· Transportation of students and equipment to events
· Clinicians
· Fees for competitions and contests
Band Dues must be paid in full by the first school day in September or on the following payment plan: $20 in August, $20 in September, $20 in October, $20 in November, $30 December.
Students will NOT be allowed to participate in any trips with the band until all Band Dues are paid in full.
If dues are not paid in full by December 1st, the student will not be eligible to participate in any trips or activities with the band until the balance is paid. Any balance in the student’s band account on December 1st will be used to pay off Band Dues. Any trip deposits or other money will go directly to unpaid dues. Band dues not paid by May will result in the student being put on the school fees list (nor receiving report cards, next year’s schedule, or diploma.) Unpaid dues will carry over from previous years.
ALL CHECKS ARE MADE OUT TO SIHS BAND BOOSTERS.
Return checks will be charged with a $30.00 service fee.
Please be timely in all money matters. We do not wish that the student suffer because of an oversight.
STUDENT BAND ACCOUNTS
· Each student has a band account held by the SIHS Band Boosters.
· Money from fund-raisers and trips go into these accounts.
· Students may use the money accumulated in their account towards band dues, trips, music, instrument repair, and instrument accessories.
· The student’s account will remain open in that student’s name as long as that student has participated in the SIHS Band program in some aspect during a full school year. If a year has elapsed without the student’s participation in the SIHS Band program, that student’s account money will go into the SIHS Band Booster General fund.