THE MARCHIN’ CATS
HIGH SCHOOL BAND
HANDBOOK
Dear Parents:
Enclosed is information regarding the Littlefield High School Band Program. You
will find in this handbook information regarding the district’s requirements to
participate in this program. Please read the information on our band program, and
sign the signature page indicating that you have read and understand the rules and
guidelines set forth for participation in this instrumental music program. After signing
the signature page, please return it to me immediately. This signed document will last
the 4 years your child is in the high school band.
During summer band or on the 1st day of school, your child will be given a calendar
with all of our music events on it. Please put this up and check it monthly to see what
is scheduled for that month. Please ask your child for this calendar. Hopefully they
will get it home to you.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Littlefield High School Band
Handbook, please feel free to contact me at school. That number is 385-4170.
Sincerely,
Bonnie F. Anderson
Director of Bands
Littlefield ISD
Littlefield ISD
LITTLEFIELD ISD
H. S. BAND HANDBOOK
2010-2011
No student is required to take part in the instrumental music program or University
Interscholastic League contests. Therefore, participation should be considered a
PRIVILEGE. It is imperative that students and parents understand the following code
and the rules therein.
A.
General Rules and Regulations
All students are to conduct themselves properly at all times. Display of
temper, profanity, flagrant violation of rules, etc. will not be tolerated. All
school district rules and regulations will be enforced. Any behavior, which
is not conducive to good citizenship, will subject the student to
“due process” that may result in dismissal from the organization. “Due
process” shall be defined as the student’s right to discuss with the instructor
and principal any decision regarding action that would result in the student’s
loss of grade, suspension from activities, or expulsion from the organization.
Band members are required to attend all activities and rehearsals. Those
who must miss a rehearsal, activity, or performance must consult with Miss
Anderson WELL IN ADVANCE of the function. Failure to attend a
rehearsal, activity, or performance without prior permission or good cause
may/will result in suspension from future activities or performances.
Students will be required to attend all section rehearsals as well as all
full band rehearsals.
Section rehearsals shall be no more than one hour in length and no
more than one in a seven day period.
All rehearsals shall be during the school day with the exception of
section rehearsals and 7:30am practices designed to equal one 2 hour
night practice a week.
Students MUST attend all performances. Failure to attend a performance
without the director’s prior approval, is cause for a schedule change.
An unexcused absence is one that the director has no prior knowledge
of and/or is based on a reason that is unacceptable to the director.
An excused absence is one that the director has prior knowledge of
and/or is based on an acceptable reason.
It should be understood by both parents and students that this band will be
involved in out of district traveling and that students participating in these
organizations must also participate in the travel. This may include a limited
number of overnight trips for some competitive events. (This does not
include our every other year band spring trip. Your child may choose to go
or to stay home. It is not a required trip.) If the parent does not want the
student to travel, the student should register for an organization that does not
travel so extensively.
All members represent the school and community and are expected to
conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with the following relations
when traveling in or out of the district.
All LISD school rules are in effect.
Be on time for all trips.
Dress as directed by your director.
Be respectful and mannerly.
Avoid excessive noise on the bus (ex: screaming).
No jam boxes on any school bus.
Leave and return on the same bus.
Return equipment to its proper storage place on returning to
school.
If a student is required to leave from an event or activity, the parent/guardian
of the student must provide written notification to the band director 24 hours
prior to the student leaving. This note must be signed by parent and one of
the high school principals. STUDENTS MAY NOT LEAVE WITH
ANYONE EXCEPT A PARENT/GUARDIAN. A telephone call
confirming the written notification is appreciated.
B.
Rules Relating to U. I. L. Competition
No school may issue and no student may receive an award for participation
in inter-school competition in excess of $50.00 (or the
equivalent in value) during his/her high school enrollment in the same
high school. Additional symbolic awards not to exceed $8 each may be
presented for each additional inter-school activity each year.
C.
Grading
Learning objectives are based on performance skills, responsibility, and
participation. Therefore, students are expected to fulfill individual as well as
group responsibilities. Six week grades will be based on 100%.
25% citizenship/responsibility
50% performance skills (on their level) Objectives
25% test/6weeks/finals(sectionals fall in this category)
Since band is a performance based course and team activity, all students are
required to attend all performances and rehearsals. Therefore, students will
have points deducted from their six weeks grade for the following:
Unexcused absence from a co-curricular rehearsal. These are
rehearsals that are extensions of classroom activity such as section
rehearsals.
Unexcused absence from a co-curricular activity/performance. These
are performances that are extensions of classroom activities such as
school concerts which do not meet the definition of extracurricular.
Any deviation must have the approval of the band director.
D.
School-Owned Equipment
Each member is financially responsible for all equipment and/or
Materials checked out to him/her for their personal use. Equipment is
to be used, not abused. A charge of $30 will be made to the student to help
pay for any repair. If the horn is sent to the repair shop and repairs exceed
the amount of $30, you as parents will be responsible for the rest unless it is
caused by normal wear and tear. However, damages caused by fire, theft, or
abuse will be charged to the student.
All equipment and materials must be kept in their proper storage location
when not in use.
School owned instruments are furnished by the school for the purpose of
avoiding large expenditures to the parent, and to promote a well rounded
instrumentation for the performing organization. Students who use a school
owned instrument will be expected to practice this instrument a reasonable
amount of time. Failure to do so may result in the instrument taken up and
re-issued to a student who will make better use of it.
E.
Individual Equipment
Students will be required to purchase some materials for their uniform such
as black band shoes, t-shirts, as well as all materials necessary to perform
their instrument (ex: reed players are expected to have 3 GOOD REEDS AT
ALL TIMES; CONCERT SNARE DRUM STICKS, 1 PR. OF MALLETS,
1 MALLET BAG; VALVE OIL, ROTOR OIL, FLUTE TUNING ROD,
AND A PENCIL).
Littlefield ISD does not provide insurance for individually owned
equipment.
F.
Tryout Procedures for Auxiliary (ex: Drum Major & Flag)
Prior to the academic school year, all students interested in this area must
attend practices for the Tryout. They must be a member of the band
program and march with their instrument their ninth grade year. Littlefield
band program does not have twirlers. Before tryouts, these students must
turn in a contract signed by your parents and yourself to the director.
G.
Summer Rehearsals/Early Marching Practices
There will be a series of summer rehearsals prior to the beginning of the
school year. All students participating in the band MUST attend these
practices. These rehearsals will begin approximately 2 weeks prior to the
start of school. These practices will be held daily, (Monday-Friday) until
school begins.
Marching spots are determined by summer band attendance and one’s ability
to march in step.
Because we do not rehearse in the evenings, early morning practices are a
necessity. Any absence, whether excused or unexcused, will result in the
loss of one’s marching spot.
H.
Awards
Certificates will be presented to any student that excels in band. (ex:
medals in uil solo/ensemble, all region, all state)
Awards (Cont.)
Band Jackets my be earned by:
1.
Earning a 1st division on an instrumental solo @ UIL State Solo
and Ensemble Contest in May.
2.
Earning a seat in the all state band (TMEA/ATSSB) in February.
3.
Senior band members that have not earned a jacket in any other
area.