Elizabethtown High School Band
Student Handbook 2013-2014
“A Tradition of Excellence”
Mr. Mark R. Webster, Director of Bands
Elizabethtown Independent Schools
Letter from the Director:
Dear Elizabethtown High School Band Students and Band Boosters,
Greetings and Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! It is the goal of the
directors, instructional staff, parents, and students to make this the finest year in the
history of the Elizabethtown High School Band program. As members of our program
you will have several opportunities and privileges throughout the year, but we have many
expectations and responsibilities to fulfill. With your participation, we can make the
Elizabethtown Band one of the most successful programs in the state of Kentucky.
Our main fall-semester activity is centered on the award-winning EHS Marching
Band. Marching Band is required for all members of the EHS Band program, unless
specifically exempted due to a school sports conflict, because each member is essential to
the success of the group. This ensemble will travel frequently, compete regularly, and
perform for a wide variety of audiences. Marching Band students are required to attend
all rehearsals and performances.
Several other performance opportunities are available to our band members
throughout the year; they include the Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, various
“chamber” ensembles, Winterguard, and Pep Band.
Students also have several “individual” opportunities through out the year; these
include participation in the KMEA All-State Band, All-District Band, Solo and Ensemble
Festival, various Honor Bands, and a variety of other opportunities throughout the year!
This handbook is designed to provide as much information as possible to assist you
in understanding the Elizabethtown High School Band program. It may be necessary to
add or edit portions of this document throughout the year with notice, via e-mail, regular
mail, newsletter, minutes of meetings and/or booster meeting announcements as not all
circumstances may be addressed specifically.
It is expected all families and students have a working knowledge of this book, and
agree to follow the guidelines listed. Again, with your participation and assistance, we
can work to make the E-town High School Band Program one of the best in Kentucky!
Musically yours,
Mark Webster
Director of Bands
Mark.Webster@etown.kyschools.us
HOW TO CONTACT THE BAND PROGRAM
Mailing Address:
ELIZABETHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL BAND
620 North Mulberry Street
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Phone: 270-769-3381
Email: Mark.Webster@Etown.Kyschools.Us
Booster Mailing Address: ELIZABETHTOWN BAND BOOSTERS
P.O. Box 234
Elizabethtown, KY 42702
Information Available on-line:
E-town Band Web-site:
On Twitter: @EtownBand
Elizabethtown High School Band Mission Statement
The mission of the Elizabethtown High School Band, along with the school community,
is to offer our students chances to mature musically, intellectually, socially, and
emotionally by providing high quality musical and visual experiences.
Elizabethtown High School Band Vision Statement
The vision of the Elizabethtown High School Band is to make a positive difference in the
lives of its band members by providing musical and visual experiences and performances,
and to assist them in achieving their potential as they develop confidence, cooperation,
leadership and responsibility while maintaining the highest standards of musical and
personal excellence.
Elizabethtown High School
Band Program
EHS Marching Band
Solos &
Ensembles
Music
Classes
Theory, Improv, Tech
Concert Band
Percussion Tech.
Jazz
Ensemble
Pep
Band
Winter Guard
& Percussion
The concert ensembles – Concert Band and Wind Ensemble – are the foundation of the
E-town Band Program. The many co-curricular ensembles and music classes are offered
to supplement the basic concert ensemble experience.
Elizabethtown Band Student and Parent Handbook
The Elizabethtown High School Band has developed a reputation for excellence both on
the marching field and in the concert hall. As a member of the Elizabethtown Band, you
become a part o that winning tradition. You will get to meet people who will become
your closest friends, and you will learn how it feels to lose and what it takes to win. You
will experience the fun of being with friends, taking trips, and at the end of the year you
will experience the success of several months of hard work and self-sacrifice.
This handbook describes the expectations under which our program will be administered.
Students and parents in the band are encouraged to read and study the by-laws presented
in this booklet and to adhere to the tradition of excellence established by the past and
present members of the ensemble.
MEMBERSHIP
Participation is open to students in grades 9-12. Seventh and eighth grade students may
participate if needed, at the discretion of the directors. Color guard and field conductors
must audition each year for placement within the band. Those auditioning for field
commander must have at least two years experience in both the Elizabethtown High
School Concert and Marching Bands and have satisfactorily completed a Leadership
Seminar requirement
Upon acceptance of membership in the Elizabethtown High School band the student
agrees to:
1. Participate in the band program for the entire year (through marching season for
non-musicians);
2. Follow and uphold all expectations set forth in this handbook;
3. Accept the financial obligations of the group
4. Attend ALL rehearsals and performances.
During marching season alternates must attend all rehearsals and performances.
Alternates may function as equipment personnel, band aides, sideline percussion, etc. All
alternate members will perform with the band in the stands at home football games.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
1. Marching Band: Marching band begins primarily in July and concludes in early
November. This groups will perform at Friday night home football games, and for
parades and community events. Rehearsals are regularly Tuesdays and Thursdays,
from 3:30 – 5:30, and are scheduled well in advance so all students can avoid
unnecessary conflicts. Sectional rehearsals are regularly scheduled and will be
announced well in advance for Percussion and Color Guard members.
2. Concert Band: Concert Band begins in August when school starts and concludes
at the end of the school year. This group is evaluated at regional and state levels
during the month of March. After school rehearsals are scheduled well in advance
to allow students to avoid any conflicts. Sectionals can be scheduled by the
director with up to one weeks advanced notice.
3. Percussion Techniques: This is the band class for percussionists. During this
time percussion students will get individualized instruction on all facets of their
performance. This is a sectional type class. Literature studied will be primarily
wind band music and percussion ensemble music.
4. Pep Band: Pep band plays at the majority of the boys and girls basketball games
(regular season and tournament), and at the football playoff games. Each student
is expected to be in attendence for a minimum of 8 regular season and ALL
tournament games unless specific arrangements are made with the director in
advance.
5. Winterguard, Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Band: These are supplementary
units for our band program. Specific information concerning these groups will be
available in late October.
ALL BAND GROUPS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN PERFORMANCES AND
CONCERTS THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR.
ATTENDANCE
Regardless of grade level or playing ability, attendance is something every band member
carries an expectation in. Band is a CO-Curricular obligation and attendance counts as a
part of every band member’s academic grade. Band members are expected to be at every
rehearsal and perforamnce. This includes all after school rehearsals and performances.
Note: Sectionals are considered after school performances and will be weighted
accordingly. Unexcused tardiness at rehearsals will not be tolerated
An absence excuse form (available outside the band office) must be filled out and signed
by the parent or guardian for all after school absences. This should be filed in the band
office within three (3) days of the asence. Failure to do tis will result in the absence being
unexcused. NO ORAL EXCUSES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Note: Students who are employed should make the necessary arrangements with their
employers so that they are able to attend all practices and performances. It takes the
devoted attendance of each member of the band at each session to make the band
successful. I appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we try to schedule our
students for success. Conflicts can be avoided by communication, if another activity is
planned, please notify me immediately.
REHEARSALS
Only illness, death, or sever emergency in the immediate family, orders of the court, nonsocial church activities (see note below), or other school activities as approved by the
principal and band director, may be accepted as an excused absence. Students
participating in another school activity should submit a schedule to the director prior to a
rehearsal being missed. Other absences should be discussed at least three (3) days in
advance of the absence for consideration as an excused absence. If a student misses two
rehearsals in succession, yet is in attendence during the school day, a doctors statement
will be needed for a student to return to their position in the band with no penalty.
If a student receives unexcused absences for twenty (20) percent of more of the after
school rehearsals for a competitive season, the student and parents will need to meet with
the director to remain in the performing group
An unexcused absence from a rehearsal may result in one or more of the following
actions being taken:
1. Not being allowed to perform at a football game or performance
2. Conference with the director/principal
3. Band Detention
4. Loss of credit for missed work
NOTE: Social church activities (youth group, mission trips, etc) will not be considered
for excused absence credit. Every effort is made to schedule events so that they do not
conflict with church activities, however, it’s impossible to totally avoid conflicts with
every church in the community. Students will be allowed to complete additional
assignments to make up the points missed for these absences. No more than two make-up
assignments will be assigned per semester.
PERFORMANCES
Only extreme illness (with doctors statements) or death/severe emergency in the
immediate family will be accepted as an excused absence. State and Regional level
activities for another activity take precedence over band performances ONLY if they do
not conflict with our State and Regional events. Other school activities will not be
excused – it is our belief that the students should be involved in as much as the can be,
and we will try to avoid scheduling conflicts with important events (Belle, Prom, etc) but
it is impossible to avoid conflicts with all other activities.
An absence excuse form (available outside the band office) must be filled out and signed
by the parent or guardian for all after school absences. This should be filed in the band
office within three (3) days of the asence. Failure to do tis will result in the absence being
unexcused. NO ORAL EXCUSES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Performances will count as exams during each grading period. An unexcused absence
from a performance may result in one of the following actions being taken:
1. Students not being permitted to make up the missed exams. Two unexcused
absences will cause the student’s overall grade to be lowered by 20%
2. A meeting with parents and the director
3. Dismissal from the band
Attendance at graduation rehearsals and performances is mandatory for all high school
band members in grades 9-11.
Note: Tardiness to rehearsals or performances should not occur. The director will fully
implement the Student Discipline/Attendance Code as adopted by the Elizabethtown
Board of Education:
1. First Tardy: Director reviews the policy with the Band member and an alternate
assignment may be given.
2. Second Tardy: Same as above, but with the addition of Band Detention
3. Third Tardy: Band Members will be assigned a one day detention and receive an
unexcused absence and one for each unexcused tardy thereafter.
Band Detention: Band detention is a punitive policy that will allow students to complete
tasks for the good of the Band such as organization, inventory, cleaning, etc that will
neither degrade nor demean the student but will allow them to fulfill their commitment to
the band program in a positive manner. It shall be used at the discretion of the Director.
Possible reasons for band detention are included above.
FIRST AID
It is the mission of the Elizabethtown High School Band program to provide our students
with a safe and healthy environment. To these ends, we try to have someone with
rudimentary medical knowledge on all of our trips. Health forms (located in the back of
this booklet) are on file for each student participating in band activities. These forms will
be taken on all trips in the care of the Head Chaperone.
TRANSPORTATION
School buses transport students to and from contests and competitions. Students are
assigned to buses and a seating chart for each bus is left in the band room for general
information. There is no billable cost to students for transportation.
Students MUST ride the bus to contests. Students may return home only with their
parents/guardians if given permission by the band director. Students must bring a note
from their parents and the parents need to see the band director or head chaperone before
leaving with the student. If a student needs to ride home with a family member other than
the parents, arrangments must be made with the band director and principal prior to the
specific trip. This ensures the safety of our students.
Each student is expected to conform to the code of conduct set forth by the State
Board of Education, Elizabethtown Independent Schools, and the Bus Driver.
We encourage all guests to attend band related functions. However, only performing
members of the ensemble and chaperones are allowed to ride the band buses. Chaperones
cannot and will not be held lioable for students that are not performing band members on
EHS Band trips.
DRIVERS
Bus drivers are usually band parents who have been through the mandatory bus training
and are certified by the State Board of Education. The band also owns a tractor-trailer,
Blue. The driver of this vehicle has been fully trained to drive the vehicle and holds a
valid CDL drivers license. If you would like to train to be a driver, please let us know.
CHAPERONES
Parents serve as chaperones on band trips. There is one chaperone for every 10 students.
Chaperones will be in charge of the students for the duration of the trip. Chaperones have
complete authority to esnure that rules are enforced and that every student conducts
him/herself in a manner that promotes our positive image. Band Chaperones are not
responsible for student supervision while the students are in “warm-up” or performances.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Our students are a representation of our community, of our school, and because of that
the following expectations and code of conduct has been developed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Rehearsals and classes start ON TIME. Have instruments and all
necessary equipment and supplies.
Follow all applicable laws, rules and teacher instructions.
Store instruments, music, equipment, etc. in the correct place. Lock all
lockers.
Only instrument cases and music are allowed in locker overnight. All
other items must be taken home at the end of the school day.
Do not talk during rehearsals unless asked to do so.
Do not leave class without permission.
Do not deface (write on, etc.) walls, stands, equipment or furniture.
Do not use the Band Room as your playground.
Do not consume drinks or food or chew gum in the Band Room.
Non-Band members are NOT allowed in the Band Room
Do not use band hall supplies for personal use.
The band hall music library is for directors only.
Additionally we pride ourselves on offering a safe haven for our students. Therefore the
use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or drugs will not be tolerated. Anyone caught using
such items may be dismissed from the band for the remainder of the school year.
Additional penaklites will fall under the school alcohol and tobacco policy. No profane
language, gestures, or disrespectful actions will be tolerated. When on trips all school and
bus rules will be observed. Students are expected to behave in a manner that is courteous
and cooperative. Remember that as a member your student is a representative of our
school and community.
UNIFORM DRESS CODE
To achieve the goals of the Band, Band uniforms must, at all times, be carefully cared for
and be worn properly and with pride. Issued Band uniform items will be stored and kept
during the school year at the school. Each Band member is responsible for his/her issued
uniform at all times and must be sure to store it at the school. When not in use, the
uniform should be properly hung, the hat should be boxed and all items should be
properly stored in the school’s uniform room. During each use of the uniform, members
must promptly put on and remove the uniform and not leave it, or parts of it, in other
locations where it may be damaged or soiled. All students wearing band uniforms must
wear black socks and a white undershirt. Jewelry, make up, and nail polish will not be
worn while in uniform. There will be no exceptions to this ruyle.
Uniform items the members furnish shall be kept by the members and washed or cleaned
as necessary. Each time a uniform is to be worn, each member must bring with the
issued items clean Band shoes, black socks, black wind shorts, Band T-shirt, and all other
items as announced.
Band Officers
The following positions will be selected by the band directors and students. This select
group of students plays an important role in the success of our music program.
Drum Major: The Drum Major will serve as the student conductor of the Marching
Band. The Drum Major should possess extraordinary leadership and teaching skills. This
person will be able to assist with teaching marching fundamentals and leading sectional
rehearsals.
Section Leaders (Brass, Woodwind, Percussion): These are the other student leaders of
the Marching band. The Section Leaders should possess extraordinary leadership and
teaching skills. These persons will be able to assist with teaching marching fundamentals
and leading sectional rehearsals.
President: The president should have great leadership qualities, be dedicated to the
success of the band program, and will preside over any student meetings that are called.
He/She will also oversee the band camp awards ceremony and serve as a liaison between
band students and the directors.
Vice President: This person shoukd great leadership qualities, be dedicated to the
success of the band program, and will preside over any student meetings that the
president can not attend. He/She will also serve as a liaison between band students and
the directors.
Treasurer: The treasurer will handle all transactions regarding the purchasing of
supplies from the Band Store. This person will also serve as the inventory keeper of the
band store and will collect money for special events/awards.
Secretary: The secretary will keep minutes of each meeting held by the band council and
will post those minutes to the board and the web-site. Also this person will help with the
correspondence to boosters and community groups.
Representatives: All freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors will vote for two
students to serve as their class representatives. These representatives will act as liaisons
between their class and the band council. They will be responsible for calling class
members if needed.
BAND BOOSTER ORGANIZATION
WE NEED YOUR HELP! The band booster organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization whose membership is composed of all parents and guardians of the students
in the Band Program. The booster’s goals are to promote interest, goodwill, and financial
support for the EHS Band. There is no fee charged to be a band booster member. The
group operates on a budget developed by the officers, board of directors, band directors,
and approved by the general membership. Upon request the budget is available for
review. We are asking that everyone has at least ONE member of their adult household at
each Band Booster meeting.
Booster meetings are held on the fourth thursday of every month, except MAY and
NOVEMBER when they are held on the THIRD Thursday.
The following is a list of some of the things that the Boosters provide the band program:
 Assists in purchasing new instruments
 Assists in purchasing new uniforms
 Incidental expenses for Band Vehicles
 Fuel Expenses for buses and band vehicles
 Instructors
Parent/Student Acknowledgement Form
I have read the guidelines in the Elizabethtown Band Student and Parent handbook and
will follow and help uphold all the rules and expectations set forth by the band directors.
Furthermore, I will do my part in fulfilling my commitment to the band by remaining in
the performing group for the duration of each season. I understand that it is my
responsibility to remain informed of the procedure that will be enforced via this
handbook. I will do my very best to adhere to these expectations and I support the
Elizabethtown Band and Mr. Webster in these decisions.
Student Signature: _____________________________________
Parent Signature: ______________________________________
Date: _______________________________________________
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT RELEASE/HEALTH HISTORY
FORM
Elizabethtown High School
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Please complete, sign, and return this form to the Band Office by July 19th 2013.
Student’s Complete Name: _________________________________________________
Student’s Address: _______________________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________________________ Grade: ___________
Family Physician: ___________________________ Physician’s Phone: _____________
Physicians Address: _______________________________________________________
Medication Allergies: _____________________________________________________
Student has a history of the following:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Please describe these conditions:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Other Pertinent Health information:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
In case of emergency, accident, or serious illnes of the named child, I request the school
to contact me. If I am unable to be reached, I authorize the school/district personel to
obtain the emergency medical treatment necessary to maintain the student’s health.
Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________
Date: __________________________
Relationship to Student: __________________
Home Phone: ______________________ Work Phone: _________________________
ABSENT REQUEST FORM
Name: _______________________________
Today’s Date: _________________
Date Absent:__________________________
Section:________________________
Reason for Absence:
Parent Signature: ________________________________________________________
After filling out this form please turn it into the Band Office
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ___________ EXCUSED
___________ UNEXCUSED
Directors Signature: _______________________________________________________
COMMENTS: