CGHS BAND HANDBOOK
WELCOME
Welcome to the 2012-2013 Council Grove High School Band Program! This band program forms a vital and important part of the total high school experience. This group represents a large, colorful, visible, and highly disciplined segment of the school. You will experience a feeling of achievement in learning music, the thrill of performance, and the development of many lasting friendships. I hope you enjoy your years with the CGHS Band.
The purpose of this handbook is to provide valuable information about the instrumental music program. To consistently achieve and maintain the high standard of excellence desired, families should familiarize themselves with the regulations, procedures, and traditions of the band.
In order to help band members and parents understand their areas of responsibility, a statement of policy is noted for high school band members. Becoming familiar with this handbook will help each of us understand the opportunities available by being a member of the CGHS Band as well as becoming aware of the “Do’s and Don’ts” of the Band. Please feel free to inquire about any concerns you may have.
There are many “main” functions of the band. Musicianship, appreciation of music, and improvement in the quality of life are important. Pride of accomplishment, citizenship, tradition, morale, spirit, and loyalty are taught. You must learn to budget your time and discipline yourself to excel not only in band but also with your other class work and activities. “Responsibility” is a key word in the vocabulary of the CGHS Band Member.
Collectively, our strengths can provide us with a greater potential for quality than any of us is capable of alone. Let’s make HARD WORK, PRIDE, and CARING a continuing TRADITION for the Council Grove High School Band.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Instrumental Music
Since 1919 in Fostoria, Ohio, Instrumental Music (Band) has been a part of the curriculum in the public schools of America. It is a credit-bearing course that entails a course of study with goals and objectives. It is the study of music that is important in completing the education of human beings.
MARCHING BAND
The Marching Band provides entertainment for home football games, parades, pep rallies, and for a variety of community functions throughout the fall season. This group will also have the opportunity to travel out of town for special performances such as the State Fair Parade, KSU Band Day, and/or KU Band Day. Participation in out of town events depends on scheduling with CGHS and space availability of the hosting event.
CONCERT BAND
The Concert Band will begin to meet after the end of the football season. This group will perform at least two major concerts a year and at various Festivals. The Concert Band will also have the occasional opportunity to host a variety of guest conductors and clinicians. Students will be given the opportunity to break into smaller ensembles and do solo works.
PEP BAND
The Pep Band is an ensemble comprising of all available band members and will perform at all home basketball games throughout the season. Rehearsals are held before the performance during regular band class. The spirit of cooperation is needed to insure a respectable band at all times. Our primary function is to promote school pride and spirit.
BAND MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
As members of the Council Grove High School Band we help to promote school pride and spirit as one of the school’s most visible organizations. Through performances and musical contributions to our school and community, we have also earned certain privileges. Along with these privileges come certain responsibilities that we, as band members, must accept and deal with.
I. RESPONSIBILITY TO OURSELVES.
As a student you deserve the benefit of proper equipment. At first, the student usually purchases a student line instrument and mouthpiece. As you get older and develop as a musician, the student instrument or some of its components may prevent you from meeting the demands of more difficult music. Therefore, you should take into account your needs and look into higher quality instruments and/or better mouthpieces or reeds when possible. Group rehearsals at school only teach you at a moderate level. You have the primary responsibility for learning and contributing your talent to the group. This definitely means home practice, and if possible, private lessons.
II. RESPONSIBILITY TO THE SCHOOL.
U.S.D. 417 provides the necessary facilities for rehearsals and performances. We have an obligation to provide the best possible performances for our school, community, and citizens of our area. This means, you agree to occasionally give up some of your free time on weekends for the entertainment of others (i.e., football games, pep rallies, parades). If the school owns the instrument you are using, you are obligated to maintain that instrument as if it were your own. It is also your responsibility to handle your assigned uniform with respect. Finally, it is everyone’s obligation to help maintain our band facilities, equipment, and materials. These expensive items are very difficult to replace. The money spent on their replacement can often prevent us from moving ahead.
III. RESPONSIBILITY TO EACH OTHER.
Getting along with each other in our complex society is indeed a difficult task by itself. You have the responsibility to respect the rights of others. Antisocial behavior will only breed the same from others and bring unwanted trouble. Rumors, bad manners, etc., are examples of antisocial behavior. Please respect the rights of others, both in and out of uniform, and treat them as you wish to be treated. Many groups have discovered the big secret to success and enjoyment. Its members have a “we” and not a “me” attitude. “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it.”
IV. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTENDANCE, PROMPTNESS, AND COMMITMENT TO THE BAND.
These are three essential elements vital to the success of our organization. When you join high school band, you become a member of a very big team and, as such, you are as important as anyone in the group. In the band, very seldom does any member “sit on the bench.” As such, it is essential that the entire team be at the rehearsal or performance because we rely on each other’s sound, pulse, and presence to produce the overall band sound. It is impossible to make up a performance with the other members carrying the extra burden because of someone else’s inconsideration. For these reasons each individual’s attendance is crucial for the success of the group. I accept and understand legitimate reasons for missing band, but it is your basic responsibility to arrange your schedule to honor your commitment to the band and all its members.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The success of any music organization depends on the daily accomplishments in rehearsals. The band room is our classroom and to meet our goals, we must follow certain rules to keep an orderly, organized atmosphere. They are as follows:
CLASS RULES:
1. Follow directions and procedures given by the band director.
2. No student will talk without permission while the director is on the podium.
3. Students will not play their instruments until instructed to do so.
4. No food, drinks, or gum in the band room.
5. All students must report on time for all rehearsals and performances. Any student who knows in advance that they will be late or absent must contact the director in advance.
6. All students will have all necessary music and equipment in good condition for all rehearsals and performances.
Should you choose not to abide by these rules through unapproved behavior, consequences will occur in this order:
First Offense: Warning
Second Offense: One after-school detention
Third Offense: Two after-school detentions and call to parents
Fourth Offense: Referral to Principal
*All detentions must be served within 5 school days after the detention, or the student will be referred to the principal. **In the event that a student is blatantly and/or maliciously causing a serious classroom disruption, the student will immediately be referred to the Principal’s office.
Unapproved Behavior is, but not limited to the following:
➢ disrespect for other students and the teacher
➢ disrespect for school property (includes misuse of instruments)
➢ disruptive talking
A Band is only as good as it rehearses! Here are some helpful hints...
➢ Upon entering the room, check the board for any announcements. Get your music and instrument and take your seat.
➢ Rehearsals begin when the director steps on the podium. At this time, all talking and playing will stop.
➢ When the director is rehearsing a particular section (e.g., flutes, trumpets, percussion), there is to be no talking. Sit quietly, listen or look at your part, and mentally rehearse to be ready when your section is called upon.
➢ Bring a pencil to every rehearsal. Never use a pen to mark your music.
➢ Be responsible for all your music and keep it safely in your folder. After a rehearsal, put your music and instrument away. Wait for the bell to ring before exiting the room.
➢ It is our responsibility to keep the band room clean and orderly. Books, clothing, and trash should not be left lying around. Damage to any property in the band room may result in disciplinary action. Please use common sense - be proud of what we have.
➢ Tag all instruments. Cases need to be closed, latched, and neatly put away on the shelves.
GRADING POLICY
Grades are derived from four areas: weekly participation, performance, written assignments, and playing/written tests.
Weekly Participation: Each student receives points each week for in-class participation. The following criteria will be used when determining a student’s weekly grade:
1. Being on time to rehearsal
2. Having instrument and appropriate materials
3. Being attentive and exhibiting good conduct
4. Attendance to all rehearsal sessions
5. Performance of music at a proficient level
An excused absence does not result in a loss of weekly participation points. An unexcused absence results in loss of participation points for each day absent.
Performance: Each student receives points per performance. The band director weights the point value of each performance according to importance. An Excused Absence will not result in a loss of points providing sufficient notice is given to the director in advance of the event taking place. Students with an Unexcused Absence have the option of earning “Positive Credit” toward their performance grade, but cannot acquire any more points than is equivalent to the letter grade of “D.”
*Please see the Attendance Policy to determine what is considered an excused and unexcused absence for performances. Students participating in other school activities that conflict with band events will not have points deducted. If a conflict occurs, the principal will determine which activity the student participates in.
Written Assignments : Written assignments may be assigned periodically throughout the school year.
Playing/Written Tests: Student will take playing tests consisting of one or more of the following: scales or rudiments, prepared music, excerpts from band material, and sight-reading. Grading will be based on tone quality, intonation, technique, rhythmic accuracy, phrasing, and pitch accuracy. Playing and written tests may be given at the instructor’s discretion.
Grades will be given as follows:
90% - 100%..…..…A
80% - 89%………..B
70% - 79%………..C
60% - 69%…...…...D
59% - Below……….F
ATTENDANCE POLICY
There are times when conflicts arise, no matter how much planning is involved. When a band member has a conflict with a band event, the student must present a note, signed by the parent or guardian, with the reason for the conflict. This note must be turned in to the band director five school days before the proposed absence. The only exception is an unforeseen emergency that cannot be avoided. In such an event, the five-day notification will be waived. The band director will determine if the absence is excused or unexcused.
EXCUSED ABSENCE
A. Illness with a parent or guardian’s verification or the verification of the school nurse or a doctor.
B. Death or funeral of a relative or close friend.
C. Doctor or dental appointments. Please consult your band event schedule before making appointments.
D. Family emergencies.
E. When weather conditions make it impossible to attend - determined by the Band Director and the Principal
G. The wedding of a family member.
*An excused absence will not result in the loss of grading points.
**Students participating in other school activities that conflict with band events will not have points deducted. If a conflict occurs, the principal will determine which activity the student will participate in.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE
A. All absences that are not considered excused, or not handled according to policy.
B. “Out of town” and “needed at home” will not be excused without an explanation concerning family livelihood.
C. Leaving a rehearsal or performance without getting permission from the band director and signing out in the main office when school is in session.
D. Personal Trips
E. Work
*An unexcused absence will result in the loss of points that can only be made up to a passing grade of “D.”
LETTERING IN BAND
Students will be eligible to receive a letter and two service bars after successfully participating in band for a full two years. After receiving their initial letter and service bars, students may receive an additional service bar for each full year successfully completed. Student may have up to two excused absences in a one-year period and still be eligible to letter in band. A student will become ineligible to receive a band letter if he/she has more than two excused absences, or any unexcused absences in a one-year period. See the above attendance policy to determine what constitutes an excused and unexcused absence. If extraordinary circumstances arise, then the awarding of letters and service bars will be at the discretion of the band director.