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Polk County High School Band Handbook
2006 - 2007Polk County High School (423) 338-4514
Fax (423) 338-4521
Dennis Baker, Director
Greg Cross, Assistant Director
Angel Key, Color Guard Instructor
Kim Witz, Woodwind Instructor
DEDICATION , EXCELLENCE, PRIDE
INTRODUCTION:
The Polk County High School Band is currently one group that performs as the Wildcat Band during football season and parades and as the Polk County Concert Band during the concert season.
The Marching band and the concert band are co-curricular activities meaning that a portion of the student’s grade will come from participation in after school rehearsals and performances.
Extra curricular activities include: the pep band, private lessons, participation in Jr./Sr. clinic band, and solo and ensemble competitions.
PEP Band - This is a volunteer group that will play at some home basketball games.
Private Lessons - This is the responsibility of the individual student. Private lessons from a reputable instructor are encouraged but not required.
Jr./Sr. Clinic - These are auditioned groups that consist of the top musicians from the surrounding counties. Students are encouraged to audition for these groups.
SOLO AND ENSEMBLE - These groups or individuals are picked from within the sections of the band to perform at solo and ensemble contests and at local band concerts.
LETTERING:
In order to letter in band or color guard, the student must complete two consecutive semesters in band. This includes marching band. Color guard members must complete a full season in the color
guard.
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
All band members must be willing to cooperate with others and improve their skills through regular practice. They must have a sense of purpose toward a common goal and be willing to work toward that goal. We intend to conduct the band program in a manner that will encourage the student to achieve individual and group goals. Each member is important and the determining factor in the success of our band.
1. Respect others and their belongings.
2. Be regular in attendance; account for all absences.
3. Be responsible for your actions.
4. Make a sincere effort to improve and contribute.
5. Respect those in authority.
6. Follow classroom and rehearsal procedures, school regulations and instructions.
7. No cell phones allowed during rehearsal or band performances. (School policy applies). We would rather
not have cell phones on away trips of any kind. We will have a phone tree in place in the event of a delay in the bands return or some emergency to let you know when to
pick up your child. If you need your child during a trip
for an emergency, the directors and staff will have phones
with them and we can get any information to your child.
This will eliminate theft of your investment and any
Inappropriate use of camera phones.
8. Respect the facility and equipment at all times.
BAND ROOM RULES:
1. No food or drink in the band room except water.
2. No hats are to be worn in the classroom during rehearsal.
3. Instruments and music and any other equipment should be
stored in their proper place.
4. The band room is not a locker or storage area for student
Belongings. Keep your locker clean and neat.
REHEARSAL PROCEDURES:
1. All talking should cease when a director, officer, student conductor, or quest is on the podium.
2. Rehearsal will begin promptly on time. On time means being early to allow set up and warm up time.
3. Students will be permitted to warm up on their own as long as appropriate warm up technique is used.
4. Rehearsal time is work time. There should be no talking during rehearsal. Even talking about the music or other problems related to the music is a distraction. Usually, the director will answer questions if you pay attention to what is being said. If you have a question concerning the music, raise your hand.
5. Members should always have correct supplies such as: music, mutes, two good reeds, mouthpiece and a pencil.
6. At the end of rehearsal there will be closing announcements and/or comments that will be important. Members should not put instruments away until they have been dismissed. Make sure the room is clean when you leave.
7. Never use or play another person’s equipment. If you do not play it, do not mess with it.
BAND OFFICERS:
Band officers are student leadership positions. All officers, except for the Drum Major, are elected by the band members.
BAND CAPTAIN/LIEUTENANT
- Band officers are student leadership and performances, check
with the Quartermaster.
- Act as communicator between the band and directors.
- Make rehearsal and performance announcements.
- Make sure other officers are doing their jobs.
- Take roll on the bus trips.
- Receive awards at contests as band representative.
- Lead by Example; exhibit and demand self-control.
- Assign duty roster for clean up.
- Be the last member to leave after functions and make sure the
Room is clean.
DRUM MAJOR
- Conduct warm ups and fundamental drills at rehearsal and
Performance.
- Direct and assist directors at all marching rehearsals.
- Assist band captain.
- Receive awards at contests as band representative.
- Lead by example; exhibit and demand self-control.
- Be the last member to leave after functions and make sure the
Room is clean.
QUARTERMASTER
- Responsible for organization and issuing of uniforms.
- Assist in teaching music and drill.
- Lead by example; exhibit self-control.
- Be the last to leave after performances and make sure the room
is clean.
LIBRARIAN
- Care for, file, and catalogue music.
- Keep library neat and orderly
- Distribute and collect music.
- Keep account for lost or damaged music.
- Lead by example; exhibit self-control.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
- Responsible for loading and packing instruments and props.
- Help with practice needs such as water for rehearsal.
- Lead by example; exhibit self-control.
ALL OFFICERS SHOULD MEET REGULARLY WITH THE DIRECTORS AND HELP MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE GROUP. OFFICERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR BAND INSPECTION BEFORE PERFORMANCES.
SECTON LEADERS
- Appointed by directors
- Responsible for section in both drill and music.
COLOR GUARD CAPTAIN
- Appointed by directors and instructor.
- Arrive for practice at least five minutes before start time.
- Leads group warm up for practice and performance.
- Responsible for the guard knowing both drill and routine.
- Works with other band officers to enforce policy.
- Receives awards at contests as band representative.
- Lead by example; exhibit self-control.
- Insures guard equipment is stored in proper place, helps keep
the guard’s room neat.
BAND CAMP
(For clarity, “band” refers to all musicians, color guard, and any other performers).
The marching band starts band camp two weeks prior to the start of school. We also practice on registration day. All members are expected to attend band camp. Failure to attend camp will result in the member being removed from the band. Information regarding band camp will be mailed to the member’s home address during the summer.
AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS
It is necessary to practice after school to have a great marching band. We will keep after school practice to a minimum so that our members can have time to do their homework and other responsibilities outside of band. The marching band will rehearse every Tuesday during regular football season from 2:00 pm until 5:30 pm. From the beginning of school until our first football game, we will rehearse at the same time on Thursdays. Beginning the week of our first game, we will no longer practice on the Thursday. We will stay at school on Fridays and rehearse from 2:00 pm until around 4:00 pm. The directors reserve the right to call additional after school rehearsals if needed before a contest or to meet several hours before departure time on a contest day.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY
We as the directors of the Polk County High School Band wish to have 100% attendance at all of our rehearsals and performances. We do realize that sometimes one cannot help being absent. The following policy defines what we feel are acceptable reasons for absence.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
- Personal sickness (requires Dr. note, not parent note)
- Religious Holiday (Yom Kippur for example)
- Close family wedding, funeral, or military graduation.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
- Doctor or dentist appointment
- Work schedule conflicts
- Camps or retreats
- School club meetings
- Private lessons
- Make up work for another class
- After school detention or school suspension
- Church activities
We ask that parents and students arrange doctor and dentist appointments around our rehearsal schedule. Church retreats, Boy Scot camps, private lessons, etc. are all great activities but they are not excused absences. Having a superior band requires full participation from all members. Students should talk to club sponsors ahead of time to arrange club meetings with respect to band rehearsals. Band should be a priority.
Make up work should be scheduled around rehearsals. Take time before school to collect and do your assignments.
If you are assigned detention then you are out of luck because that cannot be rescheduled.
ANY member that misses a Friday rehearsal for ANY reason will not be allowed to march in that evenings game an could possibly not be allowed to march at a contest If there happens to be one that weekend. There is no way to make up what is missed immediately before a performance.
Excessive absences will result in the student being removed from the band.
We as directors realize that the time committed to the band is a great, but to do or require less would result in a less than average band program. We are only as good as our weakest player/marcher.
The band will also have several after school rehearsals for concert festival beginning in late January. The attendance policy is in effect for the entire school year.
DEMERITS
A member’s semester grade will be adjusted by the following points if necessary:
-5 un-excused absence from rehearsal
-10 un-excused absence from performance
-1 tardy for rehearsal
-2 tardy for performance
-2 failure to have correct equipment
-1 inappropriate use of sheet music, instrument, or uniform
FOOTBALL GAMES
All band members are expected to attend and perform at all Polk County football games. Members are to be at their warm up areas at the appointed time for inspection. Uniform inspection is to be carried out by the band captain, lieutenant, color guard captain and drumline captain.
After inspection and warm ups, the band lines up to march into the stadium. The band takes their position in the stands in an orderly manner and remains at attention until instructed otherwise. During the game, while our team has control of the ball, the band stands and is ready to play. The music for the night will be selected prior to the game and it is the responsibility of the band member to have that music in the folios. When a song is selected, the title of that song will be shown to the band by the messengers (usually pit members). The member’s turn to that song in their folios and prepares to play. This requires your attention while you are standing. The band seating area in the stands is for current band members only. Boyfriends/girlfriends, former members, family members who are not band booster officers, etc. are not allowed to sit with the band during the games. The band will have break during third quarter after the band has returned to the stands from the half time performance. All of the band is to be back in the stands at two minutes to fourth quarter. Failure to do so will result in suspension of individual or group breaks during third quarter. All band members are expected to stay during the entire game and march out with the band. After you are dismissed from line, it is the band member’s responsibility to return to their equipment and uniform to the appropriate area, the member is then free to leave. No one is allowed to leave the campus with anyone except a parent or guardian. If your parent or guardian has given you permission to leave with someone else, the directors need a note from the parent stating the individual with which the member will be leaving. This is for the protection of the individual members.
UNIFORM POLICY
AT NO TIME IS THE POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BAND UNIFORM TO BE TAKEN HOME.
The uniforms will be handed out by the quartermaster and lieutenant. No member is to go into the quartermaster’s room and get there uniform on their own. Each member is responsible for a pair of white socks to be kept with their shoes. These need to have the member’s name on them. Once the uniform is checked out, the member goes to an appropriate area to get dressed. Its is the responsibility of the member to keep the uniform clean while it is worn. While the band is in uniform, no food should be eaten. Only drink water while in uniform. The exception to this would be during third quarter break at football games. Please leave your jacket in the stands with your instrument and be very careful not to spill or drop anything on the white bibbers.
After games or performances, The uniforms are returned to the quartermaster and lieutenant for inspection. It is the responsibility of the quartermaster to hang the uniforms in their correct place. Other officers or members may be selected by the directors to help with this. During trips, the uniforms are taken to site in garment bags. Instruction will be given at site in good order and stored on the bus or truck.
Uniforms are not to be worn casually. When the performance is over, please remove the uniform.
INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE POLICY
A member of the Polk County High School Band should practice a minimum of one and a half hours per week. Regular practice sessions should begin with a warm up, scale exercises, rehearsal material from class, and etudes for personal challenges. A record of performance of themselves to the directors. Another recording is required at the end of each nine-week’s grading period. The directors will meet with each individual student as part of the nine-week’s grade and discuss ways to improve the student’s performance and to encourage the student with examples of their progress.
SUMMER PRACTICE
The drumline, hornline, and color guard shall meet one day a week during summer fro rehearsals of fall show music. Time will be allowed for holidays and family vacations.
It is the hope of the directors of the Polk County High School Band that our program continues to grow in ability and numbers. You are a very important part of the band. Your commitment and dedication will result in a consistent and superior band program in which you will be proud to be a part. Dennis Baker Greg Cross
Director Assistant Director
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