Philosophy 5

Daily Rehearsal Procedures 6

Teamwork 6

School Equipment Issue 6

Attendance 7

Uniforms 7

Chair Placement 8

Awards 8

District Band 9

Contest 9

Seminar 9

Grades 10

It is the philosophy of the CUHS Band Department to provide a quality, well-rounded music education for any student who is interested in being a part of the program.

Each student is different and has special needs and abilities; therefore, every effort will be made to instruct students both on a group and a personal level. The instructors will do their very best to reach each student and to help them gain the fullest understanding of music possible.

The students, however, also have a responsibility to the program and instructors. We firmly believe that the student should improve through daily progress. The happiest student is the student that is improving himself/herself through regular habits of practice and daily progress. Therefore, the students will be expected to be mature, disciplined, and dedicated to the improvement of their own musical skills as well as the quality of the ensemble they are in. Being a member of a musical group is a team effort and each person must do their part to the best of their ability in order to achieve the level of excellence that will be expected of all ensembles in the band program.

The CUHS Titan Band reputation is based on excellence. Therefore, we intend to conduct the program in a manner that will encourage all students to achieve these goals.

The Band Member’s Responsibility to the Music Program:

1. Be regular in attendance and account for all absences.
2. Make a real effort to learn and improve daily.
3. Become responsible for and expect to assume the consequences of his/her actions.
4. Be personally clean and neat, and dress appropriately.
5. Have the proper respect for those in authority.
6. Follow all classroom rules, school regulations, and all travel instructions issued for trips.
7. Be honest and fair with others concerning equipment, music, and school life in general.
8. Cooperate with fellow band members and share with them the responsibilities and privileges that are a part of the band program.
9. Contribute positively to the various ensembles and that of others by the best use of his/her talents.
10. Read and play music with insight and expression.

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Students are expected to adhere to the following procedures as a basis for daily rehearsals.

Rehearsal/Warm-up Guidelines:

• CHECK THE BOARD before class begins. Instructions & equipment needed for that days rehearsal will be posted there.
• BE ON TIME- Be in seat with all equipment by the tardy bell. On days that rehearsal is outside—you must be in parade formation by t-bell.
• BE QUIET- Remain quite during rehearsal—excessive talking is not permitted.
• BE RESPONSIBLE-  Bring pencil to rehearsal, review your part during down times, listen to annoucements and be aware of up-coming events.
• BE NEAT- pick up all equipment, music, and music stand at the end of every rehearsal.
• BE COURTEOUS-  Students will stay in the bandroom after rehearsal is dismissed and remain quiet.

TEAMWORK

A team player . . .

Is committed to the cause of the team.

Is committed to resolving relational conflict.

Encourages and supports his/her teammates.

Brings a healthy self and positive attitude to the team.

Doesn’t care who gets the credit or glory.

Sees his/her role as valuable, no matter how small.

Submits to authority.

Is dedicated to the team.

SCHOOL EQUIPMENT ISSUE

Students are expected to treat school issued equipment /instruments with care. Students will be responsible for repair and/or replacement of damaged or lost equipment/instruments.

A performance schedule of dates and times will be handed out at the beginning of each semester. Students are required to attend all performances and be on time. Each performance is equivalent to a final test/grade for that given period of preparation. Therefore, your attendance is mandatory. Each performance throughout the year will be given a point value. Unexcused absences from a performance are grounds for a grade of “F”. Excused absences will be granted for the following reasons only:

1. A death in the immediate family.
2. You become ill, in which case a phone call from the parent is mandatory.

Please note that work and/or family vacations are NOT excuses to miss a performance.

UNIFORMS

Uniforms will be issued the first month of school. Each band member is required to pay a cleaning fee of $10.00 due the first week of school. Students will be expected to provide white shoes (all white, absolutely no color or decorations allowed) to wear with the uniform. White gloves will also be needed and can be purchased from the band office. Students are expected to treat the uniform with care. Uniforms will be hung properly on hangers, placed in a garment bag, and stored in the uniform closet. Uniforms will not be left hanging around the room.

CONCERT ATTIRE:

Students will be issued concert attire to be worn during concert season. The attire consists of black tuxedo pants and a white shirt. Students will be required to provide black dress shoes and black socks. The concert attire will be kept at home. The shirt can be laundered in warm water with detergent and dried in dryer. The pants need to be dry cleaned.

At times, we may choose not to wear the standard concert attire. Students will then be required to dress appropriately considering the type of event and/or performance. Failure to dress appropriately will result in the lowering of his/her grade. Jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and/or shorts are NOT proper concert attire and will not be permitted.

Auditions will be conducted for chair placement after marching season is over. The district band audition material will be used for challenges and is taken from the SYMPHONIC BAND WARM-UP BOOK. All students will be required to audition for chairs and will be given a grade on the audition material. Auditions will be anonymous and will be recorded on cassette.

Students may challenge any member of his/her section by arranging a time with the director. One full week must be allowed from the time the challenge is posted before the challenge is played. Music for challenges will be taken from the technique book, music in the folder, and/or sight-reading. No challenges are allowed two weeks prior to a major performance.

AWARDS/HONORS

Students are eligible to letter in band by obtaining points set forth by the lettering system. See Band Letters in Appendix A. In addition to points, the following criteria will also be considered by the director in order to earn a letter.

1. Shows positive leadership and interest in the band program.
2. Outstanding progress and self-improvement.
3. Strong, positive contributions to the band department.
4. Excellent attendance to performances and rehearsals.
5. Excellent participation to rehearsals.
6. Responsibility of having proper supplies at all performances and rehearsals.
7. General commitment to the policies set forth by the band handbook.

TRI-M MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY

Tri-M Music Honor Society is a National Honor Society dedicated to instrumental and vocal students. Tri-M recognizes music students based on their high standard of musical achievements, leadership skills, community service, and over-all grade point average. Students are nominated for the society by the music faculty.

The organization has monthly meetings. Some projects that Tri-M has become involved in include the following: attending local concerts as a group, ushering at USD 493 concerts, music awareness, providing refreshments, community service projects.

Students may audition for district concert and/or jazz band. The jazz auditions are recorded on cassette and mailed, usually due sometime late September. Concert band auditions are usually held the first Saturday in November and are live.

There are six districts in the state. Auditions consist of two etudes out of the SYMPHONIC WARM-UP BOOK, two concert scales, and the chromatic scale. The material is determined in four year cycles and can be obtained from the director, if you wish to work on in advance. Students selected for district band will practice and perform a concert at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola, KS.

Students that are selected as members of their district band may submit an audition for the All-State Band. Columbus has a proud tradition of obtaining several chairs within the district band. The event is sponsored by the Kansas Music Educator’s Association.

REGIONAL/STATE SOLO & ENSEMBLE CONTEST

All students are eligible to take a solo and/or ensemble to regional contest. Solo and/or ensemble entry is optional not required. In order to participate in the contest, the solo material must be properly prepared and memorized. Therefore, the director will make the final decision of entry based on preparation of the solo/ensemble. Music must be memorized at the State level.

Students are responsible to set times to meet with the director to obtain assistance and prepare the solo. A sign-up sheet will be posted weekly on the classroom bulletin board. Students that are taking private lessons will be exempt from sign-up. It is recommended that the student sign-up at least three times prior to spring break and two times thereafter.

SEMINAR

Seminar rehearsals and/or sectionals will be called as needed. Attendance is required when a seminar rehearsal is assigned by the director or section leader. If you have a reason for not attending the rehearsal, notice must be given to the director. Students that choose to come to the band room to practice their instrument on an individual basis are required to stay seated and be focused. Students are not allowed to wander the halls and/or visit with friends in the band room during individual seminar practice time. Be responsible. Students in violation of seminar time will lose their individual privilege.