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INTRODUCTION
You are now a member of an exciting musical organization and this manual is designed to help you better understand
what is expected of you. The SPIRIT OF UNION COUNTY TIGER BAND is built upon a tradition of excellence,
a tradition that you will now share and be responsible for carrying forward.
It is the mission of the Tiger Band program
to foster knowledge and appreciation for the musical arts. To help students achieve the highest possible performance
in the areas of music and musical creativity and to promote ethical character, good citizenship and life-long learning.
It is also the desire of the Tiger Band program that students will always aspire to be better than they are.
It is
the hope of all Tiger Band alumni and current members that you will accept your responsibility seriously and conscientiously.
If you can always say, "I have done my best" then nothing more will be asked of you.
Individual excellence and commitment is the key to any group success. Do
not allow any part of your load to fall on your neighbor's shoulders.
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GRADING POLICY Student’s
band grade will be composed of: 1. Playing and/or written tests.
2. Class participation 3. Participation in rehearsals and performances. Student participation in practices, required performances, and district/state
festivals is an integral part of the band class/program. Since this is a form of supervised homework, grades
are assigned at these activities. Rehearsals and performances are not activities that lend themselves to make-up work therefore,
failure to participate can only result in grade reduction. Because we assume members will be at all assigned functions, students begin
with a perfect participation grade. The final grade will only be reduced according to the following schedule: 1.
An unexcused rehearsal
will lower the final grade a half letter. 2.
An unexcused performance
will lower the final grade one full letter. 3.
An unexcused festival
or contest performance will lower the final grade two full letters. Band student participation in other school-sponsored
activities is eligible for consideration to be excused. Failure to participate in rehearsals or performances
due to activities that are not school-sponsored is unexcused. Exceptions may include, but are not limited
to: documented doctor appointments, illnesses, etc. Failure to participate will be determined excused or
unexcused by the band director. JOB RELATED ABSENCES ARE NEVER EXCUSED.
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BAND POLICIES 1.
If a parent’s
discipline of his/her child causes the child to miss a rehearsal or performance, the child’s grade will be lowered.
2. Failure to give a reason for an absence will result in that absence
being unexcused. 3. If a student fails to earn a minimum grade point average of a 2.0,
his/her participation in band activities will stop until the next grading period. If the student fails
to make a 2.0 GPA the second time, the student will be dismissed from the band. 4. Demerits are given for failure to follow band policies. Each demerit that is not worked off by the
end of the grading period will drop twenty points off the participation grade. 5. Students are expected to be LADIES and GENTLEMEN at all times and will be suspended from band activities for misconduct.
All school rules as established by the Union County School Board are in effect with the Tiger Band at all times. 6. All students are responsible for cleaning the busses and band room after each performance or trip. Student
leaders must be the last ones off the bus and out of the band room to ensure this happens. 7. All performances are graded as a group project. 8.
Students MUST have appropriate
attire and water at every outside rehearsal. 9.
Failure to have hands
free water available during outside rehearsals and performances will result in a demerit. This is for the
safety and good health of the student. Parents please work with us when making doctors' appointments
and out of town trips so as not to conflict with the practice schedule and performing dates. Your cooperation
is as important to the Band Program as your child's ability to perform.
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PARADES Band members are expected
to perform with the band at all parades. Students will not be excused to drive cars or ride floats except
under the following conditions: UCHS Homecoming King and Queen candidates, class presidents, and elected attendants will be
excused from the Homecoming Parade only. Attendants will not be excused.
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RESPONSIBILITY IN THE STADIUM 1.
The band will usually be inspected one hour before the game. The band will
enter the stadium approximately 30 minutes before game time. 2.
No playing by individual members except as designated by the directors or
band captain. 3. Visitation to the guest band will be by the Band Captains. 4.
The band will de dismissed at the end of the game by the director. We will
play our traditional “Amazing grace” at the end of each game. All
members are expected to stay in the bleacher formation. This includes all
Tigerette members. 5. No one is allowed into the bands' bleachers formation except current UCHS
band personnel unless it is cleared by the director. 6.
The band will always march back to the band room or busses after each
game.
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STUDENT LEADERS Student leaders
will be chosen by the band director. These student leaders will assist the director at all marching rehearsals
and performances. Student leaders will not necessarily be first chair players. Student
leaders will maintain an updated telephone and address list of members of their section. Student leaders
are responsible for all members of their section being able to play all music assigned and may call additional rehearsals
on an individual basis to reach this goal. First chair players assume the role of section leader in concert
and symphonic bands. Marching band student leaders will be chosen on the basis of their leadership capabilities,
attitude, responsibility and dependability.
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UNIFORMS Each band student will
be issued a uniform. The director and quartermasters keep an inventory of all parts issued.
The student must pay for any unnecessary damage or loss of uniform parts. Students that do not properly
return uniforms to the uniform room will incur a $5.00 fine for each infraction.
Uniforms will be checked out for an annual cleaning fee of $55.00 for high school students, $35.00 for eighth graders,
and $15.00 for band members that are Tigerettes. Parents that work a minimum of three games in the
concession stand (one MUST be a varsity game) will have their child’s uniform fee waived for that school
year. Inspection will be held before each performance. Failure to pass uniform
or horn inspection before a performance will result in a demerit. Each student must have long white socks,
white gloves, and white band shoes. Plain white shorts and the designated travel shirt must be worn underneath
the uniform. The uniform jacket, pants, and hat must be turned in to the uniform room following
each performance.
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INSPECTION CHECK SHEET
1. On time for call time 2. Clean instrument with shiny appearance if applicable. 3. Clean mouthpiece 4. Instrument must be in proper working condition 5. Travel uniform worn under performance uniform 6. Clean shoes 7. Clean gloves 8.
Flip Folder and Lyre
with all stands music 9.
Hands free water for
outside performances
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BAND ETIQUETTE We will come
in contact with several other bands throughout the year. We are ALWAYS polite and courteous to other bands.
We show support and enthusiasm for other band members. They work as hard as we do and they deserve
our respect. You must always congratulate other bands on a job well done. Professionalism
is essential to a successful program!
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PERFORMACES Dress appropriately for
all performances. If not wearing Band Uniforms, girls are to wear dresses or nice pant suits, boys are to wear dress pants shirt
and tie. NO JEANS OR TENNIS SHOES ARE ALLOWED! Non-uniformed performances would be the Solo &
Ensemble Festival.
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BUS RULES 1. Students must ride the bus to all functions. You may leave with your
parents after you are dismissed from the performance. If you would like to ride home with someone other than the band or your
parents, you must have a signed note from your parents. 2. Keep your seat at all
times while bus is moving. 3. Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct is to be observed. 4.
If a chaperone has to give instructions more than once, they will move to sit
with you. 5. Keep arms and heads inside windows. 6. There
will be a boy’s bus, girl’s bus and Tigerette bus. 7. If there
is ever a time when girls and boys are mixed on the same bus, they are
not allowed to share the same seat.
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SOLO AND ENSEMBLE Solo
and Ensemble participation is not required but is definitely encouraged for each student. However, once
a student signs up for S&E, that event becomes a required performance. Music must be performed in it’s
entirety before the director will sign you up.
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BAND PARENTS There
are several areas within the band program that require the help of volunteer band parents. We have the
following committees: uniforms, concessions, chaperones, and advocacy. Each committee has managers or chair
persons that are appointed by the band director. The majority of band
programs throughout the state charge an extremely high fee for students to become members. This goes against
our philosophy. Because of the combined efforts of the county school board and the football concession
stand we are able to keep costs to the parents at a minimum. This is why we ask EVERY parent to work at
least one game. The funding from the concession stand covers a multitude of costs and fees incurred by
the program whenever we perform that would otherwise have to be paid for by the students.
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TRAVEL ACCOUNTS Every band
student has the option of acquiring a travel account. This account is funded by their participation in
fundraising events. This money may only to be used for band trips, uniform cleaning fees, and summer music
camps.
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SOME STANDARD THINGS Full Marching Band rehearsal is scheduled
every Monday and Thursday from 3:15 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Band students are required to attend these rehearsals.
Attendance is a factor in 9 weeks grading (refer to band policies). Drumline and Tigerettes rehearse additionally
on Tuesdays from 3:15pm until 4:30pm. All
performances by your band are mandatory. There are very few legitimate excuses for absence from a performance. We will enter festivals each year.
We expect you to prepare yourself diligently so the reputation of the Tiger Band will not diminish. All students must ride
the bus to all functions and return with the band unless they are picked up after an engagement by their parents.
If you would like to ride home with someone other than the band, you must have a note signed by your parent
before permission will be given. Cell phones must be turned off during all rehearsals and performances. Any
student that chooses to use their cell phone during an inappropriate time will have their phone confiscated until the end
of the performance or trip. There
will be no third quarter break given at games. Students must have their own water in the stands for each
game. Dinner should be eaten before or after the game. All band students are to stay
in bleachers formation at all times unless given permission by the director to do otherwise. "On time" means in place, ready
to go. Rolling into the parking lot "on time" is not good enough. Seniors load the buses first, followed by
the student leaders, juniors, sophomores, etc. Percussion equipment is provided by the band, however, all percussionists will be required
to furnish their own sticks, mallets, etc. A list of required equipment will be furnished. School owned instruments are assigned to
students and inspected at time of issue. There is no rental fee, however if the instrument is mistreated it will be confiscated
and the student will be forced to either purchase an instrument, borrow one from someone else, or change their schedule out
of band. If a school instrument is damaged, the student will be held responsible for the full cost of repair. Students representing the band in awards
ceremonies at marching contests featuring caption judging will be: Tigerette Captains, Band Captains, and Percussion Captain.
At concert festivals awards will be accepted by the Band Captain and others as assigned. Students are judged throughout the year as
to their suitability as a future student leader. An outstanding tryout is not the single critera for a
leadership position.
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