2020-2021 NFHS Band Handbook
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North Forney HS Band “The Pride of Falcon Nation” 2020-2021 Handbook www.prideoffalconnation.com Michael Kilgore Director of Bands [email protected] Jennifer Turner Associate Director [email protected] Jim Gist Associate Director [email protected] NOTE: Any of these items are subject to change, due to constantly updated COVID-19 procedures. The 2020-2021 edition of The Pride of Falcon Nation Handbook is intended to give all readers an idea of what being a member of The North Forney Band is really like: what to do, what to expect, what to look forward to, what to look out for, and most important - how to be a successful and contributing member of the greatest organization anywhere. As a member of The North Forney Band program, a student can look forward to a positive, rewarding, exciting, enjoyable, and hard-working experience. The most successful member of The North Forney Band is one who loves to excel and understands the commitment required to do so. Family A student in The North Forney Band is actively involved with a large group of bright, talented, hard-working, dedicated people committed to the same goal. The band actually becomes a second family to its members, and can provide countless positive skills that can be used for a lifetime. Parents of North Forney Band students immediately become a vital part of this second family. Parents work together, get involved with the band and become the most enthusiastic fans. Some parents have commented that involvement with a quality band program has brought their family closer, because they spent more time with their child and experienced so much together. Academic Excellence Being a member of The North Forney Band encourages academic excellence and promotes greater self-discipline. The No-Pass, No-Play rule is a great tool in motivating students to set high academic standards. Band members will naturally want to participate in the activities of the band and spend time with fellow band members; a student who fails to keep grades up misses out on so much. In order to keep up with the extra rehearsal hours and achieve high grades, students must use other hours effectively. Thus, students in the North Forney Band quickly learn the positive trait of self-discipline. Future Students graduating from high school after completing four years of high school band are proven to be among the most successful students at the collegiate level. Research shows that much of the reason for this success is directly attributable to the discipline learned while a member of the band. In a typical classroom, a student’s main objective is to learn as much as possible, and to earn the highest possible grade. In The North Forney Band, a student gathers much personal knowledge and skill, but the student also has a crucial role to play in the success of others. Band students are constantly judged as a group, a team, a band - not as individuals. To realize that everyone else in the band is counting on you to do your job perfectly is an awesome responsibility. A sincere commitment to excellence is the most important first step on the road to success and handling this task. All the actions of a particular student reflect, for better or worse, on the entire North Forney Band. It makes membership in the band a responsibility to be taken seriously. It makes the job both exciting and demanding. It also builds friendships that last a lifetime. North Forney Band members are proud of each other, cheer for each other, cry with each other, are concerned for each other and stand by each other forever. This handbook has been compiled to inform students and parents of some of the responsibilities that go along with the privilege of membership in The North Forney Band. Read the handbook carefully. Learn it. Live it. Love it! Work hard. This is your life. - 2 - PROGRAM OVERVIEW ANNUAL EVENTS Calendar – The Pride of Falcon Nation website (www.prideoffalconnation.com) has an updated calendar. All rehearsals, sectionals, concerts, contests, etc. that will take place during the year are listed on this official calendar. For most events on the calendar, the only excused absence will be personal illness or other extenuating circumstances that will be approved by the band director. Although we try to avoid it, it may become necessary to slightly alter the schedule. In such an event, the students will be informed as soon as possible and absences due to unavoidable conflicts need to be discussed with the band director. SYNC CALENDAR TO ELECTRONIC DEVICE IPHONE/IPAD: To subscribe to the Pride calendar on iOS (iPhone and iPad), you will need this link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/pofnbooster%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics Please follow these steps: 1. If you can view these instructions on your iOS device, simply press on the link, then press Subscribe. This adds the Pride calendar to your Calendar app. 2. If you cannot view these instructions on your device, grab your device and go to Settings → Calendar → Accounts → Add Account → Other → Add Subscribed Calendar. 3. In the Server field type the entire link. Then choose Next → Save. This adds the Pride calendar to your Calendar app. 4. If you want to modify the calendar name or color, open the Calendar app on your device and choose Calendars. Scroll to the Pride of Falcon Nation calendar under Subscribed and press the red info button. On the next screen you can change the calendar name and color. This will not affect the events on the calendar. Be sure to press “Done” to save your changes. ANDROID PHONE: According to Google, you can only use a link to add a calendar by using a computer, not the calendar app. To sync with Android devices, you will need to use your Google account and have a Google calendar created. In your Google calendar: 1. Under "Other Calendars" click the Add link. 2. Select "Add by URL" 3. Enter the following URL: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pofnbooster%40gmail.com&ctz=Am erica/Chi cago 4. Click "Add Calendar" 5. Google will begin to sync your calendar, and it will appear on the screen. 6. Click "Settings" 7. Change the long name of the new calendar to something you will remember such as "POFN Calendar" 8. Your phone should automatically be set to sync with your Google calendar. 9. On your phone: Click on "Calendar", then bring up the settings for the calendar. Click on Calendar Sync. You should see your google account listed already. Make sure Auto-Sync is checked. - 3 - MARCHING SEASON Summer Band - August is the beginning of our busy marching season. Attendance at this camp is mandatory therefore you need to plan vacations accordingly. Speak to the director with any concerns. Comfortable light colored clothes and a cap are the best type of attire for summer band. In addition, low rise tennis shoes, a water jug (bought through Boosters), and sunscreen are mandatory. Have your band member check with their section leaders for other good advice. Some of the things happening at this camp include: 1. Marching tryouts 2. Learning show music 3. Learning drill 4. Uniform distribution 5. Football program pictures 6. Learning stand tunes 7. End-of-the-week Activities The following is our typical weekly rehearsal schedule once school begins, along with the required dress code for each day (always wear low rise tennis shoes with low socks): Monday Rehearsal 5:00-8:00 PM, Rehearsal shirt & shorts (through Boosters) Tuesday Rehearsal 6:45-8:00 AM, Blue shirt, any shorts Wednesday Rehearsal 6:45-8:00 AM, Green shirt, any shorts Thursday Rehearsal 6:45-8:00 AM, Red shirt, any shorts Friday Rehearsal 6:45-8:00 AM, Rehearsal shirt, any shorts Obviously, once it starts getting cold, you may wear long pants – as long as they do not interfere with the performance of your show. Football Games - The Pride of Falcon Nation supports the football team at each game in the fall by playing in the stands. We are visible to our largest audience at football games. All performances are mandatory. Pep Rallies - The band performs at pep rallies by playing the fight song, school song, and pop tunes. All performances are mandatory Sectionals – Sectionals will be scheduled on an as needed basis and will be scheduled at least one week in advance. This rehearsal schedule will be discussed with all members to avoid any already scheduled activities. (See Grading Policy) Area Marching Contest - During odd numbered years, the Area Contest is held for 5A bands. A formula based on the number of bands competing is used to determine how many are selected to advance to state contest. State Marching Contest - The bands that finish at the top of their Area competitions compete in the Texas State Marching Contest. The contest is held in San Antonio at the Alamo Dome in a prelims and finals format. The contest is held in the first week in November. - 4 - STUDENT LEADERSHIP The following is a list of our student leadership group, and how the duties they perform: Drum Major The Drum Major has numerous responsibilities. The primary responsibilities of the Drum Major are to: ❑ Be an effective role model for all band students. ❑ Conduct the band as required. ❑ Be a hands-on teacher at all times during rehearsal. ❑ Maintain field discipline as needed. ❑ Assist in chart marking as needed. ❑ Assist in marching instruction as needed. ❑ Maintain the water break system. ❑ Help students Before/after School with pass-offs.