2021-22 RRHS Band Program Handbook
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River Ridge High School Band Program Student & Parent Handbook 2021-2022 School Year (Updated August 2nd, 2021) A Celebrated Past… A Magnificent Present… A Spectacular Future…. Mr. Ross Amend - Director of Bands Ms. Christin Lawhorne - Associate Band Director Mr. Josh King - Director of Percussion Studies Ms. Brianna Twaddell – Director of Guard Studies TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: GENERAL Table of Contents 2 Welcome Letter from Mr. Amend 3 Our Core Beliefs 4 A Historical View of Our Success 5 Our Staff 7 Suggested Course of Study 10 SECTION 2: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES River Ridge Band Class Syllabus 11 Financial Policies and Procedures 16 Social Media Handles 17 Social Media Policy 18 Rehearsal Attendance Policy 19 Pre-Season Absence Request Form 21 Concert Uniform Policy 22 Marching Uniform Policy 23 Instrument Rental Policy 25 How to Letter in the Band Program 26 Character, Behavior, and Academic Standards 28 SECTION 3: PARENTS GETTING INVOLVED How Parents Can Be Involved 29 Easy Money 30 Sponsorship Letter 32 Sponsorship Levels 33 Sponsorship Application 34 Important Contacts 35 SECTION 4: MARCHING BAND Why Do Marching Band? 36 Marching Band FAQ 37 Marching Band Rehearsal Checklist 39 Marching Band Public Etiquette Policy 40 Additional Student Marching Band Policies 41 Example of Home Game Itinerary 42 Example of Away Game Itinerary 43 SECTION 5: CALENDARS AND REHEARSAL DATES Master Calendar on Charms 44 Using and Syncing Charms 45 Band Program Fundraiser Schedule 47 Fall 2021 Semester Master Calendar Dates 48 Spring 2022 Semester Master Calendar Dates 51 *Not definitive until the school year actually starts. 2 River Ridge High School Band Program– 400 Arnold Mill Road – Woodstock, GA 30188 – Phone: (770) 721-6500 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] www.riverridgebands.org SECTION 1: GENERAL WELCOME LETTER Dear Students and Parents, Welcome to the new year of the River Ridge High School Band Program! You are about to embark on a journey that is sure to be one of the best experiences of your entire life. Students and parents alike will make new friends, create fond memories, and become a part of one of the largest organizations in the entire Cherokee County community. I am so excited to begin this journey with you all and I am committed to being the strongest leader possible for this band program as we move forward. I have worked with various successful band programs and bring a clear direction for our program as a result. My goal is to ensure that all students involved receive a high education in the fine arts, create lifelong memories, and grow to be young men and women of high character. I believe most of all that our band program is a very large family and that each of you, students, and parents, are a part of it. Entailed in this packet is important paperwork that will allow you to integrate yourself into our program, as well as obtain vital information regarding policies, dates, fees, fundraisers, expectations, and volunteer opportunities. Feel free to ask any questions you may have by emailing me at [email protected] I am so excited to have you all join our family! We are embarking on a great journey together that I know will lead to the continued success for our program! Sincerely, Ross M. Amend Director of Bands River Ridge High School 3 River Ridge High School Band Program– 400 Arnold Mill Road – Woodstock, GA 30188 – Phone: (770) 721-6500 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] www.riverridgebands.org OUR CORE BELIEFS Why does the River Ridge Band Program exist? [WHY] To create positive life changing experiences for students in the Fine Arts [HOW] By achieving performances of the very highest caliber [WHAT] By striving for excellence in everything we do. What do we do? 1. Provide a comprehensive education of the arts for all students. 2. Create opportunities for lifelong memories and friendships. 3. Promote the advancement of the arts on a local, regional, and national level. 4. Promote leadership skills and character development of students. RIVER RIDGE BAND PROGRAM MOTTO Striving for Excellence with S.P.I.R.I.T. OUR COMMITMENT TO ONE ANOTHER You Before I. Us before Me RIVER RIDGE BAND BOOSTERS INC. MISSION STATEMENT To support the students, staff, and directors of River Ridge Bands with financial support and logistical support beyond what local school, county, state, and national levels can offer. 4 River Ridge High School Band Program– 400 Arnold Mill Road – Woodstock, GA 30188 – Phone: (770) 721-6500 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] www.riverridgebands.org A HISTORICAL VIEW OF OUR SUCCESS 2009-2010 ● River Ridge High School Opens with 22 9th grade students ● LGPE Comments Only: Concert Band ● Concert Band performs at Dollywood Spring of 2010 2010-2011 ● Inaugural Year of the River Ridge Marching Knights ● North Paulding National Band Championship – 1st Place Band Class A ● 4th Annual Creekview Classic 2010 – 1st Place Band Class A ● Concert Band and Orchestra perform at Universal Studios ● LGPE Overall Superiors: Concert Band 2011-2012 ● Valhalla Classic October 6, 2011 – 1st Place Band in Class AA and Silver Division Champions ● Marching Knights perform at SeaWorld ● SAPA Championships 2014 – JV Winter Guard Bronze Medal – Novice Class ● LGPE Overall Superiors: Wind Symphony and Concert Band 2012-2013 ● Valhalla Classic - 1st Place Band in Class AA, Silver Division Champions, and Grand Champions at the Valhalla Classic at Northgate HS ● 6th Annual Creekview Classic - 1st Place Band Class AAA and Silver Division Champions ● SAPA Championships – Bronze Medal for JV Winter Guard – Novice Class ● Concert Band performs in New York City onboard U.S.S. Intrepid ● LGPE Overall Superior: Wind Symphony and Concert Band ● 2 students selected for GMEA All-State Band 2013-2014 ● Lassiter Marching Showcase – 1st Place Band Class AAA, Best in Class for all captions ● 7th Annual Creekview Classic – 1st Place Band Class AAA and Silver Division Champions ● Old South Marching Invitational, Newnan, GA – 1st Place Band Class AAA, Best in Class for all captions ● SAPA Championships 2014 - 1st Place Percussion Scholastic Concert Open ● Marching Knights perform in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade ● Marching Knights perform in the Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. ● LGPE Overall Superiors: Wind Symphony and Concert Band ● 3 students selected for GMEA All-State Band 2014-2015 ● Heart of Georgia Marching Contest 2014 – 1st Place Band Class AAAA ● 31st Southern Invitational Music Festival 2014 - 1st Place Overall Band Class AAAA and 1st Place Guard ● WGI Winds Atlanta Regional Champions – Scholastic A ● WGI Winds World Championships Dayton, Ohio April 12, 2015 – Silver Medal Scholastic A ● Tournament of Stars 2015 - 1st Place Scholastic A ● LGPE Overall Superiors: Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony and Symphonic Winds ● 6 students selected for GMEA All-State Band ● 28 students selected for District 9 Honor Band 2015-2016 ● The River Ridge Wind Ensemble invited to guest perform at the University of Georgia’s January Music Festival in January of 2016. ● The Winter Guard finished Scholastic A level, where the varsity winter guard currently competes. ● Marching Knights compete at Jacksonville State Bands of America Regional Championship October 10, 2015 - 3rd Class AA and 5th Place Finalist ● Marching Knights performed London New Year’s Day Parade on January 1st, 2016 5 River Ridge High School Band Program– 400 Arnold Mill Road – Woodstock, GA 30188 – Phone: (770) 721-6500 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] www.riverridgebands.org ● Overall Superiors: Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony and Symphonic Winds ● 4 students selected for GMEA All-State Band ● 33 students selected for District 9 Honor Band 2016-2017 ● Marching Knights named top five finalist (4th overall) at the Jacksonville Bands of America Regional, 1st Place Class AA and 1st in all captions ● Marching Knights were named Grand Champions at the Lake Hartwell competition, sweeping 1st in nearly every category ● The River Ridge Wind Ensemble invited to guest perform at the University of Alabama Honor Band Festival in 2017. ● The JV Winter Guard 4th place finish in their division at SAPA Championships. ● LGPE Overall Superiors: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds ● LGPE Overall Excellent: Wind Symphony ● 4 students selected for GMEA All-State Band ● 36 students selected for District 9 Honor Band 2017-2018 ● Marching Knights took second place at the Kennesaw Mountain Marching Invitational. Color Guard won Overall First Place. ● The Varsity Winter Guard took 7th place in their division after being promoted up a division in the middle of the season. ● Concert Band Festival Overall Superiors: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band ● Concert Band Festival Overall Excellent: Concert Band ● 2 Students selected for GMEA All-State Band ● 24 students selected for District 9 Honor Band 2018-2019 ● Marching Knights took fourth place at the White Columns Invitational hosted at Milton High School. Brass earned the Outstanding Brass Award, Tied 1st Place for Overall Visual ● The Varsity Winter Guard took 6th place in their round at SAPA Championships. ● The Junior Varsity Winter Guard took 4th place in their class. ● 18 students selected for District 9 Honor Band 2019-2020 ● Marching Knights took fifth place at the White Columns Invitational hosted at Milton High School. Woodwinds earned the Outstanding Woodwinds Award ● LGPE Overall Superiors: Symphonic Band ● The Varsity Winter Guard took 3rd place and 2nd place at local competitions. ● The Junior Varsity Winter Guard took 6th place at their local competition. ● 20 students selected for GMEA District 9 Honor Band ● 2 students selected for GMEA All-State Band 6 River Ridge High School Band Program– 400 Arnold Mill Road – Woodstock, GA 30188 – Phone: (770) 721-6500 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] www.riverridgebands.org RIVER RIDGE BAND PROGRAM SENIOR STAFF Ross M.