Denton High School Bronco Band Handbook 2017 - 2018 - DHS Band Mission Statement - The DHS Band is a family of students brought together by a common goal: success. Our passion and dedication allows us to excel not only in music but also in life by surpassing all obstacles and becoming role models for our peers. In a supportive community, we continue to set new standards and uphold the PRIDE of Bronco Country. ~ 2 ~ Director Contact Information Brian Wilson Director of Bands 940-369-2219 [email protected] Jesse Woolery Associate Director of Bands 940-369-2209 [email protected] Phillip Elder Director of Percussion 940-369-2225 [email protected] Ashley Maldonado Color Guard Director 214-310-8814 [email protected] ~ 3 ~ GENERAL BAND PROCEDURES This handbook will spell out in detail several rules and guidelines that are necessary to have a successful band program. However, listed below are some general guidelines to follow in all situations. 1. All rehearsals are mandatory. 2. Gum, food, and drinks, other than bottled water, are prohibited in the band hall. 3. Be on time, if not early, to all band rehearsals and performances. 4. Respect other band members, parents, and directors. 5. Respect the property of the school and of others. 6. Always portray a positive attitude in your words and actions. 7. Give 110% effort 110% of the time. ~ 4 ~ ATTENDANCE POLICY WORK SCHEDULES, FAMILY TRIPS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES must not interfere with the rehearsal and performance schedule provided at the beginning of the school year. Students who enroll in other school activities such as athletics, choir, theatre, etc. should plan ahead to avoid conflicts. The band directors will work together with other teachers and coaches to give all students the opportunity to be a part of both organizations. Absences: Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, doctor’s appointments without a note, organization meetings, work, family vacations, etc. Excused absences include severe illness or medical emergency (doctor’s note required), or a death in the family. Tardies: A tardy is anywhere from 1 second to 10 minutes late. After 10 minutes, it is an absence! It is imperative that every student be at rehearsal on time. First tardy– This is your verbal warning Second tardy – You have earned after school detention with an assistant principal on the following Tuesday. Third tardy– Go see your Instructional Principal to get your Saturday School assignment. Fourth tardy– Go see your Instructional Principal to be assigned to ISSC. Taken from the Denton High School attendance policy. All absences and tardies, including morning and after school rehearsals, will be submitted to the attendance office. ~ 5 ~ MARCHING BAND PRACTICE SCHEDULE ATTENDANCE AT ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES, IS MANDATORY. The Denton High School Marching Band is comprised of all members of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Bands and Color Guard. All students have a place in the marching band. Everyone will perform, in some capacity, at every performance. Students who play all music by memory for the directors, attend all rehearsals, and make a conscientious effort to improve, will perform in a varsity spot throughout the marching season at every football game and every marching competition. Our weekly marching band rehearsal schedule throughout most the season is: Monday & Tuesday, 4:40 to 7:00 pm (full band) Monday, 7:00pm to 8:00pm (percussion only) Wednesday, 4:30pm to 5:30pm (winds & guard only) Thursday & Friday, 7:00am to 8:30am (full band) After marching contest season, we will have a slightly altered schedule for the remainder of the season. Please see the online calendar for more specific details at http://www.dentonisd.org/broncoband. Games are every Friday from September 1st through November 10th. Playoffs will begin following the regular season schedule and we will continue to perform throughout the playoff season. Playoff games are on either Fridays or Saturdays. Every student is necessary to the success of the marching band! ~ 6 ~ BAND CLASSES Band is an academic class. Auditions are at the end of the school year for the following year, as well as All Region Band placement in December. New students audition upon arrival. Wind Ensemble (grades 9-12) Performances will include UIL Marching, Concert, and Sight Reading Contests, one or more marching invitational/festivals, a Christmas concert, three spring concerts, and possible recruiting special events. Sectionals and full band rehearsals (with percussion) occur outside of the normal school day. Additional clinics occur during competition time and posted on the Bronco Band Calendar. Students in the Wind Ensemble will be required to audition for the TMEA All Region Band and to play a Class I solo or ensemble at the DHS Solo and Ensemble contest in May. Once a student has made it into the Wind Ensemble, their continued success is dependent upon their enrollment in private lessons. Symphonic Band (grades 9-12) Performances will include UIL Marching, Concert, and Sight Reading Contests, one or more marching invitational/festivals, a Christmas concert, three spring concerts, and possible recruiting special events. Sectionals and full band rehearsals (with percussion) occur outside of the normal school day. Additional clinics occur during competition time and posted on the Bronco Band Calendar. Students in the Symphonic Band will be required to audition for the TMEA All Region Band and to play a Class I solo or ensemble at the DHS Solo and Ensemble contest in May. Once a student has made it into the Symphonic Band, their continued success is dependent upon their enrollment in private lessons. Concert Band (grades 9-12) Performances will include UIL Marching, Concert, and Sight Reading Contests (if instrumentation and eligibility allow), a Christmas concert, one or more spring invitational festivals, and two spring concerts. Sectionals and full band rehearsals (with percussion) occur outside of the normal school day. Additional clinics occur during competition time and posted on the Bronco Band Calendar. Students in Concert Band must play an appropriate solo or ensemble at the DHS Solo and Ensemble contest in May; however, they will be encouraged to audition for the TMEA All Region Band. Private lessons are not a requirement for this class but they are highly encouraged! ~ 7 ~ BAND CLASSES CONTINUED… Jazz Lab Band (grades 9-12) According to DISD guidelines: “Jazz Band membership is open to secondary students who are a part of a parent large ensemble band organization (marching and concert band). Jazz Band membership is open to students outside the band program only by director approval.” This ensemble class meets within the school day. There are three ensembles in the DHS jazz program. In this class, students will learn how to improvise and perform assorted styles of jazz music. The Jazz bands will have their own concerts and play for many community events, including the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival. Everyone in the group must learn and audition for the TMEA All Region Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Jesse Woolery is the director of the DHS jazz program. Percussion Class - Varsity/Symphonic (grades 9-12) These classes are open to grades 9-12. The classes divide into Front Ensemble and Battery in the 1st semester. There will be a tryout in November to determine placement in the Varsity or Symphonic Percussion Class for the 2nd semester. Students in this class will be encouraged to audition for the All Region Band and participate in Solo & ensemble Contest. Percussion students will perform at drumline contests in the fall semester, the holiday and spring concerts, as well as the Percussion Bash in the spring. All percussionists are encouraged to take private lessons regularly. Color Guard Class (grades 9-12) This class is open to grades 9-12 and it meets at the same time as Concert Band. There will be a tryout for this class at the end of each school year. The requirements set forth by the director are mandatory and all rehearsals and performances for the marching band will apply to this class during the fall. During the spring, the members of this class will attend three to four contests throughout the course of the semester. It is our desire that students remain in band for the duration of their career at DHS. However, if a student chooses to exit the DHS band there are district and campus requirements to exit or re-enter the program. Consult the director of bands for more details. ~ 8 ~ GRADES& ELIGIBILITY Grades: In determining the band grade, each grading period, three areas comprise the average: 1) Major Summative Grades (70%) - including attendance at Football Games, UIL Performances, All Region Tryout, Solo & Ensemble Contest, Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest, and ALL concerts. 2) Minor Summative Grades (30%) – including attendance to rehearsals, class written assignments, chair tests and pass off tests. There will be a weekly grade of 100 for attendance to rehearsals. Eligibility: Most of the activities associated with marching band are extra-curricular including football games and contests. To be eligible by TEA, UIL and DISD requirements, students must pass ALL classes every 9 wks. Students who fail any single class at the end of grading period will become INELIGIBLE seven days after the last day of the grading cycle in which they failed. In the fall of 2017, the first grading period will end on Thursday, October 12th. Students who fail at that time will be ineligible on Thursday, October 19th. During a student’s ineligibility period, attendance to morning rehearsals is still required, in addition to attending morning tutorials in necessary classes. Students will be able to regain their eligibility by PASSING ALL CLASSES AT THE END OF THE 3RD WEEK OF THE NEXT GRADING PERIOD AND MAY BE ELIGIBLE AGAIN ON THE FRIDAY AFTER THE 3 WEEK PROGRESS REPORT.