Jerome High School
Navigation
Band Handbook
2008-2009 Jerome High School Band Handbook
“There is Only One Way To Succeed in Anything, And That is to Give Everything.”
PHILOSOPHY
“The JEROME HIGH SCHOOL BAND exists as part of the Jerome School District educational program, and as such its first purpose is to educate the students who choose to participate in the activity, and through them the families and community the activity touches. All decisions made by and about this organization must first and foremost be educationally sound. The curriculum and activities serve to educate not only musically but also in the areas of responsibility, self-discipline, leadership, teamwork, and communication.
“Secondarily, the purposes of the JEROME HIGH SCHOOL BAND are to have fun, to make great music, to entertain its audiences, to provide support for high school and district activities, to serve as goodwill ambassadors for the community and the district in its travels, and to provide varied and enjoyable experiences for its members beyond the usual high school environment.
“Here’s what we believe about a band: it should be fun, it should be active, there should be plenty of performances, we have to demand a high standard of excellence in everything we do, we should play the best, most interesting, and highest quality music we can, and the band should be an extended family. We try to achieve all of these things in the JEROME HIGH SCHOOL BAND, and with your continued help, we will!” –Mr. Smith
ABOUT THE JEROME HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM
The JEROME HIGH SCHOOL BAND (or “Varsity Band”) is comprised of three district performing groups that share the same membership:
*the MARCHING BAND, the “Ambush Of Tigers”, which performs during summer and first trimester, rehearses first and third trimesters and some during the late summer – This is the group which travels the most, competes with other schools throughout the region, and is the most visible face of the band program.
*the SYMPHONIC BAND, which performs second and third trimesters, and rehearses all three trimesters – This is the backbone of the organization, where the biggest gains in musicianship and performance skill levels are achieved; we present several concerts, host a middle school festival, and compete for ratings at the District IV festival.
*the PEP BAND, which performs primarily second trimester, with some rehearsing and performances first and third trimester – This is the “public relations” side of the band, performing at basketball games, assemblies, and other high-intensity occasions, the only place some of our patrons ever get to hear us perform.
Because of the limitations of the five-period trimester schedule, we realize it’s not always possible for students to be part of the enrolled class each trimester. Therefore, it’s vitally important to keep involved playing your instrument through our zero-hour rehearsals and remain part of the band during the trimesters that you are unable to fit band into your five-period day. The schedule for those rehearsals are included inside the handbook, and we want to strongly urge all members to stay active in the program all three trimesters, even in times of non-enrollment in the class period. Re-acquiring playing skills you developed after a layoff is time-consuming and frustrating to you and to those around you.
ABOUT THE JEROME HIGH SCHOOL COLOR GUARD PROGRAM
The Jerome Color Guard is comprised of any interested students grades 8-12 in the Jerome School District. The guard rehearses mornings with the band during marching season, and continues practices in the winter for performances on its own, and in the spring in preparation for the following fall season. Rehearsals are run by a combination of Mrs. Stephanie Santos, color guard choreographer, Mr. Smith and the color guard captain(s). The Ambush Of Tigers depends on the color guard to provide an essential element of its show, and values the color guard’s participation in its program. Students in the color guard program, therefore, must realize that their presence at rehearsals and performances is critical, and when they sign up to participate they are agreeing to make every effort to attend every function. During the marching season, the Color Guard is an integral part of the marching program, as important as the band, and we endeavor to treat all marching members as equals.
THE EIGHT “P’s” of the JEROME BAND PROGRAM
BE Positive.... Prepared.... Patient.... Professional.... Pleasant.... Polite…. Prompt.... and PROUD!
GRADING POLICY
Grading of band classes is done in four parts:
20% is based on rehearsal attendance and behavior. Unexcused missed rehearsals are very detrimental to the organization, and as such are strongly reflected in the grade. Zero-hour rehearsals are just as important as first period, and if these rehearsals are missed they will require the same documentation to the band office that the school requires for class time missed first through fifth periods. Extra responsibility points are provided for work done above and beyond the requirements of the class; points can be taken away for actions detrimental to the program. It is assumed that students will have the appropriate instrument and equipment at every practice; grades will reflect this expectation. If a student is missing an instrument, he or she can still receive partial credit for practicing fingerings and such with the band; students who are missing instruments because of repair work and participate with fingerings will still receive full credit.
35% is based on playing and written work. Examples include playing tests, judging sheets, evaluation pieces, and written assignments. Please realize that we have comparatively few written assignments, and therefore each one’s worth is significant – students are encouraged to make sure every assignment is turned in. We have a “no-zero” policy at Jerome High School, and it is important that all assignments are completed; students may be withheld from rehearsals to complete missing assignments when necessary. If major assignments are missing, a student’s grade will be designated as “incomplete” on PowerSchool until they are completed at an appropriate level of proficiency. Students have two calendar weeks following theend of the term to make up missing assignments before the “I” turns to an “F” on the transcript.
30% is based on being at all required performances. Some partial credit is given if a student provides advance notice or documentation for missing a performance; in this case, an alternative assignment will be provided for significant make-up credit. Without appropriate documentation from home, no credit will be given. All effort is made to prevent conflicts between school activities; if such a conflict is unavoidable, no reduction in grade will occur because of it.
15% is based on the final end-of-course (EOC) exam, which comes in two equal parts: a written final, based on the state curriculum standards and the district-approved curriculum documents available online, and a performance final, utilizing a graded evaluation piece which measures growth from beginning to end of the trimester.
See the district website for curriculum information.
JEROME HIGH SCHOOL BAND WEBSITES – BOOKMARK THESE, PLEASE!
The Jerome High School Band program maintains a website through Banddirector.com which is available to all computer users interested in keeping up with our activities. The URL is…
On the website is everything you’ll need to stay up to speed with all the goings-on of the Ambush of Tigers marching unit, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Winter Guard, and all three of the Jerome Middle School bands as well! Check the home page regularly for updates, and there are fifteen additional pages which include information on all the ensembles listed PLUS Music Boosters information, the most recent newsletter and concert programs, a copy of the high school band handbook, the recent history of the program and more! The website will have everything you need – so bookmark it and check in at least weekly (we update it that often year-round).
The other website that you ought to have bookmarked is the school district website at…
Here you can find not only the high school (or middle school) announcements and on-line letters, but also general district and school information, the newly adjusted board and state approved music curriculum, Powerschool access so you can check your child’s grade in band (and every other class), and occasionally the webcasts of our home concerts this year, thanks to Chris Gibson and the JSD computer folks!
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
The Band program is supported by the JEROME MUSIC BOOSTERS, an adult organization designed to provide financial and parental support for the band’s activities. Mrs. Gina Ordaz is the current moderator of the Boosters, Mrs. Darla Ridgway the treasurer, and Mr. Brian McDonell the secretary. Officers are elected each May.
The JEROME MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND program is the feeder to the high school band, and is comprised of a sixth grade Beginning Band, a seventh grade Intermediate Band, and an eighth grade Concert Band, the last of which occasionally provides members to the high school band for select activities. Mr. Smith is the director of bands at JMS.
We occasionally collaborate with the JEROME HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR and DRAMA programs. Mrs. Karen Palmer conducts the choral ensembles, and Mr. Shane Brown instructs the drama department. It is the policy of the band program to do everything possible for our students to be a part of any other group on campus they choose as well.
PERFORMANCE AND REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
The band class meets during first period daily (generally 8:15 to 9:22) throughout the school year. Also, we set aside mornings before school for full marching band and color guard rehearsals Tuesday through Friday, from August 19 through November 14, from 6:30 to 7:40. All high school students participating in the Ambush Of Tigers during the first trimester will receive and additional transcript credit from JHS. We will register all participating students during Field Show Camp in August. There is no fee for this credit. During the remainder of the year, there will be one morning rehearsal each week, on Thursday mornings from 6:30 to 7:40, for students to rehearse with the full band for Symphonic and Pep Band participation. We as an organization (staff and students together) resolve the right to adjust that extra schedule as we conclude is best for the performance of the band; such scheduling will not be done without consultation with the entire membership of the band, and will be done extremely rarely.
We understand transportation is sometimes an issue with younger students in particular, and so we will try to make arrangements with parents of other students to carpool. Contact Mr. Smith for more information if you would find this useful. There are busses that transport our eighth grade Ambush members back to JMS after zero-hour rehearsals in time for classes there.
It is hoped that this minimum amount of rehearsal time outside of class will allow students not to disrupt their work or school schedules greatly, while providing the necessary tools for the band to succeed.
Marching Band uniforms
This year only, each member is issued uniform pants during pre-school rehearsals, and will also receive a hooded sweatshirt as part of their registration fee which they will be able to keep. The pants are due back after marching season concludes; any damage to the uniform is the responsibility of the person the uniform is checked out to, so TAKE CARE OF YOUR UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE SEASON!!! It must be hung up correctly, professionally cleaned only, and never put away wet. We will be hemming pants to fit each member during marching and field show camps. It will remain at the high school except when pants are being hemmed up - students will NOT be allowed to take it home otherwise. You must provide a shirt and some form of shorts or pants that do not extend beyond the length of your marching pants to wear under your uniform, as well as black socks. You need to own specific black marching shoes – if you need a pair, we can put you in contact with graduates willing to sell or order them new for you (about $25). Changing in and out of uniform should not necessitate a visit to the bathroom since you will be “decently clothed” underneath your uniform. Instruction as to the proper care of your uniform will be presented and inspections will be made and attached to the grade!
Color Guard uniforms
Each member is expected to purchase a basic auxiliary uniform for marching season; we will provide all the ordering information and handle the processing so that you get exactly what you need. Each member should also purchase appropriate “dance” shoes, which can also be purchased through the music boosters. There will be requirements regarding required make-up for field show performances, still to be determined. Students also should wear appropriate clothing underneath their uniforms, so you can change out of uniform after performance without incident. There may be specialized costuming for specific individuals depending on the needs of the field show or winter guard shows; we will attempt to take care of this financially “in house”.
Symphonic Band dress code
Each gentleman should wear black slacks and a black dress shirt; jacket and tie are optional but you need to fit in with the people wearing ties and jackets. Dress shoes and socks, please. Ladies may wear either a black dress or a black blouse with a black skirt or slacks; dress shoes, please. We will use this for all concert performances, and it is important to present a unified appearance; please make every effort to put together an outfit that will be appropriate for concerts. Minor elements of other colors within your clothing will be acceptable as long as the major effect is still black. If you need help procuring appropriate clothing, please let us know.
Pep Band uniforms
Students are asked to wear the black pep band shirt when performing. The rest of your clothing is at your discretion (but all black is an effective look!). Please take pride in your band whenever you appear with it. You will receive full credit for performance in uniform only.
HONOR BAND
Students interested in being nominated for the 2008 District IV Honor Band (held November 5-6 in Twin Falls) should express their interest to Mr. Smith in September, when we will be asked to nominate outstanding members for this honor. Auditions for the MENC All-Northwest Honor Band or Orchestra, to be held February 14-17 in Spokane, Washington, will be recorded this fall; auditions will be recorded on-line and sent in by the first week of October. See Mr. Smith for information.
SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL
The District IV solo and ensemble festival will be held in Twin Falls on Tuesday, March 3. Entries for this festival will be due in January; you will need to be enrolled in second trimester band, or participate in zero-hour and put in some extra time with the director to prepare your selection for festival to gain approval for participation. Cost is $8 per solo or $16 for ensemble. The opportunity exists to take your solo to the state solo competition in Boise in early May if you earn a superior rating in Twin and you perform a solo from the state-approved list; if this is something you want to pursue, see Mr. Smith in the fall to select a piece from that list for preparation for festival.
EARNING YOUR BAND LETTER
Band members may earn their letterman’s jacket “varsity band letter” by earning at least a “C” in all three trimesters of band (either first or zero hour) and attending all required performances. Additional stars to be added to the letter are earned each year using the same criteria. All of these are presented at the Awards Concert in May.
CRITICAL REVIEWS
Each trimester, every first period student will be turning in a critical review of a concert or musical performance taking place during the term. Read and attach the rubric when writing the review. It is important to the musical education of our students for them to broaden their horizons and attend performances outside the school, whether those be professional shows, church presentations, or something else. Too often the failure to turn in a critical review by the end of the trimester led to the unexpected drop of a letter grade at the last minute when the reviews were added in – don’t let that happen to your grade!
ZERO-HOUR AMBUSH OF TIGERS COURSE CREDIT
You can get a high school class credit for “Varsity Band D” for rehearsals you’ll be at anyway by registering during Field Show Camp August 12-15, regardless of whether you’re enrolled first period or not. (These are two separate credits – those enrolled first period will get two credits for band first term.) Attendance and grades for the two classes will be kept separately, and the only structural difference in the two classes is that the zero-hour final will be a performance evaluation only (no written final). You’ll get a full course syllabus for both classes in August. This is not available to eighth graders marching with the Ambush. (Sorry.)
PRACTICE LOGS
Also due at the six week and twelve week marks of each trimester is the practice log, a record of practice time spent outside of band/guard rehearsal. This practice time consists of anything not included during a full ensemble rehearsal: playing the instrument at home (whether practicing school music or any other music of your interest), working on the music without the horn (say, in the car on a trip), working on flag tosses, practicing with a friend at home, etc. The practice logs must be signed by a parent for full credit. Any sheet with a signature will receive from ¾ to full credit, depending on practice time (an hour per week is expected); anything without a parent signature will receive zero to 1/4 credit. It’s important not to let the practice logs creep up on you and drop your grade at the last minute – keep them up during the term and turn them in anytime during the sixth and twelfth weeks.
MARCHING CAMP & FIELD SHOW CAMP
It is essential to the success of this organization that we have all members attending Marching Camp and Field Show Camp.Please arrange your schedule accordingly now, so there won’t be surprises then. The fewer people we have to retrain later, the faster we can improve, and the better we’ll get! We understand that there will be conflicts that may prevent your attending a rehearsal here or there – but please attend every rehearsal you’re in town for. We’ll plan on being at the high school for all rehearsals. From July 22nd through the 25th and again on the 28th, we’ll meet 7 to 12 a.m. for marching, music and flag-work training. Tuesday, July 29th is our performance in the Jerome County Fair Parade. Then, from August 12th to the 15th, we rehearse from 7-12 am to put our competition show on the field. We’ll start our usual 6:30 a.m. zero-hour rehearsals the following week (August 19th) Tuesdays through Fridays in preparation for our first field show performances. [Following our final practice on August 15, we’ll go to lunch and then to Roaring Springs in Boise for the rest of the day. Details at camp.] We’ll perform the full show at that first game, so we’ve got a lot to do before then!
WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR MEMBERS AND OUR PROGRAM!
We have one class rule: “No one has the right to interfere with your education”.
EXPECTATIONS AT REHEARSALS
That means:
*Pay attention.
*Help each other.
*Be on time – don’t show up at 6:30 for a 6:30 rehearsal!
*Spend your time practicing your music (or marching, or flagwork) at home so we can spend our time rehearsing.
*Have a pencil with you, as well as your instrument, music or drill, and needed equipment.
*Take care of your equipment – put everything away at the end of each practice or performance.
*Percussionists are responsible for owning your marching sticks and a good pair of snare sticks for concert season.
*Do NOT play with equipment that isn’t yours.
*Do not talk or play at inappropriate times during the rehearsal.
*Please do not have food, drinks, or gum in the classroom.
*Listen to staff members, parents, and student leaders – they have your best interests at heart, and they may actually know what they’re talking about. If you have a problem with a leader – or anyone else in the organization – discuss the problem with that person before going over his or her head. That’s a sign of respect and much more likely to get the situation resolved constructively.
CONSEQUENCES: After a first warning in appropriate situations, students will be written up privately for the first offense. Second-time offenders will have their parents notified, and third offenses will start the road to school-defined consequences as described in the school discipline policy. PLEASE do not make any of these steps necessary, as the mere fact that we have to stop class to deal with your behavior will interfere with your education as much as the offense itself did!
EXPECTATIONS AT FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL GAMES
This is the only place much of our audience will ever see or hear us, so impressions made here can make or break the band’s reputation. Therefore…
*Try to perform your best every time you play.
*Represent your band well whenever you’re in the public’s view.
*Stay in full uniform in the public eye.
*Be ready to play at a moment’s notice when “on duty” and listen for directions from your director/field conductor/pep band director.
*Non-band buddies can sit alongside the band section but not within the boundaries of the band itself.
*You will get at least the third quarter off – please try to save trips for food and so forth until then.
Our usual schedule for football games – 5:30 p.m. arrival and getting into uniforms, rehearsal on our practice field, break, head to stadium, perform national anthem at 6:55, play in stands until six minutes before halftime, prepare for and perform at halftime, third quarter off, play in stands for fourth quarter. These performances are for the largest audiences we see all year – be on time, and be prepared – know your part!
Our usual schedule for basketball games - 6:30 p.m. arrival time, warm-up in band room, set up in gym, play between JV and Varsity games, usually play national anthem, introduction of players, play during first half occasionally, play at halftime, third quarter off, play fourth quarter, return all equipment to the band room before anybody leaves. Realize that more people hear and know about us through pep band than anything else we do – it is vitally important that we make a good showing at each and every game.
EXPECTATIONS AT CONCERTS
*We will need your assistance setting up; please provide it willingly.
*Please dress appropriately. It is a sign of respect for your audience, and it adds to the appeal of the performance for the audience.
*When someone else is performing, please give them your utmost attention. Refrain from talking or moving about.
*We will also need your help putting away our equipment after the concert as well; thank you in advance. Our concerts are where our bread-and-butter lies – this is the most musically important component of our program. Our accomplishments as musicians are judged by all in the concert hall.
EXPECTATIONS AT FESTIVALS AND COMPETITIONS
*You and the audience are there to listen (when you’re not performing!) – so LISTEN!!!
*Please consider the patrons around you when deciding to talk, and choose appropriate times, volumes, and subject matter.
*Your audience (or judges) will begin forming an opinion of the band the moment they see you, so begin your performance long before you play your first note. This is where the world outside Jerome makes their opinion of our program: how we perform at competitions and festivals. Make the most of the opportunity!
*IT IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE DONE THE RIGHT WAY - all of us will be judged by our actions, by our school and our public, and it is in everyone’s best interest that we treat people, places, and things the way we would want ourselves and our possessions to be treated.
TRAVEL PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
*Transportation to and from all school activities scheduled away from the district will be provided by the district; all participating students are to ride said transportation. If a student wishes to ride home with a parent/guardian, arrangements must be made with the director either verbally or in writing. The trip permission slip at the end of the hard copy handbook must be turned in before a student will be allowed to travel with the band.
*Follow printed agendas but be open to necessary changes – snafu’s do occur occasionally.
*Treat your chaperones and bus drivers like royalty – if they say jump, do it now!
*Start each journey in your assigned bus seat.
*Veterans, you are expected to set the example – set a good one!
*Students may switch buses only at the discretion of the chaperones or directors.
*Keep buses clean – don’t wait ‘till the end of the trip!
*SCHOOL RULES APPLY – especially regarding dress code, PDA, and improper language.
*Any changing of clothes (into/out of uniform etc.) will be done in an appropriate place; the only changing allowed on buses is when no one ever becomes even partially undressed – and since marching uniforms require full clothing underneath, this shouldn’t be a problem.
*Help with the loading and unloading of equipment, even if it’s not yours. If you have any assigned duty, make sure it gets done quickly and correctly.
On overnight trips….
*Pack as lightly as you reasonably can – space is usually at a premium on these trips!
*Bring only enough medication as you actually need for the trip (not the whole bottle), and it must be given to a chaperone to be dispensed to you. (This includes over the counter medications.)
*Wear appropriate modest sleepwear as well as daytime clothing.
*When staying in a motel, keep noise to a minimum and stay in your room after curfew unless there’s a real emergency (being out of soda is NOT an emergency). And don’t leave your hotel room a mess – that speaks volume about us as people.
*When staying in a gym, boys will sleep on one side, girls on the other, with a six-foot bare strip between the two. The director and/or a chaperone will be between the two. Students caught on the wrong side after hours will be dealt with severely. (And by the way, gym showers are fairly open – if you’re uncomfortable, you may decide to wear a swimsuit.)
*Help clean the gym, locker rooms, and any other facilities we use before departing.
Chaperones are needed on every trip, but especially on overnight trips. We apply an around-the-clock surveillance policy which asks our chaperones to take one-hour shifts through the night. Chaperones who value the quality experience for our students and parents alike are essential. All chaperones must be twenty-five years of age or older. Recent graduates do not count as chaperones. Parents and graduates are welcome at any event (or rehearsal, for that matter) and if the circumstances are appropriate are even welcome to perform with the band (always for pep band, occasionally with the marching or symphonic bands if high school enrollment is not a requirement for the situation and they know the music). But chaperones must be at least 25 years old.
SEATING AUDITIONS AND CHALLENGES
Symphonic Band seating order is determined by seating auditions done at the beginning of the second and third trimester. (There are no seatings during marching season or in pep band.) A challenge can be made by a member only to the person sitting directly ahead of that member. Each student selects one piece of music from the folder for the challenge, which takes place in private with the director.
Field conductors are promoted from successful assistant field conductors, and it’s rare that assistants don’t live up to their promise. So if a student is interested in becoming field conductor (or “drum major”), they should audition to become an assistant field conductor in May. A student must have marched with the Ambush of Tigers at least one season when they audition. The audition consists of conducting the band playing the national anthem, demonstrations of commands, marching, and poise performing a simple salute. The audition date will be determined in the spring, and the students accepted will be expected to attend the Cavalcade USA drum major camp in Boise
| Copyright ©2003-2006 Banddirector.com, Inc. | Site Administration |