BAND HANDBOOK

GENERAL INFORMATION

Rehearsals

Music is rehearsed daily during Jazz Band, Marching Band and Symphonic Band class. In addition, all students who are enrolled in marching band will be in two band periods;  2nd period Drum Line/Color Guard class, or 3rd period Symphonic Band as well as 8th period Marching Band.  The 8th period Marching Band class includes Wednesday nights from 6 to 9pm, Friday mornings from 7am to the beginning of 1st period as well as all games, competitions and additional Saturday rehearsals.  Please check the schedule for specific dates and times .

 

Rehearsal Attendance

Attendance will be taken promptly at the beginning of each rehearsal. Students who are not in their seat or in an attendance block, with their instrument assembled and ready to play, at the scheduled starting time, will be considered tardy. Students will receive a grade based on meeting established standards and participation in class. Since it is impossible to participate if you are absent or tardy, everyday attendance in class is very important. Participating in a music ensemble is very similar to being on a team; if you do not show up, you are not just letting your section down, but the whole group as well.

Performance Attendance

The goal of all musical ensembles is to prepare for and give musical performances. As a result, attendance at all concerts is mandatory and will be factored into the students’ grade. Absences from concerts fall into two categories: Excused and Unexcused. Please remember that all absences from concerts can be very detrimental to the performing ensemble and greatly impact the overall performance of the group. Un-like athletic teams, bands do not have a bench to go to when a student does not show up. All students are important and counted upon for each and every performance.

Excused Absences

Serious Illness-  A phone call or e-mail must be received prior to the concert start time from a parent and the student must bring a note from the doctor explaining the illness the following day.
Funerals
Automobile Accidents
Weddings of Immediate Family Members
Religious Events
Court Dates

Unexcused Absences

Family Vacations (unless cleared by director)
Work
Medical Appointments (Reschedule if necessary)
Lack of Transportation
Forgetting

All extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the student will be reviewed by Mr. Brooks on a case-by-case basis. Students with excused absences will be assigned make-up work to replace the performance. Students with unexcused absences will be given a zero for the concert portion of their grade for the semester. Also, students with unexcused absences may be asked to no longer enroll in music classes at Golden Valley. All parents MUST notify the director of instrumental music in a timely fashion when it is known that a student will have an excused absence. A minimum of three weeks notice is expected except in cases where pre-notification is impossible.

Eligibility

All students in the band program are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA). Any student who falls below a 2.0 GPA will be declared ineligible and will not be allowed to participate in any performances until the following grading period, assuming the student has raised their GPA to higher than a 2.0. Any student who has a GPA lower than 2.0 for two or more grading periods (including progress reports) may be removed from any or all ensembles at Mr. Brooks’ discretion

Music

All music will be handed out in class by the band librarian or teacher assistant. This sheet music must be placed in a concert folio provided by the school. Each student will also be assigned a slot in the music cabinet for storing their concert folios. Please DO NOT leave music folios out in the band room. Students are given folios and slots to not only organize their music, but to insure it is stored in a safe place. Students are responsible for replacing all music which they loose-NO EXCEPTIONS!  A minimum fee of $2 will be charged for every piece of lost music.
Also, students who are enrolled in band will be asked to purchase their own individual warm-up books.  The cost of all required materials is included in the students’ spirit packs. These materials will be for the students to keep as long as they are involved in Golden Valley Music.

  

Part Assignments

  

Marching Band

Auditions for parts may be done during the first week of band camp for all instruments. If auditions are needed, students will be told in advance what they need to prepare. Percussion parts will be assigned in advance at the discretion of Mr. Juarez. There will be no challenges for marching band part assignments.

During Band Camp the staff will evaluate each student’s ability to march and play their part.  Students who are deemed lacking in these skills will be assigned as an X-factor.  X-factors will be charted into the show by the drill designer but their positions will be designed in a manner that they can be removed for competitions without having a negative effect on the show.  X-factors will be involved in every aspect of the marching band with the exception of being on the field for competitions.  As X-factors become more competent, they may be added to the competitive unit.  

Symphonic/Concert Band

Parts for Symphonic and Concert Band are assigned based off of playing tests and audition results. There will be one playing test early in the fall semester to establish initial chair placement. During 2nd semester students will be re-seated according to the results of the district honor band auditions. If a student is unhappy with his/her chair placement, a challenge can be made. To challenge, a student must fill out a “Challenge” form and give it to the director on Monday.  Challenge materials will be distributed or assigned during the next class period and challenges will take place on the next meeting following the announcement.  The director will choose the challenge material and give students adequate time for preparation.  Chair placements and challenge results are based upon the discretion of the director and are not up for negotiation or change. In addition, there will be no challenges allowed within one month of a concert date.