Lumpkin County Bands

Lumpkin County Band Handbook DEDICATION, HONOR, EXCELLENCE “Direction-not intention-determines destination”

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this handbook is to provide a comprehensive guide for the entire band program in Lumpkin County. While certain elements pertain specifically to LCMS or LCHS, this manual will help students and parents understand the vertical alignment that exists within the entire program. The Lumpkin County band program is currently comprised of several groups. These “groups” are the Band of Gold (Marching Band), LCHS Concert Band, LCHS Percussion Ensemble and LCMS 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Bands. The LCHS Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band Jazz Band and the Percussion Ensemble are co-curricular activities meaning that a portion of the student’s grade will come from participation in after school rehearsals and performances. These activities may include: Football Games, Marching Competitions, Fall, Winter and Spring Concerts, Large Group Performance Evaluations and Graduation. The LCMS 6th, 7th and 8th Grade bands are also co-curricular activities and students will receive a grade for several after school rehearsals and concerts. Such activities may include: Large Group Performance Evaluations, Fall,Winter and Spring Concerts and school assemblies. Extra curricular activities at both levels also include: private lessons, participation in district band, all state band, Governor’s Honors Program (HS only), and other clinic band events, as well as solo and ensemble competitions. o Private Lessons - This is the responsibility of the individual student. Private lessons from a reputable instructor are encouraged and your director can help you find a teacher. o District band, all state band, and other clinic band events, as well as solo and ensemble competitions - These are auditioned groups that consist of the top musicians from surrounding counties and throughout the sate. Students AT EVERY LEVEL are encouraged to audition for these groups.

RULES AND PROCEDURES: All band members must be willing to cooperate with others and improve their skills through regular practice. They must have a sense of purpose toward a common goal and be willing to work toward that goal. We intend to conduct the band program in a manner that will encourage the student to achieve individual and group goals. Every member is important and the determining factor in the success of our band. Andrew Harwood, Director “Band is my favorite sport”-SJH 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-6186 x 20105 [email protected]

Lumpkin County Bands

GENERAL RULES: 1. Respect others and their belongings. 2. Be regular in attendance; account for all absences. 3. Be responsible for your actions. 4. Make a sincere effort to improve and contribute. 5. Respect those in authority. (Student leaders as well as adults) 6. Follow classroom and rehearsal procedures, school regulations and instructions. 7. No cell phones are to be used during rehearsal or band performances (School policy applies). 8. Respect the facility and equipment at all times. BAND ROOM RULES: 1. We spend a lot of time in the band room. PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF AND DON’T LEAVE A MESS FOR OTHERS TO CLEAN. Many hands make light work. 2. No food or drink in the band room except water. 3. No hats are to be worn in the classroom during rehearsal. 4. Instruments and music and any other equipment should be stored in their proper place. 5. The band room is not a locker or storage area for student belongings. Keep your locker clean and neat. REHEARSAL PROCEDURES: 1. All talking should cease when a director, officer, student conductor, or guest is on the podium. 2. Rehearsal will begin promptly on time. On time means being early to allow set up and warm up time. 3. Students will be permitted to warm up on individually as long as an appropriate warm up technique is used. (No blasting or banging) 4. Rehearsal time is work time. There should be no talking during rehearsal. Even talking about the music or other problems related to the music is a distraction. Usually, the director will answer questions if you pay attention to what is being said. If you have a question concerning the music, raise your hand. 5. Members should always have correct supplies such as: Black 3 ring binder, music, mutes, two good reeds, mouthpiece and a pencil. 6. At the end of rehearsal there will be closing announcements and/or comments that will be important. Members should not put instruments away until they have been dismissed. Make sure the room is clean when you leave. 7. Never use or play another person’s equipment. If you do not play it, do not mess with it.

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE POLICY A member of the Lumpkin County High School Band should practice a minimum of one and a half hours per week (LCHS students-2 hours). Regular practice sessions should begin with a warm up, scale exercises, rehearsal material from class, and etudes for personal challenges. Andrew Harwood, Director “Band is my favorite sport”-SJH 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-6186 x 20105 [email protected]

Lumpkin County Bands

AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS Marching Band (Fall) It is necessary to practice after school to have a great marching band. We will keep after school practice to a minimum so that our members can have time to do their homework and other responsibilities outside of band. The marching band will rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday during regular football season from 2:30 pm until 5:30 pm. The director reserves the right to call additional after school rehearsals if needed before a contest or to meet several hours before departure time on a contest day. If a student is unable to attend all of band camp they may become an alternate. Symphonic Band/Concert Band (All Year) While after school rehearsals in the spring are few, band students will have one weekend (Fri. 4-9 pm, Sat 9-1pm) dedicated to preparation for LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluations). Dates for these rehearsals will be sent home with students and emailed to parents that provide that information.

ATTENDANCE POLICY ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY I wish to have 100% attendance at all of our rehearsals and performances. I do realize that sometimes one cannot help being absent. The following policy defines what I feel are acceptable reasons for absence. EXCUSED ABSENCES MAY INCLUDE: - Personal sickness (requires Dr. note, or a parent note) - Religious Holiday - Close family wedding, funeral, or military graduation. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: - Work schedule conflicts - Camps or retreats - School club meetings - Private lessons - Make up work for another class - After school detention or school suspension I ask that parents and students arrange doctor and dentist appointments around our rehearsal schedule. Boy Scout camps, private lessons, etc. are all great activities but they are not excused absences. Having a superior band requires full participation from all members. Students should talk to club sponsors ahead of time to arrange club meetings with respect to band rehearsals. Band should be a priority. Make up work should be Andrew Harwood, Director “Band is my favorite sport”-SJH 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-6186 x 20105 [email protected]

Lumpkin County Bands

scheduled around rehearsals. Take time before school to collect and do your assignments. ANY member that misses a rehearsal for ANY reason may not be allowed to perform in a concert or march at the next football game an could possibly not be allowed to march at a contest (should there be one that weekend). There is no way to make up what is missed immediately before a performance. Excessive absences may result in the student being removed from the band. As the director, I realize that the time committed to the band is a great, but to do less would result in a less than average band program. We are only as good as our weakest player/marcher. The band will also have several after school rehearsals for concert festival beginning in late January. The attendance policy is in effect for every grade level (6-12) the entire school year.

LETTERING (LCHS): In order to letter in band or color guard, the student must complete one marching season. In addition, they must attend ALL rehearsals (including Drum Camp, Band Camp, Color Guard Camp) games, competitions, parades and concerts scheduled for the fall semester. Students are allowed two excused absences from practices (a doctor’s note or parent notification in writing). Three unexcused tardies equals one unexcused absence. A student is allowed ZERO unexcused absences.

BAND OFFICERS (LCHS): Band officers are student leadership positions and are extremely important to the success of the band. DRUM MAJOR - Appointed by audition and selected by a committee. Highest ranking student leader. - Conduct warm ups and fundamental drills at rehearsal and performance. - Direct and assist director at all marching rehearsals. - Receive awards at contests as band representative. - Lead by example; exhibit and demand self-control. - Be the first member to arrive and the last member to leave after functions and make sure the band room is clean.

BRASS/WOODWIND/DRUM CAPTAINS - Appointed by director after interview/audition. - Assist Section Leaders with the efficient management of their sections. - Arrive early for every practice. - Responsible for section in drill, music and uniform. - Lead by example; exhibit and demand self-control. - Be one of the last members to leave after functions and make sure the band room is clean.

SECTON LEADERS - Appointed by director after interview/audition. - Arrive early for every practice. - Responsible for section in drill, music and uniform. - Lead by example; exhibit and demand self-control. - Be one of the last members to leave after functions and make sure the band room is clean. Andrew Harwood, Director “Band is my favorite sport”-SJH 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-6186 x 20105 [email protected]

Lumpkin County Bands

COLOR GUARD CAPTAIN/ASST. CAPTAIN - Appointed by director and instructor after interview. - Arrive early for every practice. - Leads color guard group warm up for practice and performance. - Responsible for the guard knowing both drill and routine. - Works with other band officers to enforce policy. - Receives awards at contests as band representative. - Lead by example; exhibit self-control. - Makes sure guard equipment is stored in proper place, helps keep the band room neat.

LIBRARIAN (LCHS/LCMS) - Appointed by director. - Care for, file, and catalogue music. - Keep library neat and orderly. - Distribute and collect music. - Keep account for lost or damaged music.

TRAILER/EQUIPMENT MANAGER - Appointed by director. - Paint practice field - Responsible for loading and packing instruments and props. - Help with practice needs such as water for rehearsal. - Maintain practice field (paint lines/numbers) - Lead by example; exhibit self-control.

ALL OFFICERS SHOULD MEET REGULARLY WITH EACH OTHER AND THE DIRECTOR. THEY WILL HELP MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE BAND. OFFICERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR BAND INSPECTION BEFORE PERFORMANCES.

BAND CAMP (LCHS Band of Gold-Marching Band) (For clarity in this section, “band” refers to all LCHS musicians, color guard, and any other performers).

The marching band starts band camp two weeks prior to the start of school. All members are expected to attend band camp. Failure to attend camp will result in the member being removed from the band. Information regarding band camp will be sent via email or will be mailed to the member’s home address during the summer. If a student is unable to attend all of band camp they may become an alternate.

FOOTBALL GAMES (LCHS Band of Gold) All band members are expected to attend and perform at all Lumpkin County High School football games. Members are to be at their warm up areas at the appointed time for inspection. Uniform inspection is to be carried out by the band director, drum major, section leaders, color guard captain and drum line captain. Uniform infractions or disciplinary actions may result in the loss of the “3rd quarter break”. After inspection and warm ups, the band lines up to march into the stadium. The band takes their position in the stands in an orderly manner and remains at attention until instructed otherwise. During the game the band stands and is ready to play. The music for the night will be selected prior to the game and it is the responsibility of the Andrew Harwood, Director “Band is my favorite sport”-SJH 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-6186 x 20105 [email protected]

Lumpkin County Bands

band member to have that music in the folios. When a song is selected (shown on the placard held by the drum major) band member’s turn to that song in their folios and prepare to play. This requires your attention while you are standing. The band seating area in the stands is for current band members only. Boyfriends, girlfriends, former members, family members who are not band booster officers, etc. are not allowed to sit with the band during the games. The band will have break during third quarter after the band has returned to the stands from the half time performance. The entire band is to be back in the stands for the last two minutes of the third quarter. Failure to do so will result in suspension of individual or group breaks during third quarter. All band members are expected to stay during the entire game and march out of the stadium with the band. After you are dismissed from line, it is the band member’s responsibility to return to their equipment and uniform to the appropriate area, the member is then free to leave. No one is allowed to leave the campus with anyone except a parent or guardian. If your parent or guardian has given you permission to leave with someone else, the directors need a note from the parent stating the individual with which the member will be leaving. This is for the protection of the individual members.

UNIFORM POLICY (LCHS Band of Gold) THE LUMPKIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BAND UNIFORM IS NOT TO BE TAKEN HOME. The section leaders or parent assistants will hand out the uniforms before each game or performance. No member is to go into the uniform room and get their uniform on their own. Each member is responsible for a pair of black socks to be kept with their shoes. Shoes need to have the member’s name in them. Once the uniform is checked out, the member goes to an appropriate area to get dressed. It is the responsibility of the member to keep the uniform clean while it is worn. While the band is in uniform, no food should be eaten. Only drink water while in uniform. The exception to this would be during third quarter break at football games. Please leave your jacket in the stands with your instrument and be very careful not to spill or drop anything on the white bibbers. After games or performances, the uniforms are returned to their garment bag for section leader inspection (to make sure uniform is hung correctly). It is the responsibility of the section leader or parent assistant to hang the uniforms in their correct place. Other officers or band members may be selected by the director to help with this. During trips, the uniforms are taken to site in garment bags. Instructions will be given at site in good order and garment bags will be stored on the bus or band trailer. Uniforms are not to be worn casually. When the performance is over, please remove the uniform.

Andrew Harwood, Director “Band is my favorite sport”-SJH 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-6186 x 20105 [email protected]

Lumpkin County Bands

FINALLY Each of you is a very important part of this band program. Your commitment and dedication will result in a superior band; one in which you will be proud member. The more you put into the LC band, the more you will get out of it. The more you get out of it, the more you will have to put into it. Welcome! Sincerely,

Andrew Harwood Band Director Lumpkin County Bands 2001 Indian Drive Dahlonega, GA 30053 706-864-8616 x 20105 [email protected]

Andrew Harwood, Director “Band is my favorite sport”-SJH 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-6186 x 20105 [email protected]