Land O' Lakes High School Band & Guard Handbook

PREFACE

This handbook has been written in order to provide band members, parents and other interested persons with information concerning the various activities and policies of the band program at Land O' Lakes High School. All band members and parents are urged to read this booklet carefully in order to avoid conflicts with the policies stated.  School rules and policies are enforced at all times for any activity sponsored by, or, in the name of Land O' Lakes High School.  The band conductor shall have authority to suspend or amend any band policy at any time necessary in the best interest of the overall band program.

LAND O' LAKES BAND OBJECTIVES

The Land O' Lakes Gator Band forms an integral part of campus life. It is one of the largest and most active voluntary student organizations and its members form a diverse cultural group. The primary objectives of the band program are:

1.) Cultural: To foster the continued development of music appreciation and understanding through the study and performance of the best literature available.

2.) Educational: To develop interested and discriminating listeners, provide a well rounded musical education, and prepare students for musical activities in and beyond high school.

3.) Service: To lend color and atmosphere to certain school events while promoting and enhancing the dignity and reputation of Land O' Lakes High School at all appearances.

4.) Citizenship: To develop the ability to function as a responsible member of a group, to enhance the students ability to interact with others in a positive manner, and to develop the ability to function as a responsible member of the community.

5.) Recreational:  To provide all students with an opportunity for worthy use of leisure time, an emotional outlet, and good social experiences.

Classroom / Rehearsal Rules

1.) Students must be in the band room at the start of class time. Rehearsal will begin immediately.

2.) There are to be NO materials that are not needed for band at the student's seat. All a student needs is music, an instrument, and a pencil.

3.) All students will receive music. If music is lost, the student will pay a 25-cent fee to get a new copy.

4.) Students must bring a pencil to class every day, and for all rehearsals.

5.) There is to be no talking during rehearsals, unless given permission by the director. If a student has a question, they are to raise their hand and wait to be recognized.

6.) To receive credit for daily participation, all students must have all necessary materials, instrument, book, music, sticks, reeds and a pencil.

7.) No food or drinks are allowed in the band room unless instructed other wise by the band director. This includes gum and candy.

8.) Students should respect the building and the equipment in it. There is absolutely no running, chasing, hitting, or any other inappropriate behavior allowed in the band room.

9.) Students are not allowed to leave their seats during rehearsal without permission from the director.

10.) No one is allowed to play the percussion instruments except the percussionists.

· These rules are designed to provide a safe, open, and quality-learning environment. They are easy to follow if you use common sense and accept responsibility.

Excused Absence

If a band activity must be missed, an excused absence may be obtained only for the following reasons:

1.) Death in the family

2.) Extreme personal illness: The student is generally expected to have a doctor's note stating the student's inability to perform.

3.) Situations involving extenuating circumstances, situations of a "one time only" nature, or circumstances relating to personal family emergencies may be excused at the discretion of the band director.

4.) Students who are actively participating and representing Land O' Lakes High School in an actual competitive activity, field trip, or similar activity may be excused from rehearsal at the discretion of the conductor.

5.) In the case of students involved in sports activities: If the student has a game when the band has a rehearsal, the student may be excused from rehearsal. If the sport team is practicing and the band has a performance, the student will be expected at our performance.

6.) Dental appointments, non-emergency appointments, and meetings in general WILL NOT BE EXCUSED. Band calendars are provided so parents can schedule around band events.

7.) Nsync\Brittany Spears concerts and various other pop band concerts are not an excuse to miss band practices or performances.

MARCHING BAND

The Land O' Lakes High School Marching Band performs at all home football games at the LOLHS stadium. The band also travels to approximately five away games. We also perform at various parades and events throughout the year. All performances are mandatory. All students registered for a band class during the day are automatically in the marching band.

All marching band members are responsible for having marching band shoes, gloves and black socks. The cost is $22.00 for the shoes and $3.00 for the gloves. No jewelry should be showing when in uniform. Students also need to have the appropriate lyre with flip folder for their music.

Each marching band student will be issued a band uniform. These uniforms are mainly stored at school. There may be various situations when a student needs to take a uniform home. Band members are responsible for the care of their uniforms. The student or his/her parents will pay for any unnecessary damage. These uniforms are very expensive and need to be taken care of. There will be a $20 uniform fee for dry cleaning expense.

Marching band members are required to have a Land O' Lakes High band T-shirt. The shirts cost $6.00 each.percussionists.

Drummers are required to have their own sticks for their instrument. Every drummer will need bell mallets and snare drum sticks. Bass drummers: Vic Firth Bass drum mallets Snare drummers: Vic Firth SD 1 general snare drum sticks (for concert)         Ralph Hardeman sticks for marching

JAZZ BAND

The Land O' Lakes jazz band meets on Monday's at 5:00p.m. in the band room. The students have to purchase a Jazz Band T-Shirt. This is a polo shirt with a jazz logo and the student's name on the shirt. The jazz band performs at many school and community events. Jazz students have to be dedicated and willing to perform several events in a week if called upon. This group has an outstanding reputation and strives to maintain that reputation of excellence. Two or more unexcused absences for jazz band rehearsals or performances will result in the students being excluded from jazz band. All jazz band students are expected to be on his/her best behavior during rehearsals and performances. Any inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and may result in the student being excluded from jazz band.

SCHOOL OWNED INSRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

Each student who uses a school-owned instrument is completely responsible for the care of that instrument or equipment. Lost or damaged items shall be replaced at the student's expense. Before school-owned instruments are used, a check out form must be completed, signed, and filed by the conductor. Students are responsible for purchasing their own mouthpieces and reeds for their instrument.

BAND BOOSTERS

The band boosters are a very critical part of the band program. Parents who join assist in special activities and provide constant support for our program. Their involvement allows the band director to devote more time and energy to the musical aspects of the band. All parents who wish to be involved with the band boosters must complete volunteer registration materials, which remain on file with the school. Cheryl Tyler is the current Band Booster President.

GRADING POLICY

Every student will receive 10 points daily for classroom participation. There will be pop quizzes, which are worth various points. Written test points will vary depending on the size of the test. Football game performances are worth 60 points each. Each band practice is worth 40 points. Each band concert is worth 100 points. There will be playing tests worth 20 points each.

COMMUNICATION

Mr. Mathis communicates through email. Every parent who has email access will be emailed messages throughout the year. Mr. Mathis also communicates through the students' band notebooks. Students take notes in notebooks so they can remember dates and times of events. Parents need to check these notebooks frequently. Mr. Mathis's email address: mastercraftkenny@hotmail.com .

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

This handbook was done to outline as many policies as possible. Obviously, not every circumstance was discussed. Therefore, I believe in an open line of communication with students and parents. Keeping each other informed helps to eliminate most problems. If we work together we can clear up any situations that arise during the year.

We have high expectations for the Land O' Lakes Gator Bands, and with everybody's help we can have a wonderful year. We have the talent, and I intend to help in any way I can to achieve our goals. With hard work and practice we can be one of the greatest bands around.

Musically yours, Kenny Mathis - director of Land O' Lakes High School Band

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