Welcome!! Dear Sandalwood Band Students and Parents, Congratulations on your decision to become a member of the SUPERIOR Sandalwood High School Saints Band!! As a part of our organization you can count on working very hard, making lifelong friends, being exposed to the best in music, and, of course having a great time!! The tradition of the SHS Bands is one of quality and respect, and we endeavor each year to elevate this tradition to new levels. You will be an important person in our effort to become the best band possible. In order to facilitate this, this SHS Member Handbook is provided for your information and reference. We are truly the largest, most active, most recognizable aspect of our school. With this stature, we are granted many opportunities and privileges to represent ourselves, our school, and our community. Therefore we must always conduct our business in the most professional manner. Students--read this manual carefully in order to understand fully your membership requirements. Parents--this manual also has material which will be of interest to you. After digesting this information, both student and parent need to sign the membership contract located at the end of the handbook and give the contract to Ms. Rose. I am looking forward to working with everyone and creating more musical highlights for Sandalwood High School!! SANDALWOOD BAND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Marching Saints During most of the first semester of school, the band activities focus on the marching band. The band is required to perform at all football games on Friday nights, both home and away. Other performances will include, but not be limited to, Pep Rallies, Parades and Competitions/Festivals. All performances are mandatory and are part of the students’ grades. In order to maintain our program’s SUPERIOR status, we follow a consistent, rigorous rehearsal schedule. All members will rehearse at least three(3) days per week. All appointments for outside activities (including jobs/work) need to be scheduled on a day that the students do not rehearse. This ensures that the full band will be present at each rehearsal. Students are penalized for absences, tardies, and leaving early. Rehearsals are mandatory and are part of the students’ grades. Competitions/Festivals are held on Saturdays, usually from mid-October to mid-November. These are required activities of the band. Students who miss these will be replaced with an alternate for the remainder of the marching season at the discretion of the band director. Dates for these performances are posted well in advance; there are no excuses for missing. Competitions and Festivals are mandatory and are part of the students’ grades. Band members must recognize the importance of all rehearsals and performances as a vital link in making this a SUPERIOR band program. Students who do not wish to march should find another elective. A “Merit/Demerit” policy will be in effect throughout the year. This, along with classroom participation, attitude, and test scores will also determine a member’s grade for any given period. Some students, for whatever reason, will not have a spot in the show. They will be considered an “Alternate”. Alternates are still required to participate in all functions of the band. Every student desiring to be a member of the Marching Saints must complete one three-week summer session of band. Here, students learn the basics of marching, music; and all of the skills needed to be a productive member of this SUPERIOR group. Every effort will be made to contact new students to Sandalwood and inform them of the summer session. Each year, all band members, including rookies and veterans, must attend the one-week drill camp which occurs the week before the start of school. During this time we will begin learning the show. Members who do not attend run the risk of becoming an alternate. Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensembie, Jazz Band, Winter Guard Upon the completion of marching season, the program switches gears to the concert season. All instrumentalists will be divided into three different ensembles which will perform concerts, festivals, and at other various functions for the remainder of the year. The Florida Bandmasters Association hosts the most important events. A calendar with dates and times will be posted and also given to each member. Band members will be required to attend after school rehearsals at least once per week. A student’s grade and eligibility for performance are directly affected by rehearsal attendance. Failure in band is usually due to attendance problems. Rehearsals are on the calendar and are mandatory. Students who receive a grade of “F” in band need to find a new elective the following semester. Grades are of utmost importance. Because of a state mandated Grade Point Average, band members must achieve good grades at all times. The GPA requirement for participation in FSMA activities is 2.0. Students who are declared Grade Ineligible lose all participation privileges for the following semester. These students remain in the band class, are still members, and will be given alternate assignments for grading purposes. In addition to loss of participation privileges, grade ineligible students will not be permitted on any band related field trips. Concert Band Concert Band is a non-auditioned group. Emphasis is placed on basic playing fundamentals. Performances include the Winter and Spring Concerts. Symphonic Band Symphonic Band is an auditioned group. More advanced playing fundamentals and techniques are developed. Performances include the Winter and Spring Concerts as well as all FBA events. Wind Ensemble Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group. Highly advanced playing fundamentals and techniques are refined and required for the difficult literature which is studied and performed. Performances include the Winter and Spring Concerts as well as all FBA events. Jazz Band Jazz Band is an auditioned group. Advanced playing skills are required in the study and refinement of all styles of jazz. This ensembles performance schedule is subject to change. MARCHING SEASON TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE (example only) Monday: Tuesday: 5:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Wednesday : 2:45 p.m.– 4:45 p.m. Thursday: 6:00 p.m.– 9:15 p.m. Friday: Game Schedule (see Calendar) Saturday: Competitions in October/November (see Calendar) Home Games Uniform issue begins at 5:15. Officer inspection occurs at 5:45; full band inspection is at 6:00. Instrument cleanliness, uniform cleanliness and completeness, music, lyres, serial numbers, etc. wilt be checked. Infractions result in loss of 3rd quarter break. Permanent 3rd quarter loss will be incurred for continuous problems. Away Games Uniform issue and inspection times vary according to travel distance. Bus sign-ups are done on a weekly basis. Rules regarding travel can be found later in this booklet. When the show has been learned to director satisfaction, we will drop the Wednesday afternoon rehearsals. In short, the quieter YOU are and quicker YOU work, the faster YOU learn the show and reap the rewards. Rehearsals will also shorten as the show is learned. It is up to YOU!! Drum Line and Color Guard Being a member of the Marching Saints Drum Line and Color Guard requires an extra commitment. Additional rehearsals are scheduled with our instructors. Members are usually notified at least a week in advance of extra rehearsals. CONCERT SEASON TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE Monday: Tuesday: 2:45 p.m.– 4:45 p.m. (Symphonic Band) Wednesday : Thursday: 2:45 p.m.– 4:45 p.m. (Wind Ensemble) Friday: Saturday: Uniforms for the concert ensembles: Guys: black pants and Tuxedo-style jacket, white tuxedo shirt, royal blue cummerbund and bow tie, black socks and black dress shoes. Girls: black dresses to be selected by director SANDALWOOD SHADE (Winter Guard) TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE *After school rehearsal schedule is TBA *Competitions occur on Saturdays DEMERIT POLICY The Sandalwood High School Bands utilize a Demerit System. Demerits are earned mostly for attendance and punctuality infractions. Accumulated demerits negatively affect a member’s grade in a progressive manner. Infractions and a demerit scale are listed below: Infraction Demerits Late to/Leaving early from Rehearsal 1 Missing Rehearsal 2 Late to/Leaving early from Performance 2 Missing Performance 4 # of Demerits Grade Change 0-3 None 4-7 1 Letter Grade Lower/Benched 8-10 2 Letter Grades Lower/Benched 11-13 3 Letter Grades Lower/Benched 14+ Failure (“F” in Band for that period) Most Demerits may be made up (bear in mind that the task of making up demerits will be more difficult than attending or being on time to a practice or performance). Missing any Competition or FBA Festival CAN NOT be made up. Generally, there are no excused absences. Calendars are given out on a frequent basis so that members have adequate time and opportunity to coordinate schedules. The Sandalwood Band Calendar can be accessed at www.sandalwoodband.org. With proper, prior written notification from a parent or guardian an infraction MAY result in fewer demerits than what is prescribed, at the discretion of the director. Winter Guard After the marching season is concluded, an auditioned group of Saints Color Guard compete as members of the Sandalwood Shade. Incorporating equipment skills, dance, and staging, a show is learned and performed usually on a gym floor. Competitions are held on Saturdays from January through April. Attendance at after school rehearsals and competitions is mandatory to maintain and elevate Shade’s SUPERIOR status and part of the students’ grades. GENERAL BAND ROOM RULES 1. No eating, drinking or gum chewing. This includes all rehearsals and performances. 2. Keep the band room clean of all personal articles. Take your books with you to class. Books, clothing, music, etc. left unattended in the room will be put in the lost and found to be bought back by the owner. 3. Put your name on everything you own or that is checked out to you. 4. Be on time to class. 5. Be early for rehearsals and performances. Early is on time; on time is late. 6. Respect and be kind to others. We are a team - and are all in this together. 7. Do not say the S-word EVER! RULES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING MARCHING BAND REHEARSAL 1. Shirts, socks, and tennis shoes are required at all rehearsals. 2. Silence. 3. Be early - tardiness will warrant push-ups and demerits. 4. Bring coordinate sheets and music everyday. Replacements are $1 and $.25 respectively. 5. ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. 6. No one will drive to the driver’s training range. 7. Instruments everyday. 8. Rehearsals - rain or shine. 9. Schedule appointments on non-rehearsal days. 10. Staff members and volunteers are to be treated with respect at all times. 11. MEMORIZE MUSIC ---- TODAY!!! 12. Take instruments home and practice. Remember the 5 P’s...Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. 13. If arriving late or leaving early, go directly to the Assistant Drum Major to check in/out. This is your responsibility. FOOTBALL GAMES/COMPETITIONS/FESTIVALS ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES 1. No jewelry (including watches, earrings, etc.) 2. No make-up (guard excluded). 3. Uniform and instruments cleaned! 4. No PDA (public display of affection) while representing the band in uniform. This includes holding hands, kissing, hugging, etc. 5. While in uniform...ALL OF IT OR NONE OF IT!! 6. Flip folders and lyres are required - checked at Inspection. 7. No friends or relatives in the stands or the band area unless they are chaperons. 8. NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE STANDS, EVER!! 9. Everyone must have a band shirt on for performances. 10. In the stands - no unorganized or vulgar displays, unruly behavior that will bring discredit to our program or its members. 11. 3rd quarter break is a privilege. Be back and ready to play on time (0:00). FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES There are certain financial obligations for which each member’s family is responsible. A program as successful and active as ours operates on a significant budget. In order for the SHS Bands to excel, the band must depend on each member being responsible for a portion of this yearly budget. The budget is set at the beginning of each school year by the Band Director and is approved by the Sandalwood Band Booster Board. Each member’s monetary obligation is as follows: All Band Members Participation Fee: $325 We ask that all monies be paid either at one time at the beginning of the school year or in three installments due on designated dates. Please contact the Band Director immediately if there are any situations or concerns regarding this policy. Alternative payment arrangernents can be made. Students who do not reach fair share will be placed on the school obligation list and will put their membership in jeopardy. SANDALWOOD BAND BOOSTERS A program as large and active as ours requires a motivated booster group to provide us with the things we need to succeed. This group is the Sandalwood Band Boosters. Every member’s parents/guardians are automatically members of our booster organization. The Band Boosters meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the SHS Band Room. FUND RAISING The SHS Band operates on a substantial budget. It is not feasible for the school system to provide the funds necessary for a quality program to excel. For this reason, fund raisers are developed and run by the Sandalwood High School Band Boosters. Since EVERY band member benefits from the efforts of the Band Boosters, EVERY band member’s parents/guardians are expected to participate within the booster organization. Parents/guardians mostly decide their own role in the group. Volunteer sign-up sheets are available on the band web site at www.sandalwoodband.org. Students may also participate in several fund raisers which will provide monies for their own individual band account. Funds placed in student accounts may be used for trips, instruments, band accessories, etc. Any funds remaining in an account upon conclusion of a student’s SHS Band career will revert to the general band fund. SAINTS BAND MEMBERSHIP CONTRACT 1. Each band member is responsible for his/her own music. 2. .Each band member is responsible for his/her own individual instrument. 3. Each member will purchase or rent his/her own instrument. 4. All regular rehearsals are required and graded. 5. All concerts and festivals/contests are required and graded. 6. Any extra rehearsals will be planned and announced at least one (1) week in advance. 7. Uniforms for the Symphonic/Concert Bands/Wind Ensemble are required. 8. Marching Uniforms will be checked out before and checked in after each performance. Outside of our prep area, uniforms will be worn in their entirety, including accessories. 9. Tardiness and Absences from rehearsals and performances will result in the giving of demerits. Parent signed notes may reduce the number of demerits given. An accumulation of demerits will result in progressive drops in the student’s letter grade (see the demerit policy). Students will have the opportunity to make up most demerits before end of each grading period. 10. Student leaders and Staff are not authorized to approve or disapprove excuses. 11. Any student missing rehearsal the day of, or last rehearsal prior to, a performance may not be permitted to participate in that performance. 12. Grades will be based on... a) attendance, b) effort, c) attitude/conduct, d) skills, e) knowledge of materials, f) class participation, g) performance participation. 13. Gum, food, drink, candy, cough drops, etc. are not permitted in the music department facility or at any rehearsal or performance. 14. Keep band room, instrument rooms, and practice areas neat at all times. 15. Be courteous to others and take pride in your band program. 16. Members will abide by all rules regarding travel. 17. Members are responsible for any financial obligation incurred or they face dismissal from the Sandalwood band. 18. Members will achieve and maintain a 2.0 GPA in order to perform. 19. All school and school board policies and rules apply. **Failure to comply with above guidelines will result in disciplinary action determined by the nature of the behavior. We have read and understand the SHS Saints Bands Handbook and the above rules and hereby agree to abide by them. Student Signature/Date: __________________ Student Name: __________________ Parent/Guardian. Signature/Date: _____________________ Parent/Guardian Name: _____________________ Contact Information Mara Rose, Director of Bands SANDALWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 2750 JOHN PROM BLVD. JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246 904-646-5100 x142 www.sandalwoodband.org