Argyle High School

Student Handbook
(Spring 2013 - Spring 2014)
Marching, Concert, and Symphony Bands Director, Stephen J. Cook

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Calendar of Events Date June 3 10 24 July 1 8 15 22 July 29- August 3 Time 6-8p 6-8p 12-5p 12-5p 12-5p 12-5p 12-5p 9a-9p Sat 9a3p 2p 10-5p 5-8p 5-8p 4:3010 Description Marching Band Rehearsal Marching Band Rehearsal Mini Camp Mini Camp Mini Camp Mini Camp Mini Camp Band Camp

August 3 5-7 13,15,20,22,27,29 September 3,5,10,13,17,19,24,26 13,27

Parent Performance Post-Camp Marching band Rehearsal Marching Band Rehearsal Football Game Comp. at Oakland H.S. Competition at Vista H.S Comp. at N. Heights H.S. Marching Band Rehearsal

All day 14 (details TBA) All day 21 (details TBA) All day 28 (details TBA) October 5-8p 1,3,8,10,15,17,22,24,29,31

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4 5th 19 26 November 2 December 14 Feb 7 Feb 15 March 1 27

6p
All day (details TBA) All day (details TBA) All day (details TBA) All day (details TBA)

7:30p 7:30p TBA TBA 7:00p

March 29 May 1 26 May 30

TBA TBA 11a 8:00p

Homecoming Parade Homecoming (no band!) Competition at GM Field Competition at Green H.S. State Finals (tentative) Winter Band Concert Pre-festival concert Band Festival District Solo and Ensemble Middle school/Elementary combined concert/recruitment event(symphony band only) State Band Festival (tentative) State Solo and Ensemble Memorial Day Parade Spring Festival of the Arts

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About the Instrumental Music Program at Argyle High School

Ensembles:

Marching Band (0 cr.) - Fall only This performing group is required of all members in the concert music program. Attendance is mandatory for all rehearsals, camps, and competitions. The group will put on a 7 minute production filled with music, movement, and theater. The group includes woodwinds, brass, percussion, and color guard. Eligibility: You do not have to be enrolled in music classes to be a part of the color guard. Instrumentalists may join color guard as well. All members in the concert ensembles are required to be in the marching band. Rehearsals: Tuesday and Thursday from 5-8 on the main practice field Other events: Home football games, parades, and competitions (see above) Symphony Band (1 cr.) Fall and Spring This performance ensemble is by audition only. It consists of mostly upper-classmen and talented under-classmen. This group performs high quality repertoire at concerts and festivals. Students in this group will also be exposed to chamber music, theory, history, and ear training. Rehearsals: Mon-Fri 10:20a-11:50a Events: See schedule above for specific dates/times Concert Band (1 cr.) Fall and Spring This performance ensemble is dedicated to high school musicians who are in the process of developing collaborative music skills. This ensemble plays high quality repertoire at concerts and festivals. Focuses include chamber music, theory, history, and ear training, with a strong focus on individual progress. Rehearsals: Mon-Fri 7:30a-9:00a Events: See schedule above for specific dates/times

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Audition Procedure for Ensembles:

Concert Band and Symphony Band: Music will be passed out during a specified week in May. Students will have one week to prepare the audition music. Students will perform for qualified instructors on their respective instruments in a blind audition. Students who play the best auditions (and who have an acceptable attendance record) will be placed in the Symphony Band. The rest will be placed in the Concert Band. Incoming freshman may opt out of the audition for automatic placement in the Concert Band. All other students must audition. Auditions only take place once a year in May. Chair Placement: Students will be placed in chairs and principal players will be selected. Please note, however, that the ensembles work on the rotating-part assignment schedule and all students will be rotated throughout the section. Principal players are responsible for running outside sections and knowing their part for the first rehearsal

Marching Band Winds: There is no audition process for winds. Students will be assigned parts by the band director. Drum line: Auditions will be held in May by the drum line instructors. Students will have a chance to audition on any instrument they wish. The strongest player and leader will be assigned as the center snare. This person will serve as the drum line captain, who has similar responsibilities as the section leaders. Front-ensemble: Front ensemble auditions will be held in May by the front-ensemble instructors. Students will have a chance to audition on any instrument they wish. Section leaders: Section leaders will be announced in late May. In early May, audition packets will be available. Students will write essays and interview with the band director. These students must be in the Symphony Band and may not be a freshman. Section leaders will run sectionals in the summer, check dot-books during the year, take section attendance, and be responsible for mentoring younger students. Drum Majors: The Drum Major audition process will take place in early May. Audition packets will go out in the beginning of April. The Drum Major applicant will do the following tasks 1. Interview with the director 2. Student vote (not definitive, just used as data) 3. Conducting the fight song and Star-Spangled Banner 4. Essay packet 5. Turn in one letter of recommendation from other school staff or community

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Required Equipment:
Marching Band: All: Black sweatpants, shoes and a band jacket are required. Gloves are also required for winds.

Winds: Please use your own instrument. Clarinets, plastic instruments only (let me know if you need one.) Have working equipments\ (this includes reeds.) Purchase gloves from the uniform room. Percussion: Percussion equipment will be provided. Sticks and stick tape must be purchased at your own expense. Please have multiple pairs ready to go. Please cover the outside of your drums with a towel during rehearsals. Damage to instruments due to negligence will be repaired at your own expense Color Guard: Equipment will be provided. Please purchase a pair of gloves for spinning and be aware of makeup requirements for show costumes. Uniforms: Uniforms will be provided by the boosters. Pick up uniforms before competitions from the uniform room. Uniforms will be washed by the boosters monthly. Students will be fit in the summer for a uniform. Rules: 1. No eating in uniform (water only) 2. On the bus, wear sweatpants and jacket Fees: The band fee for 2013-2014 is New member jacket, shoes and sweatpants The band fee for color guard (non-instrumental) is New pair of gloves $250.00 $100.00 $200.00 $ 2.00

Band fees may be reduced through band-booster sponsored fund-raising.

Concert attire: Uniforms will be provided by the boosters. Men must provide shoes, black socks, and a white t-shirt. Ladies must provide black pantyhose and close-toed shoes. Hair accessories must be black.

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Adult Staff Members and their Responsibilities:

Brass/Woodwind Instructors: The instructors are in charge of sectionals. Sectionals will be outlined by the director before the rehearsal. The instructors must be sure to hit each point on the outline to the best of their ability. These sectional coaches should also be present during full ensemble music rehearsals, helping out individuals (even pulling them out of the group as necessary for a mini private lesson.) These instructors need to be there for full ensemble coordination rehearsals as well. For strictly visual rehearsals, these members need to be present and assist the visual instructor. The instructors comments are welcomed, especially when it comes to instrument specific pedagogy. Instructors may be asked to come to daily meetings before they teach. The instructors may not change anything in the music without consulting the band director first. The band director always has the final say. Percussion/Front Ensemble Instructors: These instructors are in charge of running percussion related rehearsals. They will be present for visual rehearsals (may be separate), music, and full ensemble rehearsals. These instructors will run sections and will audition their members for placement within the drum-line unit. As always, the band director and percussion caption head always have the final say. Percussion Caption Head: The percussion caption is in charge of the entire line of percussion. They are also in charge of helping to locate qualified staff. However, the band director has the final say in the hiring of staff. The instructor will work together with the percussion arranger to put together an appropriate percussion book. The instructor/caption head has the final say over the rest of the percussion staff. The instructor may make minimal changes as they see fit to help increase the effectiveness and accuracy of the drum line (i.e. stick height etc.) Large design changes must be run by the director for approval first, however. They will be present at all staff meetings and some design meetings upon request.

Visual Instructor/Caption Head: The visual instructor is in charge of all aspects relating to the movement of the ensemble. They will teach the basics block, freshman mini-camp, and all rehearsals that include a visual component. They are also responsible for teaching movement and body as well as adding it to the show as needed. The visual instructor must be proficient in using a type of drill writing software and be able to rewrite drill as needed (in a small capacity.) They will communicate regularly with the drill designer to ensure that the show is visually effective. Their input in regards to the visual design of the show is highly suggested. The visual instructor will help recruit other qualified visual instructors to be hired through the band director. In all decisions, the band director always has the final say. AGS- Student Handbook-7

Drill Designer: The drill designer is in charge of the visual package of the show. This person is hired outside of the band program. They will work with the music arranger to coordinate an impactful and effective show. The drill needs to be written by the date specified in the contract. The drill designer may make a trip to watch the marching band in person. The drill designer must also be available for rewrites as the season progresses. The drill writers input for show design and visual design is highly encouraged and welcomed. The drill writer will be present at the early stage design meetings. Changes to the show may be added with the consent of the director as the designer sees fit. The band director always has the final say.

Music Arranger and Percussion Arranger: The music arranger is in charge of the musical package of the show. This person is hired outside of the band program. They will work with the drill designer to coordinate an impactful and effective show. The music needs to be written by the date specified in the contract. The music arranger may make a trip to watch the marching band in person. The music arranger must also be available for rewrites as the season progresses. The music arrangers input for show design and music arrangement is highly encouraged and welcomed. The music arranger will be present at the early stage design meetings. Changes to the show may be added with the consent of the director as the designer sees fit. The band director always has the final say. Color Guard Instructor/Caption Head and Color Guard Staff: The color guard instructor is in charge of the entire line of color guard. They are also in charge of helping to locate qualified staff- however, the band director has the final say in the hiring of staff. The instructor will work together with the guard designer to put together an appropriate uniform and flag/sabre/rifle work. The instructor/caption head has the final say over the rest of the color guard staff. The instructor may make minimal changes as they see fit to help increase the effectiveness and accuracy of the guard (i.e. hand placement on flag etc.) Large design changes must be run by the director for approval first, however. They will be present at all staff meetings and some design meetings upon request.

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Student Leaders and Their Responsibility

Drum Major: The drum majors are responsible for the following items: 1. Setting up for rehearsal (on-time start) 2. Collecting attendance 3. Running the metronome 4. Conducting 5. Assisting at summer sectionals 6. Pacing rehearsal and repeating directions 7. Motivational and organizational leadership

Section Leader: The section leaders are responsible for the following items: 1. Running summer sectionals 2. Knowing all music from memory and being able to teach it 3. Know all count structures and horn moves and be able to teach them 4. Attendance 5. Dot book checks 6. Setting the tempo and working in a collaborative effort with the head drum major (center snare)

Attendance and Substance Abuse Policy

The schools attendance policy will apply to the concert bands. 2 tardy = 1 absence 10 absences = suspension 12 or more = loss of credit For Marching Band: All rehearsals, football games, and competitions are required. If you cannot attend, you must inform the director a month in advance. Fill out and submit the absence request form on the bands website (www.argylebands.com). The schedule is posted above. There is no reason to delay notification. In most cases, an agreement can be worked out in order to excuse your absence if it is a valid reason. Frequent absences can jeopardize your leadership role or future leadership roles. If a sporting event takes place on the same day as a competition, an agreement will be worked out with the band director and the coach (i.e. missing the morning rehearsal etc.)

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Drug and Alcohol There is a zero tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol. Students caught with either in their possession, or in their system, will be sent immediately to administration per the district-wide policy.

Grading and Course Credit Policy A students grade for the marching band part of the music program* is combined with the students grade in the concert band. During class time, the marching band assessment includes the following: -Dot book checks 10% -Music memorization quizzes 20% -Reflections (which also require you to reflect on your attendance) 30% *Marching band total: 50%

Concert band assessment: -scales test 10% -playing quizzes 30% -reflections 10% *Concert band total: 50%

Argyle High School Mission Statement:

It is our goal to provide every musician with the highest quality education. Every student will be exposed to quality repertoire, chamber music, and multiple new performance opportunities. Members will be treated with respect and dignity by all teachers and staff. Students will not only grow as musicians, but develop as human beings.

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Parent and Student Agreement

(Please fill out and return by June 10th, 2013)
Students Name: Instrument/section: Grade Level (circle): Home address: 9th 10th 11th 12th

Email:

Parent(s) / guardian: Parents Email: Parents phone:

I have read and agree to the policies above. I fully understand the calendar of events and will notify the band director immediately of conflicts. Student Signature: Parent/guardian signature: Date:

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