Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook

Hampton High School

Marching Red Machine
2014-2015 Handbook





Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook

Hampton High School
Steven Kunka - Band Director
1491 W Queen St, Hampton, VA 23669
skunka@hampton.k12.va.us


Greetings,
Welcome to a brand new marching season! I look forward to
meeting everyone and having a successful year.
This season is going to be packed full of practices,
sectionals, games, competitions, and parades. Make sure you are
mentally ready for a big commitment that you will push you and
your fellow marchers to your personal limit.
As members of the marching band you are the faces of this
high school to the community. Remember, that no matter what
you think, you represent your school, this band, and your family at
all times.
This Handbook will answer many of the questions you may
have concerning the band program, so please use this document
as your primary source of accurate information concerning the
bands at Hampton High School.
Always remember: Early is on time, on time is late, and late
is left behind.

Sincerely,

Steven Kunka
Director of Bands
Hampton High School

Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Table of Contents

Cover Page.1
Welcome Letter from the Director...2
Table of Contents..3
Goals and Expectations of the Season..4
School, Band, and Staff Information...5
Attendance/Late Policy.6
Grading Policy7
Practice Expectations7
Classroom Protocol...7
Game Day Protocol...8
Uniform Policy8
Season Schedule..9
Football Game Schedule..9
Competitions/Parades......9
Band Camp Schedule....10
Things to bring to band camp11
Acknowledgment Form...13
Contact Information.14
Medical Information Form....15-16
Excused Absence Form.17
Band Fee Form18











Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook

Goals for the Season

To learn all of the show music by the end of band camp
To perform with high excellence in all of the competitions.
To develop camaraderie between the band members and
between the staff.
Develop strong individuals who are musically literate and
educated.

Expectations for the Season

Expectations of the Students
Arrive to all practices, sectionals, games, competitions, and
parades on time. (Remember: Early is on time, on time is
late, and late is left behind).
Arrive to all the events listed above with a good attitude that
will progress the band and not hinder the ability of the band
to make forward improvements.
Represent the band and the school in a positive way.

Expectations of the Director
Arrive to all events listed above at least 30 min before
student report time (possibly earlier if necessary).
Guide the band both musically and professionally throughout
the season.
Make sure that all students are progressing and to make
sure that students are achieving their own levels of personal
growth.




Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook

Red Machine Band Information

Hampton High School Information
o Address: 1491 W Queen St, Hampton, VA 23669
o School Phone: (757) 825-4430
Marching Band Information
o Band Room Phone:
o Band Email:
o Band Website:
Staff Contacts
o Director Steven Kunka
Phone:
Email: skunka@hampton.k12.va.us
o Assistant Director
Phone:
Email:
Other Staff:
o Woodwind Instructors:
o Brass Instructors:
o Percussion Instructors:
o Guard Instructors:
Student Leadership:
o Drum Majors:
o Flute SL:
o Clarinet SL:
o Alto Sax SL:
o Tenor Sax SL:
o Trumpet SL:
o Mellophone SL:
o Trombone SL:
o Baritone SL:
o Tuba SL:
o Drum Line SL:
o Band Librarian:





Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Policies and Protocol

Attendance Policy
o Excused absences are:
Death in the family
Medical Emergency
Observance of Religious Holiday
o A note from a doctor or parent must be turned in, in order for an
absence to be considered excused.
o Examples of unexcused absences are:
Homework
Work
Too tired/dont feel like it
o Consequences for unexcused absences
After one unexcused absence, student will not be able to
perform in that weekends halftime show. Student must
show that the absence has not affected their knowledge
of the show by means of an individual march/playing
test.
After two unexcused absences, students will not be able
to perform at the next competition. Parents will be notified
and depending on the situation, parents may be called in
to have parent/teacher/student conference. Student must
show that the absences have not affected their
knowledge of the show by means of an individual
march/playing test. If extreme negligence is considered
in the student, possible dismissal (decided by the band
staff) from the program may occur.
After three unexcused absences, unless an extenuating
circumstance exists, student will be dismissed from the
program.
o Late Policy
If a student shows up late to anything (student is not in
uniform by report time or student is late to rehearsal) they
will receive one point.
If a student receives 3 points, it will be counted as one
unexcused absence.


Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Grading Policy
o Grading will be broken down into these four categories:
Attendance: 10%
Playing tests (2 throughout the season): 30%
Marching tests (2 throughout the season): 30%
Attitude: 30%
o Marching and playing tests are to measure improvement in an
individual. There are not specific bars that students must
reach. This is simply an assessment of student growth.
o Attitude plays a big part in the camaraderie of the band. If a
student does not have a positive attitude, then they are setting
the band back. Attitude is a simple assessment to see if the
student is growing their maturity level and to see if they know
how to act within a group. Again, there is no set bar for where
students need to be. This is almost a first warning to make
sure students remember that they are getting an attitude grade.

Practicing expectations
o Rehearsal time is NOT practice time
o Students MUST come to practice with their music learned.
o It is not expected that they have their music memorized during
band camp, but it will need to be memorized by dates set
throughout the season (these will be assessed through playing
tests).
o Students who do not have their music ready to play and
rehearse will be sent to a practice room to learn their part. If
much negligence is considered on behalf of the student, he or
she may not be able to play in that weekends game.

Classroom Protocol
o On days where the directors declare that rehearsals are inside,
students are responsible for whatever setup and cleanup is
necessary. Even if the band room is a mess when the marching
band gets there, it is the duty of the marching band to make
sure that the band room is clean after we use it.
o Remember, you are representing the school, the marching
band, and your family.



Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Game Day Protocol
o Students will already be at the school for game day afternoon
rehearsal.
o Following rehearsal, they will have one (1) hour for dinner, to
relax, dress, and load the truck.
The order for loading the truck is as follows:
Drum line loads drums first, then eat.
While drum line loads, all winds will eat.
Winds will then load the truck (besides: Trumpets,
Clarinets, and Flutes)
o Students are to remain inside the music area during dinner.
o Students are responsible for all meal cleanups.
o At the announced time, students will be inside the band room
for inspection.
o If students are not ready by the announced time, they will
receive one point.

Uniform Policy
o Students are solely responsible for the care of the uniform and
everything that goes along with it.
o If a student looses or damages a piece of the uniform beyond
the realm of repair, they will be responsible for replacing that
particular item(s).
o DO NOT FORGET BLACK SOCKS WHEN WEARING YOUR
UNIFORM!














Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Season Schedule

Rehearsals
o Monday: Sectionals: 3:30pm 5:30pm
o Tuesday: Full Rehearsal: 3:30pm 5:30pm
o Wednesday: Full Rehearsal 3:30pm 5:30pm
o Thursday: Full Rehearsal 3:30pm 5:30pm
o Friday: Full Rehearsal 3:30pm 4:30pm
4:30pm 5:45pm: Load truck, relax, eat, get
into uniform
5:45pm - 6:00pm: Uniform Inspection, Load
Buses, and Depart
6:00pm 6:15: Travel, Arrive at Darling, and
Unload
7:00pm: Kickoff!!!!!

Football Games
o Band Members must attend all Home football games.
o All games will be at Darling Stadium with a kickoff of
7pm.
o Football Schedule for Band:
September 5
th
, Home vs. Woodside
September 19
th
, Home vs. Kecoughtan
October 9
th
, Home vs. Denbigh (Sr. Night)
October 23
rd
, Home vs. Menchville (Homecoming)

Marching Competitions
o Warrior Classic at Kecoughtan High: November 1
st
,
2014
o More TBA

Other Performances
o Coliseum Central Parade: November 22
nd
, 2014
o Hampton Holly Days Parade: December 13
th
, 2014
Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook

Band Camp Information

There are 2 weeks of band camp
All parts of band camp will be held at Hampton High School.
School rules still apply while on campus!!!
o Monday, August 18
th
Friday, August 22
nd

Monday Friday
9:00 9:15am: students arrive
9:15 9:45am: stretches
9:45 12:00pm: marching fundamentals
12:00 1:00pm: lunch (students are to bring
their own lunch)
1:00 2:30pm: sectionals
2:30 4:00pm: full ensemble
4:00 5:30pm: students leave/parent pick-up
o Monday, August 25
th
Friday, August 29
th

Monday Friday
9:00 9:15am: students arrive
9:15 9:45am: stretches
9:45 12:00pm: drill on field
12:00 1:00pm: lunch (students are to bring
their own lunch)
1:00 3:00pm: sectionals
3:00 5:00pm: full ensemble/drill
5:00 5:30pm: students leave/parent pick-up







Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Things to bring to band camp
o Hat
o Sunglasses
o CLOED TOE SHOES (no flip flops)
o AND SOCKS
o Sunscreen
o pencil
o binder (to hold all your music and exercises)
o water jug
o For the ladies:
Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied
back.
Other considerations
o It is possible that we will be outside most of the day. It
could be hot. Please keep this in mind when dressing
for band camp. Try to wear light colors and fabrics.
Wearing a white t-shirt and khaki shorts is cooler than a
black t-shirt and jean shorts. Be smart.
















Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Acknowledgment Form

By signing this page, I have read and accept all rules,
regulations, and policies of the marching band. I am also taking
responsibility of the care of the band instrument and uniform while
it is in my possession.

_______________________________ _______________________________
Student name Student Signature



__________________________
Date






________________________________ _______________________________
Parent name Parent Signature



__________________________
Date











Hampton High School Marching Band Handbook
Contact information

Student Name: __________________________ Graduation year: _______

Instrument: _________________________ Student ID#: ______________

Address: ____________________________________________________



Parent/Guardian Name(s)

____________________________________________________________

Home Phone #: _____________________________________

Parent Cell Phone #: _________________________________

Parent Email Address: ________________________________________

Student Email Address: _______________________________________