Handbook, Policies, and Activities
August 2008 - May 2009
INDEX of TOPICS (click on the link to view details)
Financial Information and Fee Schedule
What are the Band Bucks used
for?
Essential Supplies for Band Class
Welcome to High School Band- New Students
Greetings from the
You’ve spent the past two years learning to play your instrument, perhaps participating in the solo, ensemble and district band festivals and presenting concerts. As you move on to high school you will have the opportunity to continue these activities plus add some new and exciting areas to your band experience.
Band at RHS will be very similar to that which you’ve experienced in junior high school. You will be enrolled in a concert band class which Mr. McGuffin will teach. This will be your “main” band class. In this class you will continue developing your skills on your instrument, play concert and marching band music, and get all the details and information needed to keep up-to-date with the band program. In addition you will have an option to participate in the Jazz Band, ensembles, music theory, color guard and winter guard classes, and private instrument lessons. With all these choices you have some decisions to make! I hope you’ll take a few moments to read this booklet, share it with your parents, and then decide in which parts of the RHS Band you want to participate.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the RHS Band or the information contained in this booklet. We look forward to meeting and working with you.
All
classes at
Concert bands are the foundation of our Band program at
Ridgeview. Students in the
concert bands are provided the necessary instruction to excel in music
performance on their instrument and in a group setting. Additionally, the concert band classes
provide an opportunity to complete routine clerical and record keeping tasks,
make announcements and keep up with the daily tasks of school.
The concert bands present approximately six concerts during
the year. Traditionally, these concerts
are presented in the fall, winter, early spring and at the end of the
year.
The PANTHER MARCHING BAND
represents
Membership in MARCHING BAND
is by audition. In other words, Marching Band is not required one must earn the
right to be included. The MARCHING BAND is composed of four facets which
when placed together produce a unified musical and visual performance. They
are: the Color Guard, the Pit percussion, the Wind instruments, and the
Participation in Marching
Band entitles you to an exemption from Physical Education as well as gaining at
least 1/2 credit for Performing Arts.
The Color Guard provides visual energy to the music played by the Band. Anyone is eligible to tryout for Color Guard. Upon being accepted into the color guard you will be enrolled in a color guard class (which meets after school) for which you will receive credit for your participation. It helps to have some knowledge of dance, but it is not necessary. Color Guard members twirl flags, rifles, and sabers, along with dance movements
The Ridgeview High School Colorguard is an integral part of the RHS Marching Panther Band and therefore considered a part of the music department. Colorguard members are selected through an audition process. Before the audition, each candidate is given instruction and practice on the necessary skills to succeed in Colorguard. Attendance at the clinic is mandatory.
To be a RHS Colorguard member requires a high degree of time, dedication, and personal responsibility. It is imperative that the members be cooperative, self-disciplined, and self motivated. The purpose of the Colorguard is to enhance the RHS Band, provide additional visual performance continuity during field shows and competitions, enhance school spirit, and represent RHS at all times.
The Drumline consists of snare, bass, and tenor drums and cymbals. The drumline plays the music and marches the drill on the field.
The Pit is a group of percussionists who most often do not move or perform the drill. The Pit provides percussive and mallet sounds to the marching band show. You do not have to be a percussionist to be in the Pit. In fact some of our best performers play other instruments in concert season.
Each spring RHS holds a percussion clinic for all students in grades 8-11 who want to be a part of the RHS marching percussion section. See calendar for details.
Marching Band Camp –
Tuesday, August 19 5-7 p.m.
Thursday, August 21 5-7 p.m.
Friday, August 22 2-7 p.m.
Saturday, August
23 8 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
· Dress comfortably and plan to be outside
· Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen
· Tennis shoes are required
· Bring your own lunch/snacks.
Marching Season Rehearsal Schedule
Marching
Season Rehearsal Schedule
August 26 -
November 10
Tuesdays 2-4
p.m. Full Marching Band
Tuesdays 4-6
p.m. Color Guard Sectional
Thursday 2-4
p.m. Drumline/Pit Sectional
Thursdays 5-7
p.m. Full Marching Band
Fridays Football games.
This schedule
will be modified slightly after October 1 to accommodate full ensemble
rehearsals.
The Marching Band will participate
in Saturday competitions during October and November. Dates for 2008 are
as follows:
October 11- Middleburg
October 25-
November 1-
Plan on devoting all day (7a.m. to
midnight) for band activities on competition days.
Financial Information…What
does Band cost?
It takes a lot of money to maintain a viable and
productive band program. The Ridgeview Band
does get some funding from
We believe that
all band students benefit equally from the fruits of their efforts. Therefore, it’s only fair that all members
contribute equally in time, effort and finances. The Band Buck Program
eliminates “a few people doing all the work” and replaces it with a plan where
everyone is equally involved in supporting the Band and its activities.
The Band Bucks Fee for 2008-2009 is $125 per
student. In determining this amount, it
was our desire to budget for all the anticipated expenses during the year. The
only expenses which are not covered by Band Bucks are band and guard shoes,
some guard uniform items, concert uniforms, and any trips out of state.
Payment 1 August
23, 2008 $25 (included
initial locker rental)
Payment 2 September
20, 2008 $50
Payment 3 October
1, 2008 $50
You are welcome to pay the entire amount by August 23
should you wish.
What are the
Band Bucks used for?
Students and families will have two opportunities to earn money which can be applied to
their Fair Share account. With
participation in these activities everyone will have a “fair” and “equal”
opportunity to earn money which will support the band as a whole and the
students in particular.
Renting a locker in the band room is not required. It is not a right. It is a priveledge! In order to take advantage of renting a
locker in the band room the student must pay the “Band Bucks” as outlined in the section above AND maintain
the locker. Maintaining the locker is
simple: keep it locked at all times, keep it clean, keep it fresh. Poor locker maintence results in the
priveledge being revoked.
The majority of activities from August to
November evolve around Marching Band and football season. Here is a broad outline of our yearly band
events.
August—mid-November
Weekly rehearsals and practices Monday—Thursday. .
Football games on Friday nights.
Three or four Saturday band competitions.
Tri-State Band Festival (selected students).
Festival of Winds (selected students).
December
Most of our activities from January—June
will be related to concert band. I can’t
forecast our specific schedule, but I can give you an idea of what is expected
of you and your time outside of school.
January—February
Preparation for District Solo and Ensemble
Festival will require that you spend some time in after-school rehearsals. This is not for everyone in the band program;
it is for those who choose to be a part of S/E Festival. Begin weekly after school rehearsal for
Festival Band.
January—mid-March
The Festival Band will work diligently to
prepare for District Band Festival.
There will usually be one weekly after-school rehearsal or sectional for
each band up until the festival date. Continue
weekly after school rehearsal for Festival Band
Late-March — April
This is usually a “relaxing” time of
year. With District Festivals completed
we can afford to do most of our rehearsals in class. There are a couple of concerts and special
events during this time.
April — May
State Band festival preparation will
require some weekly after-school rehearsals and sectionals. A few after-school rehearsals will be
needed for the spring concert and graduation.
The band uniform is an important part of our performance. A band needs to impress the audience with its appearance as well as the music. The uniforms of the Ridgeview Band are the outward symbol of the pride and spirit demonstrated by every Band member. DO NOT ASK IF YOU CAN WEAR ANYTHING ELSE. All band members are expected to be in full uniform for performances.
CONCERT UNIFORMS
All Band members will
make a one time purchase of a formal concert uniform. This uniform will be worn
for all the years a student is in the RHS Band. The uniform cost is
approximately $80 - $100. The uniform consists of a tuxedo for the gentlemen or
a long black dress for the ladies.
Ladies- Please call Donna Norville to make an appointment for your dress
fitting. She can be reached at 272-7378. Please do this before November 1 to prevent
delay in getting your dress on time.
Gentlemen – Please visit the tuxedo shop in Orange Park Mall (near JC
Penneys) to order your tuxedo.
MARCHING and COLOR GUARD
UNIFORMS
No cost is involved
in the marching and color guard uniforms. The uniform will be provided by the
Band and funded by the contributions to the Fair Share Program...
When in CONCERT or MARCHING uniform, please observe the following rules:
· No pins, medals, or decorations are to be worn on the uniform.
· Hair must be completely out of and away from the face.
· Small necklaces and stud earrings may be worn as long as it meets the approval of the director.
· No rings may be worn while in uniform.
· You may not wear any hair ornaments.
·
Fingernail
polish may not be worn while in uniform.
HOW TO PURCHASE CONCERT UNIFORMS AND BAND SHOES
MEN'S TUXEDO - Details in October.
LADIES BLACK FORMAL DRESS- Details in October.
BLACK
MARCHING BAND SHOES- Shoes are to be purchased in the RHS Band room.
We have samples for sizing. The cost is $22. Checks payable to RHS
Band.
Alternatively, if you have purchased marching shoes at another school, they
will be fine for RHS, as long as the shoes are solid black.
Jazz Band is an optional performance group designed for students who want to explore additional musical styles. This group meets for rehearsal outside the normal school day. Auditions will be conducted during the first semester of school.
Students are expected to attend class. Attendance is taken every class period; those who are present in class begin the day with 100%. Those who are absent from class receive a 0% for their grade.
This is an ensemble music class. The nature of the class dictates that no one individual is any less or more important than the other. All members are required to put forth their best effort to make the class "gel" together. Therefore, when even one person is absent, the entire class is affected.
Points are deducted from a student's grade if they do not contribute to the daily success of the music rehearsal. In other words, if you play your part, practice your music, and contribute to the class without causing distractions you will retain the 100% which you began the class. The director's opinion of each student’s success is, by nature, a subjective one and is final.
Students missing a class,
whether it be officially excused or unexcused, will have an opportunity to
"make-up" the time missed. Click here for
instructions or visit http://ridgeviewband.org/hndbk0808/makeup.htm
Grading Rubric
·
Classroom Participation
·
Tests, Evaluations, and Quizzes
·
Rehearsal and Concert Attendance
In
most cases these three elements are considered equally. Mr. McGuffin will advise the class as to the
specific category weighting during each quarter.
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The nature of "Band" requires that performance be a part of the student's assessment. Rehearsal goes hand-in-hand with performance; therefore it is necessary for the band to rehearsal and performs "outside the normal school day." Students enrolled in Band are expected to attend all class sessions, rehearsals, and performances.
If you find you cannot attend
an out of school rehearsal or performance please follow the links below for
make-up opportunities.
If you have to miss a rehearsal or performance.
Classroom
Supplies
Every student is
expected to have basic supplies at all band rehearsals (i.e. classes).
Beginning August 16 these items will become a part of the daily grading
policies as mention above.
Woodwind players: your instrument, your band music folder, all band music on which we are currently working, a pencil, 2 playable reeds
Brass players: your instrument, your band music folder, all band music on which we are currently working, a pencil, valve oil
Percussion players: your band music folder and all band music on which we are currently working. PLUS the percussionist’s basic supply list below.
Percussionist Basic Supplies All percussionists at Ridgeview High are required to have the following supplies in class, at rehearsals, and at concerts. This list is the minimum requirement. In most cases the students will want to supplement this with additional sticks and mallets. Listed in parentheses is a suggested style and model which you may use as a guide for selection. You do not have to purchase the exact model.
1.
Stick bag
2. Marimba Mallets - Hard felt or yarn (ie: Innovative Percussion F2)
3. Xylophone/Bells Mallets- Hard rubber/plastic (ie: Vic Firth M61 or
M62)
4. Tympani Mallets - General duty (ie: Vic Firth T1 or T3)
5. Concert Snare Drum Sticks 2B 0r 5A/B
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Programme in Music
It is possible that some of
you may be a part of the International Baccalaureate Programme at
The International Baccalaureate Organization’s Diploma Programme was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study that leads to examinations. It is designed for highly motivated secondary school students aged 16 to 19.
At Ridgeview, students in grades 9 and 10 are designated as Pre-IB students. Freshmen who choose Music as their “6th subject area” will enroll in either Band with Mr. McGuffin or Chorus with Mrs. Bice. As a freshman, the Pre-IB music student will attend Band or Chorus class just as they did in junior high school. Some additional assignments will be required through the course of the year.
As the IB student progresses through grades 10, 11, and 12 there will be ample time in their academic schedule to include Band.
This is real simple.
Students are expected to respect each other, the property of others, and keep
the Band room clean and tidy. Band will remain FUN if everyone works
together. Should there be a need to correct behavior it will be dealt
with on an individual basis and follow the guidelines outline in the RHS
Student Handbook.
Absences and make-up procedures
Even the most dedicated students find they must be absent occasionally.
Missing a rehearsal, class, or performance because of an absent presents problems for the entire band. The Band is a group composed of individuals who have committed to the common cause being in the Band and making music. When one individual is absent the entire group suffers.
There are several types of absences, they are:
We make no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. If you find you must be absent from an activity please follow the procedures outlined below.
Absences from a rehearsal or practice which occurs outside of school hours
· Print out the Activity Conflict Form and make-up form.
· Fill it out and turn it in to the band director BEFORE the absence if at all possible.
· Once you turn it in to the director you and he will discuss the appropriate assignments for making up your absence and agree on a completion deadline. The make-up assignment will normally require you to record yourself playing your current band music for a continuous 30 minute session.
· After you have completed your make-up assignment you and the director will discuss your work and performance on the make-up assignment and agree on a grade for the assignment.
Absences from a performance or competition. The Band is a performing organization. Beyond music education our sole goal is to provide music and entertainment. Consequently EVERYONE must be present and performing for our band to do its best. Hopefully you can see why being absent from a performance is not a good idea. However, if you must be absent because of an emergency, illness, accident, or death in the family please follow the procedures outlined below.
· Print out the Activity Conflict Form.
· Fill it out and turn it in to the band director BEFORE the absence if at all possible.
· Once you turn it in to the director you and the he will discuss appropriate assignments for making up your absence and agree on a completion deadline.
· After you have completed your make-up assignment you and the director will discuss your work and performance on the make-up assignment and agree on a grade for the assignment.
Absence
from a band class during the school day.
Follow this link for your make-up assignment.