Band Hand Book

FOREWARD 

The purpose of this handbook is to provide valuable information about the band program. To consistently achieve and maintain the high standard of excellence desired by this organization, members should familiarize themselves with the regulations, procedures, and traditions of the band. Band is considered a full-year course, and students are required to participate in band both semesters. The only exceptions are academic conflict for a course needed for graduation or participation on a Davidson athletic team. Students dropping out at the spring semester will not be eligible to participate the following year. Color guard members that play instruments must also perform their instrument during spring semester to be eligible to stay in band. 

It is hoped that most questions are answered in this handbook. If a problem or question not covered in this handbook should arise, the Director should be consulted for an explanation. 

MARCHING BAND 

The marching band is a musical marching unit organized during the summer for the duration of football season. Membership is open to any interested student who has successfully completed a sufficient amount of prior musical training in a middle school band or other acceptable training organization. Transfer students must pass an audition for membership. Membership requires total dedication and maximum effort and involvement in all aspects of marching, playing, and performance.

A limited number of marching spots (approximately 65) will be given to brass and woodwind players who do the following: turn in a Marching Band Commitment Form and pay the first installment of the Band Fee. Alternate spots will be granted after 65 spots are given. Alternates should still attend all rehearsals. The Alternates will serve an important role of filling in for absent members and developing their musicianship throughout the marching season. 

Incoming freshman must pass an audition for membership into the band. The student must play 5 scales and the chromatic scale, and sight read to show musicianship and ability. All new members will attend a new member Rookie Camp during the summer. Everyone must audition for entry into the Davidson High School Band with the exception of students who participated in MCPSS honor band. 

Please note: it is Mobile County Public School System’s policy that students can only fail 2 classes, which have to be made up during summer school, to be eligible for marching band.

The marching band rehearses Monday through Friday during classtime, and on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Special rehearsals on Thursday may be called occasionally. Mandatory sectional rehearsals may be held as determined by the student Section Leader(s) and/or Directors and will be posted 1 week in advance. 

COLOR GUARD
The Color Guard is an important part of the marching band. This group spins flags, rifles, and dances during the halftime show. There are separate auditions for this group in the spring. Alternates will be chosen depending on the individual’s score during auditions. Alternates should still attend all rehearsals and may be put in the halftime show if skills improve. Alertnates will perform at the discretion of the color guard instructor and/or band directors.

Color guard members receive a PE credit, as do regular band members. The color guard rehearses at the same time as the marching band. Mandatory sectional rehearsals may be held as needed, determined by the color guard instructor, and will be posted at least 2 days in advance.

All guard members are expected to participate in Mardi Gras parades whether or not they are enrolled in a band class during spring semester. Any color guard member that plays an instrument shall be required to play in Concert or Symphonic Band during spring semester. Failure to do so will make them ineligible to participate in Color Guard the next year. If a color guard member does not play an instrument, then they are not allowed to use the guard room during spring semester.

SYMPHONIC BAND
Symphonic Band is the major concert band, composed of marching band members and any color guard members who play an instrument. Members are chosen by audition in the fall. Schedule conflicts that force a student to enroll in the symphonic band class will not automatically get a seat in symphonic band. The only way to guarantee a seat in Symphonic Band is to audition and earn one of the numbered seats allotted for that instrument.

Symphonic Band attends the District and State music festivals each spring. Symphonic Band also performs at the yearly DHS Spring Concert and other functions as needed. This group rehearses daily during the symphonic band class and some afternoons as needed.

CONCERT BAND
Concert Band is the second concert band, composed of marching band members and/or color guard members who either do not make or do not audition for Symphonic Band. The Concert Band repertoire consists of music appropriate to the level of the students.

Concert Band attends the District music festival and possibly the State music festival each spring. Concert Band performs at the yearly DHS Spring Concert and other functions as needed. This group rehearses daily during concert band class and some afternoons as needed.

YAYBAND
Yayband is the third band and focuses on fundamentals of playing, sound production, and music reading. 

Each offense earns 2 points. A 3rd offense (and any after) for the same issue earns 3 points.
At 15 points, students will either serve detention or sit out a performance, at the director’s discretion.

Leaving Jacket or Bibbers on the Ground

·       1st Offense: 2 points + 5 pushups

·       2nd Offense: 2 points + Cleaning Project

·       3rd+ Offense: 3 points + Cleaning Project

Missing Required Item (e.g. black socks, bibbers, shako)

·       1st Offense: 2 points + Warning or Borrow Fee

·       2nd Offense: 2 points + Organize chairs or flip folders after rehearsal

·       3rd+ Offense: 3 points + Parent contact + Cleaning Project

Wearing Uniform Incorrectly (unzipped, collar down, shako backwards, etc.)

·       1st Offense: 2 points + Fix it immediately

·       2nd Offense: 2 points + 5 pushups

·       3rd+ Offense: 3 points + Wipe down stands or straighten chairs

Disrespecting Uniform (throwing, dragging, crumpling, etc.)

·       1st Offense: 2 points + Clean and fold 5 bibbers or shakos

·       2nd Offense: 2 points + Help organize storage or uniform room

·       3rd+ Offense: 3 points + Director conference + Cleaning Project

Cleaning Project Options
(Assigned as needed for offenses or director discretion)

·       Sweep a side room (e.g. uniform or percussion room)

·       Wipe down high-touch surfaces (door handles, cabinets, chairs)

·       Vacuum the carpet in a designated area

·       Sanitize music stands or lockers

·       Sort and tidy storage bins or lost-and-found

Band members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Students should also be on time to all band functions.   

A.  Excused Absence from Rehearsal 

School Begins – After school begins, there is band practice every Monday and Tuesday after school until 5:30 PM. Please leave Thursday open from September-October as we may call after-school rehearsals in preparation for contest (or if we are rained out on Tuesday).

Students who work are reminded that JOBS MAY NOT INTERFERE WITH BAND REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES. Schedule dental, medical, and other appointments at times other than scheduled band rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday until 5:30 PM (and some Thursdays as announced).   

Unexcused absence from Tuesday afternoon rehearsal will not be allowed to attend the game.   

Examples of unexcused absence would be:  Missing practice without talking to a director. Talking to a director and not receiving clearance for that missed practice to be excused. 

Excused absences of Tuesday afternoon rehearsal will be allowed to attend the game Friday, but will not be able to march.   

Examples of excused absences would be: Doctor appointment of any type (dentist, eye doctor, general practitioner) with a doctor's note. A short amount of rehearsal time missed for a club that is arranged prior to the Tuesday rehearsal. 

Missing other rehearsal time 

Missing more than 15 minutes will be counted as an absence. Unexcused or excused status will depend on the reason for missing.
 

For after-school clubs that happen to be scheduled on Tuesday, we will end practice down at the field at 2:50 for our long break.  The student will be allowed to go to the meeting during our 15 minute break and for 15 more minutes of rehearsal time. Anything past this time allotment will be considered an absence.

B.  Unexcused Absence from Rehearsal 

• Most school-sponsored events can be considered excused absences, but they must be cleared with a director first.   

• Parent or Doctor note must be turned in by the morning of the performance.

• Any time that a student misses must be made up at the discretion of the director. 

• Absence from required rehearsals may forfeit your spot in show. A student will sit out one football game performance for every 15 hours of required rehearsal that is missed from summer rehearsals. 

C.  Tardy to Rehearsal 

Attendance will always be taken at the beginning of all rehearsals by the section leader. Section leaders give the roll to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Band Council to be recorded in the roll books. If a student is late, he/she will lose part of their daily grade. On the third tardy, he/she will receive a call-up (consult Hierarchy of Discipline). The Director will determine what is an excused tardy. 

D.  Absence from Performance 

An unexcused absence from a performance will result in a loss of points for that activity, and can be grounds from expulsion from band. Only in the case of extreme emergency or personal illness will a person be excused from a performance. Excused absences must be approved by the Director. Any absence which is not brought to the Director’s attention for approval prior to the performance will be considered unexcused.