Dear DGS Colorguard students and parents,
Welcome to the colorguard program! This handbook is designed to answer any questions you might have concerning our colorguard. Please read all of the information and look over the scheduled rehearsal and competition days.
At the end of this handbook, you will find a place for both students and parents/guardians to sign their names. Please fill this out and include the date as an indication that you and your daughter have read the handbook and understand all of the policies. Your daughter will need to return this part of the handbook by Thursday, June 11th 2009
I am very excited to be working with the students here at Downers Grove South H.S. and I am looking forward to another very fun and successful colorguard season!
Sincerely,
Beth Refsnider
What is colorguard?
Here is one of my favorite descriptions, thanks to ehow.com:
"One of the most interesting parts of watching a marching band is the color guard. While the patterns of musicians rhythmically marching across the field may hypnotize, some of us may find our gaze broken by the frenetic twirling of brightly colored flags. The color guard has the unique responsibility to interpret the music through visual effects. These effects can range from flags, wooden rifles, sabers, or other props. Using a variety of colors, members of the color guard can set the mood of any marching band song. Due to the relationship between color guard and military drills, you have to practice to become a member of a color guard team. How many people do you know that can throw a flag ten feet in the air and catch it? There is a lot of work that goes into color guard routines. So, while there are many artistic elements to this sport, there is also a great deal of competition. Due to its increasing popularity, some have even suggested that it should become an Olympic sport."
In colorguard, we emphasize training in the student’s ability to spin, dance, and perform. It is very much so a group activity, so learning to perform together is the ultimate goal (along with having fun of course!).
What is expected of colorguard members:
The greatest single factor that will determine the success of any organization is attitude. It takes dedication to reach goals. Students are expected to come to rehearsal with the right attitude of sincerity, concentration, and dedication to working hard to achieve success with her teammates. A good attitude and a strong work ethic is the difference between a winning organization and a mediocre group.
Members of the DGS colorguard are asked to make a commitment to the program through their time and effort. As a member, you are required to commit to the rehearsal and performance schedule, and you are required to show up on time. You are also expected to follow all of the behavioral rules set by DGS High School and to respect your instructors, peers, and chaperones.
When the members of a competing group have pride, maturity, class, and style, it shows. When the members of a group are lacking these qualities, it shows even more. Remember, it takes much longer to build a good reputation than to ruin one.
Attendance Policy:
Conflicts with the colorguard schedule are the responsibility of the student. Rehearsal and performance schedules are given out in advance so that arrangements can be made. Colorguard is a demanding activity and involvement in outside activities should be limited to those that are compatible with the guard schedule.
Students and their families are requested to plan appropriately when scheduling appointments, etc. so that rehearsals and performances are not missed.
Attendance at all practices and performances is mandatory. The only excused absences will be for a death in the immediate family, personal illness verified with a note from your parent, or an approved school-related activity with a note from a teacher. If a student needs to miss part or all of a rehearsal, an excused absence form must be filled out and given to Beth Refsnider (or put into the band mailbox) prior to rehearsal in all cases except illness. When you miss rehearsal because of illness, please let a captain know (just so we know you're not going to be here so we don't worry about you!) and bring an absence form to the next rehearsal. Excuses such as work and homework are not acceptable. A link to the excused absence form is at the bottom of this section. You can usually find copies of the form on the table outside of Mr. Roselieb's office as well.
If a student is well enough to attend class during the school day, the student is expected to attend rehearsal. In order to leave early from practices and competitions, the student must have a note written and signed by a parent stating a reason for the early dismissal.
Every individual in the organization is a valued, contributing member, and any single absence detracts from the quality of our preparation and performance. Your contribution reflects on the entire group.
Any student with an unexcused absence during the practice before a competition will not be allowed to participate in the competition trip. A great deal of information is given right before performances and it detrimental to the rest of the team if a student misses those rehearsals.
Excessive tardiness or absences will result in the student losing their spot in the colorguard program. Again, this is because every individual’s attendance and performance contributes to the success of the guard. If someone isn’t showing their commitment, it hurts the overall effectiveness and attitude of the group.
Click here for the excused absence form: http://iwr.csd99.org/south/music/MM%20Stuff/Absence%20Request%20Form.pdf
What if I want to be involved in another sport or after school activity?
Participation in other activities is definitely encouraged! However, since colorguard is such a team sport, it must be your first priority.
For example, if a student wants to be on the cross-country team, and cross country has their practices immediately after school, that does not conflict with our 6 - 9 rehearsals and is completely fine. However, if there was a cross-country meet/competition on a colorguard rehearsal or performance day, the student will not be excused from our rehearsal to attend.
The Alternate System:
During the spring before the marching season, we have to set the number for the colorguard so the drill writer can start writing the show. Because of grades, absences, illness, injuries, and the competitive nature of the marching band, we always set the performance number lower than the number we start out with in the spring. For example, if we have 25 students sign up for colorguard in the spring, we will set about 20 drill spots for the show. During band camp, students essentially audition for these spots.
This is very similar to the way a football or soccer team works. If there are 30 people on the team, they all practice together and work out together, but not all of them play throughout the entire game.
Placement for these spots will be determined by marching and spinning ability, along with attitude, attendance record, and number of tardies.
Students who do not immediately get a position on the field will be assigned a shadow spot. All shadows or "alternates" are FULL members of the colorguard. They will be issued uniforms and are expected to participate in all practices. During fall rehearsals and competitions, they will share a drill spot with another student according to which movement they know the best and are most comfortable with. Students who are assigned a shadow or "alternate" spot will have a full drill spot and perform with the band for all parades and all football pre-game performances.
In the event that a student has to quit the team because of an injury or illness, or if a student performing the show is showing a poor attitude or performance level, has multiple attendance issues, or becomes academically inelligible, an alternate will either temporarily or permanently replace that student. Any student who has their participation level altered due to attendance issues or behavioral consequences will not be refunded.
What to expect during rehearsals:
At the beginning of rehearsals, we will stretch individually or as a group, depending on how much time we have before meeting up with the rest of the band. We will go through some basics exercises, which you are expected to have memorized by the time band camp starts. The quicker we can go through warm ups and basics, the more time we can spend on learning/improving our choreography. Typically we will have an hour or two hours on our own as a colorguard before we join the band for ensemble time
Please wear appropriate clothing to rehearsal. In order to dance and spin, you will need to wear clothing that allows you to move. Jeans and/or sandals are not allowed. Please wear pants that you can dance in and tennis shoes that allow you to point your toes in. Also, realize that our season ranges from extremely hot summer days in August to very cold and rainy days in October. Be prepared for whatever type of temperature we may encounter!
Colorguard is a physically challenging activity. Throughout the season, we will have abdominal workouts, cardiovascular exercises, and we will also be running. In order to spin and stay strong throughout an 8-minute marching show, it is important that you are in shape and strong.
What we expect of you is pretty simple: Show up on time, work hard, keep a great attitude, keep quiet during ensemble time, and have fun!
What to expect during competition days:
Competition days are long but are also one of the best parts of colorguard. During competition days, we will typically arrive at DGS fairly early in the morning, rehearse, get into uniform and do hair and makeup, and then jump on the bus to go to the competition.
Students are expected to eat a good breakfast, and either bring food or bring money for food. Students will always get schedules before each competition that will tell them when to arrive and what meals they will need to provide for themselves.
When we arrive at the competition site, we will warm up and then perform with the marching band. Afterwards, students will get out of uniform (bring warm clothes to change into!), and eat/watch other performances. We typically get back to DGS pretty late.
What we expect of you during performance days: Show up on time, work hard, keep a great attitude, have a great performance, only say positive things about other groups when you're watching them, and have fun!
As a marching band policy, students are expected to stay for the entire competition. If a student needs to leave a competition early, they must bring a note from a parent the week before or morning of the competition. Before leaving the show site, the student AND their parent must check in with Beth, Sarah, or Mr. Roselieb so we see who you are leaving with.
Tips for Parents:
Contact Information:
Beth Refsnider:
Sarah Hengesh:
Craig Roselieb:
|