Bolivar Band Handbook

Enrollment 

BHS students may enroll in Marching Band/Concert Band or Jazz Band.  Students may only enroll in an advanced band class after successful completion of the preceding band class or completion of appropriate private lessons.  Any student with a schedule conflict may join band again upon completion of the appropriate audition. 

For example: To enroll in HS band, 8th grade must have been complete or through student auditions using the appropriate music level assigned by a Director.  

High School students who do not take the fall semester band class will have to audition in order to join the band class again in January.  Appropriate grade level music will be used as the main audition material.   Jazz Band is audition/permission only.   If ANY semesters are missed, even due to class conflicts, an audition will be required to join either group again.  

Attendance

Student participation at all rehearsals and performances is vital to the success of the group and the success of each individual student.  Please consider this when joining. Therefore it is mandatory for all students to attend all rehearsals and ALL scheduled performance events.   Missing a rehearsal or performance will result in a lower class grade.  

All performance dates are provided here and on the band website.  Please share these with your parents and employers now to make sure your calendar is clear for those dates. 

There are three types of excused absences from performances: illness, medical emergencies, or school event where the director has prior notice.  All school event conflicts will be discussed by the director and coach/sponsor after the student has filled out the Two-Week Notice and submitted it to the band director.  Conflicts outside of school or emergency situations will not constitute an excused performance.   Performance events can not be made up. 

Band students who have excessive unexcused absences will jeopardize their eligibility to perform at contests or concerts and can be subject to removal from class the following semester.  Rehearsals can not be missed due to make up work in other classes and sitting on side line because you "don't feel like it today" will be considered a missed unexcused rehearsal.  Medical excuses must be documented.  This attendance policy will especially be enforced during our marching band season and the extra "early band" rehearsals.  We must rehearse outside of class in order to create a competitive marching show.  Early band will be 7am to 7:45am.  If a ride to rehearsals are a concern, please discuss the concern with the directors. 

Monday- No early marching band rehearsal.  If we have 2nd block band on Monday, rehearsal is 8-9:27am.  The only Mondays we will have early band are: Sept 22, Sept 29, and Oct 13.  That will help us prepare for the contests.

Tuesday-Friday Early band is 7-745 (breakfast break 745-8) On days we have 2nd block band, we will resume marching rehearsal 8-927am.  If it is an "odd" day then all students will attend their 1st block class at 8am.

During concert band all rehearsals are during the regular 2nd block class period.   

Chair tests/part auditions

All band contests are adjudicated and the standard is that all multiple part sections will play/perform EXACTLY like the others in the section.  We will hold auditions for competitive groups and students will be ranked according to skill level, not seniority.  Students who do not make the color guard will play their main instrument, or take a different class until the next season's tryouts.  Percussionists will be placed on the appropriate instrument for that students skill level.  For marching band, if a student does not make the drumline (snare, quad, bass) then they will be placed in the front ensemble and will be assigned auxiliary instrument parts.  During parades, the auxiliary players will play crash cymbals.  Mallet players will be ranked and the more demanding parts will be assigned according to skill level.  For Jazz band, there will only be two drumset players and two vibraphone players.  One varsity, and one JV.  For concert band season, chair auditions will be held and first chair wind players will have first choice to cover solos in the music.  For concert band percussion, the spring chair audition will include mallet, snare and auxiliary music and students will be split according to skill level and be placed into two groups.  Varsity will be assigned contest music in the spring and JV will be understudies.  The directors will assign percussion parts to the best of their ability/knowledge and according to skill level.

Grading System

Grades are calculated using (but not limited to) rehearsals, playing quizzes, performances, and participation.  Excessive disruptive classroom behavior will result in a lowered rehearsal grade and possible dismissal from future participation.  Students who do not pass 80% of their classes the previous semester will not be allowed to compete, per MSHSAA requirements.  If any band student from 6th grade to 12th grade has a semester grade of C- or lower in that band class , they will not be allowed to continue participating in band classes.  Lack of effort and the inability to perform on the instrument at the expected level directly correlates to our success as a group and program.  Private lessons should be utilized to bring the student's skills to the appropriate level before the student will be re-enrolled.   

Behavior Policy

Band participation is a privilege and all band members are expected to adhere to all school policies and band director expectations concerning behavior.  We represent our school and community, and any student not meeting all expectations will be appropriately dismissed from future participation.  Disrespect, insubordination, and inability to follow school policy will be documented and school administration will administer consequences as needed.  Behavior policies apply both on school campuses and on band/guard trips. This policy is in line with the MSHSAA guidelines for good citizenship.

Bolivar Bands Behavior Improvement Plan

Any student that consistently fails to adhere to the expectations mentioned in (but not limited to) this handbook, will be asked to sign a Behavior Improvement Plan approved by the school administration.  Parents will also be expected to sign. This will be required to continue participation in all band activities.  The contract will show appropriate documentation of additional infractions and can result in the student being dismissed from future participation in band and/or JV Guard.  All questions concerning the contract may be directed to the Band Director.

Performance Dress Code 

High School Marching Band members will use the band uniform.  They are required to wear the current band t-shirt provided by Springfield Music and athletic shorts underneath their uniform as well as long black socks.  Students must order their marching shoes and gloves from the director in order for everyone to have the same brand and style.  If a student fails to have any part of their uniform at the time of the performance they risk not performing.  At no time will the uniform be worn in parts. All zippers, fasteners, and snaps must be fastened at all times unless a director allows it due to the heat. Only conservative makeup will be allowed for non guard personnel.  No jewelry or nail polish (except clear) will be worn. Hair past the ear must be pulled or pinned up with or without the hat. Color guard hair and makeup will be decided on by the directors and guard coach.

Concert Band and Jazz Band will wear concert black attire.  All items of clothing must adhere to the high school policy on clothing and attire.  All students are to wear pants and shirts/blouses with sleeves.  Skirts are not allowed unless a religious exemption is granted.  Long black socks are to be worn with pants.  Jeans and sweats are not acceptable performance attire.  All members should wear closed toed black dress shoes.  If dress shoes can’t be obtained, please wear marching band shoes. Conservative makeup and jewelry may be worn, but no nail polish except clear please.  The attire and appearance expectations are based on professional performance expectations of common performing groups in our society, ie. college groups and professional concert bands and orchestras.  Anyone not able to aquire performance attire needs to contact the directors. 

 Pep Band members will use the appropriate BHS band shirt or Director approved "bolivar attire."

Summer Band Camp

Attendance at HS Band Camp is mandatory.  Director approved absences are possible, due to valid conflicts.  Be prepared.  Dress for heat and rain.   Lunch is NOT provided.  Remember sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle.   Students are responsible for rides to and from school.

Color Guard Clarification- Marching and JV Guard

Color Guard members must participate in JV Guard activities and/or Spring Guard Camp and audition for the guard section.   The guard is a section within the band, and is auditioned just like drum majors and battery percussion.  Students who do not make the guard audition will play their instrument and may audition again the following year.  Students who do not play percussion or a wind instrument will need to take a different class. 

Guard is a vital part of a competitive marching ensemble and will be expected to adhere to all performance and behavior expectations as outlined (but not limited to) this handbook.  Disrespect and insubordination of any Director will be documented and school administration will administer consequences as needed.   Excessive lack of adherence to expectations will lead to dismissal from future participation.   

Guard will be assigned extra practices as applicable and will be supervised by the Guard Coach and/or a Band Director.  Participation in these extra practices is mandatory. The Guard Coach is a school employee and a part of the Band Staff.  At no time can there be guard activities, anywhere, without the supervision of the Guard Coach or a Band Director.  Please review the previously stated attendance policy.  

JV Guard is the training ground for our marching band and participation is encouraged.  Each year all HS guard members must re-audition for the fall marching band (no spots are guaranteed).  If a student does not make the audition, they will play their instrument that season, hone their skills during the spring JV season, and audition again for the following marching season.  Once marching season is over, all guard members will play instruments for the rest of the semester. 

JV Guard students who have more than 5 unexcused absences from practice will not be allowed to perform.  Missing more than 20% of practices will result in dismissal from future participation.

Student Leadership Expectations 

Any student in a leadership role or that has been asked to give extra instruction to fellow students will be expected to always do so in a positive and constructive manner.  Yelling, loss of self control, physical aggression, etc. are not permitted and will result in the leadership role being revoked. Questions concerning leadership expectations should be directed to the Band Director.

Individual Activities

Students may wish to participate in many extracurricular activities such as solo and small ensembles or auditioning for select honor musical organizations sponsored by various colleges, universities, Missouri Bandmasters Association, the South Central MMEA District, and the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

1. Preparations for such events should start at least two months in advance to the activity.

2. Sign-up sheets will be posted and each event MUST have a lesson with a BHS band director by each event’s deadline set by the band director.  Class time will rarely be used for rehearsal of such events.

3. Any solo or small ensemble deciding not to follow through with their participation at extracurricular event after the entry deadline will be required to reimburse the school the amount of their entry fee.

4. If a student fails to attend any rehearsal or performance of a group (i.e. any Honors Band, All District Band, etc.) he or she will be prohibited from auditioning for said group again, and will reimburse the school the amount of their entry fee.

Use of Band Facilities

The use of the band room and its practice rooms before, during, and after school is a privilege.  Students who abuse the use of the facilities and its contents will be disciplined accordingly. Any abuse or damage will be considered vandalism.

The following rules are in effect:

1. Students are not to be in the band room or practice rooms unless a director is present.

2. No outside students are permitted inside the band room except for business with the director.

3. No playing around or horseplay.

4. No food, drink, or gum in practice rooms.

5. All equipment, including instruments, guard items, percussion items, etc. are off limits without expressed permission of the director.

6. No littering or rearranging of furniture.

7. No storing personal items such as books, clothing, lunches, etc. will be allowed.  THE BAND ROOM IS NOT A LOCKER.  The band will not be responsible for such items.

8. The grand piano is off limits to students unless permission is given to practice legitimate music.  It is not a toy.

New Jazz Band Prerequisite

Beginning Fall of 2022-23, all Freshmen wanting to participate with Jazz band must be enrolled in marching/concert band.  The Liberator Jazz Band is a permission/audition only class and it is in the best interest of the overall program for students to continue the concert band experience while learning the jazz style.   Our jazz band is an off-shoot ensemble that stems from the main musical ensemble skills developed and honed in concert band.  

Fall semester is open enrollment with permission from the Director of Bands.  The jazz festivals usually are audition-only groups, depending on enrollment and possibility of one or two bands.  Auditions will be for sections with more than the standard seated big band group.  Our group is modeled after the standard number of jazz participants of the all-district and all-state band; both groups are 20 players only.  For example: there can be more than two drum set players in the fall learning the jazz style, but only two will be in the spring contest group.  Similarly, more than one guitar player or piano player can learn in the class during the fall semester, but only one piano and one guitar will be in the contest ensemble during the spring semester.   If enough students are enrolled for there to be two bands, those not selected for the "varsity" jazz group will participate in the "jv" group.   If there is not enough enrolled to have a second group, that might group may be eligible for attending jazz contests.  If there is not enough for a two group class, then one option (for example) would be that everyone will learn the contest music for class concerts, but only auditioned seats will perform at jazz contests.  If we do not have the enrollment or educational space/equipment to create two separate jazz bands, we will have one jazz band but could be forced to audition for a specific number of players for contests.