Information about Attendance and Absences

Under normal circumstances, band members are expected to attend every rehearsal. Band members are expected to be present in school for half the day to rehearse and perform. If the band member has a valid excused absence, they are permitted to rehearse and perform. Examples of excused absences include college visits, medical appointments, and school directed field trips. Band members are strongly discouraged from taking vacations during the marching band performance season. Performance season runs from mid-August to the beginning of November.

All band members are required to participate in the week long away band camp in order to be a member of the band. Limited extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis.

A written doctor’s release is required to be submitted to the band directors following an injury, which caused the band member to miss participation in rehearsals and performances. Band members may not resume participation in band until the directors/school receives a release from a doctor. Extenuating circumstances will be handled individually.1

Failure to attend rehearsals may result in make-up assignments or a loss of points. Extensive missed rehearsals may result in removal from the band program.

Performances

All scheduled performances are mandatory. There are no excused absences except for extreme circumstances. Performances are considered to be part of the band curriculum and are treated as culminating assessments. The Crestview Local School District calendar will be consulted before performances are scheduled to avoid as many school related conflicts as possible. Absences from a performance will result in loss of points. A performance schedule will be distributed at the beginning of the season. This schedule is also available through digital sources including the band Google Classroom Page and the Music Department Website..

Absences

Missing a performance will require a make up assignment. If the reason for missing the performance is determined to be excused, students will be eligible to earn 100% of the possible points. If the absence is determined to be unexcused students will not be eligible to complete a make-up assignment.

Students must provide specific reasons for missing a performance. Reasons listed as "prior engagement/commitment" or other vague reasons will result in an unexcused absence. Other unexcused absences are, but not limited to, work, babysitting, not having a ride, performances with other groups and organizations, attending concerts and performances, non-school sponsored athletic competitions, and other outside meetings and events. Students are expected to consult the band schedule before agreeing to or signing up for other activities that may conflict with our performances. 

Absences that are not reported on the Absence Reporting Form in a timely manner (generally two weeks in advance), even if they meet the qualifications for an excused absence, will be considered unexcused absences with the exception of emergency and unavoidable circumstances as determined by the directors and school.

Excused absences include but are not limited to events such as weddings, funerals, family vacations, and student illness. In the case of student illness, a note from a doctor must be received for the absence to be considered excused. Emergency situations and other unavoidable circumstances as determined by the directors and the school will be considered excused absences.

Given the nature of the band seasons, with the majority of rehearsals taking place in the summer, flexibility for family vacations will be in effect providing students make every effort to attend all other rehearsals. 

All students must attend the away band camp for the entire duration in order to participate in band. This event takes place the 2nd week of July.

An unexcused absence from a performance will result in the student being ineligible to earn a letter for band, being ineligible to hold leadership positions in the future, and/or being removed from current leadership positions.

Extensive absences may also result in ineligibility to participate in band activities, trips, and the ability to earn awards.

Canceling Rehearsals and Events

In the rare instance a rehearsal, performance, or event must be canceled notification will be sent out by Mr. Bable. Even if there is communication from the school about canceled events, if a band event is canceled, Mr. Bable will communicate it. Do not rely on information from sources other than Mr. Bable, including other band members and parents about canceled events.

Do not contact Mr. Bable to ask if an event is canceled or why an event is not canceled.

Do not assume an event is canceled due to weather. Rehearsals may take place inside and there are many weather conditions in which the band will still participate in events.