LHS Band Handbook

Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives    

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The goal and objectives of the Lawrenceville High School Band are designed to:


Ensemble Descriptions

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Marching Band

Membership in the Marching band requires commitment and the ability to play difficult music.  This group performs at all football games, band competitions, and parades. There are opportunities for being in student leadership positions. 


Pep Band

Pep Band is a more relaxed band that performs at all home basketball games for both the girls' and boys' teams.  This group requires a time commitment outside of school hours. 


Concert Band

The Concert Band is a performing ensemble that will perform concerts during the year and will emphasize the study of basic musicianship skills and the improvement of fundamentals. 

Jazz Band

The jazz band is an ensemble that focuses on performing jazz pieces and studying jazz fundamentals and techniques. This group may not meet every year.


Guard - Marching Band

 Students who are interested in dance, choreography, and movement may choose to audition for our Marching Band Color Guard. Commitment and schedule are the same as marching band.  Color Guard will also have extra rehearsals outside of the Marching Band schedule. 


Guard - Winter Guard

Students who are interested in dance, choreography, and movement may choose to audition for our winter guard.  This group practices after school and performs at selected home basketball games and community events as needed.   



General Calendar of Events

(Detailed schedule Separate.)


June/July:     -Wednesday Summer Rehearsals 6-8pm

  -Private Lessons available

  - Marching band rehearsals


August:         -Band Camp

  -School Starts

                         -Wed/Thursday Marching Band Rehearsals from 6 to 8

  - Football games


September:   -Football games

                -Fall Fest Performance

  -Wed/Thursday Marching Band Rehearsals from 6 to 8

  -Homecoming Parade (possible)

  -Competition Season Starts


October   -Football Games

                -Homecoming Parade (possible)

  -Wed/Thursday Marching Band Rehearsals from 6 to 8

    -Competition Season

  -Begin Concert Band and pep band rehearsing

  -IMEA Auditions (Required for Advanced Students)


November                            -Football Playoffs (Possible)

  -Final Run through 

    -Veterans Day ensemble (High School Students only)

    -IMEA District Festival

    -Pep Band Begins

    -Concert Band


December                              -Pep Band

  -Concert Band

  -Christmas Parade

                                              -Christmas Concert


January -Concert Band

-LIC Honors Pep Band

-Pep Band

-Prepare for Solo and Ensemble contest

- IMEA All-State Festival


February -Pep Band

-Concert Band

- Prepare for Solo and Ensemble contest


March -Concert Band

-Prepare for Solo and Ensemble Contest


April -Concert Band

-Solo and Ensemble Contest

-IHSA Organizational Contest


May -Spring Concert

-All Marching Band auditions

-Commencement




Expectations, Procedures, and Rules    

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Expectations



Attitude

The greatest single factor that will determine the success of any individual or organization is ATTITUDE. The right attitude must be present along with sincerity, concentration, and dedication as the basic foundation of the program. This will make the difference between a mediocre group and a winning organization. Make the most of every rehearsal and performance. 


Discipline 

Because of the nature of our bands, band discipline must be strict. Band students and parents ad parents must believe in the ideals, principles, and philosophy of the band. Any misconduct casts a bad light on the school, community, and band program.  Each member must always be aware of good behavior and think for themselves.


Rules and Procedures


The prices are as follows:

Clarinet Reeds - $3

Alto Sax Reeds - $4

Oboe Reeds - $15

All other reeds - $5

Valve/Slide oil - $5


**Rules, procedures, and regulations can be changed at any time at director’s discretion


Grading Scale

The band grading scale will be the same as LHS grading scale.  A percentage earned out of total points possible will be figured to determine your grade. 


To make the band grade easier to compute and keep track of band grades, a point system will be used. All practices, performances, class work, and tests will be assigned a point value. Extra credit points may be offered. 


Point System



**Advanced band must audition for IMEA and do something at solo and ensemble. 


Extra Credit 



Demerits

Demerits are points taken away for unacceptable behavior. Unacceptable behaviors include:


Demerits will be determined at the discretion of the band director.


Homework 

Practice is essential.  Establish a practice schedule as part of your homework. Your preparation for class will help determine your grade. In addition to this,   the director will have a weekly assignment to be completed within Google Classroom.   


Tests

Students can expect playing and counting exams throughout the year.  The material to be tested will be announced in advance to allow students time to prepare.  Students will be able to record their test or set up a time to play directly for Ms. Knapp. Tests will help determine the student’s grade and chair assignment. Students can expect (instead of a playing test) a spot check for memorization during the marching season.


Rehearsals

 Attending rehearsals is REQUIRED.  Students are expected to be prepared and have practiced their parts to be ready to rehearse. Time may be given during class to work on music, but it is the student's responsibility to make sure they have learned their parts. Ms. Knapp is available to help with anything that is needed. 


Performances

Performances are but not limited to the following:

home football and basketball games

selected parades and field competitions

 Christmas concert

 Spring Concert

additional school and community events

 IHSA concert band contest

 other selected competitions

LHS commencement 


Attendance and Absences  

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Students are expected to attend and participate in these performances to receive credit for the class. Participation includes being in the designated areas where these performances (or Rehearsals) occur, such as parade line-up areas: in the stands or on the field during practice or games, in the stands at basketball games, etc. PERFORMANCES and REHEARSALS ARE NOT OPTIONAL.  You will be given calendars at the beginning of the year for the fall.  Winter and Spring calendars will be given at appropriate times. Students who work need to pay particular attention to posted schedules to avoid conflicts. Schedules should be given to the employers as soon as you get new schedules. (Remember, work is not considered an excused absence) 


Should there be a change in the band performance schedule, students will be expected to make every attempt to attend that performance. In the event of illness or emergency, the director should be contacted before the performance and the student should bring a note from parent/guardian explaining the situation to the next rehearsal/class. Without a note, the student will be considered unexcused and will not receive their points for that performance. The director reserves the right to make exceptions in unusual circumstances. Any conflict with a performance, that is not due to illness or emergency, must be explained in a note from the guardian at least 2 weeks prior to the performance date.   Please see what will be considered an excused absence below. 


In addition to these, the students will be expected to attend band camp (generally in August) and rehearsals outside of school hours. There may be more rehearsals added as needed as well. Conflicts with practices must be cleared with the director a week before rehearsal, except in the event of absence from school. Students with chronic attendance problems will be subject to a grade cut or loss of other privileges.  


Excused Absences

The following constitutes an excused absence. Prior notification is required if it can be given. School Conflicts ( Playing in sporting events, dress rehearsals for other performance groups, etc), Illness with dr’s note or guardian note, death in the family. There are also special circumstances but these must be arranged with the director (at least 2 weeks in most cases)  in advance or it will be considered unexcused.


With a non-emergency excuse absence, the student will be given an alternate assignment to complete to make up for the performance.  The student will have one week from the performance date to turn in the assignment. If the assignment is not turned in, the studnet will receive a zero for that performance.


Conflicts with Band

Conflicts between band and other activities are the responsibility of the student. Rehearsal and performance schedules are given out in advance so that arrangements can be made.  Outside of school rehearsals will be scheduled around other sporting LHS event practices when possible.  


All confits concerning performances must be worked out in favor of the student’s responsibility to the band.  (Exception when the student is also an athlete and it conflicts with the sporting event we are playing at. Ie: Football/Volleyball/XC with marching band at Football games or Basketball/Wrestling with Pep Band during basketball games. Just make sure the director is kept in the loop)


Work is not an excuse for missing any band activity UNLESS the activity is scheduled within a week’s time. 




Summer Rehearsals and Band Camp

 During the Summer, Wednesdays from 6 to 8 there will be optional time to come in and rehearse music.  There will also be some Fundamental Fridays scheduled to work on marching skills that will be required. Band Camp is required for everyone. Everyone must be there to start the season off on the best foot. 


 Marching Band Practice

Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Please see the attendance policy. After-school rehearsals will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8pm.  If a student has missed too much of rehearsal, the director reserves the right to pull student from the drill. 


Football Games


Competitions

Competitions are the Marching Band’s “game days.”  Competitions are special events where we get to perform for a large audience and before judges.  We are there to do our best — not to win!! If we do our best, the rest will take care of itself.  Specific information is given before the competition as to directions, departure time, and anticipated return time. All parents are encouraged to attend and support the band.  We will also need help with getting props and pit equipment on and off the field.  


Band Traveling

 

Overnight Trips


Classroom Rehearsal


School-Owned Instrument Policy

Each student who uses a school-owned instrument is completely responsible for the care of the instrument.  If an instrument is damage due to negligence, the student will be responsible for the entire cost of the repair or replacement. 


 Required Uniforms and Attire 

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Marching band 

Informal Uniform

Formal Uniform

Pep band

Concert Attire


Parents 

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Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to see that the policies outlined in the handbook are followed and that form in the back is signed and returned. This states that you understand the policies and any questions are to be directed to the director. Each parent is responsible for the attendance of their child at all band functions. The hands of the director are tied without the support and help of parents. 


How Can Parents Help

When a “band question” arises, it is important that you get factual information before discussing it with others. We do more harm to ourselves, the band family, when talk about things that contain one or more “flasehoods” but consider them facts. If questions arise about a performance issue or anything dealing with band or students, contact Ms. Knapp.  


You can also help greatly by: