Rehearsals and Performances

Our guiding principle is that of respect – for students, faculty, equipment, the music program and the music itself. From that guiding principle come the following expectations and procedures:

Attendance, Scheduling and Conflicts

  • All EHHS Music ensembles and courses are academic classes; therefore, events, performances and rehearsals always retain scheduling priority over activities (school or outside) and athletics.
  • Students are expected to attend all outside-of-class rehearsals, performances and events. These will be scheduled and announced well in advance, and every effort will be made to avoid conflicts with other school events.
  • Students will receive a calendar of events at the beginning of the year. Students are expected to contact their director as soon as possible after receipt of this schedule to discuss possible conflicts. Excusal from a performance is strictly at the discretion of the director. Sporting events and other co-curricular activities are not considered excused absences from performances.
  • All rehearsals begin at their scheduled time. In order to be on time for a rehearsal, you must arrive early enough to set up and warm up before the scheduled beginning time.
  • Absences from or lateness to a scheduled rehearsal, performance, or event fall into one of four categories:
    • Excused with Prior Notification: Religious observances, other items deemed excused by the director. Requires parental note at least one week in advance for a missed rehearsal and at least one month in advance for a missed performance in order to be considered for excusal.
    • Excused without Prior Notification: Extreme medical issues and family emergencies. Doctor’s note required in case of medical issues. Parental note required in case of family emergency.
    • Unexcused with Prior Notification: Occurrences that are not excused by the director, but regarding which the director has been notified well in advance by means of a parental note. Requires parental note at least one week in advance for a missed rehearsal and at least one month in advance for a missed performance in order to be considered for excusal. Student’s grade for the quarter will be lowered by 15 points.
    • Unexcused without Prior Notification: Occurrences that are not excused by the director and regarding which the director is not notified. Student’s grade for the quarter will be lowered by 30 points.



Performance Etiquette

  • All musicians from all performing groups are expected to remain at each concert until the end of the performance. When not performing, all musicians are expected to be warming up or watching the performance and supporting their peers, as appropriate.
  • All musicians should consider themselves to be performing from the moment they arrive at the performance venue, and should conduct themselves professionally as EHHS ambassadors whether onstage, backstage, in a rehearsal space, or anywhere else.

Rehearsal Etiquette

  • Students are expected to bring instruments, music, a pencil and any other necessary equipment to all rehearsals. Repairs and equipment needs (reeds, valve oil, mallets/sticks, etc.) should occur outside of rehearsal time.
  • Students are expected to prepare for all rehearsals through daily practice.
  • Food and beverages (except water) are not allowed in any music rehearsal or performance.
  • Gum chewing is strictly prohibited at all rehearsals and performances.
  • Students are encouraged to use the practice rooms and other rehearsal spaces outside of class, but must use them responsibly and keep them clean and neat so that they may be used by other students.
  • Students are expected to check online and on the boards in the music room regularly for news and updates.
  • Folders, instruments, and equipment should be kept in lockers when not in use. Personal belongings should always be kept tidy.


Concert Attire

  • Failure to follow the concert dress code may result in the lowering of a student’s quarter grade by up to ten points, removal from a performance, or both.
  • Uniforms must be returned in the condition they were issued. Any items you lose, keep, misplace, damage, etc, will be charged at their full replacement cost. In case of non-payment, grades will be withheld pending payment to the high school office.
  • Concert dress for Concert Band and Concert Choir, unless otherwise notified, is:
    • Gentlemen: Black dress pants, white tux shirt, blue bow tie, black dress shoes, black socks
    • Ladies: Black dress pants or skirt. White tux shirt, blue bow tie, black dress shoes, black socks. Skirts must reach the knee while seated.
    • All: White tux shirt, black studs, and blue bow tie will be issued to each student. No jeans, sneakers or hats, even if black. No reflective or otherwise distracting jewelry, accessories or clothing.
  • Concert dress for Jazz Band and Voices, unless otherwise notified, is:
    • Gentlemen: Black pants, black collared shirt, jazz tie (band) OR colorful tie (choir), black dress shoes, black socks.
    • Ladies: Black dress pants or skirt, black top, jazz tie (band) OR colorful scarf (choir), black dress shoes. Skirts must reach the knee while seated.
    • All: No jeans, sneakers or hats, even if black. No reflective or otherwise distracting jewelry, accessories or clothing.
  • Marching Band uniform is:
    • Black uniform pants, black socks, black shoes. Blue uniform jacket, black gauntlets, and black gloves. Blue hat.
    • Sunglasses are prohibited unless otherwise stated. Shoes (preferably sneakers) should be completely black.
    • Uniform Care:
      • After every performance, take your uniform out of your garment bag and hang it up in a dry space where the air can get to the uniform. Keep the pants on a separate hanger from the jacket.
      • Any time you are not wearing your uniform, it needs to be hung up. This includes immediately preceding and following parades. Uniforms should never be on the ground or crumpled up in the bottom of the garment bag.
      • When transporting the uniform, always use the garment bag that you were assigned.
      • When trying on the pants, make sure the hem does not brush the ground as you walk. We need to keep the pants from developing holes, and this is absolutely critical to keeping the pants in good condition long-term.
      • After making sure the pants are the correct length, iron the hem to make sure it sits flush against your shoes.