CALENDAR

POLICY ON CONCERT & REHEARSAL ATTENDANCE

Non concert or rehearsal absences will be excused without prior written notification. In the event of an emergency, written notification should be provided within 24 hours of a student’s return to school. All events are included on the band calendar. Please plan ahead!

Excused Absences

• Illness or medical emergency (with doctor’s note)

• Death in the family

• Unavoidable conflict with other FMSD academic activities (ie. quiz bowl, spelling bee, etc.)*

Not Excused Absences

• Failure to arrange transportation to the event (concert, rehearsal, etc.)

• FMSD or Recreational athletic games/practices

**Please schedule a dentist/doctor appointment on another day. In order for an absence to be excused, parent documentation is required in advance. Many times we are bringing in clinicians to work with our students and finding out members of a section are absent at the last minute is a waste of time and monetary resources for our band program. For items marked with an asterisk (*), parent documentation must be submitted in advance.

We purposefully limit the number of required events so that our band students can participate in many other activities. Because of this, concert performances should take precedence over more frequently scheduled activities such as club meetings, athletic practices, or games, etc. We may also be performing for end-of-year awards assemblies, which would occur during the regular school day. Many of the dates on our calendar are determined by the South Carolina Band Directors Association. Concert dates are subject to change based on the school calendar and schedule. If such changes occur, or if any other events arise, the director will notify parents as soon as possible.

Performance / Rehearsal Requirements for all ensembles -

The concert program is the heart of any successful band program. During this time, the focus is on the musical enrichment of the students on a variety of styles of music. This creates a platform for music making to occur through the fundamental development of tone, technique, reading, and listening skills. Each of the concert ensembles will perform at various times throughout the school year. Students are expected to participate in the performances of their assigned ensemble. Failure to participate in either rehearsals or performances will result in student removal from the organization at the discretion of the directors.

Concerts are considered to have three parts: warm-up, performance, and listening. The concert begins for the student at the warm-up. Punctuality is essential. A concert concludes when the last group performs, and directors have given permission for students to be dismissed. A general report time will be given for all students.

1. All concerts are a group effort. Attendance is required.

2. All concerts are an extension of the classroom and will be graded accordingly.

3. Students should be punctual and prepared for each performance or concert.

4. In the event a performance causes a student to miss another class, the student is responsible to make up for all missed work.

5. Students are to be dressed in the appropriate concert attire.

6. Students are expected to stay the entire concert.