Embedded Files
Marching Band – (Fall Football Season and Memorial Day Parade)
With an annual membership of more than 100 students, our Marching Band is a musical marching unit organized during the fall for the duration of the football season any additional scheduled events. The Marching Band appears at varsity, home football games, as well as other events as scheduled. Membership requires dedication, maximum effort and commitment in all aspects of marching, playing, and performance. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, Wednesdays after school and other times posted by the director. Performances take place at each home football game (Friday night/Saturday) through the end of the FB season and at various other events in the spring. Please see the band calendar for details.
Instrumentalists
Comprised of woodwind, brass and percussion sections, the membership consists of all students registered for the band class, FRHSD policy specifies that Marching Band is a required activity for all students receiving credit for band. The band also has members who are enrolled in our Learning Center Academies and in Vocational Programs. Only these latter groups of students are permitted to participate in an extracurricular fashion. In the event of scheduling conflicts with sports or other school activities, every attempt for an equitable compromise is made so that each student may have a positive and active level of participation in all desired extra-curricular activities.
Color Guard/Honor Guard
The Guard (one of the largest sections of the band) performs vital choreographed flag and dance routines in the marching band show; these are an integral part of the marching band’s appearances. The Honor Guard leads the Band everywhere we go! Their duties are to bear “Old Glory,” present the Band Banner, and guard the flag with ceremonial rifles. Students who participate in Color Guard/Honor Guard usually do so as an extracurricular activity, but may elect to receive credit if registered for the band class. In addition to practicing at every marching band rehearsal, the advisors and captains schedule many additional guard meetings. There may be little notice given on some rehearsals. Members are expected to attend all meetings/rehearsals.
Marching Band Rehearsal Procedures
Band Camp (rehearsals that begin two weeks prior to the start of the school year) is a necessary part of marching band due to the early start of the football season. It is expected that all students will attend camp and any other pre-season activities scheduled by the director and/or leadership team.
At all marching band functions the drum major is in charge of the band and should receive the same respect as the band director.
All students are expected to be in their positions on time, with instrument(s), music and charts.
Playing outdoors while not in formation should be kept to a minimum and localized to the practice field. Students may not play outside during the dismissal period (From when the final school bell rings until the buses depart the school).
When the drum line plays inside, it does so quietly – (with pads or covers).
Advisors and section leaders are chosen by the director to assist in marching and performance instruction.
Right guides will be selected for the parade block formation to insure proper alignment and distance.
Public Performances
Every student will receive this handbook and calendar of band commitments. Specifics regarding these functions will be posted on the band board. It is the student’s responsibility to know this information. The band board should be checked daily.
Always report (rain or shine) to the designated meeting place for band events (Usually the band room). Any changes will be on the website and your section leader will contact you
Uniforms will be stored in the uniform closet. Students will change clothes in the appropriate restroom for their gender. There must be at least one layer of clothing between the student’s body and the uniform. Therefore, students will wear shorts and a t-shirt under their marching band uniform. Under no circumstances are long pants permitted to be worn under the uniform (thermal underclothes are permitted). It is expected that all students will exercise good personal hygiene.
While in uniform, students are representing the band, the school, and our community. Therefore, it is expected that students will conduct themselves in a mature, respectful, and gracious manner. Students will refrain from any “public displays of affection.” Profanity is forbidden, as is taunting or degrading other bands or spectators.
Students are expected to provide black gloves, marching shoes (both available through the music parents) and calf-height black socks.
Uniforms will be distributed by the uniform team and must pass an inspection before students are dismissed for the day.
If the uniform becomes excessively soiled it is the student’s responsibility to have the uniform dry-cleaned. Be sure to keep your hanger!
The complete uniform should be worn at all times while in public. Remaining in uniform means - suspenders over the shoulders; shako on the head, coat zipped, buttoned and hooked.
Your shako should be on your person at all times or, when given permission, to your right when seated in the stands.
When wearing uniforms, no drinking or eating is permitted except when designated by the director (3rd Quarter).
A student is said to be “performing” at all times during a football game. From exiting the bus (away games) or falling-in in the parking lot (home games) until you are dismissed, you are performing.
Travel Policies
Upon arriving at the school, check in with the student executive (or his/her designee) for attendance purposes.
The band will travel to and from off-campus performances as a group, on buses provided by the FreeholdRegionalHighSchool District's Transportation Department. Exceptions to this rule require the submission of a form and the approval of the band director and Supervisor of Extra-Curricular Activities. For this reason, such exceptions MUST be planned with enough time for the approval process (at least two days). At no time is a student permitted to drive him/herself to off campus events.
It is the student’s responsibility to place his/her instrument on the sidewalk next to the equipment bus. Bus loaders will load the instruments onto the equipment bus.
It is the student’s responsibility to bring their instrument in off the sidewalk upon returning to the school.
Small instruments (piccolos, flutes and clarinets) may be kept with a student’s personal belongings.
Students will be expected to sign a bus attendance sheet once seated on a bus and before departing the school. Once your have signed on a bus, you may not change buses.
Students are asked to be careful and safe. If an accident, injury or illness occurs the director or the nearest adult should be notified immediately.
While buses are in motion, students are to remain seated. At all times hands, head and all objects should be kept inside the windows of the bus.
While traveling, parent chaperones will be placed in-charge of buses. Chaperones should receive the same respect as the director and be obeyed at all times.
It should be noted that proper behavior is expected when on a school trip. Undignified conduct or reckless behavior will result in disciplinary action/suspension from school, dismissal from the band and a failing grade for the class.
Horseplay and screaming/shouting are not permitted while on the bus.
Upon arrival at a destination students should remain in their seats on the bus until given instructions from the director.
Students are expected to keep the bus clean.
Conduct of students in public eating places, visiting schools, and during other bands’ performances should remain gracious, subdued and courteous.
Football Games
Entering the Field/Stadium
Upon completion of the meeting and warm-ups, the band will assemble outside in a block formation. Students will form ranks immediately upon hearing the drum major’s command. All students must carry his/her instrument (no one else’s without director approval) and march in the proper section.
The drum majors, band staff and the band director will inspect the band before departure. The band director will instruct the drum majors when to move the band.
The band will march to the stadium in block formation, slowing to pass through the gates. Spectators should not be allowed to break ranks. Do not engage in ANY conversations or communication of any kind (unless to a leader or authorized adult) while marching to or from the stadium.
When applicable, the band will make a “beauty pass” around the track upon entrance to the stadium. Upon reaching the seating area students will remain at attention until dismissed by the director or drum majors.
The band shall be responsible for playing the Star Spangled Banner before the game when at home. The director will conduct.
Purses and other valuable personal items should not be taken into the stadium. They should be locked in the band office.
Stadium Seating
Students will be seated by section. If the height of the stands permits, the order is as follows -
---Tubas---
--Tbns + Barit--
--------Tpts--------
------Drum line------
-Empty Row for BD-
---Altos---Low Saxes---
-----------Clarinets----------
-------------Flutes--------------
-----------Empty Row-----------
On warm days it may be permitted to remove shakos. In this event, it is to be taken off and placed to the right of each player (upside-down). Gloves may be placed in the shako (when permission is given). Great care must be exercised in keeping the shako in the stands. Don’t let it fall in the dirt under the stands.
Ranks and files should be maintained at all times. You may not “visit” another section or a non-band member, including a parent, during a performance. The uniforms are to be worn properly (see Dress Code below)
Cheering - Students will be allowed and encouraged to cheer for touchdowns and field goals. However, they should be prepared with the fight song before and after the field goal/conversion. Cheer with the cheerleaders and avoid unorganized cheering. Section leaders are encouraged to organize cheers but must seek the director’s permission before implementing.
Non-band members are not allowed within the band section. Significant others, parents and friends are not exceptions. Any exceptions require the director’s approval.
Refreshments are not permitted in the band section except during 3rd quarter privileges. Parents may not bring students any food items outside of the 3rd quarter privilege time. Students are encouraged to make food choices that are non-destructive to instruments. This means avoiding candy, sugary drinks and other junk food.
Restrooms - Students will have the opportunity to use the bathroom while dressing in the school and during third quarter privileges. Students will be allowed to go to the bathroom during the game. Students may not use the bathroom during the pre-halftime warm-up activities. Two students from the same section may not leave together. At away games, students must be accompanied by chaperone.
Student conduct should be professional and courteous throughout the time spent in the stadium. Individual playing or “random playing” is not allowed, hence the term *NRP* (pronounced “nerp”). Students should be attentive to flash cards with song titles held up by the drum majors. You should be ready with the songs rapidly. Students should always have their lyre and folio or flip-folder with pep tunes.
Students may not play instruments from other sections.
When our team is playing offense, our band does not play.
Should a player become injured, it is appropriate to sit quietly and applaud after the player is on his feet.
Halftime and Post-Game
Band members should file from the stands in an orderly manner according to the seating arrangement. Running up and down the ramps or seats should be avoided.
The band should move quickly to form the proper warm up arc. The drum line will usually do a separate warm up first. Students should not use pre-halftime period for restroom usage or to change any sticks, reeds, mouthpieces.
The line-up/block formation - on the south end of the field, visiting side, facing north
After halftime show form the “Circle”
3rd Quarter Privileges begin after dismissal from Circle. Students may socialize with other band members, meet the visiting band, eat and use the restroom. Students must be in their seats when the clock on the scoreboard reaches 00:00 for the 3rd quarter. Tardy students will lose future 3rd Quarter privileges.
When the game is complete the winning team will play their fight song. In addition when we win, we will turn our shakos around for our march out.
March out/Block - Facing north, in front of the home stands/towards the buses at away games. The band will exit upon the director’s order & drum majors’ command.
The band will march to the school or buses in block formation, slowing to pass through the gates. Spectators should not be allowed to break ranks. Do not engage in ANY conversations or communication of any kind (unless to a leader or authorized adult) while marching to or from the stadium.
Students will remain at attention until dismissed by the band director.
Any student needing to call for a ride should do it immediately upon entering the school to maximize travel time.
Uniforms are to be hung up properly and students must pass uniform inspection before leaving.
Uniform Inspection
Before leaving after a performance all students will present their uniforms to a member of the uniform crew for inspection at the doorway to the storage area.
The shako, in its box, must be returned to the shako crew.
The trousers need to be hung on the hanger
Seams meeting properly
Creases creased
Waistline side of the folded pant on the forward side of the hanger
The weight of the pants should be balanced so they don’t drop off the hanger.
Jacket should be hung, stripes forward, zipper in the back and clipped. The issued hanger is designed to mimic the natural shape of shoulders.
The trousers and jacket need to be put in the uniform bag. Note the hanger is slid through the opening at the top of the bag.
Marching Shoes may be kept in the rear compartment (not ever in the cubbies). Keep your shoes from year and year!
Students will be sent to the back of the line upon failing uniform inspection. It is not uncommon for a first year marcher to fail, sometimes more than once. An upperclassman should not have trouble passing uniform inspection on the first attempt.
If it becomes known that a student has left before he/she was dismissed or if the student fails to have their uniform inspected, the student will be charged with an unexcused absence.
Instrument/Flag - Equipment Information
The band will provide instruments for those students who do not play their own instrument. Each band member is responsible for the proper care, of his/her instrument regardless of the owner. A loaned student instrument should be treated as though it were one’s own. Any dangerous malfunctions (sharp metal parts – etc.) of an instrument should be reported to the band director. Damages due to negligence of the student (such as damage done while the instrument was left unattended) will be charged to the student and may lead to district fines. If the instrument is lost or stolen while away from the band room, the student must reimburse the band for the cost of the instrument.
A privately owned instrument is the responsibility of the student who owns it. Students should check with their parents to see that the instrument is included on their homeowner’s insurance policy. Before purchasing a new instrument, students and parents should confer with the band director. Some instruments and brands are not suitable for school use!
Band Camp
Band camp is a required portion of marching band. Students should, as a rule, reserve the final full week of August for band camp. Color Guard and percussion section members should reserve the 3rdweek of August for a pre-camp. Sectionals will be held that week as well. New students are especially encouraged to attend these sectionals.
Students are required to come to band camp with the music memorized. Sheet music is not permitted in field rehearsals. Percussion section members are expected to have the drum book memorized for camp and that the cadence be ready by the end of pre-camp. Color Guard members are expected to have the routine, choreography and counts memorized by the end of pre-camp.
All Band camp activities are held at the school. Band Camp runs daily from 1 – 9 pm. Be sure to pack a meal. Students will learn to work and function as part of a unit. Conformity to the accepted performance norm is required. Band camp gives students the opportunity to get acquainted and develop the feeling of belonging. The goal of band camp is to perfect the music and learn the drill for the entire halftime show. In addition pep music, parade routines and choreography will be learned. Students will have the opportunity to take part in appropriate recreational and social activities. Students who are employed should make necessary arrangements with their employers to attend all mandatory commitments.
Have all recordings on portable device. Listen at least 1 time before each day of band camp.
Sing, finger, stick, flag along and practice even during down times.
Stay Hydrated. Eat Lunch beforehand. Sensible dinner, No ordering, no leaving.
Make effort to learn names. Meet peeps from other sections.
No moving of cars in the parking lots.
No wandering - Stay out of auditorium. Listen for hall closings.
Pick Up Times.
Be mindful.
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