The Marching Blue Expectations

BE RESPECTFUL

Respect yourself.  Respect others.  Respect the band traditions, facilities, equipment, and uniforms.

BE YOUR BEST

Be Your Best is a goal that everyone can achieve.  It means simply that, BE YOUR BEST.  This is not the same as Be THE Best, which is something that few can achieve.  It is all that is expected of you, but it is expected ALL of the time - every minute, every practice, every day and every performance.  Further, it is expected that you will be your best in rehearsals and performance as well as outside of organized band activities.

Respect and Responsibility

To the Band

As members of this organization, you have a great deal of responsibility.  These expectations coordinate with the privileges, rewards, and duties of the program.

To Ourselves

You have the primary responsibility of developing your own abilities.  The benefits of a good instrument and private instruction can never be overestimated.  What you put into it is what you will get out of it.  The director is always available for your guidance and encouragement.  Just ask!

To the School

The school district provides us with the resources for rehearsals, performances, and equipment.  The Band Boosters also provide a support network, both financially and philosophically.  We have the responsibility to provide the best possible services to our community.

To Music

Music has always been a part of our culture.  We must take what we have and use it for the betterment of that culture.  No one expects you to be virtuoso musicians, only to do the very best you can.  The great composer Gustav Mahler once said that only 10 percent of music is on the page.  If that is the case, we as musicians have the duty of creating and producing the other 90 percent.  The joy of music is not in everything that is apparent.  It must be discovered and created.

To Each Other

We must always do what is best for the welfare of the group.  There can be no selfish acts solely for the benefit of the individual.  Respect each other.  If there are conflicts, find a way to resolve them.  Never insult another band member's integrity.  The word "band" implies that we are banded together without divisions.

Students are expected to respect the Director's and Chaperones on the band program.  Students should be courteous to others and realize that they represent Midview when the Band is at any event.  Students are expected to have acceptable behavior skills in the classroom and on the football field.  Due to the rigors of the marching season, the students are given a high level of trust.  If a member of the band misbehaves and is disciplined by an administrator at any moment during the school year, an evaluation may have to take place.  Due to unacceptable behavior, the level of trust will quickly diminish and further steps may need to be taken.

First Offense - Verbal warning to student

Second Offense - A phone call home 

Third Offense- A phone call home, a meeting with Administration to discuss further action

Use of the Band Facility

Band Room

The use of band facilities before, after, and during school is a privilege. Students who abuse the facility will be disciplined accordingly. Any abuse or damage will be considered vandalism. There will be no horseplay, e.g., throwing things in or around the band room. All percussion and guard equipment is off limits to anyone not specifically designated to use them. There will be no storing of personal items. The band room is not a locker! No one is allowed in the Band room until a Director is present. If there is no Band Director around, you are not allowed in.

Instrument Room

The use of the instrument room is to store band instruments and equipment only!  Again, this is not a personal locker.

Band Office

The band office is not to be entered without permission from the director. All students should keep in mind that this is the director's place of work and there is lots of work to be done. If you are in the office, that is a privilege that can be taken away very quickly if you get in the way of the director's productivity.  No personal items or instruments are to be stored here without permission. If the door is shut, knock first.  

Classroom Procedures

• • You must be in the instrument room or in your seat when the bell rings; a downbeat will be given two minutes after the bell.  During the two minutes beforehand you should move to your seat, obtain music, a music stand, and a pencil; and begin warming up for the day’s rehearsal.  Make sure you have extra reeds.  Percussionists should set up all equipment and music during the warm-up.  Announcements will be made at the beginning or end of class and will also be written on the board.

  • When someone is on the podium, you direct all your attention to them. When they are off the podium, that is your time to noodle and chat about the music.

  • The purpose of rehearsal is for you to learn the parts of others and how they relate to yours, not to learn your individual music!

  • Restroom breaks should be taken between classes, but if you need to use the restroom please wait until the director is off the podium to approach them. Please do not interrupt rehearsal unless it's an emergency. Remember that you cannot use the restroom in the first or last 5 minutes of class per school policy.

  • In your individual warm-ups, it is important to practice long tones, lip slurs, scales, and that day’s assignment on a daily basis.

The Importance of Attitude

The greatest single factor that will determine the success of any individual or organization is attitude.  The kind of person you are is an individual choice and how you feel about something is one of the few actual independent choices you have in life.  It takes intense dedication to reach goals.  The right attitude must be present along with sincerity, concentration, and dedication as the basic foundations.  Such an attitude makes an artistic performance inevitable and is the difference between a winning organization and a mediocre group.  The band can do much for you.  Make the most of it in every rehearsal and performance.

Band members are responsible for providing and caring for their own Black Dinkles, socks and white gloves.  Black Dinkles may be ordered at the time of the uniform fitting.  

Shoes and boots must be cleaned and polished for every performance. 

Gloves should always be WHITE! Bleach them to keep them white! New ones are always available in the Band Office for $4.

Uniform Requirements

Each Band member will be assigned a uniform for the duration of each marching season. Uniforms will be stored in the Band Room. Students will arrive wearing their Summer Uniform and change into and out of uniforms at the School in the provided changing areas before and after each performance.

Uniform pieces: 

• Pants­ must be zipped and buttoned. Straps must be worn at correct height. 

• Jackets­ must be zipped all the way with all appropriate buttons/snaps done. 

• Dinkles must be black and clean. 

• Socks­ must be solid black and Crew Length. 

• Gloves­ must be clean and white. 

  • First pair is included in the Rookie/New Member Fees

  • Additional and replacement gloves will cost $4.

• Parka­ worn in inclement weather. 

  • When worn, parka should be snapped up all the way.

• Hat­ should be secure on head and down in the front so that the bottom of the brim is even with the eyebrows. 

  • Do not carry your hat by its strap. 

• Plume ­will be passed out at performances and returned when coming off the field. They should be treated with care. Plumes will not be worn in the rain and must stay dry.

Hair requirements: 

• All of your hair must be neat and inside your hat. 

  • If hair touches shoulder, it must be pulled up into the hat.

  • No loose hair hanging out. 

  • Hair must remain pulled up whenever in uniform, even when hat is not worn. 

• Should any hair dye bleed on to any part of your uniform, you will be charged for its cleaning and/or replacement.

• Auxiliary must have hair neat for performances as dictated by Advisor. 

• Hair accessories should all be Blue, Black, Grey, or White, or match the individual’s hair color. 

• Any facial hair must be neatly kept 

Jewelry: 

• No flashy jewelry is to be worn in uniform. 

  • Earrings should be studs.

  • Facial piercings need to have understated jewelry that match skin or uniform.

  • No necklaces or bracelets. 

  • Please wait until after the season is over if you plan to acquire new piercings. 

• Watches may be worn in uniform.

Makeup/Nail polish 

• Make­up should be minimal and modest (at director’s discretion). No lipstick. 

• Glitter should be kept to the cheek bone. Director reserves the right to have you wash it off if it gets out of hand.

• Auxiliary will wear makeup as specified by the Advisor. 

Under Uniform: 

• Blue band shirt (Summer Uniform)

• Black shorts (Summer Uniform)

• When the weather gets cold layering is encouraged. 

  • No jeans 

  • No turtlenecks 

Miscellaneous: 

• Uniforms are to be hung up properly. 

  • When hanging the jacket, the number should be visible on the hanger. 

  • Pants should be hung inseam to inseam, so that the creases line up. 2. Hat boxes are only for storing HATS. (We don’t call them “hat­glove­spat­and­dirty­black­sock boxes”).

• New gloves are available for purchase in the Band Office before every performance. 

Inspection Requirements: 

• Be in your spot at the designated time. 

• Wear uniform as outlined above. All pieces must be worn for inspection. 

• Instrument should be clean and in good working order.

School Instrument Usage and Music

Instrument Information

The band department will provide instruments for those students who do not have their own instrument.  An Instrument Rental and Care agreement should be filled out and signed by the student and his parents at the beginning of the school year.  Each band member is responsible for the proper care, condition and repairs of this instrument for the length of the agreement.  Any damages or serious malfunctions should be reported to the director at once.  Damages due to the negligence of the student will be charged to the student.  If the instrument is lost or stolen while away from the band hall, 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 insurance policy.  Before purchasing an instrument, students should consult the band director.

All instruments should be kept in excellent playing condition and should be cleaned and polished before every performance.  

Instrument Rentals and Insurance Policy

Students are asked to provide their own instruments if they are able - except for the larger or more exotic instruments such as percussion, tuba, baritones, bassoons, oboes, bass clarinets, etc.  Loss or damage of school property will be at the student’s expense.

Parents, please make sure your homeowners insurance covers your student’s musical instrument.  Unfortunately with the large number of students involved in this type of activity, accidents can happen.  Carrying insurance on your student’s instrument may help if any accidents occur.

Use and Care of Music

1. Should students be given originals, they are expected to take care of them appropriately. No markings are to made unless directed.

2. Do not fold, tear or otherwise mutilate music.

3. Students will be provided copies of music to be put stored in their binders.

4. Absence from school does not relieve students of the responsibility to have shared music brought to the rehearsal or performance.  This applies mainly to the music in concert folders.

5. If students lose or damage any original music they may be charged the appropriate fee for its replacement.