Handbook

Contact Information

Mr. Chamberlin, Director

chamberlinka@mishawaka.k12.in.us

Band Office 574-254-7300 ex:7380

Marching Band Camp

We will have daily rehearsals for two weeks to prepare for the fall marching season at Mishawaka High School beginning on Monday, July 28th from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm (see calendar).  These are required for participation in the Mishawaka High School Band.  It is extremely important to have everyone at these early rehearsals to prepare for our fall marching band performances.  If you must miss a practice for any excusable reason, it is your responsibility to email us as soon as possible. 

Once the school year begins, the Monday and Wednesday evening rehearsals are also required (see Grading Procedures and Important Dates). 

All band members are expected to be at Band Camp and the evening rehearsals with the exception of fall athletes, dancers, and color guard members. We are excusing these students from the marching portion of band, and they must all communicate their fall plans with Mr. Chamberlin - email is the best option. If you have questions about your specific situation, reach out to Mr. Chamberlin. Please email Mr. Chamberlin ASAP to let him know what fall sport or activity you are participating in.  These students will still play their instruments during class once school starts. 

To be ordered at Band Camp – Cash or Checks made out to Mishawaka High School Band

• Black Marching Band Shoes $35 

  • Every person marching needs a pair of these specific marching shoes. If you have a pair from last year that still fits, you’re good to go. If you would like to use a pair of used shoes from our collection, you can do that.

• Flip Folder/Lyre for your marching music - $15

  • We have had trouble with individuals buying these online (they are confusing and different for each instrument). We will purchase these for all freshmen, and you can buy them from us at camp. If you still have yours from last year, you’re good to go. If you want to order a new one, please let Mr. C know ASAP. 

• Band Shirt – FREE! 

  • Thanks to our shirt sponsors! Please provide your size on the order form. We are going to make a shirt that is specific to our marching band show! 

  • We would like everyone (all grades) to put their shirt size on the order form. Everyone is getting a shirt.  

A Few Rules/Reminders

• We will plan to meet at Alumni Plaza and often use the loading dock for entry to the building. 

• You will want to drink lots of water before and during the rehearsals. Bring your own water bottle or jug that will hold lots of water and keep it cold. No food, gum or drink is allowed in any indoor rehearsal area.  Our band booster parents will provide a breakfast bar if you need one and water refills. 

• Summer clothing should be worn, but it must be acceptable and follow the MHS rules.  Always wear athletic type shoes – no flip flops, slides, sandals, Crocs, etc! This is for your own safety and the ability to march well. 

• Please post the attached band calendar on your bulletin board at home and refer to it throughout the school year.  Also, give your parents and employer a copy.  Employers will excuse you for rehearsals and performances if you inform them far enough in advance.  Remember, we cannot excuse you from a band event due to work. This is a co-curricular class (not extracurricular).

Grading Procedures

- If a student must miss a rehearsal or performance, the band director must receive a note, phone call or email from the parent one day in advance for rehearsals and two weeks in advance for performances describing why the student will be absent from the rehearsal or event.  

- The band director will determine whether the absence is excused.  Generally, the only excuses will be for illness or death in the family, a required religious observance, or any other excuse which would be acceptable to excuse a student from classes at MHS.  

- Work is not considered a valid excuse for missing any required rehearsal or event.  Don’t surprise your employer. Keep them informed in advance.

- All public performances representing Mishawaka HS, regardless of location or time of day, are considered major graded events.  This includes all concerts, community events, adjudicated ISSMA contests and invitational events.  

Unexcused Performance Absence – student will receive a zero for the large concert assignment in the grade book.

Second Unexcused Performance Absence – possible dismissal from band and loss of credit

- A student’s failure to participate, not having the proper equipment, being late for rehearsals or performances, or failing to exhibit proper behavior will also result in a lower grade.  

- Students will be required to perform playing tests on their instrument as part of their grade.  The remainder of their grade will be based on class participation.

Dress Requirements

Unless otherwise informed by the band directors, band members should follow these requirements. Don’t wait until the last minute to get these items.

Marching Band

Uniform supplied by the school, plain black socks (purchase on your own), black marching style shoes (must be purchased or borrowed from MHS), no visible jewelry/bracelets, hair must be up inside the hat.

Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble

“Concert Black” – All black dress clothes head-to-toe 

Everyone needs to be wearing clothes that will allow them to sit properly while performing with the band. Please do your best to have dressy black clothing and avoid hoodies and t-shirts. 

Basketball Pep Band

Pep Band jerseys (provided)

Blue or black jeans

May Festival and Commencement

Formal dress clothes

Does not need to be all black 

Jazz Ensemble

All black dress clothes including dress shoes and socks.

Everyone needs to be wearing clothes that will allow them to sit properly while performing with the band.

 Winter Pep Band

The Winter Pep Band will take place November through February. Performance dates are not chosen until after marching season. Dates will be distributed to interested students. Winter Pep Band is a voluntary activity, and we have a great incentive for you to be involved. Our wonderful Band Boosters will help to feed the Pep Band members dinner before every game! 

We will meet early to eat and have a short rehearsal before each game. We will perform at ~12 events in the winter months (mostly basketball games). If you choose to participate in this voluntary activity, you will be committing to all 12 games. If you must miss a game, please let us know in advance so we can make accommodations. 

The goal of this format is to make the Winter Pep Band strong, consistent, and fun for the dedicated “Pep Band-ers” who love being at the games. Last year we got opportunities to perform at Bethel and Notre Dame! 

MHS Band Boosters

Please consider volunteering with the Band Boosters! We can’t survive without your help. The Boosters help us in the following ways:

Band Camp snacks, water, uniforms

Football games water, spirit wear sales

Fundraising

Concert Help

Senior Banquet

and more

Send an email to mishawakahsbandboosters@gmail.com to be added to their email list.

Important Dates

-July 28 – August 1  and August 4 - 8   Band Camp 8:00am – 12:00pm

-August 2 (Saturday)   Band Car Wash 10:00am – 1:00pm   Lunch provided

**ALL MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY EVENING REHEARSALS** 

6:30pm – 8:30pm  Beginning August 13

Last regular rehearsal on October 1 

No rehearsal on Labor Day (September 1)

-August 22 (Friday) Home Game vs Marian – 5:30pm arrival, 7:00pm game

-September 5 (Friday) Home Game vs Concord – 5:30pm arrival, 7:00pm game Senior Night for Band, Dance, Guard

-September 19 (Friday) Home Game vs Goshen – 5:30pm arrival, 7:00pm game Homecoming Week

-October 3 (Friday) Home Game vs Warsaw – 5:30pm arrival, 7:00pm game

-October 4 (Saturday) ISSMA Festival Class Marching Contest –  Crown Point, Time TBA 

-October 17 (Friday) Home Game vs Wawasee - Volunteer Pep Band, during Fall Break 7:00pm game

-December 9 (Tuesday) Winter Band Concert – 7:00pm MHS Auditorium

-January 31 (Saturday) ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest - NorthWood HS – Times TBA

-February 28 (Saturday) ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble Contest (only for students who qualify) - Indianapolis

-March 7 (Saturday) ISSMA Jazz Contest (only for Jazz Ensemble members)

-April 16 (Thursday) Spring Band Concert – 7:00pm MHS Auditorium

-April 24 or 25 ISSMA Organizational Contest – Times TBA – Local site

-May 15 (Friday) May Festival of Fine Arts – 7:00pm MHS East Gym

-May 25 (Monday) Memorial Day Parade – Morning, Meet at MHS, volunteer group

First or Second Sunday in June - Graduation - for Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band members - The specific date had not been determined when this calendar was published.

Stay Connected

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MishawakaHSBand 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mishawakaband 

Remind

Sign up here for text alerts throughout the year

For Students Only

Text @achd7a to the number 81010

We will use Parent Square (email) for parent communication.