NewHope/

OwensCrossRoads
Bands

Handbook
20162017

IncludingBeginningBand,MiddleSchool
Band,HighSchoolBand,MarchingBand,
ColorguardandMajorettes

DirectorofBands
KatieMullinax

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TableofContents

WelcomeLetter

DescriptionofEnsembles

Grading/ChairPlacement

Attendance

Finances

ColdWeatherGuidelines

PickUpTimes

StudentCheckOutAwayFromCampus

GeneralSchedule

DisciplinaryProcedures

TravelRules

NewHopeHighSchoolBand

CommitmentContract

DearParentsandStudents,

Thank you for joining or continuing in the band this year. Last Spring wasafantasticbeginning
to what will hopefully be a long tenure at New Hope and Owens Cross Roads. I am looking
forwardtoseveralsuccessfulyearshere.

This is an outstanding group of young people. Icouldnotbeproudertobeapartof anygroup.

They are talented and perform well. Most importantly, they have strong character and moral
values.Ifyourearoundthemforanylengthoftime,youwillfindoutforyourself.

This Handbook is intended to give all of us an understanding of what is expected to be a

member of this outstanding group. It is filled with details and guidelines. Pleaseremember that
these are just minimal and are there for the benefit of the student and the program. The
studentsworkingtogetherinapositiveatmosphereforpersonalandgroupsuccessisthegoal.

The study of music and the arts is an academic pursuit. Students are excited by the energetic
performances where we support school activities and the crowd is cheering. The students are
also interested in excellence on individual and ensemble activities. We will make the pursuit of
musicalknowledgeandartisticchoreographythecenterofwhatourbandisabout.

We try extremely hard to be as accurate as we can in planning and guidelines. Please

understand that somechangesareinevitable.Ifwehavetomakechanges,wewill trytogiveas
muchadvancenoticeasispossible.

Ifthere isaproblem,pleasecomeseeme.Sometimesthereisamisunderstanding. Sometimes

you need to hear both sides of an issue. Sometimes I need to hear the other side. None of us
are perfect. Most problems can either be explained or solved. We are all goodpeople.Wecan
workmostthingsout.

Financial obligations are detailed in the following pages. Parents, please come to the Booster
meetings and find out how you can help. If money is a big issue, all you have to do is
communicate with us about when payments can be made. We will make reductions, when
possible if supported by student effort, for those on free/reduced lunch and we will do so in
strictestconfidence.Therewillbefundraisersthatcanhelp.

Icantwaittogetstarted.Theshowmusicisexciting.Thestudentsaregreat.Itisgoingtobe
anexcitingyear.

Thanksagainforjoiningorcontinuinginthisgreatgroup.

Sincerely,

KatieMullinax
DirectorofBands
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NewHope/OwenCrossRoadsBandBoosters

hasaconstitutionofits
own.Allofourparentsandsupportersarevaluable.Theyareencouragedtoparticipate.
Parentswillalsobeaskedtoworkintheconcessionsstandduringthefallaswellasvolunteer
foradditionalactivitiesdecideduponlaterintheyear.

DescriptionofEnsembles

Marching Band is the largest andmost publicorganizationwithinourband. Itinvolvesselect

th th th
7 grade students and 8 through 12 grade students, including colorguard and majorettes,
excluding instrumental beginners, those with a verifiable medical problem, football players,
cheerleaders and volleyball players. This group performs at football games, pep rallies,
parades, community events, contests and may travel. This is the public face of ourprogram.
It is hard working, energetic and fun. There are required practices after school and in the
summer. Remember that all students will assist with concessions cleanup after home
gameswhenitistheirturn. Wewillhavearotatingscheduleforcleanups.

The C oncert Band is made up of nonbeginner, 8 th th

12 grade instrumentalists. It rehearses
during the school day when possible and after school as scheduled. Educationally, it is our
most important musical organization. The fundamentals and academics of music will be the
center of this activity. This group will performinconcerts, festivals, communityeventsandmay
travel. At times, the Middle School Concert Band may perform separate from the High School
Concert Band. Those excused from Marching Band for the reasons mentioned above will
participateinConcertBandNOEXCEPTIONS.

Colorguard and Majorette th th

(known together as auxiliaries) are made up 9 12 grade
members, chosen by auditions held in the Spring for the upcoming school year. They perform
with the Marching Band and on their own. There are required practices after school and in the
summer.

The B
eginning Bands exist at New Hope Elementary School, New Hope MiddleSchooland
Owens Cross Roads School. They willlearnthebasicknowledgeof howtoplay aninstrument.
In addition, they will perform at community events and concerts. There are a limited number
extrarehearsalsscheduled.

OtherBandActivities

Students are encouraged to participate in activitiesbeyond those inour schools.They

include:
PrivateLessons
CommunityandChurchEnsembles
CollegeHonorBands
County,DistrictandStateHonorBands/AllState
SoloandEnsembleFestivals
SummerCamps
DanceStudio
MajoretteStudio
Theseeventsarefinanciallysupportedbytheboostersonlythroughsomeregistration
fees.

Thecostoftransportation,housing,tuition,etc.istobepaidbythe
student/parent.

Theseactivitiessupportthedevelopmentandexperiencesofourstudents.

At times, these activities require students to miss class time. There have been
discussions with our administrations about these activities. In order to maintain the
academicsofourschools,studentswillbelimitedinthoseactivitiesasfollows:

Students will be excused for activities held by Madison County School System
and Alabama Bandmasters Association. TheseincludeMadison CountyMiddle
School Honor Band, District IHonor Bands, ABA Concert Festival Activities and
AllStateactivities.

Students will be allowed no more that 2 days out ofschoolrelatedto university
honorbands. These honor bands are worthy activitiesanddeserveoursupport.
There are so many of these opportunities that a student could miss an
uncomfortable numberof classes. A seniorthatfinds aneedtoattenduniversity
honor bands that exceed this limitation should ask the Director of Bands and
Principal.
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Grading/ChairPlacement

Students will receive grades and chairs (rank order for instrumentalists) based on participation
and individual assignments. Details of this grading will be discussed in class and published
each 9 weeks. Students that try hard and participate well in classhavea greaterchanceatan
AorB.

Attendance

Attendance is vital to success because preparation for performance requires time with
the group. We have required practices in the summer and after school. Thesewillbedetailed
in a calendar given out in advance. We will try to keep changes to a minimum. There will be
penalties for lack of attendance which could include benching from performances, lowered
grades or seating in the ensemble or removal from band. Most of the time, this is not
necessary. Everyone understands that being part of an organization requirescommitmentand
attendance. Please look for the calendars and make sure everyone is present. Advertised
band activities take precedence over nonschool activities, work, vacations, family reunions,
churchtrips,etc.andmayrequirestudentstomissalimitedamountofclasstime.

Due to the nature of the band, everymembermustputforthanequal amountofeffortin
order for the entire unit to be successful. Therefore, every member is expected to be at every
practice. Failure to attend all or partofanafterschoolpractice (includingarrivinglateorleaving
early)withoutapreviouslyacceptedexcusewillresultinthatstudentnotbeingallowedtomarch
with the band in the halftime show of the following football game. The student will attend the
game with the band as usual, but will not perform at half time with the band. Acceptable
excuses are: death in the immediate family, illness, and participation in another schoolrelated
activity. Other excuses may be accepted on acasebycasebasis,butmustbeclearedwiththe
director in advance. Documentation (signed note from parent or guardian) must be provided to
the director for every after school rehearsal missed. An absence without documentation will be
consideredunexcuseduntildocumentationisreceived.

Finances

Band is not about moneyit is about students, their learning and their experiences. However,
therearecoststorunningasuccessfulprogram.

The Director of Bands and Boosters have put together a budget thatwillsupportwhatweneed
as a program to thrive. The budgetary process happens each spring. All band parents are
invitedtoparticipateindiscussionsthroughtheBoosters.

For 2016/17, it has been decided by the Director of Bands, in consultation with the Band
Boosters, that each student marching band member will pay or raise $250 for the boostersto
help with the band budget. This is due duringfirstsemester. Therewillbeseveralfundraising
opportunities to make this happen. Monies that are not raised will need to be paid by the
student before a given date. We are willing to consider reductions for students on free or
reduced lunch, but only ifthatstudentisactiveinfundraisingthemselves. Thiswillbeuptothe
discretionoftheDirectorofBandsandtheBoosterExecutiveCommittee.

The beginners owe the boosters $50 per student, pay or raise, under the same guidelines as
above.

The nonmarching intermediate students owe $100 pay or raise, under the same guidelines
asabove.

There is also a $50

county approved band fee required of everyone in band (all grades,
instrumental, guard and majorette). This is due when school begins. Free and reduced lunch
studentsdonotowethisfee.

Otherrequiredstudentexpensesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
MarchingInstrumentalists:instruments,supplies,repair,tshirt/shortscombination($15.00),
bandshoes($2530),gloves($4perset)

Colorguard/Dance/Majorette have other expenses explained in their documents. Anyquestions

maybedirectedtotheDirectorofBands.
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ColdWeatherGuidelines

Ms. Mullinax will warn the students in advance if there is an event coming for marching/pep
band that will require them to be in cold weather. The following are allowable clothing
modifications:

Long underwear, extratshirts, extra socks and similar clothing may beworn undertheuniform
aslongasitisnotvisibleanddoesnotimpedeperformance.

Black gloves (as approved by the director) may be worn(maybemultiplepairs)onthefieldand

in the stands as long as they do interfere with the performance. Thefingers(of theglove)may
havetobecutforsomeinstruments(flute/clarinet).

If every auxiliary member present has their wind suit, theauxiliarymay,dependingonhowcold

it is, be allowed to wear them inthestands andpossiblyinperformance.Aslongasthestudent
canmovefreely,layeredclothingunderneathisagreatidea.

Black ear muffs/toboggans can be worn in non performance times. (no cartoon characters,
teams,faces,bears,etc.)

Studentswillnot:

Sitinthestandsunderblankets(wewillnotlookhomeless)

Cuddletokeepwarm(NoPDA)

Sitdownorshutdowncheeringandperforming(movement=warmth)

Wearotheritemsormismatcheditems

Wearclothingontopoftheuniform

Havenonmemberssitwiththeminthestands


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PickUpTimes

Regularlyscheduledrehearsalswillendatorveryclosetothetimeindicated.Itis
unfairtohavepeoplewaitinginthecarorathomeforastudent.Itleadstoworry,
confusion,frustration(cryingbabyinahotcarwaitingonbandtoendyuck!!!).Wewill
trytoendinatimelymanner.Thisisinconsiderationofeveryonestime.

Pickupofstudentsneedstooccur within15minutesofthetimeindicatedsothatthe
staffandadultscangoonwiththeirplansfortheremainderoftheday.Itisdifficulton
stafffamiliestohavescheduledtimeawayextendedwhilewaitingonstudentpickup.

Iftheeventhasnoclearlydefinedendingtime,wewillmaketimesavailableforthemto
call.Pleasecomeassoonaspossible.Pleasepickupyourchildwithin1525minutes
ofcontact.

StudentCheckOutAwayFromCampus

TherearetimesthebandwillallowstudentstoleaveaneventawayfromNHHSwiththeir
parentoradriver,25orolder,withasignednotefromtheparent .Thestaff/chaperonmust
seethestudentwiththepersontheyareleavingwith.Thestudentmustsignoutsothatwecan
takerolleffectively.Thisotherpersoncannotbeaboyfriend/girlfriend.Ifthereisnonote,the
studentwillberidinghomewiththeband.Nostudentwillbedrivinganotherstudent.Thereare
noexceptionstothispolicy.Thisissetinplaceforthesafetyofthestudentsandstaffinvolved
inthisprogram.

GeneralSchedule(therewillbedetailedcalendarspublished)

FallSemester

MarchingBand
Summer(BandCamp)is2weeksbeginninginJulyandrunninguntilschoolstarts.Be
availablemorning,afternoonandevening.MondayFriday.
Afterschool,generallyMonday,TuesdayandThursdayuntil5:30butoccasionallyon
Wednesday
Everygame
23SaturdaycontestsinlateSeptemberearlyNovember
FoundersDayParade
ChristmasParade
ChristmasConcerts
OtherPerformancesthatmayarise

Beginningband
Verylimitedafterschoolrehearsals
1concert

RemainderoftheYear
Potentiallyperformat3basketballgamesforpepband

ConcertBand
musicperformanceassessment
23Concerts

Possibletravel

DrumMajorTryouts

Auxiliaryactivitiesasstatedintheirhandbooksupplement

OfficialTimesandDateswillbepublishedatalaterdate.

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DisciplinaryProcedures
Disciplinaryprocedureswithinthebandwillbecarriedoutinamannerconsistentwiththe
policiesoftheMadisonCountySchoolSystem.TheStudentHandbookandanyadditional
bandrequirementsareinforceanytimethestudentisoncampus,onabandfieldtrip,or
representingtheband.Thisincludes,bandparties,misbehavingwhileclothedinNHHS
apparelandothertimesthatyouractionscouldbeviewedasrelatedbythedirector.For
instance,smokingwhileinyourbandshirtatthemallwillreflectonthestudentsmokingandall
othermembersoftheband,disciplinaryactionscanbetaken.Sincebandismadeofstudents
thatintendtogoaboveandbeyond,ahigherstandardisexpectedofthem.Atthediscretionof
thestaffandschooladministration,anybandstudentsuspended,assignedISS,assignedto
alternativeschool,servingmultipledetentions,causingaproblemconsistentlyinotherschool
activities,orpunishedbythecourts(otherthanaminortrafficviolation),canbedisciplined
withintheprogram,orremoved.Thispunishmentmaygobeyondpenaltiesenforcedbyother
authoritiesoftheMadisonCountySchoolSystem.

TravelRules

An exhaustive list of rules will not be published. We have included some rules thatneedtobe
clarified. Use your head and do not do anything that is against school policy, band policy, or
could embarrass yourself, your family, the band, the school, the band staff, any other band
member, any other band, any other person we come in contact with, your church, or anyother
person or group we couldthinktoname. Sincetheadultsinchargewillinterpret thisstatement,
ask before you do anything that might even remotely considered improper. We areconcerned
aboutyoursafetyandconductatalltimes.

Minor offenses will be dealt with by the staff and could include restrictions or various types of
manual labor. Major offenses or repeated minor offensescanresultindisciplinaryactionatthe
school, removal from band, and possibly returning on the nearest bus/airline with a chaperon,
both at student/parent expense or the parent may pickup the student, at the discretion of the
staff member in charge. Possession of weapons,lightersandalike,illegalsubstances,alcohol,
tobacco, being in a questionable intimate situation, or being out ofyourdesignatedlocationwill
likely result in a studentreturninghomeimmediatelyatdiscretionofthestaffmemberincharge.
Thesestudentswillalsobedisciplinedatschool.NHHSDisciplinaryPoliciesapplyatalltimes.

Dont.
.bealoneexceptinyourroomortherestroom.Wetrustyou.Wedonttrusteveryoneelsethat
maybearoundatthetime.Ifyouarealoneitiseasytogethurtorworse.Nocouplesaloneat
anytimethisisnotadate.
.beintheroomatthemotelmixedwithguysandgirlsforavisitwiththedoororwindowclosed.
Keepbothwideopen.Useyourownrestroom,nottheirs.Beinclearview.Dontgetunderthe
covers.Therewillbetimeswhennovisitingisallowed.
.haveguysandgirlsunderthesameblanketonthebus.
 11

.dontstripdownpastapairofshortsandtshirtoutsideofyourroomortherestroom.
.beinvolvedinPDA.Donotkiss,hangon,holdhands,wraparound,etc
.belate.Youcanbepunishedheavilyformakingotherswait.Geteverywhere5minutesearly.
Earlyisontime,ontimeislate,andlateisyougetit.Latenessisinconsiderateofothers.Large
groupswaitingononeorafewisaseriousproblem.
.bedisrespectfulofanyone.Nobickering.
.becomeinvolvedemotionallywithanyonefromanothergroup.Wedontneedtearfulfarewells
andhurtfeelings.Thisbandstaffisnotgoingtoallowyoutogetinvolvedwithindividualsyou
barelyknowandthatyourparentshavenotmet.Whoyoudateisbetweenyouandyourparents.
Thisisnottobeginonabandtrip.Exchangeemailaddressesonly.Nophonenumbersorhome
addresses.Intodayssociety,thishasbecomeadangerousissue.Foryourownsafety,therewill
benoexceptionstothisrule.
.talkrudelyaboutanyothergrouporperson.
.bring,borrow,orpurchasemischievousitemssuchaswaterguns,balloons,orotheritemsused
inpracticaljokes.Possessionandknowledgeisguilt.
.playyourelectronicswithoutheadphonesonthebus.Everywhereelse,thevolumewillbekept
downortheequipmentwillbetaken.
.bringlistening,watchingorreadingmaterialthatwouldnotappropriatetosharepublicly.Ifthe
staffcouldnotpresentittoeveryone,dontbringit.
.gethyper.Havefunwithoutbeingloudandobnoxious.
.makelongdistancephonecallschargedtoyourroom.Useyourcellphoneoruseapayphone.
.usethephonetoharassothers.
.asksillyquestions.Useyourheads.Wehavealottothinkabout.
.orderfoodtobedeliveredaftercurfew.Thestaffwilleatityouwillpay.
.orderPayPerVieworanyotherpremiumservice.
.bringcellphonesandbeepersunlessithasbeenapprovedforthatactivity.
.layorsleepinapileonthebus.
.purchaseclothingoritemsthatareagainstschoolrules,schooldresscodeorthestafffeelsare
offensive.
wearoverlyrevealingbathingsuits.Thestaffcanrequireyouchangeorgetdressedandleave
thepool.
.lookfortheloopholes.Theintentoftheserulesisclearbehave!

We, the undersigned, understand these rules and the consequences for both Disciplinary
Procedures and Travel Rules related to the NHHS Band. We agree to adhere to their
restrictions and staffs decisions on enforcement. We will pay for a busline/airline trip home if
wecannotpickupourchildinatimelymanner,asdeterminedbythestaffmemberincharge.

Parent/GuardianSignature Date

StudentSignature Date
 12

NewHopeHighSchoolBand

CommitmentContract

Thereareadditionalformsrequiredforparticipation.Theseincludebutarenotlimitedto
amarchingbandintentform,healthform,afieldtrippermissionform,and
Discipline/TravelRules.

WeagreetoadheretothedetailsoutlinedinthisHandbook.WewilldosowithaGREAT
attitude,tryingourhardesttomakethebandthebestitcanbe.Wewillunderstandthat
changesmayoccur.WewillcomeseetheDirectorofBandswhenproblemsoccurand
allowhertheopportunitytoaddressthoseconcerns.Wewillkeepourcommunications
abouttheNHHSBandpositive,understandingthatthegroupwillonlydoaswellaswe,
theNewHopecommunity,allowsittobe.WeunderstandthattheDirectorofBandsand
schooladministrationhaveauthorityoverallactivitiesthebandprogramandwewill
abidebytheirdecisions.

Parent/GuardianSignature: Date:

StudentSignature: Date: