HOLMES MARCHING BAND

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

2013-2014

2013 Holmes Marching Band Rehearsal and Performance Season (Please refer to our Fall Calendar on our website for the latest schedule) May 14 16 21 23 27 31 June 7 11 18 25 July 15-19 21-26 Aug 5-9 23 24 Sept 2 7 13 14 21 27 28 Oct 4 5 11 12 19 26 Marching Band Practice (4:00-6:00) Marching Band Practice (4:00-6:00) Marching Band Practice (4:00-6:00) Marching Band Practice (4:00-6:00) MEMORIAL DAY PARADE BAND PICNIC AND AWARDS CELEBRATION GRADUATION Volunteer Marching Band Practice (5:00-8:00) Volunteer Marching Band Practice (5:00-8:00) Volunteer Marching Band Practice (5:00-8:00) Band Camp Week 1 (9:00 9:00 (M,T,W,Th) 9:00 5:00 F) Band Camp Week 2 (Camp Crescendo) Post-camp Week (5:00 9:00) Football Game Adair County Preview Labor Day NO SCHOOL, NO PRACTICE Contest (KMEA) Football Game Contest (KMEA) Contest (KMEA) Football Game Contest (KMEA) Football Game Contest (KMEA) Mini-camp AND Football Game Contest (KMEA) KMEA Class AAA East Quarterfinals KMEA State Semi-Finals and Finals at Louisville

Rehearsal and Football Schedule Regular after-school rehearsals will begin on Monday, August 12. Please review the Attendance Policy located in this handbook. The regular rehearsal schedule is as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 5:00 8:00 This schedule does change throughout the season. Please refer to the actual calendar for exact dates and time. To view the updated schedule throughout the season, visit our website at: http://holmesband.org (also www.facebook.com). This calendar is updated in a timely manner and is very helpful in communication. If you ever have any questions, this would be the place to visit to find an answer. Contests, rehearsals, etc. are subject to change. Notice will be given. The Director reserves the right to add and adjust rehearsals. Ample notice will be given to students if rehearsal is called.

Conduct and Rehearsal Technique To make rehearsals more effective for the band program, the following rehearsal techniques will be expected from all members of the Holmes Marching Band. Just remember, When in doubt, dont do it!!! General Conduct: No foul or abusive language or gestures are permitted. Yelling is not permitted at any time! This can cause serious accidents. All staff members and chaperones will be given the same respect as the Director. Treat all peers with respect and courtesy!!! DO NOT play anyone elses instrument! This includes all percussion and guard equipment. You are not permitted to play other students instruments or pick up their guard equipment at any time. Public displays of affection will not be tolerated. Do not touch anyone elses body. This includes (but not limited to) roughhousing, holding hands, necking, and kissing. Remember, you are representing Holmes at ALL TIMES. Students will be divided into different committees for marching band. It is expected that all students will serve their committees in full capacity! A list of committees and their membership will be posted in the band room. PODIUM /P.A. COMMITTEE: Chair TBD This small committee is in charge of transporting the podium whenever necessary, such as from the rehearsal field to the football field. They are also in charge of placing the podium by the trailer on contest days for loading. They are also in charge of making sure the Dr. Beat and sound system are ready for use at each rehearsal. This includes making sure Dr. Beat has fresh batteries and the sound system is fully charged for each rehearsal. This committee reports directly to the drum major. FIELD/PROP COMMITTEE: Chair TBD This committee is in charge of painting and maintaining the rehearsal field. It is recommended that this committee report no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to rehearsal to make sure the field is ready for rehearsal. This committee is also in charge of policing the rehearsal field at the end of the day. They are also responsible for helping to transport all percussion equipment AND props to and from the rehearsal field. This committee reports directly to the drum major. LOADING COMMITTEE: Chair TBD This committee is in charge of loading and unloading the truck before/after each weekend performance. They are in charge of making sure all uniforms, instruments, guard equipment, emergency supplies, band booster items and any other items deemed necessary by the Director are loaded and unloaded. This committee reports directly to the drum major. UNIFORM COMMITTEE: Chair TBD This committee is in charge of making sure every section has all uniforms (and all parts of uniforms) on the trailer before leaving for each contest. They are in charge of making sure that all uniforms are also properly placed in the uniform room upon arrival at school after each contest. They are in charge of making sure that all uniforms are properly hung up in the uniform bags before being placed on the trailer and in the uniform room. They are in charge of making sure the uniform room is organized after each weekend performance. This committee reports directly to the drum major.

Conduct and Rehearsal Technique continued Performance Attire: Performers are required to be in concert uniform for performances unless announced otherwise by the Director. Rehearsal Band and Guard Members 1. Light-colored Shirts (suggested) a. includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets b. Sports bras, halter tops, and spaghetti straps are unacceptable at all times. 2. Shorts, sweat pants, and pants/jeans are acceptable, but pants/jeans are not recommended due to the amount of movement performed by the students. Jeans/pants are not permitted at any time for colorguard during rehearsals. The Holmes High School dress code will be followed once school begins. 3. Tennis shoes a. Absolutely no boots or sandals. b. Students must wear socks at all times! c. Bare feet are never allowed. 4. It is required that students with long hair put it up out of the face and off of the neck to keep cool. Pre-Contest Attire The Marching Band t-shirt, which is purchased through the marching band fee, must be worn to all contests. Each student will be receiving a pair of black gym shorts that must be worn to all contests. For football games, unless otherwise announced, students will wear marching band uniforms. Uniforms The Holmes Band Boosters are charged with the responsibility of maintaining the band uniforms. A portion of the expense that each band member pays at the beginning of the summer is used to dry clean uniforms several times during the school year. Each uniform consists of pair of pants (black), a jacket, a hat, hat plume, black socks, and black shoes. Students are expected to furnish black socks and black shoes. The shoes will be measured and purchased early in the marching season. The shoe cost is $30. Fitting for the school-supplied portion of the uniform will also occur early in the season. If the student has hair that goes below the collar of the jacket, it must be put up for the proper fitting of the hat; no hair will touch the collar of the jacket. STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR MARCHING BAND WHITE TSHIRTS AND MARCHING BAND BLACK GYM SHORTS UNDERNEATH THEIR UNIFORMS. It may be necessary for us to change into and out of the uniforms on the bus while traveling. It is recommended that students put their names in their band shoes and that they memorize their uniform number. A Uniform List will be placed in the uniform room in case numbers are forgotten. Shoes must be cleaned and polished for every performance. Jewelry, including any and all piercings (facial, earrings, etc.) will not be permitted at any time while wearing the Holmes Band uniform. Hair cannot be below the collar, or the student must wear a hairnet/doo-rag. There will be NO nail polish on while in uniform for any member of the band. The entire uniform will be stored in the uniform room. The band uniform is the responsibility of the student! It must be maintained and not left in any unoccupied space! Consequences will follow if this rule is not obeyed!

 DESIRED STUDENT BEHAVIOR Each member of the Holmes Band is held to the highest standard of academic excellence. Grades, class attendance, class behavior, and class participation are of the utmost importance. Each member of the Holmes Band is expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA. Weekly grade checks will be performed to make sure that all students are meeting this expectation. Students not meeting this expectation will be required to sit on the sidelines at rehearsal until their grades improve. While sitting on the sidelines, students will be required to work on school work to improve their GPA. If the students grades do not improve, removal from the Holmes Marching Band will be considered. Each member of the Holmes Band is required to attend all classes, participate in classes, and not be a distraction in class. If a student is not meeting this expectation, they will be required to sit on the sidelines at rehearsal until their class behavior AND/OR attendance improves. While sitting on the sidelines, the students will be required to work on school work to improve his or her GPA. If the GPA is meeting the guidelines, the student will be required to stand at attention on the sideline during non-break time of the rehearsal. If the students class behavior AND/OR attendance does not improve removal from the Holmes Marching Band will be considered.

 BAND CAMP AND CAMP CRESCENDO It is the philosophy of the Holmes Band that Pre-Camp on campus and Band Camp at Camp Crescendo is MANDATORY. We ask that all doctors appointments and family vacations not interfere with these two very important weeks. During this time the band is learning all elements of the field show. Any distraction from this will result in loss of rehearsal time for the band. This will also put the band behind their learning schedule. If a student cannot attend Pre-Camp AND/OR Camp Crescendo, they will not be allowed to be a member of the Holmes Marching Band. The eleven days of Camp are MANDATORY for all members of the Holmes Marching Band While at Pre-Camp on campus, the students will be rehearsing from 9am 9pm each day. The expectation is that students arrive early enough so that they are ready for rehearsal to begin promptly at 9am each day. The students will be fed lunch and dinner each day during Pre-Camp. The students will travel by bus provided by the school district to Camp Crescendo. Camp Crescendo is run by the Lions Club and is located in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. While at Camp Crescendo, members of the Holmes Band are REQUIRED to abide by all rules as set forth by Camp Crescendo. Any violation of these rules will require the student to be removed from the Holmes Marching Band and student sent home immediately. If any student has to leave Camp Crescendo for ANY reason it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to come pick up their child from the camp.

 Holmes Band Traveling Rules BUS EXPECTATIONS 1. Students will remain seated and facing forward while the bus is in motion. 2. Girls will sit on one side of the bus and guys will sit on the opposite side of the bus. 3. Band members will use their speaking voices when on the bus. 4. No food or drink is allowed on the bus unless authorized by the driver. 5. Directors, staff, and the driver have total authority on the bus and will be respected at all times. HOTEL AND CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS 1. Drinking alcoholic beverages and taking non-prescription drugs is illegal and against school policy and is cause for immediate dismissal from the band program, being sent home at the parents expense (from trips), and school disciplinary action (according to school policy). 2. Smoking, chewing, or dipping will not be tolerated at any time. 3. Band members will not be permitted in any room containing members of the opposite sex. No unauthorized persons will be permitted to visit. 4. Students are expected to behave at all times in the hotel. You are representing Holmes High School, your band, and your family. 5. All students are expected to participate in all activities. 6. Parents and students will be held responsible for paying for any property damage or room charges. 7. Students will be fully clothed at all times. 8. Swimsuits are only to be worn at appropriate times, such as going to the pool. 9. Rooms are to be locked at all times when students are not in the room. 10. Courtesy is expected in all respects (hotel, restaurant, bus, etc.). 11. Refrain from playing instruments in the room. 12. All school rules (including smoking) will be strictly enforced. Infractions will be dealt with by the Band Program and school authorities. 13. All students should realize that, for the duration of the trip, any personal desires, uniqueness of character or other individualities must be considered secondary to the traits that facilitate large group control and management. 14. Under no circumstances will you be permitted to leave the hotel except when with the entire group. 15. Profanity is not a part of the Holmes Band Program. Make sure that your language is never offensive while with the band. 16. Curfew requires students to remain in their own rooms. Lights-out will be followed by all members. REMEMBER: Young adults do not roughhouse or damage property. As Holmes Band members, you reflect not only the values you learn at HHS or HMS, but those of your community as well. BAND MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME, WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT READY TO GO!

Materials needed at all times .. Water bottle/jug with name (MANDATORY) Sharpened pencil Light-colored shirts Loose fitting short or sweatpants Proper working instrument/equipment Any supplies needed for instrument during rehearsal Music/Drill/Coordinate Sheets 3-ring binder with plastic sheets to hold music, drill, coordinate sheets Hat Sunscreen Tennis Shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, slippers or boots)

PREPARING FOR MARCHING BAND 101 Stay active outdoors in June. Do not sit in the air conditioning for the entire month of June! Get your body acquainted with the outside warm climate. Start to hydrate yourself the day before pre-camp starts. This means to start drinking water in June! Rehydrate every evening of pre-camp to prepare for the next day. Drinking Gatorade after rehearsals can help to replenish electrolytes. Powerade is recommended during the day. EAT BREAKFAST!!! Skipping breakfast is not an option. Play your instrument a little every day. Do some routine guard work to keep your body and mind in shape. All band members can afford 15-20 minutes a day to play your instruments. Learn the warm-ups BEFORE the first day of pre-camp!

You must have all materials at every rehearsal and be prepared. If a student is unprepared, the necessary consequences may be carried out: Cardiovascular workout Muscular strength/endurance workout Required to stay after rehearsals to help with equipment wrap-up Cleaning the band room Contact Parent/Guardian for being unprepared

Attendance Policy (effective as of July 15, 2013) Excused Absences For up to three (3) days during the marching season, parent notes, excused admit slips from the attendance office or an excusable admit slip from an appropriate teacher will be accepted for certain reasons. An Excused Absence occurs when the student does not attend band practice, having the consent and/or knowledge of the parent, for one of the following reasons: 1. Personal illness of the student. 2. Serious illness in the immediate family. 3. Death in the family. 4. School-related activity that cannot occur outside of band practice. 5. Church-related activity that cannot occur outside of band practice. 6. Music-related activity that cannot occur outside of band practice. 7. Special cases of an emergency nature may be ruled excusable by the Director. 4th Excused Absence: Student will not march with the band in the next performance. However, the student will dress in uniform and will stand at attention on the front sideline facing the audience. 5th Excused Absence: Student will not perform with the band for the remainder of the season. The position will be filled by an alternate (if available) or eliminated. Unexcused Absences An Unexcused Absence occurs when the student is absent from band practice without the knowledge and/or consent of the parent and Director and when the absence is not for one of the reasons listed above in the excused absence section, unless the reason for the absence falls under the listed excused absences. Unexcused Absences could include the following: 1. Skipping band practice or a large portion of the practice. 2. Student asking boss to work or not asking off on rehearsal days. 3. Going to another activity during band practice that could be done at another time. 4. Anything not listed as an excused absence. 1st Unexcused Absence: Student will not march with the band in the next performance. However, the student will dress in uniform and will stand at attention on the front sideline facing the audience. 2nd Unexcused Absence: Student will not perform with the band for the remainder of the season. The position will be filled by an alternate (if available) or eliminated. Special Circumstances: The Director will make the final decisions determining excused or unexcused absences. Special circumstances may need to be evaluated on an individual basis. TIPS for PARENTS Let your child know you think band practice is important. Provide a plan of transportation for getting your child to and from practice on time. Schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointments around the practice schedule. If your child must be out of school part of the day, allow him/her to miss only the time necessary for the appointment. Do not view tardiness as acceptable behavior. Refuse to write an excuse for anything other than a legitimate absence. Discourage any early checkouts from school. In case of prolonged absence due to illness or hospitalization, etc., notify the band director ASAP.

 There is a direct relationship between attendance and achievement. Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, have fewer problems at school, enjoy school more, and are much more employable after school. Marching Band Fee Payment Breakdown and Agreement The 2013 Holmes Marching Band fee is $230. This fee will include a new pair of marching band shoes ($30). A portion of the marching band fee - $150 - will provide the following for each student during the week at Camp Crescendo: Housing, Food, First Aid, Use of facilities (swimming pool, activities center, etc.), extra staff provided by the Camp, etc. The remaining $50 goes toward t-shirts (2), black shorts, drawstring backpack, and food at competitions. We will need to set up a payment schedule so that all Camp Crescendo fees are paid in full before we leave for camp. Please review the payment schedule and check which option you choose and return the form with your Agreement Form: Option #1 June 11 - $50 deposit + $30 for shoes is due along with signed Agreement and Medical Form. June 25, July 15, July 19, and July 22 - $25 due on each of the dates listed (this ensures all Camp Crescendo Fees are paid before leaving for camp). Aug 15, Aug 30 - $25 due on each of the dates listed (this completes the marching band fee) Option #2 June 11 - $50 deposit + $30 for shoes is due along with signed Agreement and Medical Form. The remaining Camp Crescendo balance of $100 is due no later than July15. The remaining Marching Band Fee of $50 is due no later than Aug 30. Option #3 June 11 - $50 deposit + $30 for shoes is due along with signed Agreement and Medical Form. The remaining balance of $150 is due no later than July 15. *All checks/money orders are to be made payable to Holmes Band. Contact April Brockhoff (859.801.4763 OR aprilbrockhoff@hotmail.com) for fee payments. *NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON. _______________________________________________________________________ _ I, _____________________________, agree to Option ____ to pay for the Marching Band Fee for the 2013 Holmes Marching Band for my child, __________________________. I understand that if I do not choose an option or not

fully comply with the option chosen, I will automatically be asked to pay the remaining balance due by July 19. _______________________________ _____________________________ Parent Signature Director Signature 2013-2014 Holmes Band Agreement and Permission Form Student Name: _______________________________ Instrument: _______________ Student Email: _____________________________________ Student Cell Phone: _________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________ Mothers Name: _____________________________________ Fathers Name: ______________________________________ Mother: (h) __________________, (w)_________________, (cell) ______________ Father: (h) _________________, (w)__________________, (cell) _______________ By returning this signed form, I give my child permission to be a member of the 2013-2014 Holmes Band. I also understand that: My child will be attending rehearsals, camps, football games, Saturday competitions, parades, field trips, and other community events. Pictures and videos of my child will be taken during performances/rehearsals and may be published on the website, newspapers or other positive media. I will be given proper notification of all events by the Director. My child will be transported to and from band competitions and on busses provided by the Covington Independent Public Schools. I will be called upon to help the band in their positive endeavors. I have checked that all dates will work with my calendar and that I will contact the Director in advance with any conflicts. I will pick up my student from the band room in a timely manner at the end of each activity. I will contact the Director with questions, comments, and/or concerns. Student Signature: _____________________________________ Parent Signature: _____________________________________ **Please retain a copy for your files**

THIS FORM AND YOUR INITIAL $80 PAYMENT ARE DUE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JUNE 11.

MEDICAL/EMERGENCY FORM IS DUE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JUNE 11.

Holmes Band Medical Emergency Form Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________ Date of Birth: _____/ ________/_________ SSN: ________________________ Father: ______________________________ Mother ________________________ Phone Number where parents can be reached in case of emergency: Mother: (h) __________________, (w)_________________, (cell) ______________ Father: (h) _________________, (w)__________________, (cell) _______________ Person to notify in case of emergency if parents cant be reached: Name: ______________________________________________ Relationship: _________________________________________ Phone: (h) _________________, (w)__________________, (cell) _______________ Physician:_____________________________ Phone #: _______________________ Dentist: ______________________________ Phone #: _______________________ Name of Insurance Company: ___________________________________________ Subscribers Name: ____________________________________________________ Coverage Code (if applicable) Hospital ______________ Surgical _______________ Group and/or Policy #: __________________________________________________ PLEASE LIST ANY RESTRICTIONS OR MEDICAL INFORMATION SUCH AS ALLERGIES, DIABETES, HEART CONDITION, CONTACT LENSES, ASTHMA, ETC. PLEASE INCLUDE INFORMATION ON ANY MEDICATION TAKEN REGULARLY FOR ANY CONDITION. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SUBMT A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH THIS FORM.

My son/daughter has my permission to travel with the Holmes Band. In case of accident, illness or emergency, I give my permission for him/her to be examined and treated by a licensed physician. Printed Name of Parent: ____________________________________ Signature of Parent: _______________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________