Band Hall/Officers

2007-2008 Poteet High School Pirate Band Policies and Procedures

The following policies were drawn up not to punish anyone or to restrict your personal freedoms, but rather to allow us all to be aware of the rules necessary to keep the Pirate Band functioning in a smooth and positive manner.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

The following situations constitute an excused absence:

1. Illness--Requires a note from parent.
2. Death in the family--Requires a note from parent.
3. Extreme family emergency--Requires a note or phone call from parent.
4. Doctor appointment (emergency)--Requires note or call from parent. Please schedule all doctor's appointments around rehearsals and concerts.
5. All other circumstances considered to be extenuating according to the Mesquite I.S.D. attendance policy.

Note: All absences require a note!!!

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Most other absences are unexcused at the discretion of the director.
The following actions will be taken for unexcused absences:

1. In marching season, content and valuable instruction time will be lost and cannot be recovered. As a result, a substantial number of points will be deducted from the academic grade. Continued unexcused absences could result in removal from the marching formation and/or being removed from band.
2. In concert season, the same policies will apply as mentioned above. Repeated absences could result in being moved to last chair, and/ or being moved down a band.
3. Second unexcused absence in either marching or concert band will result in parent conference.
4. Repeated unexcused absences could result in removal from band.
5. In short, be responsible for your own actions concerning these matters!

EXTRA REHEARSALS AND SECTIONALS

In addition to regular rehearsals during school time, each member is required to attend additional rehearsals each week. These are required rehearsals and the same absentee rules apply to them as apply to our regular rehearsals! The day and time of sectionals are varied according to which section the student is in.

PERFORMANCES

All band members are required to participate in ALL performances. Please keep track of the calendar that is passed out at the beginning of summer band for football games and marching competitions, as well as concerts and festivals. The fall schedule includes every Friday in August, September, October, and the first few weeks of November, as well as all but two Saturdays in October! This does include the RODEO PARADE and GRADUATION. Missing a performance results in a failing grade for the six weeks and may possibly jeopardize the member's chance for going to contests and trips with the band. Again, this does apply to the Rodeo Parade and Graduation. Repeated absences from performances will result in removal from band.

TARDIES

Members should arrive no later than 10 minutes before the designated time for before and after school rehearsals. Get there in time to get your instrument, music, stands, etc. and get in your seat, ready to play at the appointed time. Keep the following items in mind concerning tardies:

1. Any one who arrives later than the scheduled time and is not in their assigned place is tardy.
2. Anyone arriving more than 15 minutes late results in missing valuable instruction time, and the academic grade may be affected accordingly. In addition, arriving this late creates a class disruption and could result in the lowering of the citizenship grade.

UNIFORMS

As most of you know, the Pirate Band will be receiving new uniforms this year! Although there is no rental fee involved, you are expected to take excellent care of the uniform checked out to you. You will be held responsible for any damage to the uniform or lost uniform parts. All students are required to purchase band shoes (we do this in summer band camp, from one specific company), and for wind players- performance gloves. In addition, all concert bands wear more formal concert attire at competitions. All boys are required to purchase their own tuxedo shirt (the school will provide the tuxedo). All girls are required to purchase their own formal black dress, which must be approved by Mr. Davis.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT

Enrollment in both Band and Instrumental Ensemble classes is mandatory for all band students. Exemptions will be done on a case- by-case basis for true conflicts in the master schedule that can be resolved in no other way and for seniors that may need another course to graduate that cannot fit into their class schedule. Conflicts that can be resolved by moving a class to a later year will be taken care of in that fashion.

GRADES

For Honors Band, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band (A-day), grades will be determined by the following: This is a performance/participation grade based on rehearsal attendance, class participation, performance attendance, and daily test grades.

The following items subtract points from your A-day grade:

Missing rehearsals - unexcused-loss of instruction - results in a 10 point deduction.

Missing performances - unexcused-loss of valuable performance time- comparable to missing a major test - results in 30 point deduction for the six weeks.

Forgetting/not having horn or equipment- causes loss of instruction - results in a 7 point deduction. Not having your horn in working order - same as not having it.

Daily tests:

A test will be given at the beginning of each rehearsal. This test is worth 1/30th of your daily average.

In addition: All Honors Band students will be required to prepare and audition for the All-Region Band and prepare and perform a solo or ensemble at the U.I.L. Solo and Ensemble Competition. The grade for this will be determined by the amount of preparation put into each event and the results of each performance.

For Honors Ensemble, Symphonic Ensemble, and Concert Ensemble (B-day), grades will be determined by the following: This grade is based on test grades: memory tests, chair tests, and/ or written tests. Although there are only two to three tests per six weeks, you may retake the tests to improve your grade.

The following items add points to both A-day and B-day averages:

Extra help that facilitates instruction

Trying out for All-Region band

Being selected to the All-Region band, Area Wind Ensemble, and the All State Band

Performing at Solo and Ensemble Contest

Any additional work, practice, etc. that would enhance individual performance

Taking private lessons

Being section or squad leader

Holding a position of responsibility

BAND PLACEMENT

Every student who is signed up for band must audition to be placed in a band class. Placement in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Honors Band is based on a series of criteria. Some of these criteria are: the audition itself, participation in All-Region and Solo Ensemble, conduct, attitude, dependability, eligibility, attendance for rehearsals and performances, and the student's demonstrated ability to perform the level of the music for the band in which they are placed.

SPRING TRIPS

It is the policy of the Mesquite Independent School District that students will receive the opportunity to travel as a member of their instrumental music program every other year. These trips constitute an excellent performance opportunity for our band and are considered a major performance. All band students are expected to attend the Spring trip. Numerous fundraisers will be held throughout a trip year. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize these events to help defray the costs of the trip. In addition, these trips are a reward for hard work and dedication throughout the year. Any student who is ineligible to perform at the U.I.L. Concert/Sightreading contest will not be allowed to attend the Spring trip.

CONDUCT

The conduct of each band member should be above reproach. By the time a student reaches high school, he/she should know how to show appropriate behavior. The high standards set by the Poteet Pirate Band will be strictly enforced. Poor behavior is a sign of lack of pride and a lack of concern for the band. If a student's conduct grade falls below a "C" in band or in any other class, he/she could be removed from their current band assignment. During marching season, the student could be removed from the marching band formation as well. Members who continually display inappropriate conduct or violate the policies of the school could be removed from the band program.

ELIGIBILITY

Currently, according to the Texas Education Association/ University Interscholastic League Side By Side Rules, it is stated that a student in an extracurricular activity who fails any class for a six weeks grading period will be ineligible to compete or perform with that group for the next three weeks. At the end of the three week period, a student may become eligible again if he/she is passing all classes at that time. Because of this law, any band student showing an inability to consistently be eligible could be removed and placed in a lower band, or could be removed from the band program. This will constitute a schedule change, so be aware of this policy.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Private lessons are not required, but are highly recommended. Nothing can substitute for the knowledge and expertise gained from studying one on one with an expert on your particular instrument. Our band program has excelled because of the outstanding participation we have had in the private lesson program. Our philosophy on private lessons is: the better the individual student becomes on their instrument, the better our band will be! We have a fine staff of private lesson teachers. Make use of them!!!

TIME SCHEDULE

Band rehearsals are at the following times: *Remember, the high school day begins at 8:35 am and ends at 3:45 pm.

Marching Band -- 7:10 am to 8:10 am every morning at PHS except for Wednesdays. Wednesday morning rehearsals will be held at Memorial Stadium from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. Thursday afternoons will be at PHS from 4:05pm to 6:05pm.

Honors Band -- 1st period on A days

Honors Ensemble -- 1st period on B days

Symphonic Band --- 2nd period on A days

Symphonic Ensemble -- 2nd period on B days

Concert Band -- 4th period on A days

Concert Ensemble -- 4th period on B days

* REMEMBER - members should arrive no later than 10 minutes before the designated time for before and after school rehearsals.

CALENDAR

ALL FRESHMEN AND NEW BAND MEMBERS will have a marching fundamentals camp the week of July 16 (Monday)-July 19 (Thursday). Rehearsals will be held at Poteet High School from 8:00 am to 10:30 am daily. Attendance is mandatory! The Percussion Section will begin rehearsals on Monday, July 23 in the Poteet Band Hall. The Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday rehearsals will be from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The Tuesday percussion rehearsal will begin with auditions at 8:00am, then rehearsal from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

The POTEET PIRATE BAND will begin full practices for next year on Monday, July 30. Because school starts later this year, summer band will last two weeks longer! Be prepared! Rehearsals will be held at Poteet High School, Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Beginning on Monday, August 20 through Thursday, August 23, teacher staff-development begins. This will entail evening rehearsals from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Then, Monday, August 25, we will go back to 8:00am to 1:00pm. The first day of school is Monday, August 27. These rehearsals are required for all band members!! Marching spots for the entire year will be selected on the first day of summer band! Only those students that have been consistently present will be considered for a marching spot. This is very important!

RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of the student to call the director in advance when you are going to be absent. If you are going to be absent, call the band hall early before rehearsal so that we may plan for your substitute.

It is also the responsibility of the student to present to the director any notes for absences at the first rehearsal that you are back. You have this responsibility, as we do not often have time to hunt you up for your excuse. If we receive no note from your parents, then we will assume the absence is unexcused. Of course, all regular school rules apply to our band as well.

The band hall phone number at Poteet is 972-882-5323
The main office phone number at Poteet is 972-882-5300

This next year is going to be a very exciting year for the Pirate Band. As you well know, our band is the 2005 CLASS 4A STATE MARCHING BAND CHAMPION, THE 1997 CLASS 4A STATE MARCHING BAND CHAMPION, AND IN 2001 WE WERE 1ST RUNNER-UP! We will be hosting and performing at the Mesquite Marching Festival, and will participate in the Plano East Invitational Marching Festival, where we are five time GRAND CHAMPIONS!!!!! We have also won the Best in Class Award every year we have competed since 1990 and have been selected as the Best Band in Contest in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, and 2005 at PESH! This year is also a 4A State year, and we will do our best to defend our title! State will be held in San Antonio in the Alamodome once again! REMEMBER THE ALAMODOME!!!!!

The Pirate concert bands have done consistently well at U.I.L. competition and other band festivals, making sweepstakes for nineteen years in a row. This year we will be traveling to Los Angeles and San Diego, California in the Spring! It will be an incredible experience for all. This is going to be an exciting and busy year, one that I am looking forward to with anticipation! Needless to say, our standards are quite high, but I feel that we are more than up to the challenge.

I feel very honored to have you as students in the Pirate band. An exciting challenge is ahead of us, and I feel that by working together we can meet those challenges and be rewarded by them. I'm sure you will agree that all the hard work will be worth it when you see and feel the pride from the results we will achieve.

Thanks,
Scott Coulson
Director of Bands
Poteet High School