Syllabus

2017-18

West End High School

Spirit of West End Marching Band

4515 Elm Street, Walnut Grove, Alabama 35990

Band Director:  Mrs. Cherie Towns, cherie_towns@ecboe.org

 

GRADING

YOUR GRADE IN THE CLASS WILL BE DETERMINED BY:

  • Participation, attendance, various playing tests, theory tests, notebook tests, mid-term, final and uniform inspections.
  • DAILY Required essentials:   Three ring binder, folder, music, and a pencil.  Instruments are expected to be in working condition and you must have the necessities.  Valve-oil, reeds…..etc……  You cannot participate in class if you are not prepared for class.
  • Each member will have a uniform inspection by their Section Leader.  Members that are not in COMPLETE uniform will receive a 10 points loss per event.   Inspections total 100 points; this is equal to one test grade for the semester.  Uniform includes; hat, plume, jacket, pants, band t-shirt, tall black socks, black shoes, clean white gloves (not percussion) AND instruments/equipment. Auxiliary uniform includes; tights stand attire, proper shoes and equipment.     

  ATTENDANCE

  • If you have an emergency use your remind app to contact me or call the band room and leave a message.
  • Missing a ballgame or an event unexcused, or without prior notice, will result in the loss of a letter grade.   
  • Unexcused absence from a rehearsal, including band camp, will result in lowering of the students’ grade.  Three such absences will result in loss of a letter grade. 
  • Unexcused tardiness will reflect negatively on the students’ grade.

It is impossible to MAKE-UP a performance or a rehearsal.

 It is unfair and causes much difficulty to everyone.  We need everyone present.

 

BAND MEMBER EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Responsibility to Ourselves

  • Students are required to have their music folder with music,  Methods Book, a three ring binder and a pencil at their seat during rehearsals.
  • Practice outside of band class.  Be successful. Be the best that you can be at what you do.  Give it your all!   Other opportunities for individual growth will be presented to your through-out the year……take advantage.
  • Keep horns in working order and maintenance them as necessary.

. Responsibility to “The Spirit of West End”

  • As a member of The Sprit of West End Band you represent all members, past and present, your family, your school, your community and each other.  Do it with PRIDE!!    

Responsibility to Section

  • Practice outside of band class.  Be successful. Be the best that you can be at what you do.  Give it your all!   BE PREPARED!!! BE ON TIME!!

 

STUDENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

CONDUCT

  • All Band members are required to follow all West End and Etowah County rules as outlined in the Handbooks at all rehearsals and band events

 

UNIFORMS

  •  Please note the uniforms will be assigned to you during band camp.  You will be given a garment bag and will be required to leave the uniforms in the band room each week.  You are responsible for hanging them neatly in the bags.  The uniforms have been cleaned and will be periodically throughout the year.  If it needs to be cleaned between these times it will be our responsibility. 
  • CONCERT ATTIRE WILL BE OUR UNIFORMS

FOOTBALL GAME/EVENT EXPECTATIONS

  • ALL ECBOE AND WE HANDBOOK RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL BE FOLLOWED.
  • 2016-2017 band t-shirts will be worn to all band events.
  • Students will stay in their position while in the stands. 
  • STUDENTS WILL NOT HAVE CELL PHONES OUT DURING PRACTICE OR AT GAMES/EVENTS.  THEY WILL ALL BE TAKEN UP AND KEPT UNTIL AFTERWARDS IF THIS IS AN ISSUE.
  • Non –band members will not be allowed to sit with the band or hang-out at rehearsals.
  •  Only bottled water will be allowed in the stands.
  •  All students will remain with the band through the entire ballgame.
  • We will march in and out of the ballgame.
  •  Band members will remain in full uniform unless Mrs. Towns instructs differently.  EVEN DURING THIRD QUARTER.  We will all wear our t-shirts and remove our coats during hot weather. If we do not all have our t-shirts, we will all wear our coats.    
  • The band will have third quarter off to get refreshments unless Mrs. Towns states differently.

 

TRAVEL PROCEDURES

  • COMPETITIONS AND OTHER EVENTS – Students are required to ride the band bus to and from the event.
  • Arrangements for getting home need to be made prior to the departure. Students will be allowed to use cell phones to contact parents with our return arrival time.  Parents are expected to meet us at the school in a timely fashion.
  • AWAY FOOTBALL GAMES:
    • Students are required to ride the band bus to the event.  They will ride the bus back unless they have turned in a permission form and have signed out with Mrs. Towns. THE STUDENT WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE PARENTS UNLESS A PARENT SENT A SIGNED NOTE TO MRS. TOWNS BY THURSDAY. 
    • The students must remain with the band and be checked out at the band bus.  The student will be responsible for taking home their instruments and equipment and hanging their uniform on the band trailer.  Those riding the bus, the bus driver nor Mrs. Towns will not be responsible for others equipment.

 

LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBER

  • Any student wishing to audition for a leadership position must do one of the following:  EYO, Solo & Ensemble, try out for All-State, UAB Honor Band, Jacksonville State Concert Honor Band (BAND DAY will not be sufficient)  or play off all 12 major scales and 3 minor for Mrs. Towns. 
  • All participation in Honor Bands during the school year, needs to be approved through Mrs. Towns, we need to be careful with our absences at school. 

 

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • $30 per year band fee.  September  and January    
  • $60.00 per year –$30.00 per semester. School Owned Instrumental Maintenance Fee. (if applicable) 
  • $10 – $15.00 Band Fundamentals Book  EE1 and EE2 (needed for 8th grade and above ) 
  • $3.00 – Band Gloves
  • Black Band Shoes - Ordered during band camp.