INTRODUCTION             Welcome to the Ardrey Kell High School Band! This handbook has been provided to help guide both parents and band members through the operation of the Ardrey Kell band program. As a member of this organization, each member will be responsible for maintaining the outstanding reputation that the Ardrey Kell Band will establish. This will only be accomplished when each member displays a consistent level of SELF-DISCIPLINE, RESPECT, SPIRIT, and PRIDE at all times. It is my wish that this handbook will inform both student and parent about the procedures and guidelines that will be enforced during the school year.   A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE             COMMITMENT will be the key word in describing the 2008-09 Ardrey Kell Band. This will require each member to have a positive attitude and implement their highest degree of help, cooperation, and effort. Band members must realize their COMMITMENT to the band by being a TEAM player and being on time to all rehearsals and performances. All of these times will be posted at least 3-4 weeks in advance so that each member can adjust their schedule and make it possible for the TEAM to participate and excel at all of its functions. All members must carry out this COMMITMENT and display the right ATTITUDE. The ATTITUDE you portray will directly affect the QUALITY of the AKHS Band!   DISCIPLINE             The members of this band will work very hard and spend many hours and days building a highly respected ensemble product. Pride is built on superior performance, self-discipline, hard work, genuine respect for other people, and a very high standard of personal conduct and performance. The reputation that we want to build for ourselves will be extremely hard to accomplish and will only be done when each member settles for nothing short of their very best. Students may have their grade lowered, may become alternates, may be held out of performances, or may be dismissed from the band entirely if their attitude, attendance, or behavior does not comply with the rules of this handbook and/or with the BEST INTEREST of the Ardrey Kell High School Band program!!!     DESCRIPTION OF PERSONNEL BAND DIRECTOR             In charge of the instrumental music program at Ardrey Kell High School. INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF             Qualified instructors that assist the Band Director during Band rehearsals. BAND OFFICERS (Drum Majors, Upper Staff, Section Leaders)             Directly responsible to the Director. The student leaders have duties that assist the Band and the Director during both rehearsals and performances. These duties include calling sectionals, checking music and cleaning drill, always maintaining the proper performance attitude, and helping the Director with discipline throughout the Band at all times. BAND MEMBER             YOU! The person "in the trenches" that keeps focus on the task at hand and never stops working for the Band until the job is done!   ELIGIBILITY POLICY             The policy of the Ardrey Kell Band will require all students participating with the band at a performance, a competition, or at an NCBA sanctioned event maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 from the grading period most recent to the date of the performance or from a current progress report. Students failing to meet this requirement may be withheld from band or guard performances!   REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE PROCEDURES             Performances are the culmination of many long hours of rehearsal. We all look forward to the performance, but the degree of QUALITY wanted can only be achieved DURING THE PRACTICE!!!  Any and all rehearsal time is extremely valuable and is necessary in producing any fine organization. With this in mind, all members of the Ardrey Kell Band will be required to follow a few basic rules:      1.  A request to be excused from a rehearsal must be made at least one (1) week in advance from the date of the missed rehearsal. A request to be excused from a performance must be made at least four (4) weeks in advance from the date of the performance. This request must be IN WRITING and must still be cleared by the Director. Special cases will be considered.     2.   Performances missed (excused) will have to be made up through written assignments and/or playing tests issued by the Director.     3.   Tardiness will not be tolerated - Early is on time, on time is late!     4.   Work is NOT an excused absence. A calendar of activities is always posted at least 3-4 weeks in advance. It is your responsibility to clear your work schedule with your employer.     5.   All appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) should be scheduled for days when there is not any after school practice. There are at least two days a week in which we do not have any after school rehearsal. Although this is sometimes impossible, please make every effort to schedule these around us.     6.   You are personally responsible for all equipment, including music, that is issued to you. You will be held financially responsible for any equipment that is lost or damaged through negligence, whether caused by you or someone else.     7.   Bring a pencil to ALL rehearsals!!!     8.   School books/folders are to be kept in your locker outside the Band Room. They will not be allowed in the rehearsal area or the storage rooms!     9.   All band members are required to be in the band room by the final bell and be ready to begin rehearsal within two minutes after the final bell.    10.   You must have all equipment (instrument, music, etc.) at every rehearsal and performance unless otherwise noted.    11.   Use of vulgarity and/or profane language will not be tolerated in this band AT ANY TIME!    12.   No food, drinks, or gum will be allowed in the band room.    13.   There will be no public displays of affection between members on any band function.    14.   There will be no eating while in uniform. The only liquid allowed in uniform is water.    15.   There will be no smoking or use of tobacco products while in uniform or as a representative of the Ardrey Kell Band.    16.   Use of alcohol, drugs, and/or mood altering substances will result in IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL FROM BAND AND SUSPENSION AND/OR EXPULSION FROM SCHOOL!    17.   Alternates and students not allowed to participate because of discipline or grade-related reasons will still be required to attend all rehearsals and performances.    18.   All Ardrey Kell HS and Charlotte-Mecklenburg student conduct policies will be in full effect during all band functions, including those held outside of the normal school day. ***  FAILURE TO FOLLOWING ANY OF THESE PROCEDURES MAY RESULT IN DETENTIONS, REFERRALS, LOWERING OF GRADE, AND/OR DISMISSAL FROM THE BAND ***   FOOTBALL GAME PROCEDURES     1.   All band members will report to the performance field at the assigned time for final run-throughs.     2.   All band members will line up as directed for inspection at the roll call time, in full uniform.     3.   Every student will be given a bus assignment. These assignments last for the entire year and can not be changed. Each bus will be assigned a student bus captain and at least two adult chaperones.     4.   When entering the stadium, the band will remain in line as directed by the Director, remaining silent and marching in step to a tap/cadence. Move to your seat and remain standing in files at attention until instructed to be seated.     5.   Remain in your assigned seat and row unless instructed by the Director or one of the Drum Majors to move around.     6.   This is a PERFORMANCE under the watchful eye of the public! Football games will not be the place to practice music or display inappropriate behavior. Instruments will not be played unless the Director or one of the Drum Majors has instructed you to do so.     7.   Guests and relatives of band members, unless official Band Chaperones, will not be allowed in the band area. This is not the time or place to be visiting with friends in or across from the band section. We have a job to do and a performance to complete that will be carried out uniformly by all.     8.   All band members will remain in FULL UNIFORM at all times unless otherwise noted by the Director.     9.   Restroom use will be allowed only with the accompaniment of a chaperone and only during proper times.    10.   Water will be provided throughout the game. Accepting food or soft drinks from outsiders is not permitted.    11.   After the half-time performance, the band will depart the field in line as directed by the Drum Majors and will march to the band area on tap.    12.   After the game is completed, the band will line up by rows and will MARCH in line back to the busses / band room.    13.   The band will be dismissed back at school from outside the band room by the director. Please remember that the performance is not over until you are dismissed.    14.   All students will leave the band room neat and clean when leaving. All instruments will be put away in their correct places and all uniforms will be hung up correctly. THERE IS NO BAND ROOM MAID SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    15.   Chaperones of the band are considered agents of Ardrey Kell High School and are therefore due all considerations and respect from the students. Anyone not following instructions, being disrespectful, or talking back to a chaperone for any reason will be dealt with accordingly.    16.   The bottom line is, if you are not sure whether something you do will be acceptable by the Director, DON'T DO IT!   INSPECTION GUIDELINES     1.   Stand at parade rest. You will be called to attention.     2.   Uniforms must be clean and properly pressed.     3.   Each student must have their Band Bag with a rain poncho.     4.   Uniform accessories will be clean and properly worn.     5.   The correct color gloves (black) will be clean and will be properly worn.     6.   Black socks. Clean shoes.     7.   The hat will be worn properly. All hair that reaches below the jacket collar will be worn in the hat in either a braid or a pony tail.     8.   Instruments are to be clean, polished, and in good working order.     9.   Each member will have all of their music.    10.   No jewelry is to be visible. You may wear one stud/small hoop in each ear. *** FAILURE TO PASS ANY PART OF INSPECTION MAY RESULT IN YOUR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THAT PERFORMANCE ***   BAND UNIFORM             Each qualified band member will be issued a marching band uniform at the start of the school year. Each band member receiving a uniform shall pay a dry cleaning/uniform fee for that uniform for the upcoming school year. All uniform cleanings will be handled by the Band Booster Association.             All members of the marching band will be required to purchase a pep rally uniform. This uniform will consist of a band polo shirt, black dress pants (not jeans), and black marching shoes. Students will be able to purchase the band polo shirt and the marching shoes through the Band Booster Association. Each student must supply their own pair of black dress pants.             It is the responsibility of each band student and parent to return all Ardrey Kell uniform parts at the end of the school year or when asked to do so. Each uniform part is numbered and students will be held responsible for the exact uniform part issued to them. Failure to return complete uniforms will result in the financial replacement of all missing parts through the school treasurer in the front office, and may result in the withholding of grades/diplomas.             Color Guard members will be required to purchase their uniform for the school year and more information will be sent home during Band Camp.   FUND RAISING AND STUDENT ACCOUNTS             Fund raising for the Ardrey Kell Band is a must if we are to run as a first-class program. A percentage of all of the funds raised by students will be put into a student account which can be used for instrument rental, uniform cleaning, trips, or anything that is band related. It is important to remember that when you are asked to help with a fund raising project, you are supporting both yourself and your own band program and that with your help, we should be able to reach our fund raising goals.   COURSE OFFERINGS Wind Ensemble - The top level of Band class offered at Ardrey Kell. Students in this class will work on very high level music for performance throughout the school year. Membership in the Ardrey Kell Marching Band is required. This group has rehearsals and performances which require extra-curricular participation. Students in this class may be required to take private lessons to maintain their status in this prestigious organization. Students in this ensemble will be required to perform either a solo or an ensemble at the NCBA District evaluation or some other qualified jury process. Membership in this Band is based on an audition and Director’s approval. Symphonic Band -  The middle level of Band class offered at Ardrey Kell. Students in this class will work on music for performances throughout the school year. Membership in the Ardrey Kell Marching Band is required (special circumstances will be handled on a case by case basis by the Director). This group has rehearsals and performances which require extra-curricular participation. Students in this class are encouraged to take private lessons to help prepare them to audition/move up into Wind Ensemble. Students in this ensemble will be required to perform either a solo or an ensemble at the NCBA District evaluation or some other qualified jury process. Membership in this Band is based on an audition and Director’s approval. Concert Band - The entry level Band class offered at Ardrey Kell. Students in this class will work on music for performances throughout the school year. Membership in the Ardrey Kell Marching Band is not required, but is encouraged. Students in this class are also encouraged to take private lessons to help prepare them to audition/move up into Symphonic Band. Membership in this Band is open to all students at Ardrey Kell with at least one year of previous school band experience. Jazz Band - Advanced styles of Jazz, Swing, Rock, Pop, and Latin are learned in this class and are performed throughout the year. Members of the Jazz Band MUST also be members of one of the concert bands. Membership in this Band is based on an audition and Director’s approval. Color Guard - These students are members of the Ardrey Kell Marching Band as dancers, flags, rifles, and sabres. During the second semester they are involved in the Ardrey Kell Winter Guard. This group has performances which require extra-curricular participation. Membership in this group is based on an audition and Director’s approval.   TRIPS             The band will take various trips to concerts, competitions, etc. throughout the year and at least one of them will be an overnight trip. All such trips will be announced several months in advance, so students will have ample time to raise enough money in their student account.   BAND BOOSTER ASSOCIATION The objective of the Band Booster Association is to help Ardrey Kell Band students via their director in every way possible. Some of the major areas of assistance are:             1.  To provide chaperone to the Band for all performances/trips.             2.  To find ways to increase the number of Band students taking private music lessons to improve their playing ability.             3. To review the need for new instruments and equipment for the Band and to secure the needed items when possible.             4. To assist all Band students in raising the funds needed to meet these objectives as well as the normal expenses encountered during the school year. These include such items as:                         a.  Uniforms                         b.  Instruments                         c.  Transportation                         d.  Entrance fees and evaluations                         e.  Trips                         f.   Medals and Awards             The Band Booster Association will have regularly announced meetings each month. All parents are encouraged to attend.   ATTENDANCE POLICY             Full attendance at ALL rehearsals and ALL performances is both 100% REQUIRED and NECESSARY!! (This includes being on time and not leaving early!) All pre-arranged rehearsals/performances that are announced with at least 3 weeks notice are considered requirements for successful completion of the band course. Only through pre-arranged plans with the Director may a rehearsal or performance be excused (see Rehearsal/Performance Procedures). All rehearsals and performances held after normal school hours are considered to be an extension of the school day and are to be treated as such. In the case of an emergency which would cause you to miss a scheduled band function, you must be sure that your parent(s) call the Director BEFORE the function is missed, if at all possible.   A LITTLE BAND STORY      This is story about four Band members named EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, and NOBODY. There was an important event to prepare for and EVERYBODY was positive that SOMEBODY would do the work. ANYBODY could have taken care of it but NOBODY did. SOMEBODY was angry because they realized that EVERYBODY should have done their part. SOMEBODY thought that ANYBODY could do it, but NOBODY thought that EVERYBODY wouldn't do it. It ended up that EVERYBODY blamed SOMEBODY when NOBODY did what ANYBODY could have done and what EVERYBODY should have done!