Band Handbook/Contract

Marching Band Handbook/Commitment Contract

PHS band parents, guardians, and students, please read the following document as it contains guidelines to ensure a successful band season.

Attendance: Band is an activity that thrives on the consistent attendance of its members. All band camps, rehearsals, and performances are mandatory and should not be missed unless a catastrophic event, emergency, or illness has occurred. If an emergency occurs, notify the band staff immediately by phone call, text, or email. Band students should be on time for any scheduled event with all required items and equipment. Please keep in mind that "To be on time is to be late and to be early is to be on time". This implies band students should be present and ready to perform 15 minutes prior to any call time. Students that are late to an after school band rehearsal should have a signed pass from a tutor. Students that participate in other activities that conflict with band after school rehearsals are to communicate with a band staff member before being late or missing a rehearsal. Band students that are excessively tardy or absent from band rehearsals may be sat down from weekly performances or removed from the performing ensemble.

Behavior: Band is an activity that requires positive social interaction amongst its members. Proper behavior includes a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard to achieve musical greatness everyday. Although it is understood that students may have a bad day, band rehearsals and performances are an opportunity for band students to practice maturity in persevering through personal issues to benefit the good of the whole group. If students are unable to perform as expected they should notify a band staff member immediately. Students that exhibit poor behavior and a negative attitude towards other students, parents, or staff will be immediately removed from the instructional environment. Upon further investigation of the offending behavior said student may be removed altogether from the band ensemble and/or program indefinitely.

Health and Fitness : All band members must complete the Cobb County School District Medical Release form IFCB-5 at the start of the band season. Band is a rigorous activity and all participants are required to be in top physical condition. Students with serious health problems that are aggravated by exercise which limit full participation should be cleared by a physician before resuming band activity. All band students are considered athletes expected to condition to a level to benefit not only themselves, but the entire band. Any band students with asthma should have their inhaler with them at all times.

Cell Phone Usage: In order to perform at a high level as a band student full concentration of the musical task is necessary. Cell phones are to be used only before rehearsal to tune or practice passages with a metronome. There is to be no cell phone usage during music rehearsal inside or outside. Parents, if there is an emergency and you need to contact your child during rehearsal time please contact the Band Director(s Students that abuse the cell phone policy will have their devices confiscated by the Band Director(s) until a parent comes to pick it up. Students that refuse to turn in their cell phone to the Band Director(s) will be removed from the instructional environment. Upon further investigation of the incident said student may be removed altogether from the band ensemble and/or program.

Social Media Policy

The Pebblebrook High School Band supports the right to freedom of speech for all members. While it is encouraged, students should also be cognizant of all forms of their behavior, as it is reflective of not only themselves, but of their families and the band program. This awareness is inclusive of the use of social networking sites, group messaging apps and other online mediums. Band members are expected to not engage in any activity that would be considered inappropriate or cyber bullying during their use of social media. Band members are required to uphold the values and standards of the group. This includes posting derogatory or explicit content about the band or members of the band. Consequences for these actions may range from a suspension to permanent separation from the Pebblebrook Band Program. 

School/Personal Property: Students are to only use instruments they either own or have been assigned to through the school inventory. At no time should a student play another student's instrument. All students that use a school owned instrument should read and sign the Cobb County School District instrument loan document. Students will be responsible for taking proper care of instruments on loan from Pebblebrook High School. If an instrument is not working properly a band staff member is to be notified immediately. Under no circumstances should students attempt to repair instruments on loan from Pebblebrook High School or send these instruments to a shop to be repaired. Students that mishandle or lose school issued instruments and accessories (i.e., mouthpiece, drum head, etc may incur repair or replacement costs.

Lockers: Students that play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, baritone, and trombone will be assigned a locker with a combination lock to store their instrument. Students are to keep instruments and cases in lockers at all times. When students remove instruments for rehearsal the case should be locked inside of their lockers. Students may store personal items in their assigned lockers but will need to always leave the locker locked. No food or drink is allowed at any time in the instrument room or lockers. The band staff is not responsible for items that may be missing due to student lockers not properly being secured. Students that play a large instrument such as tuba or percussion should place instruments in the designated areas.

Band Fees: Each student and parent must comply with the scheduled band fee payments by the deadline issued. If there is a problem meeting deadlines of the fee payments, parents are encouraged to speak directly with one of the Band Directors or Band Booster Board members to work out a more feasible plan for meeting their fee obligations. Any such communication between the Band Director(s) and the Band Booster board will be strictly confidential. Please note that if an alternative payment agreement is made between the parent and Band Director/Band Booster Board member it is fully expected for the parent to honor such agreement.

Band Staff: The band staff for the 2022 - 2023 season is as follows:

Eulas Kirtdoll, Band Director

Endre Jenkins, Assistant Band Director

Michael Kirtdoll, Band Instructor

Esteban Parra, Woodwind Instructor

Demond Conner, Drum Major Instructor

Kristen McCrary, Percussion Instructor

Relencia Shaw-Howard, Auxiliary Faculty Sponsor 

LeCrecia SmithAuxiliary Instructor 

Jazmine McElrath, Auxiliary Instructor

Michael Campbell, Band Announcer 

 

Each individual listed above is a professional in their field of expertise. Band students are to demonstrate the utmost respect for ALL staff members including clinicians that may be brought in to supplement music instruction throughout the year.

Band Booster: The Band Booster is a voluntary parent organization which is vital to the overall success of our band program. We encourage all band parents to become a part of the band booster organization to support our students. Band students are to be respectful at all times to band booster members and any other parent volunteers assisting the band program. Please be sure to attend the band booster parent meetings for more information on how to get involved in your child's music education.

Fundraising: Fundraising is a necessity to ensure the band program functions at its most efficient level financially. Although band students pay fees, those alone do not cover the entire operating expenses of the band. It is our expectation all band students do their "fair share" and participate whole-heartedly in the

Academics: High academic achievement is expected for all band students. Students are encouraged to study and complete homework assignments daily after leaving band rehearsals. If a band student is having trouble in an academic class they should immediately sign-up for tutoring sessions from the instructor of that specific class. Band students failing academic courses may be sat down from weekly performances until their grades show improvement.

Parent Commitment: Parents, as the adults, you and our staff are expected to model the appropriate behavior we would expect our students to exhibit daily. Please encourage your student in this effort. Should you become aware of any conflicts between your student or yourself and another, please bring that to the attention of the Band Director(s) and/or Staff immediately. Parental attempts to resolve an issue themselves could easily be misconstrued and actually escalate the conflict. However, if it is determined by the Band Director that a parent has willfully instigated, and/or perpetuated conflict among any band member(s), that parent could be banned from participating in the Pebblebrook High School Band program. Parents, your signature below acknowledges your understanding of your important role in your student's success, and your commitment to helping your student have the most positive experience possible in the Pebblebrook Band.

Student Commitment: Students are expected to participate in the marching and concert bands during their entire high school matriculation. One of our main goals as music educators is to develop the "whole" musician by providing a variety of musical experiences for our students to participate in. Furthermore students that take part in both marching and concert band throughout high school at PHS will have fulfilled the prerequisite for eligibility to audition for college band scholarships, as those institutions expect students to participate in marching and concert band on the collegiate level as conditions of the band scholarship.

Band Stole Requirements: The Pebblebrook High School Band program traditionally awards band seniors with a band stole to be worn at the graduation ceremony. Requirements to obtain a stole are as follows:

-Participation in marching and concert band the entire duration of their high school

-Fulfillment of all financial obligations to PHS band program

 

Band Hierarchy: As with any successful organization the band program follows a hierarchy of communication. The order is as follows:

Section leaders/auxiliary captains

Drum Majors

Band Staff

Band Directors 

If a band student encounters a problem they should consult with their section leader/captain first and continue upward if the problem is not resolved. If a band student feels they are dealing with a major problem please immediately notify a staff member.

Consequences: It is our expectation that students comply with the guidelines stated in this document. Failure to comply will result in consequences given by the student leadership team, band staff, and Band Directors. These consequences may range from additional calisthenics, being sat down from a performance, to being expelled from the band program. Please see the guidelines below for more specific consequences. 

Band Demerit System:

1st infraction - verbal warning from section leader or drum major and additional calisthenics (i.e., push-ups, squats, laps)

2nd infraction - conference with band director(s) and performance consequences

Final infraction - dismissed from performance ensemble and/or band program indefinitely

Example of offenses that warrant a demerit:

- talking during rehearsal - chewing gum, eating, or drinking during rehearsal - using a cellphone during rehearsal outside of above mentioned guidelines - playing an instrument in opposition with Pebblebrook High School sound concept - horse play/laughing during rehearsal - using profanity at any time

The following offenses will result in immediate dismissal from the band program indefinitely:

-Theft of band student belongings or property of the band

-Use of profanity towards a staff member or parent volunteer

-Use of sexual language and/or inappropriate gestures/sexual harassment

-Profanity, inappropriate pictures, harassment or any derogatory social media posts about

members of the band or the band program

-Possession, use, transmittal, storage, or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs, narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, or any other substance listed under the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

**Student leaders/auxiliary captains will complete written documentation for each infraction to be signed off by the band directors**

Band student commitment signature instructions: Band students, please initial beside each statement and sign at the bottom. In order to meet the expectations of the Pebblebrook High School Marching Band, I will:

(Students that sit out will each be on a yard line with their instrument and water bottle, maintaining engagement in the rehearsal process

Uniforms (Rehearsal and Performance)

I understand that I represent myself, Pebblebrook Band, Pebblebrook High School, and the Mableton community while I am

Wearing my uniform or in any band setting. I will conduct myself with great integrity and character, only displaying the most positive representation of myself, my band program, and my community.

I understand that all athletic practices, pre-season conditioning, workouts; or clubs; or other school organizations do not take

precedence over any marching band functions (rehearsals, sectionals, performances.

Please return a digitally signed copy of this page only to the Band Directors by Monday, July 18th by clicking submit on the document. The signatures of all parties below demonstrate a full understanding of the information mentioned in this document and agreement to adhere to all guidelines