S o u t h w e s t H i g h S c h o o l
Band Program
Handbook
Alyssa Wilhelm, Director of Bands
Aaron Mathis, Assistant Director of Bands
Jacob Fahrlander, Assistant Director of Bands, Director of Orchestra
Classroom Conduct/Student Responsibilities
1. Upon entering the room for rehearsal, you are to have your folder and equipment.
Be ready to rehearse when the conductor gives the downbeat.
2. Please have a pencil with you at all times! You will use it a lot!
Pencils need to be sharpened before class begins.
3. Gum, candy, soda and any other food are not allowed in the E Wing.
Bottled water is fine.
4. Excessive talking during a rehearsal will not be tolerated.
Rehearse in a professional manner and we will have a professional sound.
5. Everyone is expected to listen closely for each instruction given by the director.
If everyone is listening, then our time together won’t be wasted.
6. Never mark on your music with a pen; please use a pencil only.
We share music with all LPS schools – take care of it!!
If your music is not returned, you will be fined for the amount of the music.
7. Respect the opinions and ability levels of others – we function as a team.
8. When we have guests in the classroom, please exhibit your best manners.
We can always learn from having different people work with us.
Those students who do not behave will be seriously reprimanded.
9. Students with any problems (musical, social, family, etc.) can feel free to talk to their music teachers about them at any time. Our door is always open to you.
10. Students are expected to be on time to class and outside of school rehearsals. Tardy students will be given a warning, followed by parent contact and, if the student continues to be tardy, it may result in lunch detention or a referral to the office.
Classroom Equipment
1. Equipment is to be used only with expressed permission of the teacher; this includes the acoustic and electronic pianos as well as the stereo equipment.
2. Teacher’s office, desks and phones are off limits for students, unless permission is given.
3. Filing cabinets are to be used with teacher permission only.
4. Use proper receptacles for all garbage: RECYCLE!
5. Leave the dry erase board clear for teacher use.
6. It is an expectation that all students put their own equipment (chair, stand, instrument, folder, etc.) away in its proper place when finished with rehearsal. Let’s keep E-Wing clean!
7. Respect the effort that went into painting the room and designing the bulletin boards; please do not deface the classroom environment.
LPS Policy Regulation #3630.1:
“It shall be the responsibility of each student to give proper care to instructional equipment, materials and supplies. Where carelessness leads to destruction or loss of equipment or materials beyond normal use, the student and/or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) will make appropriate payments. “
Attendance
Attendance is crucial for every instrumentalist. Due to the nature of the course, when a student is absent he/she misses rehearsal and explanations that cannot be made up. In addition, the entire ensemble suffers because that student was not in school to learn his/her part along with the rest of the ensemble. Excessive absences OR tardies could result in lunch detention or referrals.
Extra Rehearsals
Many times the difference between a superior and a poor musical performance is determined by the amount of rehearsal time spent in preparation. Extra rehearsals allow for many things: individual and small group work, help from visiting clinicians, and more time for that “extra polishing.” They are vital for any good performing organization. This is similar to homework in your other academic classes. Most importantly, many ensembles are split up during the school day and outside of school rehearsals are our only option to get the whole group together. Extra rehearsals will only be held as needed before big performances- they are REQUIRED! WORK IS NOT AN EXCUSE.
During Marching season, there are additional extra rehearsals in order to put drill on the field or to put the Freshmen together with the Varsity Band. These extra rehearsals are imperative to the success of the ensemble. All full band rehearsals outside of the school day are REQUIRED. If there are school associated conflicts with these rehearsals, the student must contact the directors immediately.
Varsity Marching Band students are enrolled in 0-hour marching band. This is a class and all classroom rules apply. Students will be held to the LSW attendance and tardy policies as outlined on the LSW website.
If no prior notice is given for an absence, it is unexcused. An unexcused absence will result in parent contact, and may lead to alternative make-up work.
Performances
Performances are extremely important and make up a large part of the student grade; they are like the final exam in other courses. In order to have outstanding performances, everyone must be present, for the absence of one class member does affect the performance of the class as a whole. You are expected to be at all performances unless there are emergency circumstances beyond your control. These will be excused through the director.
- ALL performances (games, contests, concerts) are required.
- Students are required to attend all performances for which a two-week notice is given. Work schedules need to be adjusted, as absences due to a student’s job are ALWAYS UNEXCUSED.
- If you know of a pre-planned event (i.e. family wedding, etc.) notice MUST be given IN WRITING at least 2 weeks prior to the performance.
- In a last minute emergency situation, students will only be excused from a performance due to a personal illness, death in the family, or an unexpected emergency. Students will not be excused because they do not have a ride.
- The director must be notified of an expected absence prior to the performance. The band office phone number is 436-1306, ext. 66504 (Mr. Fahrlander) or 66507 (Mrs. Wilhelm). This is a 24-hour number with voicemail. You may also send an email. Mrs. Wilhelm- awilhel2@lps.org; Mr. Fahrlander- jfahrla@lps.org; Mr. Mathis- amathis@lps.org
- The director(s) will determine (in a pre-planned event or emergency) whether an absence from a performance is excused or unexcused. If excused, it is the student’s responsibility to get make-up work.
- Students who miss a concert AND have given prior notice will be given an alternate assignment to earn their points. Assignments will be given at the director’s discretion.
- If a student does not attend a performance and has not given prior contact, this will result in a 0 in the grade book for that event.
- In the event of ‘bad’ weather on the day or evening of a performance or rehearsal; directors will coordinate with administrators and/or event organizers to determine if the performance or rehearsal will occur. If the directors determine that the performance or rehearsal will continue as planned, students will be expected to attend as usual. Parents can choose to withhold their child from the performance or rehearsal but the absence will be unexcused.
- No points will be taken away from a student who cannot attend a performance due to religious or excused reasons. However, a two-week notice must be given to the director along with a parent note or email.
Grading Policy
- All weekly assessments and before school rehearsals will be graded as a “Formative” assessment. Formative assessments are worth 20% of the student’s grade.
- All Seacrest evening rehearsals, Football games, Contests and Concerts will be graded as a “Summative” assessment. Summative assessments are worth 80% of the student’s grade.
Student Activity Conflicts
There are times when students simultaneously participate in an organized sport or performing group. Conflicts occasionally arise when practices and regularly scheduled events take place concurrently. Although every attempt will be made to keep such scheduling to a minimum, the following guidelines will be followed:
1. When a practice/rehearsal and an event (game or concert) are scheduled simultaneously, the EVENT takes precedence.
2. When two practices or rehearsals are scheduled simultaneously, the students may SELECT the event in which she/he will participate. He/She should make the decision and notify both teachers and coaches, whenever possible, at least three (3) days in advance.
3. Under NO circumstance will the student be penalized for his/her decision; that is, class grades are not to be lowered, the student will not be benched, nor will the student’s ability to earn a letter be affected.
4. When successive rehearsals/practices are in conflict with one another, students should try to be equitable with both activities.
5. In case of a disagreement among the parties concerned, the matter should be referred to the administrator or administrators in charge for a solution.
Uniforms
Uniforms let everyone know who we are, where we are from and what we do. This makes you an automatic representative of our band, school and community. While in uniform, it’s all or nothing. When asked to be in a certain place in uniform, that means be in FULL UNIFORM. NO exceptions. Keep your uniform clean and free from wrinkles. Please hang your uniform when storing. Pride and self-esteem are very important! If you lose a uniform part that is provided by the school, you will have to pay to replace it.
The current marching band uniforms are new as of July 2015 and will not be replaced until 2030. Please treat these uniforms with care and pride as they will be the representation of our marching band for many years to come.
Jazz Band:
All Members:
Solid Black long-sleeved shirt with a collar tucked-in – Men
Solid Black 3/4 or long-sleeved shirt – Women
Solid Black dress slacks with a belt if your pants have belt loops – Men/Women
Solid Black dress shoes (not black sneakers) Men/Women
Solid Black (long) socks!!! – Men/Women
Jazz Band Neck Tie – optional
Concert Band:
All Members: Concert Black–
Men– Black dress shirt, black dress pants, LONG black socks, black shoes (marching band shoes may be used), black tie optional
Women– Black top (no sleeveless tops please), black pants or skirt. The skirt must be below the knee while seated with black hose/tights. Shoes must be closed toe- no flip flops or sandals.
Travel Procedures
This organization travels in Lincoln and out-of-town destinations and rules apply. These rules are set forth by the State of Nebraska and LSW School Policy and are for your safety as well as the reputation of our group and school. Each time you speak, act, and think you are representing your school, your city, your state, and your country.
1. No alcohol/drugs allowed! If you use… you will be sent home at your own expense!
2. The Law: any trouble you get into with the law is on your own terms- we do not bail you out or wait for you.
3. All Large Ensembles will travel via bus. Students are required to travel on the bus unless the parents/guardians have elected to drive the student to all events.
4. Dress as you would at school. If specific dress is necessary, we will let you know well in advance.
5. No foul or off-color language at any time.
6. Follow guidelines in your itinerary for times and places.
7. Departure times are firm! Do not be late for anything.
8. If you are not sure if you have permission to do something, chances are you don’t . . . think before you act!
Southwest Music Department Philosophy:
We, the staff of the LSW Music Department, believe that students should be involved in as many activities/athletics as they wish. When possible, every effort will be made to allow for flexibility when conflicts arise. A diverse high school experience provides a good foundation for college and life long learning.