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FOR MARCHING BAND STUDENTS

Greetings,

It is now time to prepare for the upcoming marching band season. This is a new year with higher expectations. The band will continue to move toward a more competitive atmosphere, and we will expect more of each individual so the band will be more successful. Attendance and self-discipline will be the focus of this season. All students will be responsible for submitting the Absence Request Form for any missed rehearsals. This can be completed online in the Forms section of www.mavband.com. Do not take this lightly! Attendance will be taken at every rehearsal and event. All members should read the sections that apply to you.

FINANCES

(The school district has implemented new financial guidelines that we MUST follow beginning July 1)

  • All marching band members should have paid the non-refundable camp fee deposit of $150.00 and must pay the Camp fee balance (total $275.00.) by the beginning of band camp. If you have not submitted a deposit, you do not have a spot reserved for you in the drill. Deductions apply toward rising 8th grade students (total $200.00). Other deductions from color guard and siblings will be applied toward the competition fee. All checks from now on must be written to Mauldin High School and earmarked for band. Any amount owed on the camp fee balance after July 27 must be added to the school debt list.
  • A class fee of $25.00 will be applied to all students taking the band class and will be collected at the beginning of school. Checks should be made out to Mauldin High School. Any amount owed on the class fee balance after August 31 must be added to the school debt list.
  • A competition fee of $100 for high school marching band members will be due by November 7. Any amount owed on the competition fee balance after November 7 must be added to the school debt list.
  • All fundraisers done by the Band Booster club after July 1 will go to offset the obligations of the booster club. The booster club must provide certain necessities for the band that the school will not provide, so a significant amount must still be fundraised just to cover normal operating costs.
  • A blank check made out to Kathy’s Enterprises will need to be brought on August 3 for those students who need to purchase gloves and/or shoes. Shoes are usually about $28.00 and gloves are usually about $2.00 per pair. You need to buy one pair of shoes and at least two pairs of gloves. THIS IS THE ONLY DAY THAT THIS WILL BE AVAILABLE! This also applies to color guard members.

DATES

  • Tuesday Summer rehearsals will take place on July 7, 9, 14, and 16 from 8:00 am-5:00pm. You should arrive early and BE READY TO START at 8:00 am. Bring a lunch!!! You are expected to be at these rehearsals if you are in town. Excused absences include family vacation, active participation in sporting events, or camp, among others. You MUST submit an Absence Request Form for any anticipated absences. Once again, the Absence Request Form is located in the Forms section of www.mavband.com.
  • Percussion and Colorguard Camp will be held from 8:00am-5:00pm July 20-24. Attendance is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY for all drumline members and color guard.
  • Band camp will be held from 8:00am-5:00pm July 27-31 AND 8:00am-9:30pm August 3-7. Attendance is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY.
  • Rehearsals on August 10, 11 and 13 from 4:00-6:00pm will fall under the same attendance guidelines as the July rehearsals.
  • Normal rehearsals will take place every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 4:00-6:00pm from August 17-November 5. Your attendance at all rehearsals is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY. If you are well enough to be at school, you are well enough to be at rehearsal. Please schedule doctor visits on Wednesdays and Fridays if possible. If I have to ask where a student is that day because I have not been notified properly, that student’s hole will be filled by the time he or she returns.
  • The schedule for all football games and competitions should be posted on www.mavband.com and located on a separate page in this packet. Those performances are ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY.
  • Everybody will march in two parades in December. The Simpsonville Parade is December 6, and the Mauldin Parade is December 13.

Important note: Attendance at practice, games, competitions, etc. are considered mandatory because the absence of even one student causes significant problems. Parents and students need to understand that attendance with a good attitude is the expectation (not just the wish or hope) of this program. It is considered offensive to me, the staff, and the hard-working members of the band for any student to miss for some arbitrary reason, especially without notification. Please take the time to ask ahead of time if an absence is okay without having the assumption that it is.

BAND CAMP

  • The show music is being sent to you. You will not receive another copy of this music without paying a replacement fee. You are responsible for learning and memorizing this music. You will be required to pass off this music from memory during the second week of band camp. Start learning it now. *Percussion…your music is coming as soon as it is complete.
  • Prior to band camp, all wind players (not colorguard or percussionists) must purchase a lyre and a flip folder. The flip folder should contain at least 10 pages. You will need these items during the entire season. We will check to see that everyone has one. They can be purchased at Pecknel or some other local music stores. Make sure you check that the lyre you purchase fits on your instrument.
  • During band camp, everybody will be issued a drill book and a drill marker at no charge. You will need these materials during the entire season. If you lose either one of these items, you will be required to pay a replacement fee.
  • Everybody will be required to purchase marching gloves and marching shoes for the upcoming season. Orders will be taken during band camp. Veteran marchers may continue to use the marching gloves and shoes from the previous year if they fit and are in excellent condition. Do not wait until inspection to learn that your shoes are not in adequate condition. I would recommend purchasing two sets of gloves. Write your initials in your shoes!
  • All students using school-owned instruments must sign a contract stating that you will return the instrument in the same or better condition or will pay for any damage done to the equipment. Students using the mellophones, baritones, and sousaphones will be asked to always use gloves when handling the instruments, to properly oil the valves once a day, and to always set the instruments into their cases when placing them down.
  • All students should bring to band camp a hat, a water bottle, sunscreen, and tennis shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and bare feet will not be allowed, even on grass. Water will be available to fill up the water bottles during designated times, but breaks will be shorter and more frequent with the water bottles left on the sideline. Everyone is asked to donate one large container of Gatorade mix, any flavor, prior to camp so that students will better replenish themselves during camp. Donations will be taken up at each summer rehearsal and the first day of camp.
  • Certain foods are good to eat prior to being out in the sun, and certain foods are not good. Do not eat eggs, cheese, or drink milk or caffeinated drinks prior to going out in the sun. These foods cause students to get sick easier out in the sun. Good foods include bread, bananas, oranges, and white meat. Learning this rule the hard way is a really painful experience.

PERCUSSION MEMBERS

  • It is your responsibility to provide extraordinary care to all equipment. Line members will sign a contract stating that you will return the instrument in the same or better condition or will pay for any damage done to the equipment. Front ensemble members must cover all mallet instruments when not in use.
  • All percussionists are responsible for obtaining the required mallets/sticks for your instrument. Please contact the percussion instructor for those specifications. Anybody who breaks mallets or sticks while using the band’s percussion equipment is mishandling the percussion equipment.
  • All drumline members are required to attend the Drum Camp held July 20-24 from 8:00am-5:00pm. Your attendance at this camp is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY.
  • The music is presently being totally re-written. You will receive it as I receive it.

COLOR GUARD

  • The cost for color guard this year has been distributed by Robin. $150.00 should have been paid already. Students who have not paid this deposit are not presently considered to be on the line. You must pay this deposit or work out a payment system in order to participate. Color guard members who have not paid in full or worked out a payment plan with the booster club by July 27 will have the amount owed added to the school debt list and will not receive their uniform.
  • You will be asked to purchase specific gloves and shoes on your own. You will not need to purchase the marching shoes that the other band members will be wearing.
  • You are responsible for the care of your flags, poles, sabres, rifles and flag bags. Anything that is lost or damaged will be replaced at your cost.
  • You are responsible for learning the routine. IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME!!! Don’t wait until the last minute! Practice it so you will be ready for band camp.

LEADERSHIP

  • A leadership hierarchy is in place for the marching band. From the top down: Band director, instructional staff, drum majors, woodwind and brass captains, section leaders, others. All leaders are responsible for their sections, and all marchers will be responsible for adhering to the expectations of those above them.
  • The drum major, captains, and section leaders will be given additional responsibilities to assist with the band program’s needs.
  • A Leadership Camp will take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, July 27, 28, and 30 from 5:30-7:30pm for all Seniors, Section Leaders, Captains, and Drum Majors.

EVERYBODY VISIT WWW.MAVBAND.COM FOR INFORMATION

THE BAND ROOM PHONE NUMBER IS 355-6615.

I CAN ALWAYS BE REACHED VIA E-MAIL.

Thank you for your attention to detail,
Adam Scheuch