STMA Marching Knights

STMA Marching KnightsHandbook

Summer 2006

STMA Marching Knights

Summer – 2006

Dear parents and students,

It’s once again that time to get geared up for summer. Every year as the weather gets warmer the band gets more and more excited about Summer Marching Band, and we have a lot to be excited about this year!

We are kicking off the season with rehearsals in May and band camp at St. John’sUniversity. We will be marching in nine fantastic parades fromAlbertville to LakeCity. Throughout the season students will create new friendships, build old friendships, and learn a lot about music.

If you are joining the Marching Knights for the first time, you may feel a little apprehensive or intimidated by the expectations and older students. Please don’t!!! Our purpose is to create an environment in which every student can be successful and have fun working toward a common goal. The “veterans” of the marching band are a fantastic group of students who are dedicated to helping new students learn and get adjusted to the high school.

If you are a parent and would like to get involved we would love to have you. Our parent support is among the best and we could not run the program without you! Supporting the marching band is also a great way to be involved in your child’s education as well as a fun family activity throughout the summer. Come join us this summer! Everybody loves a parade, and it’s really exciting to see your child march with more discipline than you knew possible.

Please review the information in this handbook and feel free to contact Sam Bergstrom at 497-2192 ext. 4102 with any questions. Please return all forms by Thursday, May 11th.

Thank you for supporting music education in our schools!

Sam Bergstrom

Director

STMA Marching Knights

Information and Expectations

Mission Statement

To provide a quality musical experience in which students can develop skills in music, discipline and leadership as well as create new friendships and have fun working together as a team.

Goal

A commitment to excellence, continuous improvement and pride in everything that we do.

Accountability

While Summer Marching Band is not directly governed by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), the principles set forth for fine arts activities by that organization will be in effect. Penalties for chemical substance abuse will be the same as for in-school activities. All members of the Marching Knights are expected to exhibit respect both in and out of performance.

Attendance

• Students are expected to attend all practices and performances indicated on the schedule. Complex marching and maneuvering routines require that the band staff is aware of who will be missing at a given rehearsal or event.
• Members are expected to inform employers of their schedules well in advance and work out any conflicts. While excused absences include illness and family emergency, family vacations and special events require prior notice.

• Excellent attendance is essential in order to provide an enjoyable, quality experience for every student. Poor attendance will lead to suspension or dismissal from the group. Remember, when you are absent someone else is working harder for you!

Practices

• Members will receive a complete schedule for this season, but there may be slight adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, practice or show changes.
• Starting and ending practice times are just that—starting and ending practice. Members should be ready to practice at the designated time. At the conclusion of practice, all students are expected to help put away instruments and equipment before leaving.
• Dress appropriately for rehearsal. Layering works best for cool weather, while T-shirts and hats are recommended for sun protection. All students should wear appropriate shoes for marching. Tennis shoes are required, do not wear sandals!
• Sectionals for your individual performance area may be added to the practice schedule in addition to full band rehearsals. Prior notice will be given for these practices which will be run by section leaders.
• Parents are invited to attend any practice session. Traffic directors are needed during practice sessions in which we march around the neighborhood. We would appreciate your help or just come to watch.

Uniforms

• Each student is issued a uniform; however, there are “incidentals” that will need to be purchased separately such as white socks, gloves, and shoes. Gloves cost $2 and shoes rate depending on the condition of the shoes ($10-$20).
• It is important that band members wear white shorts and a white T-shirt underneath uniforms, as there are rarely formal changing rooms at a parade site. Also, they protect the uniforms from perspiration damage.
• Please remember that the current uniforms cost approximately $350.00 each. Students will be expected to learn how to fold and hang them properly. Shoes, socks and gloves must be cleaned before every performance as the cleanliness of these items adds or detracts from the appearance of the band. This is simply a matter of pride!
• Jewelry should not be worn in uniform (including earrings). Hair that is longer than the uniform collar should be pinned up under the hat (make sure you practice this before the first parade).

Transportation

• All members are required to use school transportation to and from events. Because of liability restrictions, only band members will be allowed to ride on the buses. Parents will need to contact the director if any special transportation arrangements are needed for their student.
• Return times of parades are difficult to predict. However, band members will usually have telephone access upon returning from an event and it is recommended that they call for a ride upon return.
• If a child is leaving after a parade with parents, you must give a note to the director before the parade, and parent must, in person, let director know when they pick up their child.

Parades

• If a student does not make it through a parade due to exhaustion or illness, we encourage a parent to accompany them to the next parade.

Lettering

Students can letter in marching band after completing the following criteria. Students must have completed at least 3 seasons of the activity and not miss more than two events each season, which includes practices and parades. After a student has fulfilled the requirements, he or she will receive a letter at the end of the season.

Other Information

Students need to pay an activity fee for Marching Band by Thursday, May 11th. The fee is $70.00 and can be paid in the activities office. If a student receives free or reduced lunch, or has already been in enough activities, he or she may not have to pay the fee and can contact the activities office for more details.

STMA Marching Knights

List of Commands

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Fall In

• Command is given as 4 long whistles (before the band is in formation)

• Band responds by moving to block formation IMMEDIATELY

• Band members should be quiet and await further instructions (usually a call to attention).

• This command is given in order to organize the band to start a practice or a performance.

Attention

• Command is given as “Band Atten Hut”.

• Band responds with “Hut”.

• Band moves on the word “Hut” to the following position:

- heels together

- toes at a 45 degree angle

- hand positions will vary for different instruments

- shoulders back

- chest out

- stomach in

- chin up

- eyes straight forward and “with pride”

• This command is given to prepare for movement. It is to focus the group on the performance and/or exercise at hand. There is no talking or moving at attention, only thinking and mentally running through what is about to happen.

Parade Rest

• Command is given as “Band Parade Rest”.

• Band responds by moving to the following position in one silent count:

- left foot slides out so that feet are shoulder width apart and feet

are at a 45 degree angle.

- heads down but back remains straight

- left hand in fist position (thumb on top) under cape in small of back.

- right hand drops to side (instrument positions will vary for different instruments

• There is no talking or moving at Parade Rest

• This command is given at anytime when the band may be standing for a long period of time.

• From Parade Rest the only command that can be given is Attention.

DressCenter

• Command is given as “Band Dress Center Dress”.

• Band responds “And Snap”, turning head towards the center point of

the rank or file.

• At this point band members should adjust to straighten the line.

• From Dress Center the only command that can be given is

Ready Front.

Ready Front

• Command is given as “Band Ready Front”.

• Band responds “And Snap”, turning head forward to Attention position.

Horns Up

• Command is given as “Band Horns Up”.

• Band responds with “And Up”.

• Horns snap to playing position on “Up”.

• This command is used to move the horns into playing position (usually for warm-ups or rehearsal).

Horns Down

• Command is given as “Band Horns Down”.

• Band responds “ And Down”.

• Horns snap down to the Attention position.

• This command is given when the horns are up and are not needed

up for the next command (usually for warm-ups or rehearsal).

Mark Time

• Command is given as “Mark Time Mark”.

• Band responds by marching in place, in step to the given tempo.

• Left foot moves up on the half-beat and hits the ground on beat one.

Right foot moves up on the half-beat of one and hits the ground on

beat two.

• Heals rise approximately 1 inch off the ground.

• Pulse is always felt in the heal, so it should hit the ground on the beats.

• This command is given in preparation for moving or at any time when the band needs to be marching in place.

About Face

• Command is given as “Band About Face”.

• Band turns 180 degrees to the left in four counts.

• This command is given when the band needs to be facing the opposite direction (during rehearsal).

Forward March

• Initiated by a whistle command - One long, four short

• On the last “tweet”, band steps off with left foot.

• The heal of the left foot hits the ground on beat one and rolling through the toe. Right foot passes left foot on the half-beat and right heal strikes the ground on beat two.

• This command is given to start the band marching forward.

Halt (vocal)

• Command is given as “Band Ready Halt”.

• Right foot is “planted” one count after command.

• Left foot meets the right to return to the attention position.

• This command is given to stop the band and have them stand at attention (usually given after a mark time).

Halt (cadence)

• Command is given by four whistles, each two counts in length.

• The percussion section responds by playing a “Halt Cadence”.

• At the end of the “Halt Cadence”, Right foot is “planted” and left foot meets the right to return to the attention position.

• This command is given to stop the band and have them stand at

Attention

• This command is given when cadences are being played by the percussion section.

Fallout

• Command is given as “Knights, At Ease” or “Relax” or “Fallout”.

• Band Members may relax and/or disperse.

• This command indicates that it is time for a break or practice is over.

Whistle Commands

•Forward MarchOne long, four short

•Mark Timethe next: One long, four short

•Roll Off (to begin playing)Two long

•HaltFour short

•Hats offTwo short, one long, 3 short