Chris Revett, Director of Bands

STARLET HANDBOOK

Information/Forms

2013-2014

Andrew Snow, Director of Guards

CONGRATULATIONS . . .

This year you will be performing as a member of the STARLET COLORGUARD, Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit 2013 ‘Shakti Division’ Silver Medalist, and Winterguard International 2012 ‘Scholastic A’ WORLD FINALIST! But, before we get the show on the road we need to review a few policies and a list of events for the season. Please read carefully and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Preface

The information in this handbook has been compiled and written in order to provide Marching Band members, parents/guardians, staff, school officials, and other interested persons with information concerning the various phases, activities, and policies of the T.R. Robinson High School Band Program. Even though it will be impossible to cover all answers to all questions that may arise, all members and parents/guardians are urged to read this handbook carefully in order to avoid conflicts with the policies stated.

The Hillsborough County Public Schools and T.R. Robinson High School rules are in force at all times a student is directly or indirectly involved in any activity sponsored by or in the name of T.R. Robinson High School. County and school policy shall have priority over Band policy in the event of policy conflict.

The Director shall have authority to suspend or amend any Band policy at any time necessary in the best interest of the overall Band Program.

Philosophy

The philosophy of Robinson High School Band program is to promote and foster commitment, discipline, unselfishness, pride, and the dignity of each member as musical ambassadors of Robinson High School and the community.

The basic goal is to strive for excellence through hard work, dedication, and team work. Our success is measured by the ability of our group to fulfill the goals we value.

It is the responsibility of the staff, students, parents, and community to provide a unique and rewarding experience for these students through the continual growth and development of the band program.

**The single most important factor in the continued growth and high morale of our band is your consistent attendance. Without your presence, we cannot teach you and you cannot learn. Commitment and dedication are not taken lightly in this band.

Respect

Students will show respect to the physical space, instruments, all other students within the class, all other music students within our school, and music students attending other schools. All students are expected to show the highest level of respect for their band director, Robinson teachers, staff members, and all parent volunteers.

MEMBERSHIP

The Knights Band is open to all interested students who demonstrate the desire, ability, and proper attitude to be a member of the group. Students desiring membership into the Band must audition at various levels in order to maintain status as a Knights Band member.

*Parents/Guardians – before pulling your student out of a performance or rehearsal as a punishment, please speak with the director.

Expectations for 2013

Eligibility –Color guard members MUST audition and be enrolled in the Eurhythmics class.

Band Camp – Attendance is INCREDIBLY important.

Rehearsals – Once school begins rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-6:30.

The band may also rehearse on Fridays before a game as needed. Participation in our Rehearse-a-Thon fundraiser will also be mandatory.

Football Games – The majority of our games will be on Friday nights. Call times may very each week depending on the game situation. It is up to the student to know when the call time is each week. There will be a meal plan each week for students that need to eat at school. There is no eating, drinking or candy of any type allowed in the stands. Water only. The 3rd quarter break is a time for students to use the restroom and grab a snack or drink as they wish. *This break is a privilege and will be earned by the students. Our sole purpose is to play music, entertain the crowd, and support Robinson football.

After the game, the Knights Band will proceed back to the band room under cadence. Parents/Guardians may pick-up their student(s) when the Director releases the group. Immediately before a performance and immediately after a performance, only members of staff and Knights Band are to be in the band room. This is for mental preparation purposes.

After School Jobs – If you have a job or other activity that will conflict with any dates of the schedule, please don’t put the guard in a situation of having you miss rehearsal time. Give your employer your schedule and stay on top of them. Most employers are very happy to work with you as long as you explain to them in detail your ‘class’ situation. If they can’t work around our after school schedule, then you’ll have to make a choice.

Fall Sports – It is extremely hard to do a fall sport as well as marching band. Both activities require tremendous amounts of time and energy in addition to maintaining your grades. Recommendation: Participate in a winter and spring sport!

*A detailed plan must be discussed and agreed upon with the director and coach if you are on a team.

Fundraising – is a very vital element in the success of the Knights Band. Fundraising will give students an opportunity to raise money for the band and their individual account. Students are expected to participate in all band booster fundraisers.

Transportation policy – Students are required to use school transportation to and from Marching Band events. Students wishing to leave with parent(s) or guardian(s) must present a written permission slip to the director. Insofar as possible this should be cleared BEFORE the trip begins. The parent must take the student from the event in the presence of the Band Director. No students shall be left unsupervised at any event. ** As per county policy, at NO time will a student be transported to or from an event by another student.

Starlet Eligibility Requirements

Starlets is considered a "Co-Curricular Activity” and therefore the following academic eligibility requirements apply to all members.

A student must earn at least a 2.0 grade point average and receive no F’s in all enrolled classes for the prior grading period in order to participate in the Starlet program activities during the current grading period.
A student who fails to achieve a 2.0 GPA or receives an “F” will be placed on probation for the current grading period provided the student complies with the school tutorial assistance program.
During the probationary period the student may be excluded from participation in Starlet performances during the subsequent grading period.
A student who does not achieve at least a 2.0 GPA during the probationary period shall be excluded from participation in all Starlet activities.
A student that receives more than one “F” during any grading period will be excluded from participation in all Starlet performances for the following grading period.

Starlet Rehearsals

ATTENDANCE

Rehearsals are not optional; this includes any / all Saturdays.
All absences must be turned in at the start of the season.
All performances are mandatory! A missed performance (unexcused) could result in removal from the team.
Please let the Guard Director know immediately upon issuance of the calendar if there are weddings, SAT/ACTs, or other events already planned in advance.
Please write these requests in an email addressed to the instructor no later than June 11th, 2013.

ABSENCE REPORTS

All Practices – Report your absence to:

Coach Andy

(E)

(C) (813) 546-8082

EXCUSED ABSENCES

The following are examples of excused absences:

Absent from school that day
Went home early from school that day sick
RHS Activity (field trips, testing, etc.)
Death of family member
Other serious illness in the family

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

The following are examples of unexcused absences:

Homework, concerts, movies, social gatherings, work, just didn’t feel like coming, birthday parties, had to go eat before rehearsal, couldn’t find equipment, don’t have clothes; someone took my stuff, etc.

You are considered late (unexcused) as of the minute rehearsal starts if you are not in stretch block, in appropriate rehearsal attire, with proper equipment.
The captains will be starting rehearsal on time, regardless whether or not a guard director is present.
Showing up at rehearsal as it begins is not considered on time.
You are considered late if you do not bring all of your required equipment to rehearsal.
If you have to go back to the guardroom to get something once rehearsal has started, you are still considered late.

Responsibility for your equipment is of utmost importance to a successful season.

Please arrange for rides in advance to functions, rehearsals, and camps. Not having a ride is not an excuse to miss rehearsal.
Our rehearsal time is minimal for the type of program we have. Anything less than 100% output and cooperation will put us behind an already tight schedule.
Starlet/Band rehearsals are a class, and as such, people who interfere with the progress of a rehearsal will simply be asked to leave. If necessary, meetings with the Directors and parents may be scheduled.
A member will not be excused from any Color Guard function because they have to be at work or there is a conflict with another activity that was not previously scheduled and approved in email form.
Many students need to work and cannot be a member because of that reason.
Schedule all doctors, dentist, and other appointments around the schedule and commitments.
This is a team / partner activity; we do not have the luxury of a replacement when someone is absent.

An Unexcused absence will bench you from any performances during that week.

3 Unexcused absences will be grounds for dismissal from the team. No exceptions.

Remember being a member is a privilege, not a right!

Marching Band Performances

All marching band performances are mandatory. Students will perform pre-game, stand music, and the half-time show at each football game. Other mandatory marching performances will include any marching festivals, competitions, and parades we participate in, as well as the FBA District VII Marching Performance Assessment.

There are very few, if any, excuses for missing a performance. Every student is a vital member of the team effort and absences not only affect the person missing but also those around him/her, causing a drop in performance standards. We do not need students we cannot depend on.

Marching Band Performance Attire

At all competitions the Robinson High School Band & Colorguard are judged not only on musical and visual performance, but also on appearance. Before the band enters a competition zone, there is a formal inspection. It is imperative that all Starlets take care of their uniform that is given to them and if ruined must supply a new uniform for themselves. When a competition is tight, the difference between first and second place could be a dirty shoe or a wrinkled outfit! Accessories, such as shoes, tights, hair items, etc., are to be furnished by the student. All items are the property of the Colorguard members and may be kept after the season is over.

Away Games and Competitions

Students will be ready at the given Call Time prepared in the following manner: Equipment in the proper location, color guard make-up and accessories ready. We will load the buses only after each member has been checked the appropriate attire. Do not bring valuables on bus trips. Buses will be locked but there may not be anyone on them.

*Please remember that spectator self-discipline and sportsmanship is as important to us as the bands performance. We will always show respect to other schools and bands despite any actions on their part.

Special Events

Many times throughout the year a special event will arise in addition to normal school activities and appearances. Participation in special events not previously scheduled will be at the discretion of the Director and school officials, after conferring with the Knights Band regarding the feasibility of the event. The Knights Band cannot accept all invitations for obvious reasons and is not able to do instant performances many times. It is the policy of the Knights Band to cooperate as much as possible with special requests for performance.

Special Trips

For special trips, only those students that have earned the privilege of going will be allowed to attend. Criteria for each special trip will be set forth by the Director in advance. The following are basic criteria for permission granted status:

1. Student must be an active member of the Program, and meet fundraising goals.

2. The student must have a good record of attendance, behavior and dependability.

3. Any academically ineligible student is prohibited from participating in any special trip.

4. Any student who drops the program prior to a trip will not be eligible under any circumstances to attend.

Use of Band Facilities

The use of band facilities before, after and during school hours is a privilege. Students who abuse the facilities and its contents will be disciplined accordingly. Any abuse or damage will be considered vandalism and will be subject to Hillsborough County School District and T.R. Robinson High School policy.

BAND and STARLET BOOSTERS

The parents/guardians of the Knights Band have organized the T.R. Robinson High School Band Boosters and Starlet Boosters. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend our monthly meetings. Some of the objectives of the Boosters are:

To advertise, stimulate and maintain an enthusiastic interest in all phases of the Knights Band.
To cooperate with those in charge of the Knights Band and the school system to the end that the band be brought to and kept at the highest degree of efficiency.

To develop a closer relationship between parents/guardians, students and the Director and to stimulate the knowledge, performance and appreciation of good music.
To assist in fundraising to help finance the yearly budget not covered in the school budget.
To aid in chaperoning Band trips and activities, help with uniforms and equipment and monitor the students in security and safety matters (i.e. bus and hotel chaperones and parade guides).
To augment and encourage educational trips that are sanctioned by the school system.
To support all aspects of the Knights Band program.

Parents/Guardians Responsibility to the Band

It is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to see that the policies outlined in this handbook are followed. Each parent/guardian is responsible for the attendance of their child at all Band functions. Parents/Guardians must also see that their child practices regularly. Keep your equipment in good condition. The Knights Band will only be as strong as its weakest member. Support your child in all Knights Band activities as well as individual Band activities. The most active support system is the Band Booster organization. Your involvement can make a very positive impact on your student’s success…we appreciate your support.

Knights Band Members Responsibility to the Band

When a student decides to become a part of the Knights Band they must remember that there are responsibilities that come along with membership. The student now represents T.R. Robinson High School and the Knights Band to fellow students and the community. For the Band to be successful, every student must have regular attendance and must account for any absences. Every member must work to improve a little every single day. Each student must work within a team framework with fellow students and the Director. If everyone follows these guidelines, success in the Knights Band will result.

COMMITMENT

The Starlet Colorguard Team is a year-round sport. We understand that many of you, especially in the spring, participate in other sports. If you participate in a spring sport you must give the coaches a copy of your schedule. On the weeks that we have performances, we expect you to prioritize your schedule accordingly so that you miss none or very little of that week’s practice. The success of the performance depends on your commitment to knowing the routine.

Alternates, A Guard, and B Guard

Due to the incredible growth that our program has undergone over the past few years, it has become a necessity for our team to have alternates during the year. Our summer rehearsals are usually a very good barometer of showing which students are moving towards achieving and which students may be struggling. As we are dedicated to always performing at the highest level, students that are unable to achieve choreography and technique exercises may be asked to be alternates. Alternate members are equal to the other members and still possess the same responsibilities, but may be benched during performances until they demonstrate competency in their skills.