Southwest High School Colorguard Handout and Guide
2017 - 2018 Season
Southwest High School Colorguard Mission Statement
We, the members of the Southwest High School Colorguard, perform as a visual unit with the marching band, strive for excellence, and entertain our audience while most importantly having fun. We work together to stand for spirit and pride for the SWO Stallions. We express our determination, hard work, self-respect, discipline, and endurance through the form of progress towards our personal and team goals. Our passion for Colorguard comes from the fun we have, the friends we make, and the feeling of accomplishment we receive in the end.
Welcome to Southwest Colorguard!
Let us take this opportunity to welcome you to the Southwest High School Colorguard! This will be an exciting year filled with happiness, hard work, perseverance, and big pay offs. This handbook is a guideline in which each member of the colorguard will be expected to follow.
Guidelines for trying out for guard
Anyone enrolled in Southwest High School or will be enrolled at Southwest High School as a 9th grader may try-out. (Unless arrangements are made by the Band Director to broaden the team.) No experience is necessary and all students are welcome. Try-outs will be 4 days in length and will entail the applicant learning required basics, marching styles and a flag routine. Each applicant will be expected to attend each day of auditions. If circumstances arise and the applicant cannot attend a certain day of tryouts, the applicant will need to let the band director AND colorguard instructor know. The band director and colorguard instructor will judge the applicant. The applicant performs in a small group then by themselves. The four day tryouts will consist of 3 clinic days that will cover flag basics, marching styles and the routine, and the last day will be auditions. On Audition day you will be expected to perform the routine as if you are performing for competition. You are expected to attend the Audition day. If you miss Audition day, you will forfeit your turn to audition and will not be chosen for the team. If outstanding circumstances arise that are out of your control, please inform the Band director. Only extraordinary circumstances will be accepted for excuse. (Having to be at work on the day of Audition because you did not request it off is not an excuse and you will forfeit your Audition position and will not be invited to the team.)
Guard Camp
Colorguard camp is in the last part of July for a week and helps to reinforce the fundamentals taught during auditions as well as parts of the marching routine for marching season. Attendance is mandatory for guard members serious about marching during marching season.
Marching Band Camp
Marching Band Camp is the first two weeks of August and you are expected to attend each day. Camp is where the majority of routine for show is taught and learned and also when you will receive drill and plot it on the field. Missing any days of camp will put you far behind the other members and will hurt you. If you miss an exceptional amount of camp days, you may be at risk of loosing your spot on the team. If you are going to be absent, you must notify the Band Director with your reason and the expected day of your return. Excuses must be valid.
The Band Director and Colorguard instructor reserve the right to allow or disallow excuses at their discretion.
Marching Season
Marching season is defined by a football season with Marching Competitions added on Saturdays. Each member is expected to attend the games as well as competitions and other school functions defined by the band director and colorguard instructor. The band director or colorguard instructor prior to the absence must clear any absences. Should a member choose to skip a game or function the member is subject to consequences decided by the band director and colorguard instructor.
Practices
During marching season practice is held after-school during the school year. Each member is expected to be at these practices if they expect to march during half-time. Just like the game absences, the band director or colorguard instructor must clear practice absences. If a member chooses to skip a practice they have the possibility of not marching that week. If you miss an exceptional amount of practices, you may be at risk of loosing your spot permanently. Please inform the Band Director or Colorguard Instructor of any absences.
As long as you are in communication with the Band Director about acceptable absences, you will not be at risk of loosing your spot at any time during the season.
Guard Member Etiquette Towards Staff Members
At no time, will a member of the Guard become disrespectful towards a staff member (ANY staff regardless of who it is) or use profanity or other means of ill behavior. Any type of disrespect towards a staff member will result in immediate termination of your position on the Colorguard and prevent your Audition for any future Marching band seasons. This policy is fully forced.
Miscellaneous
DO NOT wear artificial nails during the marching band season. This is a health risk as you WILL hit your fingers with equipment and you WILL break a fingernail. Acrylic and Gel nails will tear off your natural nail bed and result in an injury that may require you to visit a doctor. If you must wear an artificial nail for a special occasion, please wear the temporary glue on or stick on nails. If you hit those types of nails, they are most likely going to break or pop off instead of your natural nail.
Medical
As a member of the Guard team, you will experience injury at some point. Most common injuries are hits from equipment to hands, feet and head. Injuries are rarely serious, but it can happen. You MUST have all required medical paperwork and any other medical items required by the Band Director turned in at the time it is required. Most injuries can be treated on site by a staff member. The Colorguard instructor is First Aid Certified. Any more serious injuries will be handled according to school policy and information on the member's medical paperwork.
Uniforms
Each member will be issued a uniform for marching season. The following guidelines will be strictly enforced to:
1. There is no eating while in costume unless stated to be ok by the Band Director or Colorguard Instructor.
2. Clear soda or water can be drank while in costume. Please do not drink staining drinks like Gatorade while in uniform.
3. Please remember you are a representative of Southwest High School and the Marching Stallions while you are in costume and proper manners will and are expected to be shown.
4. There will be ABSOLUTELY no profanity while in costume. If reports of profanity or ill behavior are reported back to the Band Director or Colorguard Instructor, you will be at risk of loosing your position. Decisions will, of course, be at the discretion of the Band Director and Colorguard Instructor.
Practice Attire and Additional Uniform Items
Each member will purchase shoes and gloves as part of your uniform. You will wear your gloves to EVERY SINGLE PRACTICE. You are expected to remember to have your gloves at all times. Practice attire will be expected and should be similar to what you would wear to the gym or in PE class. You must still follow any dress codes enforced by the school and/or the Band Director or Colorguard Instructor. JEANS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. If you are wearing jeans or any clothing type that will hinder you from being able to fully participate in the day's practice, you will be sent home to change. You cannot roll to the ground or execute a proper kick-back in jeans. The expenses for these items will belong to the member but payment plans can be worked out with the Band Director.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO PRACTICE?
- Your positive attitude and excellent work ethic.
- Comfortable sneakers with socks. (No flip flops or flats)
- Comfortable clothes that allow for movement. (No jeans. School dress code is in effect for all practices.)
- Your Equipment, Guard Gloves, and Sunglasses
- Sun block, whether you needed it or not.
- Water Bottle. (You need to bring enough water to keep you hydrated during practice. We will stop for water breaks during rehearsal. These will not be long break where you need to go to the vending machine. Bring water with you to all rehearsals.This is EXTREMELY important.)
Friday Game Outfits
Friday Game outfits are at the discretion of the Band Director and you are expected to wear whatever is required for that day.
Bus Behavior
The following will be strictly enforced on the bus trips:
1. No throwing items out the window
2. Follow all rules set forth by the Onslow County School District’s transportation department.
3. Listen to and respect the driver at all times.
The Band Director and Colorguard Instructor reserve the right to amend or change any parts of this handbook at anytime of the year without notice. Any changes made to this handbook will be reviewed with all members so members will be aware of those changes and what is expected of them.
Signature of Understanding and Agreement
I, ______, have fully read and understand all parts of this handbook and I will follow and execute all items stated as it is expected of me as a member of the 2017/2018 Southwest High School Marching Band Colorguard and I understand that if I am unsure of any items in this handbook, that I will address it to the Band Director and/or Colorguard Instructor so I am fully aware of what is expected.
Signature of Member ______
Date Signed ______
Signature of Parent/Guardian ______
Date Signed ______