Lewisville High
School Band
Guide for Freshman/New
Parents
Welcome to the
Lewisville High School Band. Band is a rewarding experience for both
students and parents. This guide will help to provide explanations
about the Band and Booster organization. The Lewisville Band and Band
Boosters were formed in 1957. The band stepped on the field for
the first time on October 27, 1957. 2007 is the 50th anniversary
of the LHS Band.
You are now as
much a part of the band as your student. Welcome.
Summer 2008 Newsletter
Select from the
section links below:
Boosters
The LHS Band
Boosters are a non-profit organization that exists solely for the
support of the LHS Band program. The boosters assist in many
aspects of the band program. The boosters are a cooperative
effort of parents, alumni, volunteers and the Band Directors.
Booster meetings are usually held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7PM in the band hall.
Schedules are always posted on the main page of the website. If you
haven’t done so already, sign up for the LHSBANDBOOSTERS and LHSGUARD
email. Send an email to the address below, or use the link on the main
website:
LHSBandBoosters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
This is a yahoo
group we use to communicate to you via email. Reminders of events and
activities are sent to your email address.
Website
The LHS Band
website is
www.lewisvilleband.org Everyone is encouraged to visit often as all
new events, schedules etc., are posted on the website as soon as
possible. The website contains the activity calendar, fundraising
information, pictures, achievements and more.
Calendar
Twice a year, a
calendar of events and activities will be mailed. This information is
also available on the website. It is extremely important that you are
aware of events and activities. The students are informed in class and
during practice of upcoming activities.
Registration
Registration for
all students (veterans as well as freshman) is held during the middle of
July. Registration times for your class will be noted in the newsletter
mailed to your home. During registration you will:
·
Pick
up the Band Handbook
·
Pay
your band fee
·
Order marching shoes (all NEW members must order marching shoes
approx. $25).
·
Order gloves. Note…it is a good idea to buy 2 pairs of white gloves.
They have to be clean before each inspection and do take a lot of wear
and tear.
·
Order optional section T-Shirts, booster T-Shirts, yard signs.
·
Have
the opportunity to signup as a volunteer for events.
·
Pay
your instrument maintenance fee (for school owned instruments).
ONE
Band
The Lewisville
High School Band is “ONE BAND”. This means that no matter what band
class you are in, including Percussion and Guard, the entire band
functions as one unit. Percussion and Guard will have some different
practice schedules and different contests. The entire band stays
together during events and activities. All students ride the bus
To/From activities and events.
Loading/Unloading
Parking has been
addressed in the following link:
Parking
Eligibility
Students must be
passing in all classes to participate in Band activities. An ineligible
student must attend all practice sessions, games etc., but may not dress
out, march or participate until ineligibility is lifted. This can and
does keep students from attending contests such as BOA and UIL. Band
students are excellent tutors. Please ask for help before the situation
is out of hand. It’s heartbreaking to see a student who has worked
hard in the program all season fail academically and be excluded from
the top activities of the season. Please read how Music Education
effects SAT scores HERE.
Fall Rehearsal
In the last week
of school, there is review of next years show. This includes veterans
as well as incoming freshman. The incoming (8th grade)
students meet their section leaders and work on marching basics. Check
the calendar for time details.
Summer
Camp
At the end of July
through the 1st day of school is summer camp. This is the
time the fall show is built. All aspects of the show will be covered
during this time. It is vital that the student attend all of these
sessions. Times will vary and schedules will be sent out. Times are
usually from early morning until noon. The students are on their own
for lunch and then there are sectional music rehearsals in the
afternoon. Students are on their own for dinner and then back to
rehearsal for evening practice. Guard and Percussion will have slightly
different schedules. A list of items to bring will be provided by the
Directors. Essentially it is as follows:
-
Drill and
coordinate books. You will not need this on the first day. You will
be informed what is needed.
-
Always have a
pencil and your music in the flip folders at rehearsal.
-
Coordinate Cards
-
Comfortable
light colored clothing. Shorts and light colored T-Shirts.
-
Sunscreen and
Hats are a good idea.
-
Athletic
shoes/socks (boots , sandals, heels, etc. are not acceptable)
-
WATER – the
student MUST bring a jug/thermos of water marked with your name.
There will be several water breaks throughout the practice sessions.
-
Make sure you
eat breakfast but try to avoid Milk products, as the heat can produce
“undesirable” results.
-
Your Instrument
-
Positions Also know
as Spots. Each year the show is written for a specific number of
students in each instrument class. This takes into consideration
the number of students who drop, or become ineligible. This
means that on average there will be 20-30 (depends on the enrollment)
students without marching show spots. Those students will either
work with props or have other assigned jobs. Most will be
assigned as "Shadows" They will learn the entire show
behind another person in their section. They will continue to go
to all practices/games/competitions. In the event a person with
a spot becomes ineligible, or injured it is filled with these
students. A good percentage of shadows do receive spots during
the year to replace students in spots who have had injuries, sickness,
eligibility or other reasons.
Practices
After school
starts, show practice is every morning (unless notified) at 7 am.
Practice runs until 8. Read the UIL practice rules
HERE. Show up for practice by 6:45am. In the words of
Dr. Courtney “To be on-time is to be late, to be early is to be on
time”. Morning practice runs through November and sometimes into
December. During Marching season there is
always a Saturday
morning or evening practice, event or competition from Mid-August
through November. All practices, football games and competitions
are class grades.
Show
Uniforms
Uniform fitting
takes place during Summer Camp. Check your calendars. The designated
day is when freshman are fitted for the uniform. You my need to have
alterations made to the pants (flight suit) in which case we sometimes
have onsite help from our band volunteers.
·
If
you choose to take your pants to a tailor be advised that the length
MAY NOT BE CUT. The excess material is hemmed but never CUT
OFF.
·
Uniforms are not taken home. The students dress in the
uniform at school and undress into casual clothes at school.
·
Your
student will receive the proper uniform list by the section leaders.
This includes what jewelry can and can not be worn, the type of
undergarments that must be worn etc.. All Freshman parents will
need to purchase V-neck T-Shirts for the student.
Casual Uniform
The casual uniform
consists of Khaki Shorts, the band T-shirt of the year, belt, athletic
shoes/socks (White). The casual uniform is worn during the first few
games of the season due to the heat.
Football Games
Game days are
especially hectic. Students perform in the pep rally at the end of the
day. Depending on whether the game is home or away, the inspection time
could be between 5 and 6 or even earlier. The directors will inform the
students of inspection time. The students will need to eat before the
game. Make arrangements to drop off food, or have the student bring
something to eat if they are not leaving school.
Inspection
Inspection for all
games/events include certain items such as the proper way to wear the
uniform, having all necessary items such as Lyre, Stand Tunes etc..
Inspection criteria will be discussed with the students. Students
failing inspection either carry equipment to/from the field for the next
week, or stay after the games and clean the band hall.
-
Food/drink/candy
and GUM are NOT allowed during games. Water is provided. Students
are allowed to go to the restrooms/snack bar on a seniority basis
(Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman) in the third quarter by the
section leaders.
-
Non-Band members
are NOT-ALLOWED to sit with the band.
-
Band members
must be attentive to the Directors, Drum Majors and Section Leaders as
the director will give hand signals for the tunes to play.
-
When in the
stands, band members must stay with their sections.
-
When you wear
the LHS Band Uniform you must wear it properly at all times.
Contests
The Lewisville
High School Band participates in several contests each year. Listed
below but subject to change:
UIL – University
Interscholastic League is the governing body, which regulates the amount
of time any student in Texas may devote to extra-curricular activities.
UIL contests in State years (2008 is a State Year) can lead to the Area
competition and possibly the State competition. LHS attended State
Competition in
2002 and placed 5th in area finals in 2004. Four bands attended
State from our region in 2004. Note that if you are entered in Solo and Ensemble
competitions and your performance requires an accompanist, the cost is
between $30 and $50 which you will pay to the accompanist. This is
in addition to the Solo/Ensemble fees.
BOA – Bands of
America is the premiere marching contest. BOA Regional contests are
held throughout the country and showcase the top bands in the area. LHS
is proud to be a 4-time finalist in BOA events. Non-State years LHS
sometimes attends (2) BOA’s. State years LHS usually attends (1) BOA.
Typically the BOA's we attend are in Houston, San Antonio, or Arlington.
The competition attended depends on the UIL Marching Contest dates.
Parent Night
Parent Night is a
wonderful event that helps the parents to understand how much dedication
and commitment your students put forth. The event is held on a Saturday
evening in late August or early September. We won’t spoil it here but
parents need to attend.
Parades
The band will
perform in the Homecoming Parade and may also perform in the Lewisville
Western Days Parade and the Lewisville Holiday Parade.
Accounts
The LHS Band Booster
organization is governed under the IRS rules for a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization. Students will be assessed a registration fee (per
student) in the summer during band registration. All outside
activities such as (BOA Contests, Marching Contests, Drumline Contests,
Spring Trips etc.) are disbursed from the general fund. The
general fund is built from parent/student payments, contributions,
donations and fundraising. There will be many opportunities to
fundraise into the general fund during the year. The LHS Band will
need everyone's participation to continue the traditions that are a part
of the program.
Volunteers
Extensive
opportunities are available. The booster organization depends on
volunteers. During the July registration, you will be given the
opportunity to sign up for many different areas in which we absolutely
depend on the boosters to provide. This is not the only opportunity to
sign up for events. Please get involved and help out.
8th Grade Rehearsals
Every year, usually
the Saturday before school is out. 8th grade students entering the
program have a rehearsal day at LHS. This day is for freshman
parents to meet the directors, for the students to meet their section
leaders and work on some basic fundamentals of Marching.
Concert Season
Students are required to purchase a Concert Tux or Concert Dress.
The cost is $90. The Tux/Dress is owned by the student and can be
used for all four years depending on fit and the care of the garment.
Some former members have their concert clothing for sale
HERE.
Solo and Ensemble
costs from $10-15 plus the sheet music for the student's performance
which is purchased by the student.
Note that if
you are entered in Solo and Ensemble competitions and your performance
requires an accompanist, the cost is between $30 and $50 which you will
pay to the accompanist. This is in addition to the Solo/Ensemble
fees.
|
