High School Band

Handbook

Kayden Nickles
kaydennickles@gmail.com
Program Description

Concert Band is a year-long course focusing on wind band literature in a classic ensemble

setting. Musical and technical skills will be developed as well as working on new theoretical

knowledge and exploring creative musical ideas. Students will be expected to be at all rehearsals

and performances unless situations outside of foreseeable control occur with director’s approval.

Students will learn and develop fundamental music skills such as rhythms, scales, and tone,

while also learning repertoire to be performed at concerts throughout the year.

Mission Statement

The high school band department’s mission is to provide students with quality music experiences

while developing other skills necessary to progress into responsible adults. This program will

bring students together to learn to collaborate towards the completion of a common goal.

Program Goals

 Demonstrate technical proficiency on selected pieces

 Develop musical ideas and context in which to use them.

 Students will demonstrate their concept of a mature developed tone

 Students will broaden their knowledge of other cultures through researching for projects

and presentations

 Students will show musical literacy in the context of selected repertoire

 Students will be able to respond to the music as an individual and as an ensemble

 Students will learn about different cultures through musical selections from those cultures
  Students will gain technical skills specific to their instrument

 Students will develop their ears through analyzing the performance of themselves and

others.

 Student will understand historical context of a piece and be able to apply this to the

musical style

Classroom Expectations

The expectation is that all students will be at each rehearsal and performance. Daily points will

be taken for rehearsals and an unexcused concert will result in the lowering of a letter grade. If

you are unable to make it to a rehearsal or performance you may meet with the teacher to discuss

ways to make up those points.

When attending or performing in any concert there are expectations of being respectful to the

performers. To do this we need to make sure we aren’t talking during the performance Dress will

be more formal or our uniforms depending on the performance. Phones and other electronic

devices will be turned off during these performances.

Grading Procedures

A = 90% and above

B = 80%-89%

C = 70%-79%

D = 60%-69%

F = 59% and below

Performances-50%

In a performance it is important that each member be in attendance. Without all the

members we don’t have our complete sound we rely on each member giving 100% always.
Because of this an unexcused absence from a performance will result in the significant lowering

of the students grade.

Playing Tests-25%

During the year there will be frequent times where there are specific music passages we

need to work on as a group in order to gauge how and what needs to be worked on we will have

playing tests to see where everyone is in the progression of the piece.

Daily Participation and attendance-25%

The students are expected to have all the required materials i.e instrument, music, pencil,

for class. With that said your active participation is another key element as we need everyone

involved in the creation of music.

Fees

There will be a $20 Rental fee for uniforms at the beginning of the year this is to help cover costs

of cleaning and any wear and tear

If your student needs to rent an instrument there will be a $30 rental fee for the year. This will

help with cost of repairs to the school instruments.

If an instrument is lost or stolen there will be a discussion with the student and parent about ways

to pay for said instrument.

Awards

At the end of the year we will have an award ceremony. At this ceremony we will present letters

for band the lettering system is as follows and the students must receive 80 points to letter

-10 points for coming to everyday of our bandcamp

-20 points for going to an outside bandcamp during the summer

-10 points for any honor band you participate in

- 20 points for taking a solo to contest

-10 points for participating in a small ensemble at contest

-5 points for any outside performance you go to (must bring a program)

-20 points for attending a lesson with me or any other private instructor

Additionally one senior will be awarded the John Phillip Sousa Award, described as an award

recognizing “superior musicianship and outstanding dedication” In our ensemble it will be given

to the student who has shown dedication to the development of their own musical ability as well

as always showing dedication to our group and displaying the qualities we want to define our

organization. These acts will be cataloged during your time in the ensemble.

Student Leadership

The following are positions that may be held during your time in the ensemble as well as their

responsibilities.

Drum Majors: Help setting up and tear down for reheasals Conducting the ensemble and

running rehearsals in my absence. Assisting with teaching fundamentals. Organzing the

leadership team for events. This position requires multiple years in the ensemble and displaying

qualities that exemplify leadership such as, but not limited to-responsibility, punctuality,

kindness, and competitive spirit.

Section Leaders (auditions held during marching and concert season): Running sectionals,

uniform checks before performances, passing down information to sections. This position

requires both ability playing-wise and organizational skills.

Student Government Representative: This position will represent our organization in all meetings

of our student council and will ensure that the votes that are cast meet the needs of the

ensembles. This will require the student to be cooperative, display professionalism, and flexible.

Calendar

August 3-7 Band Camp 3rd – All Leadership and Drumline 4th – 7th Everyone

attends
th
October 10 District Band Auditions

October 17th Kansas State Central States Marching Festival-Manhattan, KS

October 24th Neewollah Marching Band Parade and Competition-

Independence,KS

November 21st District Band

December 16th Christmas Concert

 January 24-26 Kansas State Concert Band Clinic-Manahattan, KS

February 29th State Band Auditions for those who made it to districts

March 13th Regional solos and ensemble contest. Pittsburg, KS

April 24th State Band

May 7-9 Worlds of Fun Band competition

May 14th Final Concert

Fundraising

With the trips and traveling coming up this year we will need assistance paying for these trips.

We will be doing fundraising and for every event you work at the money will be devided up into

your own accounts that I will be keeping track of for each of these instances you will get a

receipt of the money being added to your account. There will also be individual fundraising
opportunities in which all sales made by you go to you. By fundraising there will be less or

possibly no out of pocket cost to you.

Private Lessons

If you wish to sign up for lessons I will have 30 minute time slots open on Mondays and

Wednesdays from 3:30-7:00

If you want to seek further help speak with me about setting up a meeting with one of the college

professors at Kansas State to find a private instructor for you (understanding that there will be

individual fees with this opportunity)

Travel

When we go on trips you are representing yourself, this program, our school, and your parents.

While we want to have a good time on these trips we must uphold a standard of responsibility

and professionalism. That being said any use of tobacco or alcohol products while in rehearsal,

on a trip, at a performance, or event will result in expulsion from the band program.
 Booster Program
For parents of the band

If you wish to join the band boosters please submit this form either by

email or to my office. The band boosters work on fundraisers and help

support the band through meals and chaperoning.

Parents name:__________________________________

Students name:_________________________________

Phone Number:________________________________

Work schedule:_________________________________

______________________________________________

Occupation:____________________________________

Signature:______________________________________
High School Band
Medical Release Form Health Insurance Information Travel Release Form
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___ Health Insurance Information

Student’s Name:____________________________________________________ Birth

Date:_________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City/Zip:_______________________ Parent/Guardian Name:________________________________________________
Relationship:_________________________

Home Phone:________________________________________ Alternate

Numbers:______________________________________

(At Least 1 Alternate # is Required)

Second Contact, if above Parent/Guardian cannot be reached in an

emergency:____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____

Phone Number/s:___________________________________________
Relationship:_____________________________________

Known
Allergies:__________________________________________________________________________________________________

List Any Prescriptions Being

Taken:___________________________________________________________________________

Cause for
Prescription:___________________________________________________________________________________________

Family Physician/Phone
#:______________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____

Medical Release Form

I, ___________________________, hereby give my permission and consent for my child

_________________________ to be given the medical treatment, aid, or care they need by a medical
doctor or hospital as required on an emergency basis, in the event that the said student
become ill or be injured while participating in any Band event or excursion. I am aware that
this is in the event of a non‐life threatening injury if I cannot be reached.
____________________________________________________ _____________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

Health Insurance Information

Insurance Company:___________________________________________________ Name of

Insured:_____________________________________ Insurance Company
Address:______________________________________________ Company Phone Number:______________________ Insurance
Policy Plan/Group Number:_____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____

Travel Release Form

I, ____________________________, request that my child, __________________________, be permitted to

attend all excursions approved by the Music Department during the current school year. I
understand that only general supervision can be given at these activities and will not hold
any school employee responsible for any injury the student may obtain on such activities.

____________________________________________________ _____________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

Student/Parent or Guardian Information Sheet

___________________________________________________________________________________

Student’s Name:________________________________________ M/F:_____ Birth Date:___________

Student’s Email:_________________________________ Student’s Phone #:____________________ List
Any Additional Extracurricular Activities:________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name
of Parent/Guardian:____________________________________ Relationship:___________ Parent’s
Email:__________________________________ Home #:________________________________ Phone #(Best
Way to Reach You):___________________________ Work or Cell (circle one) Second Phone
#:_____________________________________ Work or Cell (circle one)

Please List the Best Times to Call You:__________________________________________________

Second Contact:_______________________________________ Relationship:_____________________
Email:___________________________________________ Phone #:__________________________________ Third
Contact:_________________________________________ Relationship:_____________________
Email:___________________________________________ Phone #:__________________________________

Handbook Agreement

I have received a copy of the High School Hand Book. I have read and reviewed all of
the band policies. I understand the expectations that are to be upheld by the band
students and will encourage my child to abide by the rules set in place and to fulfill
their obligations to the band.

____________________________________________________ _____________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

I have received a copy of the High School Hand Book. I have read and reviewed all of
the band policies and I understand that it is a privilege to be a part of this program. I
know that by signing this form I have agreed to uphold these policies and have
accepted the responsibility to attend all performances and activities in which the
band participates. I recognize that each member of the band contributes greatly to
the success of the program.

____________________________________________________ _____________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

References

https://www.holdenville.k12.ok.us/HANDBOOKS/BAND/Band_Hndbk.pdf

https://www.pittstate.edu/music/music-events.html

https://store.theinstrumentalist.com/product-category/concert-band-awards/john-philip-sousa/

https://www.usd266.com/cms/lib/KS02213491/Centricity/Domain/44/2017%20Marching

%20Band%20Handbook.pdf