McNeil High School Colorguard Member Handbook Fall Marching Season

							McNeil High School Colorguard Member Handbook: Fall 2006 Marching Season
This handbook establishes the rules of conduct that the McNeil High School Colorguard Program will follow during the 2006 Fall Marching Band Season. This includes consequences for missed rehearsals and performances, how a member’s grade would be affected by missed rehearsals and performances, and how a member will be expected to conduct him/herself during rehearsal. The Instructor will follow this document to the letter if problems arise, so each member is expected to read this handbook carefully and ask questions if something is not clear. In order to participate in the Colorguard program, each member shall sign a document saying that they have read this handbook, that they understand the information within, and agree to the commitments described within. If a problem does arise, a member should realize that no exceptions will be granted on the basis of “I didn’t know that is what would happen if I didn’t show up to rehearsal / the show / etc.” Member Responsibility.

Membership in Colorguard requires that the member be very responsible: responsible for their schedule, and responsible for their academic success.
SCHEDULE: As a member, he/she should expect to participate in every rehearsal and every performance. ATTENDANCE TO EVERY REHEARSAL AND TO EVERY PERFORMANCE IS MANDATORY. Ultimately, a guard member will WANT to be at every rehearsal and performance because they understand and hold dear that they are an important part of a team – a team that needs their full participation in order for the whole team to be the greatest it can be. For the Fall Marching Band Season, colorguard members are allowed to miss ONE rehearsal, for whatever reason (weddings, SAT tests, orthodontist appointments, etc.). After that, the participation grade will be affected. Colorguard members are not allowed to miss any performances without consequence, whether it is contest days or football halftime performances. Attendance exceptions will be made for illness (with a note from a doctor), and bereavement. On the occasion that a member must miss a rehearsal due to one of the above reasons, the member (or their guardian) must call and inform the instructor as soon as the issue arises. If the member does not call, the exception will not be granted. JEANETTE’S CELL PHONE NUMBER IS 512.785.9985. ACADEMICS: Individual success in colorguard is utterly dependent on the member’s general academic success: if a member is ineligible, they cannot participate. Members should expect to plan ahead so that their academic schedule and their colorguard schedule do not conflict. It is each member’s responsibility to maintain their academic success to a level that maintains their extra-curricular eligibility.

MEMBERS WHO GO INELIGIBLE ARE STILL REQUIRED TO COME TO REHEARSAL.
CONDUCT: The following are the expectations of how a Colorguard Member would conduct him/herself. ATTITUDE. A good attitude is the single most important thing that a member can bring to rehearsal every day. Poor attitudes are detrimental to the success of the unit as a whole and will not be tolerated. Members with poor attitudes can expect to be removed from the winterguard program.

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The term “attitude” as relating to the colorguard activity can be divided into several categories, including:

Rehearsal Etiquette. Respect for the Fellow Member. Respect for Colorguard Captains. Respect for the Instructor. Being Ready for Rehearsal. Rehearsal Etiquette. Because of the high level of commitment accepted by and expected of the members of the colorguard, a high level of rehearsal etiquette will be expected. A high level of rehearsal etiquette will allow the unit to get the most out of their rehearsal, and minimize wasted time. These expectations include: * Members will not talk while the Instructor is giving instructions, enabling the Instructor to give instructions only once. * Members will respond quickly to instructions given by the Instructor, eliminating the need for the Instructor to repeat instructions to get results. * Members will minimize the time it takes to “get set,” running if necessary. * Members will hold chat to a minimum and at a low volume, and will stop completely when asked once. * Members will rehearse at the same energy level as they would give to a performance. Laziness will not be tolerated. * Members will bring to rehearsal a focus toward the task at hand. Members will make a good faith effort to leave their worries and distractions outside the rehearsal, and aim the full focus of their mind to rehearsal. Respect for the Fellow Member. Members will make a good faith effort to get along with every fellow member in rehearsal. It is understood that we all can’t be close friends with everyone, as all personalities are different and not necessarily compatible. However, in rehearsal all members have to work together to make a show happen. Therefore, it is in the unit’s best interest that individuals interact in an open and respectful manner to each other, regardless of their relationship outside of rehearsal. It is expected that members will act in a very mature, professional manner. There is no room for gossip, backbiting, and other hateful behavior in the colorguard, as such activity is extremely detrimental to the success of the colorguard. Respect for Guard Captains. It is expected of every member that they follow the instructions of the Captains with respect and without protest. In turn it is expected of the Captains that they will give justified and reasonable instructions, delivered with respect to their fellow members. If a member has a grievance with the conduct of a Captain, the member shall address it with the Instructor. Respect for the Instructor. It is expected of every member that they follow the instructions of the Instructor with respect and without protest. In turn it is expected of the Instructor that she will give justified and reasonable instructions, delivered with respect to the members. If a member has a grievance with the conduct of the Instructor, the member shall address it with the Instructor and the Band Director, and the member can expect to be treated with the utmost respect. Being Ready for Rehearsal. Members must be ready to rehearse (dressed out, with equipment) at the specified time. A member should plan on arriving to rehearsal five-to-ten minutes early, so they are not late. Dressing out means: wearing clothing that allows complete freedom of movement, and wearing clothing appropriate to the day’s conditions. No gum. No flipflops. Consequences. A merit/demerit system will be used to encourage good behavior as related to attitude, as described above. If the Instructor finds that a member violates any of the above expectations, she will issue a demerit. Each demerit will result in two points off the six weeks participation grade.

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Points can be regained by exceptional conduct, going above and beyond what is expected. Each merit will result in two points added onto the six weeks participation grade. Merits and demerits will be added up at the end of each six week period. GRADING SCHEDULE: Final grades are an average of three six-weeks grades, and a final. Each six weeks there are 100 points possible, divided into Participation and Skill. PARTICIPATION: 70 points Each unexcused rehearsal absence (after the one allowable per semester): 10 points off Each performance absence per semester: 20 points off Attitude merits/demerits: added or subtracted at the end of six weeks period; 1 merit = 2 points added, 1 demerit = 2 points subtracted. Absences are tallied on a semester basis, not per six weeks. For example, if a member misses two rehearsals during the first six weeks, their first six weeks Participation grade will be a 60. If that same member misses a third rehearsal during the second six weeks, their second six weeks Participation grade will be a 50. However, a member does have a chance to bring their grade up: if that member doesn’t miss any rehearsals during the second six weeks, their Participation grade will be a 70, helping their semester average. BUT, if the member misses a third rehearsal during the third six weeks following, their Participation grade will be a 50. In other words, Members have a chance to bring their grade up after missing rehearsals or performances ONLY if their follow-up attendance is perfect. SKILL: 30 points Members will be graded on the level of their mastery of movement and equipment work. Performance tests will be given periodically throughout the six-week-period during class, OR members will be evaluated during a runthrough during rehearsal. A member who misses a test because of an unexcused school absence will receive a score of zero for that test. Test 1: 10 points Test 2: 10 points Overall mastery of the show and personal improvement over the six weeks: 10 points THE FINAL TEST Members will be given a final test that reflects their skill level learned from the fall marching band season. Members will be evaluated on overall mastery of the choreography given and personal improvement. FINAL NOTE: The Instructor reserves the right to suspend the above rules in extremely special cases. However, it is her intent that the expectations laid out in this handbook be followed to the letter, in all cases. A member should expect to be responsibly and fairly treated within the confines of the above rules.

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McNeil High School Colorguard Statement of Commitment Fall 2006
I, the undersigned, understand what is expected of me as a member of the McNeil High School Colorguard Program, as described by the McNeil High School Fall 2006 Colorguard Member Handbook. I understand the consequences of my actions if I do not meet these expectations. I also understand that I will be an important part of a team, and that this team needs me to do my best as an individual in order to be successful as a team. I am committed to do my part as a member of the McNeil High School Colorguard Program, in the 2006 Fall Marching Band season. _________________________________________________________ member signature _________________________________________________________ date _________________________________________________________ guardian signature _________________________________________________________

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